Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Ryan chuckled, shaking his head. “Tempting, but I’m trying to be better.” He looked at her then, his expression softer. “Thanks for sticking around, by the way.”  

Jessie shrugged. “Of course. You’re not as bad as you pretend to be, Ryan.”  

Ryan grinned. “Don’t ruin my reputation now.”  

"Come on, let’s get to our hostels. It’s getting dark out here," Jessie said, wrapping her arms around herself as the air grew a little chillier.  

Ryan smirked. “I’ll walk you to your dorm then. Let’s go.”  

Jessie shook her head. “You really don’t have to. I can walk there on my own.”  

Ryan gave her a knowing look. “Well, I insist. And besides, what kind of guy would I be if I just left you to walk alone at this hour?”  

Jessie rolled her eyes but smiled. “Fine, but only because I don’t feel like arguing.”  

As they started walking, Ryan looked at her, a slight frown on his face. “Hope I didn’t take up your whole day and ruin whatever plans you had?”  

Jessie stopped for a moment, as if just realizing something. “Now that you mention it… I’m just realizing you did. I literally had a packed schedule after class today.” She sighed, shaking her head dramatically. “Well, I guess stuff like that just happens.”  

Ryan winced. “Damn. I really am sorry about that. Is there any way I can fix this?”  

Jessie let out a small laugh. “It’s fine, really. I just have to—”  

Before she could finish, a loud ringing cut through the air. Ryan’s phone vibrated aggressively in his pocket, the shrill tone disrupting the quiet moment.  

Jessie raised an eyebrow. “Your phone’s ringing.”  

Ryan hesitated, glancing down at his pocket but making no move to answer it. “It’s fine. I can just call back later. What were you saying?”  

Jessie frowned. “It’s obviously important. You should pick it up.”  

Ryan ignored it, shaking his head. “Nah, it can wait.”  

But the phone kept ringing, insistent and unrelenting.  

Jessie narrowed her eyes. “Ryan, pick up the phone.”  

Letting out a reluctant sigh, Ryan finally pulled out his phone, glancing at the screen. The moment he saw the caller ID, his mood changed 

His mother.  

“Oh, shit,” he muttered under his breath

Jessie immediately picked up on his change in expression. “Is everything okay?”  

Ryan swallowed hard, his mind already racing. “I’m sorry, but I have to go,” he said hurriedly, stuffing his phone back in his pocket without waiting for a response.  

“Wait, Ryan—”  

But he was already turning away, his strides quick and urgent. “Good night, I’ll see you tomorrow,” he called over his shoulder before disappearing down the path, leaving Jessie standing there, watching him go.  

Jessie blinked, slightly taken aback. One second they were joking, the next, he was gone, and the look in his eyes stayed in her mind.  

She stood there for a moment, debating whether she should just let it go or text him later to check in. Something about his reaction told her that whatever that call was, it was someone important 

With a sigh, she turned toward her dorm

---

Meanwhile, Ryan walked as fast as he could, his heart beating fast. His mother rarely called this late unless it was something serious.if they were home ,this was usually the time she would be done with her bath and going over the day's business records. It was a time she didn't want to be disturbed, but things could be different now that he is away from home .

He reached a quiet spot, away from the noise of passing students, and finally answered the phone.  

“Hey Mom?” How is it going?he said, trying to keep his voice steady.  

“Ryan.” His mother’s voice was tight,  

“Yes mom, it's me ,how are you doing?” His grip on the phone tightened.  

"Where are you right now? Hope you're not skipping classes."

"No, Mom, I'm actually reading right now. I’ve been good in classes, even answering questions," he said to her.

"Are you sure, Ryan? Don't lie to me."

The tone in his mother's voice indicated suspicion, like she knew something.

"Yes, Mom, I am sure," he replied.

"Because your lecturer told me you were not paying attention in class. Ryan, is it true?"

At that moment, Ryan realized why his mother had truly called. It wasn’t a check-up call or because something was wrong—it was because he had been reported. He felt a wave of anger immediately. His mother had been keeping watch over him, asking lecturers to report to her.

"Ryan, will you answer me?" Eleanor shouted over the phone, dragging him from his thoughts.

"Um, Mom, what exactly were you told? Not everything is entirely true."

"Ryan, stop trying to deflect from this. It’s a yes or no question."

Ryan took a deep breath.

"Yes, Mom, it's true," he admitted. "What about it?"

He was getting angrier. Why was she keeping tabs on him at school? Did this mean he was never truly going to get freedom?

"What do you mean by that? Ryan, do you know the effort we took in sending you there, only for you to not be paying attention in class?" Eleanor snapped.

"Mom, I know, but—"

"Shut up! I am not done talking," his mother interrupted. "If you mess this up, Ryan, you are going to lose all the benefits you are getting."

"But Mom, what did I do wrong?" Ryan was furious now.

"I asked you a simple question, and you refused to answer. That alone tells me everything I need to know."

Ryan fell silent. It had come out wrong.

"Are you speaking to me in that manner, Ryan?" Eleanor's voice was sharp. "Listen, I don't even have time for this. I'm telling you one time—fix up, or else I will do exactly what I told you earlier."

"Goodbye," she snapped and ended the call.

"Shit," Ryan groaned. "Shit!" he yelled again, louder this time, drawing the attention of other students around.

Not knowing what else to do, he hissed loudly and began walking toward his dorm. He was visibly angry at this point, and he was never one to control his temper.

Justine finally closed at work for the day. She couldn’t wait for time to hit the closing hour before getting up—she was so ready to leave. She had been bored sick all day.

She packed up her bag and stood up from her seat. Ward, who had not said a word to her since their earlier conversation, saw her leaving and stood up.

"Hi, are you leaving already?" he asked.

"As you can see, I’m with my bag. Is it not that obvious?" she said to herself but smiled at him instead.

"Yes, boss, I am leaving. It’s been quite a day."

"Yeah, I see that. I was hoping you and I could talk for a minute, if you don’t mind," he said.

He always spoke in the most polite and nicest tone. It appealed to her and made it hard for her to turn down the request.

He had been nice—given her a job, taken her on an expensive date, and been a gentleman while at it. Nothing could harm in a little conversation.

"Alright then, let’s talk," she said.

He walked over to the door and closed it.

"Look, Justine, I don’t know how to tell you this. I wanted to say it on our previous date, but I felt it was too soon."

Justine knew where this was going. She felt excited to hear it but didn’t want to at the same time.

"Look, Justine," he continued, "I can’t deny it. I find you really attractive," he admitted. "I want us to be more—not just jump into things but get closer to each other."

Justine glanced at her watch. Time was already running late.

"The thing is, I also find you attractive and cute," she admitted. "But you’re my boss. If we get together, it’s only a matter of time before the other employees find out, and that could bring disorder to the workplace."

He nodded. "Yeah, I guess you’re right," he said, though he didn’t look too happy about it. She noticed this.

"But I am interested in being closer to you," she added. "Let’s start off as friends and see where it takes us."

This filled Ward with joy as a smile played on his face.

"Yes, I guess that could work for us. Thank you."

Justine smiled back at him. He was such a good person.

"Mind if I walk you out of the office?" he offered.

"No, boss, I think it’s too soon for that. But you have a good night."

"Oh, okay then.

Give me a call once you get home safe."

"Sure thing, I will," she said with a smile before walking out of the office.