Chapter 1

“The director would like to see you, Dr. Patel,” the small woman announced, dressed in a formal nurse outfit, and left.

Ava groaned, what did he want now?

After knocking, she was invited in. The name tag on his desk read Director Mark Bryson. A strict African American who attained his height as the director through nepotism.

Ava heaved a painful sigh and cursed inwardly at the sight of her superior, Dr. Luke standing next to director Bryson with a plaster on his nose bridge.

With a hand gesture, director Bryson offered her a seat.

Ava decided to apologize first “Director Bry—”

“Ava” he cut in, using her first name instead of her designation and last name. “Who are you to Dr. Luke?” He asked

Ava held her tongue, what kind of question is this? She asked inwardly. Men here in the hospital were infamous for always belittling women and that's what the director was trying to do now.

“I am his subordinate, Sir,” she answered brilliantly.

“Inferior,” Director Bryson corrected, “Ava you're inferior to Dr. Luke. I can't believe you hit your superior just because he ordered you not to partake in the next surgery!”

Ava’s eyes widened, she looked at Dr. Luke, half amused. That bastard lied to the director. She had to prove her innocence now. “Director Brys—”

“A simple case which would've been solved through mere dialogue, instead, you Ava Patel chose violence,” he cut in and scolded

With furrowed brows, Ava tried to explain “That's not the case sir, I—”

He cut in again, “No matter the case, you're never to hit the one who is guiding you but you've shown yourself today. Ava Patel, You're suspended!” he declared

“W-What?” He didn't even give her a chance to explain

“You're suspended, until further notice” he added

With a scowl, Ava’s voice elated “That's not fair! You didn't even give me a chance to say anything, how can you do this!?” 

“You forget, Ava, that I'm the director.” Dr. Luke reminded her

Ava laughed dryly. “This is because I turned down your offer right?” She understood now that he was retaliating when she refused his advances.

These two old men are in cahoots.

Director Bryce frowned. “Don't say more than you should, Ava; I have the power to fire you now and make sure you don't ever get a decent job again!” he threatened.

She bit her lower lip, blinking continuously to stop the tears that were forming in her eyes. 

Brandon had a smug smile on his face; it made Ava regret why she punched him so weakly; if she knew she would be suspended because of it, she would've given him a scar instead.

“Thank you,” she said through gritted teeth and stomped back to her office.

As Ava packed her things, different ways for revenge clouded her mind but her rational side took over. She couldn't harm either of them even if she wanted to.

As it stands, since the two men had grudges against her, ‘till further notice’ may never come at all.

One of the things Ava disliked was being idle. It's been two years since she became a doctor and ever since then, she has worked nonstop. Even during free days and holidays, she preferred doing research and studying to going on vacations and spending time with friends and family.

Ava Patel lived in a cozy apartment in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, surrounded by colorful Victorian homes and a short walk from Presidio Bay General Hospital, where she worked.

On a Saturday morning, Ava was up already and behind her computer, surfing the web for a short-term part-time job she could do in the meantime for money.

It had been hours and all she saw were jobs that either seemed suspicious or completely not to her taste and schedule.

About to close up, an ad for a job popped up. She read out loud, “Make $800,000 from being a personal care assistant every month. For more inquiries, call or text xxx-xxx-xxx”

She paused before peering into the screen. “$800,000!” She yelled out, shocked. Regardless of how skeptical she was about it, she clicked on the ad.