MY CEO BESTIE AND ME

On the third floor of L.H. Group, Lerisa Jonah stood up from her office chair, having completed her work for the day.

As Anthony Gregson's secretary, she picked up her black handbag from her desk, preparing to head home. The fair-complexioned 24-year-old wore a yellow shirt, black pencil skirt, and black shoes. She wondered why she hadn't seen Anthony leave his office yet.

Anthony typically closed at 5 pm and left before 6 pm, which was the company's normal closing time. Most staff were already departing as it was past 6 pm. Lerisa approached Anthony's office to check on her boss.

She knocked on his door and heard him respond, "Come in."

Pushing the door open slightly, Lerisa entered to find Anthony seated in his executive chair, staring at a red ring box in his hands. Her heart sank when she saw the sparkling diamond ring.

Lerisa immediately realized Anthony was in a serious relationship with Clara Harry and was planning to propose soon. 

Secretly in love with Anthony herself, Lerisa felt devastated but couldn't express her feelings. Her face flushed red with sadness, and she looked down to hide her expression.

Anthony was too engrossed admiring the diamond ring to notice Lerisa's reaction. They had been childhood best friends due to their fathers' close relationship. 

Lerisa's father had been Anthony's father's assistant and had helped build the shoe company that Anthony now owned.

Lerisa knew Clara was unfaithful and undeserving of Anthony. She had witnessed Clara flirting with different men behind Anthony's back but couldn't bring herself to tell him. 

Lerisa had also seen Clara visiting Anthony's office and caught them kissing, which broke her heart knowing how serious Anthony was about Clara.

Anthony, a handsome 30-year-old man, wore a black suit with a red shirt and black shoes. His short mustache and beard enhanced his charming appearance.

Anthony finally looked up at Lerisa and noticed her staring at the floor. Having forgotten the company had closed, he asked, "What do you want, Lerisa?"

"I... I..." Lerisa stuttered, unable to speak as she was heartbroken seeing the ring.

Anthony, still admiring the ring, asked, "How do you see this ring, Lerisa? Remember that I invited you and the rest of our staff to attend my birthday party tomorrow at my family's house? Well, I want to propose to Clara tomorrow. But I don't know if she will accept this beautiful diamond ring that I bought for her from abroad. I do love Clara. What do you think, Lerisa? Do you think Clara will love this ring and accept it? I bought it to prove my love to her."

Lerisa's heart broke even more at his question. She replied, "I thought you had closed, Sir. That's why I'm here to collect the office key. But it seems you're not yet ready to go home."

Anthony immediately noticed the sadness in Lerisa's voice. He closed the ring box and stood up from his chair, walking toward her. "What's wrong, Lerisa?" he asked.

Lerisa turned away as tears streamed down her face. She couldn't tell Anthony the truth about her feelings, knowing he only saw her as a sister.

"What's wrong, Lerisa?" Anthony approached her and turned her to face him. Lerisa felt a spark at his touch, but Anthony seemed oblivious as he looked intently at her face.

"Tell me, what's wrong with you?" he asked sternly, making Lerisa shudder in his hold.

She lied, "Nothing, Sir. I only came here to tell you that I'm going home. The company has closed for the day, and I wanted to collect the office key from you."

"Sir?" Anthony questioned, staring at her face coldly with pained eyes. "How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me sir, Lerisa? You're like a sister to me, not just a staff member here." Lerisa shuddered, hating to be reminded that he saw her only as a sister.

Suddenly, Anthony's office door opened, and his assistant Mark Terry entered. 

Mark looked surprised to see Anthony holding Lerisa's arms firmly against his chest. Anthony didn't look at Mark, focused entirely on Lerisa's face.

'Do they want to kiss?' Mark wondered, but quickly composed himself and apologized, "I'm sorry, boss."