Sasha seemed to have caught onto something and nudged Jennifer "Hey! What don't you tell me that Ryan Shore will be here?". She stole a glance in the men's direction and retracted her gaze right away.
"Why? You felt uncomfortable with him?" Jennifer handed Sasha a bottle of beer and the duo clinked bottles with each other.
"Little!" Sasha nodded.
"Ryan is the type that makes people anxious. But if you get to know him, he is a nice guy". Jennifer wrapped her arm around her shoulder while saying smilingly.
"And if you get to know him. He's a nice jerk!" Jennifer added.
"What is that?" Sasha smirked.
"What's up, ladies?" James made his way to Jennifer's side and circled her arms.
"Is that your pickup line? That's childish" Jennifer pouted and threw her chips to James. "And don't smile at him!" She roared.
Sasha's smile widened as she pushed her hair behind her ear. "Because he is funny!".
James shot a glance at the breathtaking Sasha and darted his eyes immediately to Jennifer, "Hey! What are you up to these days? You act like a bully!".
Jennifer and Sasha looked at each other with funny faces. The two of them clinked bottles again as they started to drink to their heart's content. When it was time for dinner, James was hanging around Jennifer and Sasha.
"Is James courting that girl?" Mathew gestured discreetly in the trio's direction. Ryan traced his gaze and narrowed his deep-set gaze at the sight. He tapped absentmindedly on his lap at the sight before him.
Grinning, he edged closer to Ryan and pressed on. "Don't worry! James Carson doesn't stand a single chance against Ryan Shore".
However, Ryan merely narrowed his eyes before he shot a glance at Mathew's idiotic face with a profound look without uttering another word.
The trio approached Mathew and Ryan. James tried to let Sasha sit beside him. However, Mathew deliberately separated the two and pushed Sasha toward Ryan's side.
"Mr Mathew, this is my friend, Sasha. Sasha, Mr Mathew".
Mathew turned his head like a robot and wiped his hands on his black sportswear a few times before extending a fair to politely greet her. "Nice to meet you"
"Nice to meet you too" Sasha responded in kind.
--------
Roused by the bustling music outside, Sasha made her way to the bathroom to freshen herself up before heading outside.
Sasha noticed that the yard was brightly lit as it bustled with the sounds of her friends barbecuing and drinking. She leaned languidly against the chair, the corner of her lips curved into a slight smile at the sight before her.
Sasha saw a can of Grape juice that was placed in front of her on the table. She immediately picked it up and tried to open it but something was against her which prevented her from opening the can.
Suddenly, a hand stretched out to her from the side. He held the can with one hand while opening it with another. With a 'click' sound, the can was opened and he casually handed it back to her. His movement was elegant and gave him the charm of a mature man.
In the meantime, Sasha's eyes were already filled with mixed emotions, but he remained indifferent. She acted casually when she received the can from him. Then, she placed it close to her lips and took a small sip with both her eyes lowered.
"Aren't you going to thank me?" Ryan asked her casually.
"Ahh! Thank you, Director Shore". Skylar said with a nervous smile on her face.
Upon seeing her innocent expression, Ryan's lips seemed to curl slightly into a faint smile.
"Did I say something funny?" Sasha's gaze reflected her awkwardness.
"Sasha Jones, Why are you uncomfortable with me?" Ryan asked.
Sasha lifted her head, only to be met with Ryan's deep-set scrutinizing gaze.
"Because you... " Sasha paused, choosing her words carefully. "No, I'm not uncomfortable. I was just nervous because you're so much older than me. I've always been polite to my elders."
"Old... Are you saying that I am old?" Ryan asked in a sharp voice.
Sasha was fidgeting uncomfortably under his sharp gaze. She parted her lips and said, "No. I am not saying that".
As she seemed terrified for real, his expression relaxed. "I am just joking Miss Sasha. From now on, call me by my name".
"But I can't call your name anywhere. After all, you are Director Ryan Shore of Pks" Sasha pointed out clearly.
Arching his brows, Ryan responded, "You can call me outside PKs".
"But-" She only spoke a word just to be interrupted by him, "No buts".
"Okay." She reluctantly agreed to him.
"Okay, what?" He wasn't going to let her go this easily, not unless she called him but his name. "Call me now" Ryan urged.
"Okay, R-Ryan." She said, his name almost a whisper, but he still caught it.
"Huh?" Ryan feigned innocence as if did not hear it.
"I said, Okay Ryan" She almost rolled back her eyes at him.
Ryan's lips curled up slightly. "Okay Sasha" He rose to his full height.
Sasha's heart skipped a beat when she heard him calling Sasha. She subconsciously took a deep breath to calm down.