Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Ryan let out a dry chuckle. Yeah, well, welcome to my life. And you've always been there 

   Lana smiled a little at that truth 

There was a moment’s silence before Lana spoke again. ’Okay, but about the whole professors reporting to her thing—what are you going to do about that? You can’t let this keep happening. ’

Ryan sighed. 'I don't know. I was thinking about talking to my professors and asking them not to give her updates, but let's be real—if my mom wants information, she'll find a way to get it. '

Lana nodded. 'Of course, she probably has half the faculty in her pocket. 'there is a walsh auditorium for a reason

Ryan rubbed his temples. Ugh, don’t even get me started on that. At this point I’d have to assume she paid someone to keep track of my attendance.

Lana smiled. 'Anytime you feel the urge to disappear, just give me a call. I'll help you stage a dramatic getaway. 'you know I have your back 

Ryan chuckled despite himself. "Oh yeah? What’s the plan?"

Lana rubbed her chin, pretending to think.in a bit to make his mood lighter 'We dye your hair, get you some fake glasses, and give you a whole new identity. You'll be *Brian*, an exchange student from Canada. '

Ryan laughed. 'Brian from Canada, eh? That's all you've got? '

Hey, that’s a good idea! Lana chuckled. ‘And if that doesn’t work, we get you a fake mustache and... ”

Ryan shook his head and managed a smile. "You're silly. "What kind of weird plan is that ,come to think of it , the only good plan you came up with in recent times is me having to give my mum and excuse to attend Zach's dumb party

Well it worked didn't it and well "I try," Lana said with a wink.

For the first time since they’d started talking, Ryan felt lighter. His mom’s controlling ways weren’t going to change anytime soon, but at least he had someone to talk to.

"Thanks for listening, Lana," he said after a beat.

‘Always, ’ she said. ‘And if your mom ever sends spies, just know—I’m totally on *her* side. ’

Ryan rolled his eyes. "Of course you are."you both get along well 

Of course we do and it because we are only looking out for what is best for you she teased 

  Oh spare me with that please ryan said and gave her a playful punch on the shoulder 

—Here's your extended scene with engaging dialogue and a natural flow:  

---

She’d expected to be one of the first ones there, but there he was— leaning against his desk, thumbing through his phone as if nothing at all had happened.

"Well, well, look who's early today, " Ward said, looking up as she came into the office.

Justine smirked and set her bag down. ‘Look who’s *always* here before me. Do you live in this office or something? ’

Ward laughed. ‘Wouldn’t you like to know? ’ He folded his arms, studied her. ‘I’m impressed, though. Most new employees don’t even bother showing up early. ’

“Yeah, well, I like to get ahead, ” Justine said, rolling up her sleeves. “Besides, I need to know what’s going on. I don’t want to be lost at work. ”

‘Good, ’ Ward said, nodding. ‘You complained about not doing any work yesterday, how about we change that? Let's put that enthusiasm to use. I’m supposed to be putting you through your whole work today. ’

Justine cocked an eyebrow. “Oh? You? What, did you run out of actual supervisors? Are you not the manager here if something”

Ward chuckled. 'Hey, no, well I am the manager but also I I *volunteered. Figured you'd need to get oriented to the way things are done around here. Besides, '—he leaned in slightly—'I think it'll be fun. '

Justine brushed aside the little feeling she’d felt at that last part.he seemed to be getting to her , so much for all the talk about not mixing business and pleasure 

Ward was charming, she’d give him that, but she wasn’t about to get distracted. ‘All right, boss. Show me what I need to know. ’she said to him in an official tone 

Ward chuckled. Oh, I like that. *Boss*. You'll get far here, if you keep it up. He teased 

She rolled her eyes at him, then followed him into the main office space. The place she had been yesterday but this one was more in depth,.it seemed she would be working somewhere else It was very modern and upscale, with glass walls between different departments. There was a steady noise of conversations and the clack of keyboards as the workers got to work.

‘Okay, ’ Ward said, gesturing around. ‘This is where most of the paperwork magic happens. You’ll mostly be helping out with client files, sorting through reports, and making sure everything is where it belongs. ’

Justine nodded, taking notes. "Sounds simple enough."  

‘That sounds easy, ’ Ward said. ‘But believe me, when three managers want the same file at the same time, it’s a madhouse. You’ve got to have quick feet. ’but you being my pa, what you have to do goes through me so you might have it easy here

She smirked. "Good thing I have the tendency to adapt -and you are going to be nice towards me then."  

Ward tilted his head. "Oh yeah? Is that so?"  

Indeed, I was not the brightest of students when it comes to academics in high school. But In sports and other physical activities No one could touch me.

Ward chuckled. "I’ll believe it when I see it."  

They paused at her desk, which had a computer, a file pile and office supplies on it.

Alright, this will be your desk where you help me go through files. Ward said. Get comfortable, but not too comfortable. The hard part’s about to start.

Justine sat down at her desk and started typing. "What's my first assignment, or should I say activity boss? "

Ward shook his head, grinning. ‘All right, all right, I get it. You’re making this ‘boss’ thing work, huh? ’

    If not that we talked about this yesterday, there's a huge chance I wouldn't allow it 

“Maybe, ” Justine said with a wry shrug. “It depends. Do you like it? ”

Well, it does have a ring to it, " Ward conceded. 'Just don't get me started. I might start making you get my coffee. '

She scoffed. "Yeah, good luck with that."  

Ward laughed. ‘Okay, fine. First job—get these client details into the system. It’s just data entry. You let me know when you’re done. ’this is just like the testing phase 

Justine nodded and started typing, she thanked her stars she had some computer training.her fingers moving rapidly over the keys as she entered the data. Now and then she looked up to see Ward watching her with an amused expression.

   Even to her shock , it's been long she handled a PC , truly everyone have a certain field they can excel in 

“Do you like the show, or are you thinking about something else? ” she asked, staring at the computer screen

“Just impressed, ” Ward said. “Most people take a while to get the hang of this, but you seem to have it down. ’

What can I say? I told you I get on to things easily she said with a grin.

Ward nodded approvingly. "Good. That’ll come in handy around here."  

They stayed in that groove for a while. Ward would make a joke or a funny comment and Justine would fire back one just as quickly. She found it easy to talk to him—maybe *too* easy.

     The more they spoke the more she felt a kind of chemistry building between them 

At one point he leaned against her desk and said, ‘So Justine, tell me something. Do you think you will like it here You seem capable of doing anything. ’

She shrugged, eyes on the screen. ‘Needed something steady, something that pays the bills. ’

"And what’s the *big* goal?" he asked, genuinely curious.  

Justine took a moment. ‘I don’t know, ’ she said. ‘I’m still working it out. ’

Ward studied her for a moment. ‘Fair enough, but I just don’t think you’ll stay here long. You’re too sharp. ’

She gave him a sideways glance. "You analyzing me now?"  

He grinned. "Just an observation."  

Before she could answer, a voice from across the room said: 'Ward, get off the flirting and get back to work! '

Justine turned to see one of the older employees grinning at them. Ward rolled his eyes. “It’s all good, Mark. I’m *training* her. ”

"Uh-huh, sure," Mark teased before walking away.  

Justine cocked an eyebrow. 'So this is what we're getting in to? Flirting 101? '

Ward chuckled and ran a hand through his hair. ‘I plead the fifth, ’ he said.

She shook her head and laughed lightly, then refocused on the screen. ‘Just for the record, I don’t do business and pleasure. ’

Ward smirked. ‘Noted. And for the record, I wasn’t flirting; I was *mentoring*. ’

Justine rolled her eyes. "Uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that, *boss*."  

They kept working, and the banter between them made the hours go by quickly. When Justine had finished what she needed to do for the day, she realized she hadn't looked at the clock once because she was bored.

As she gathered her things, Ward leaned against the doorframe. “Not bad for your first *real* day, ” he said. “Think you’ll survive working here? ”

She smiled and said, 'If I can survive *you*, I can survive anything. '

Ward laughed. "Fair enough. See you tomorrow, Justine."  

She waved at him, then stepped out into the cool evening air. And as she stepped out into the cool evening air, she realized something—she actually enjoyed today. Maybe this job wouldn't be so bad after all.