Chapter 128 Not Sleeping, Doing Something Else
"Do... do you want to sleep for a bit together?"
Joshua's body visibly froze. He looked down at her, his brow twitching slightly as he glanced at her, then at the bed. "You're asking me to sleep with you?"
"..."
Ava had originally just wanted him to rest for a while, but somehow when the words came out of his mouth, they sounded a bit... strange.
It was as if she was extending some kind of intimate invitation between a man and woman. At this moment, she was holding his hand, her voice soft, their eyes locked on each other, and an ambiguous tension spread through the dimly lit room.
Ava's face immediately flushed with embarrassment.
Joshua chuckled softly.
Ava bit her lip. "If you don't want to rest..." you can leave.
That's what Ava had wanted to say, but before she could finish, Joshua bent down, his refined features suddenly pressing close before her eyes.
His large palm cupped the back of her neck, and his cool, thin lips landed precisely on her soft ones.
Ava's pupils contracted. Joshua's intense presence enveloped her completely, and the kiss on her lips was gentle and affectionate.
Ava's heartbeat quickened by several beats. Joshua released her, but his gaze never left her face, his fingers caressing her slightly flushed cheeks.
At such close distance, no emotion could escape the other's eyes.
"Worried about me?" Joshua asked in a low voice, a touch of gentle amusement appearing in his eyes.
Ava stared at that face so close to hers, somewhat dazed.
"What's wrong?" Joshua raised an eyebrow slightly, his magnetic, deep voice carrying a fatal allure, the upward lilt at the end tinged with amusement.
Ava snapped out of her daze, her gaze dodging twice.
Joshua smiled. Just when he thought he wouldn't get a response from Ava, she softly replied with a sound.
Joshua froze in surprise, but Ava had already quickly pulled up the blanket and lay down under the covers.
Joshua laughed pleasantly, squeezed into her blanket, and a cool fragrance approached as he gently drew Ava into his arms.
Ava shifted, making some room for him, not refusing his embrace.
The two were extremely close. Ava rested against his chest, able to hear his strong, steady heartbeat.
Ava tilted her head slightly, looking up close at Joshua's well-defined features, his flawless skin perfect without a single blemish. At this moment, his eyes were closed, his thin lips lightly pressed together, the collar of his white shirt unbuttoned by two buttons, revealing a firm chest.
Ava was looking at him when suddenly...
"If you don't want to sleep, we could do something else." Even with his eyes closed, Joshua could tell she was sneaking glances at him.
Caught peeking, Ava quickly closed her eyes, her cheeks flushing red.
Joshua slowly opened his eyes, looking at Ava in his arms with amusement.
Under the soft warm light, Ava was like a startled kitten, eyes tightly shut, curled up in his embrace.
His empty heart felt filled, warmth flowing through it.
His arms tightened slightly, holding her and not wanting to let go for even a moment.
Joshua closed his eyes and gradually fell asleep holding Ava.
The sky gradually darkened.
Samuel had been sitting in the car waiting for nearly five hours and had unknowingly started dozing off.
The sound of the door opening made Samuel immediately wake up.
Turning around, he saw Joshua had already returned to the car. "Mr. Thomas."
Joshua rested his head against his hand, his extraordinarily handsome face returning to its usual cold composure.
"How's the investigation going?"
Samuel said with some difficulty, "Those people are too secretive in their movements, and very cunning. Our people have tracked them several times but they got away. What we can confirm is they're still in Silverlight City."
"Keep following them."
"Yes."
"Let's go back to the company."
...
When Ava woke up, the space beside her was empty—Joshua had obviously already left. Ava freshened up and heard a knock at the door.
Ava went to open it and saw Hayden standing outside.
"Why are you here?" Ava asked.
Hayden said, "Ava, Joshua asked me to take you to the hospital when you woke up."
Ava's eyes shifted. She had just finished getting ready anyway. "Okay, let's go then."
The two went downstairs. Hayden opened the car door for Ava, she got in, and Hayden went around to the other side, got in the car, and started driving toward the hospital.
"Joshua seems really busy lately."
Seeing Joshua's appearance today, he really looked like he hadn't slept in days.
"Yes, something's come up at the company. Joshua is handling it."
Actually, it couldn't just be called "something"—it was quite serious. To be precise, the company's system had been under attack every few days recently, and some business secrets had been leaked. Fortunately, Joshua was there and stopped the losses in time.
But the other party was very cunning and hadn't been caught yet.
Hayden didn't want Ava to worry, so he didn't go into details.
"By the way Ava, about Cleo not being willing to talk now—Grandpa and Dad are planning to get a psychologist for Cleo. Grandpa asked me to get your opinion."
"A psychologist?"
"Yes, her name is Thea Ellis. The Ellis family and our family are close friends. Thea is very accomplished in psychology and has been studying abroad. She happens to be back now, so Grandpa and Dad are planning to have her do psychological counseling for Cleo."
Cleo had suffered great psychological trauma from this kidnapping. Having a psychologist would help. Ava naturally wouldn't refuse. "Okay."
The two arrived at the hospital.
"Dr. Davis." Just as Ava was about to get on the elevator, someone called out to her. Ava turned around and saw an elderly woman sitting in a wheelchair, being pushed slowly toward her.
Ava paused for a moment. She wasn't unfamiliar with this elderly woman. Ava nodded in greeting. "Mrs. King, you can be discharged today, right?"
Briar looked at her kindly. "Yes, my body has mostly recovered. I wanted to thank you, but I saw you weren't in your office."
Ava said, "Yes, I'm not working today. After discharge, Mrs. King, you still need to watch your diet. You also have high blood pressure, so you must come back for regular checkups."
Seeing her patient, Ava's professional habits kicked in, and she naturally gave a few reminders.
Briar nodded. "Okay, I'll definitely remember. Thank you, Dr. Davis. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have the chance to be here talking to you like this now."
Briar reached out to hold Ava's hand. Ava cooperatively leaned forward slightly. "Mrs. King, you don't need to thank me. This is my duty as a doctor."
"Good child." Briar looked at Ava with eyes full of affection, truly liking her more and more.
Beautiful, with excellent temperament, and kind-hearted with strong abilities—she wondered if Timothy would be fortunate enough to marry Ava.
Briar's shrewd eyes flickered. "Dr. Davis, may I call you Ava directly?"
Ava smiled slightly. "Of course."
"Ava, are you married?"
Such a wonderful girl must be in high demand. Briar looked at Ava expectantly.
"Married?" Ava hadn't expected Briar to suddenly ask about marriage.
Briar's eyes were full of expectation and sincerity, practically writing "I have a grandson who would be perfect for you" on her face.
Hayden, who had been waiting quietly behind them, suddenly couldn't sit still when he heard this.
Briar was trying to set Ava up with someone! How could Hayden ignore this?
"Sister-in-law, we should go up now. Cleo will cry again if she wakes up and doesn't see you." Hayden deliberately stepped forward, and that "sister-in-law" was called with such obvious intent that Ava's eye twitched.
"Sister-in-law? Mr. Hayden Thomas, what's this about? If I remember correctly, Mr. Joshua Thomas doesn't have a wife, does he?" Briar was clever enough to understand Hayden's intention.
"Mrs. King, you don't know—Joshua and my Ava are preparing to get engaged." Hayden said smoothly.
"Preparing to get engaged—so they're not engaged yet, right? Before marriage, anything is possible. Don't you agree, Mr. Thomas?"