MY CEO BESTIE AND ME

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

As Anthony Gregson’s secretary, she stepped away from her desk, picked up her black handbag, and prepared to leave. 

Lerisa was a fair-complexioned 24-year-old woman, dressed in a yellow shirt, a black pencil skirt, and black shoes. She wondered why she hadn’t seen Anthony leave his office yet. 

She knew he usually finished work by 5 p.m. and left the company before 6 p.m., the official closing time. 

Since it was already past 6 p.m. and most staff had gone home, she walked to Anthony’s office to see what was keeping him. 

Approaching his door, she knocked and heard him respond, “Come in.” 

She pushed the door open slightly and entered, finding him seated in his executive chair, staring at a red ring box in his hands. 

Lerisa’s heart sank when she saw the sparkling diamond ring inside. 

At that moment, she realized Anthony was in a serious relationship with Clara Harry—and that he was about to propose. 

The sight made her want to cry. She had secretly loved Anthony for a long time but had never been brave enough to tell him. 

Her face flushed with sadness, and she looked down to hide her expression. 

Anthony, absorbed in admiring the ring, didn’t even glance at her. 

The two 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 seen Clara flirting with other men behind his back but couldn’t bring herself to warn him. 

She had even witnessed Clara visiting Anthony’s office and kissing him, a sight that had shattered her heart. 

Anthony, a handsome 30-year-old black man, wore a black suit with a red inner shirt and black shoes. His short mustache and beard added to his charm. 

Finally, he looked up and noticed Lerisa standing there, her gaze fixed on the floor. He wondered what she wanted, having assumed their workday was over. 

Lost in thoughts of the ring, Anthony had forgotten the company had already closed. He planned to propose to Clara the next day. 

“What do you want, Lerisa?” he asked. 

“I… I…” she stammered, her voice breaking as she struggled to speak. 

She had only come to tell him she was leaving and to collect the office key, but Anthony didn’t look up again, still mesmerized by the ring. 

“What do you think of this ring, Lerisa?” Anthony asked. “Remember, I invited you and the rest of the staff to my birthday party tomorrow at my family’s house. Well, I’m planning to propose to Clara then. Do you think she’ll like this ring? I had it custom-made abroad. I love her—do you think she’ll accept it?” 

Anthony's question shattered Lerisa’s heart even further. 

She watched him smile fondly at the ring, his eyes still lowered. Fighting back tears, she replied, “I thought you had already closed for the day, Sir. I came to collect the office key, but it seems you’re not ready to leave yet.” 

Anthony finally noticed the sadness in her voice. 

He closed the ring box, stood up, and walked toward her. “What’s wrong, Lerisa?” 

Unable to face him, she turned away as hot tears streamed down her cheeks. 

She couldn’t admit the truth—that she was in love with him. To Anthony, she was just like a sister, despite their lack of blood relation. 

“What’s wrong, Lerisa?” Anthony pressed, turning her to face him. 

Lerisa felt a spark between them, but Anthony ignored it, his gaze intense. 

“Tell me, what’s wrong?” he demanded sternly. 

She shuddered in his grip but shook her head. “Nothing, Sir… I just came to tell you I’m leaving and to get the office key. The company is closed…” 

“Sir?” Anthony repeated coldly, his eyes narrowing in frustration. “How many times must I tell you not to call me that? You’re like a sister to me, not just an employee.” 

Lerisa flinched, hating when he reminded her of that. 

Just then, the office door opened, and Anthony’s assistant, Mark Terry, walked in. 

Mark froze in surprise at the sight of Anthony holding Lerisa’s arms tightly against his chest, their faces close. 

*Are they about to kiss?* he wondered, but he quickly masked his shock and muttered, “I’m sorry, boss.”