“Yes, your highness.” She echoes amidst chuckles and shuts the door. I laugh too, June is one hilarious character.
"Silly girl." I narrow my eyes at the screen again, like I am failing to see something clearly.
"No, that can't be right." I cup head in my left hand while still scrolling through the screen with my right hand on the keys. I collapsed into the chair momentarily and tilted my head backwards, my eyes shut and facing the ceiling.
“...he gets to be more human thanks to you.”The thought of Ryan’s statement comes back to me again.
What did that even mean?If all this was him being more human, then what was he like before our paths crossed?The mere thought stifled me.
How then have the people at this company been coping with Ian at this company? Why am I the only one getting constantly infuriated? I'm not really that bad tempered, or am I? How come we don't just get along?
A snap on the door jolted me back to reality, I sit up immediately, not wanting to be caught being all unprofessional. I relaxed as soon as I realized it's just Justin.
“Ashley, you're not done yet?"
“Nope, not even close.” I reply, gazing at my screen again.
Furrowing his brow at me and placing his hands on the desk, Justin tried to get my attention before speaking.
“You are not joining me back to the apartment for dinner? You're just trying to escape doing the cooking tonight, huh?” he said with a laugh.
“Oh, come on. You know that's not it." I could not help but laugh. His assumption was incorrect, but thinking of it now, that was the only plus side for trying to get my word done tonight.
“I have to get this done tonight, you know. I still have a lot to do regarding this. Come on, take a look at this for me. What do you think? Good enough?"
Justin sighed. "I have a feeling that you're just trying to distract me from the subject of discussion, but fine, I'll oblige for a few minutes."
He moved over to the other side of the desk, facing my laptop screen now to see what I was showing him.
"Nice, not bad at all. Just a few touches and you're good to go," he said, poking me on the cheek.
"You sure? I think it's just basic though. I was thinking I should come up with something less conventional and something electrifying. I need to beat that jerk at his own game."
That had slipped out without me knowing. I hoped Justin would let it slide and he wasn’t aware that I didn't get along with the guy.
"What game? You think this is all a ploy to get back at you for insulting him?"
“Umm no… that’s not what I meant.” I flashed a guilty smile across my face, almost failing to maintain eye contact.
"Sweetheart, you should be apologizing for lying to me. Did you really think I would not find out? This company isn't that big, my dear. The only thing that flies faster than work files here is gossip. Need I remind you that virtually everyone has got eyes on you? Especially after this huge project you just clinched?"
"Alright, alright, I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I just knew you wouldn't be happy about it and you'd start to worry."
"Well, I would not have to worry so much if you weren't so hotheaded." He was scolding me in mock seriousness and I pouted my lips like a baby, blinking severally as I clap my hands together apologetically.
"You will have to make it up to me." I knew I should have just ignored him just then. Now he was taking undue advantage.
"For real? Come on! Don't be like that!" He looked at me in mock derision and hissed, then continued.
"For breaking our bond of trust and lying right to my face, you are buying dinner tonight. Pick up some cheeseburgers on your way back, and fries too." He said smiling mischievously. He briskly lifted himself from my desk where he had been sitting with half his buttock.
"You can't be serious!"
"See you later in the apartment. I'll be kind enough to make you some hot coffee when you get back." He made to leave, then stopped again.
“Hold up, why don't you just finish this up at home? I promise, I'll try not to be a bother.” He gave a wry smile, compelling me to laugh some too.
“Yeah, right. I can handle you though, just a good dose of whiskey and you're snoring like a whale on pilgrimage." His speechless reaction to my clapback left me laughing victoriously.