CHAPTER 3

Lerisa walks into the living room of her family mansion and meets her mother standing beside the dining room, arranging the chairs.

Her elder brother and younger sister are not around, as they are still in school.

"Good evening, Mom," Lerisa greets her mother but does not stop in the living room as she walks toward the corridor that leads to all the rooms in the big house.

Mrs. Antonia wonders what has happened to her first daughter as she sees how Lerisa’s face looks quite red.

She quickly calls Lerisa back.

"Come here, Lerisa! What happened in the office today? Why does your face look so red?"

Lerisa stops and replies, "Nothing, Mom, I’m fine."

Mrs. Antonia sighs and dismisses Lerisa. "That’s alright; go quickly and come join your father and me for dinner.”

“Okay, Mom,” Lerisa replies before darting into the corridor and going to her room to take her bath.

Lerisa steps into her room and closes the door behind her. She cries and leans against the door for support before she strides to her pink bed to drop her black handbag.

Lerisa sees it is 7 p.m. The company is a thirty-minute drive from her home.

She goes to strip off her clothes to take her bath, as she cannot keep her parents waiting to join them for dinner.

After Lerisa is through with her bath, she walks out of her bathroom and pauses at her mirror to stare at her reflection. She braces herself and knows that Anthony will never love her.

Lerisa mutters to her reflection—a curvy, seductive woman staring back at her.

"What am I going to do? Anthony will never notice me, and he will soon be married.”

Lerisa knows there is nothing she can do, so she goes to search her wardrobe for the evening gown she will wear.

She takes out a long blue gown, puts it on, and then applies dusting powder to her face and neck to hide her sadness from her parents and prevent further questions.

***

Meanwhile, Anthony is still in the third-floor hallway when Ben steps out of the elevator and walks up to meet him.

Ben smiles and greets Anthony. “What’s up with you, bro?"

Anthony does not like Ben’s company, despite Ben being a high school friend. Ben owns a hotel and loves hanging out with different ladies. However, Ben will not back off, and he keeps visiting Anthony, even though Anthony does not return the favor.

“Nothing much. How about you? I’m leaving for home now, as you can see we have closed,” Anthony replies as he walks into the elevator with Ben. They go down to the first floor and outside to the company parking lot, where their cars are parked.

“That reminds me, Anthony. I saw your secretary earlier when I arrived here, and she looked quite upset. What’s wrong with her? Did you fire her?” Ben inquires. Anthony sighs and shakes his head, wishing he understood Lerisa, but he does not.

Anthony replies, “I don’t know what happened to Lerisa, but she said she’s fine. I did not terminate her employment.”

Anthony thinks Lerisa is not happy about him marrying Clara. He believes her mood changed when she saw him staring at the red ring box.

Anthony cannot understand why Lerisa would be sad when she should be happy he is finally getting married.

“Hmm… That’s alright. I really like Lerisa, and I have been asking her out, but she will not consider me. Can you please talk to her on my behalf?” Ben asks.

Anthony stares coldly at Ben’s face as they stand beside their cars. The rest of the cars have left the parking lot, with darkness covering the previously bright sky.

Anthony replies, “How many times must I help you talk to Lerisa? She does not want you and would not accept your proposal, and I do not understand why. She is not in any relationship that I know of.”

Anthony glances at the golden wristwatch on his left wrist. He sees it is 8 p.m. Ben replies, “But she listens to you, Anthony. If you help me by speaking with her, I believe she will agree to date me. I am serious about her and want to marry her."

“Hahaha, are you serious about settling down with Lerisa? Do you think she will agree to marry you if I order her to? She only works for me because my father and her father were friends and worked together to build this company. That made our families close; she is like a sister to me, and I want her happiness. I do not think you deserve her. But do not worry, I will try to help you talk to Lerisa again to see if she will accept you."

“Okay, Anthony, I will look forward to that. Thanks,” Ben says. Anthony shakes hands with him, and they hug warmly before parting and walking to their cars.

Anthony remembers and asks Ben, "Tomorrow is my birthday, Ben. Lerisa will be attending; will you come as well? I will expect to see you there."

Ben frowns and replies, “I know, but where are you celebrating? Why not come to my club? You would have more fun there than at home with your parents, like a mama’s boy."

Anthony glares at Ben before replying, “No. My parents want me to celebrate at home. It has always been our custom to celebrate events at home in our family hall. I will expect to see you tomorrow, Ben. Good night.”

Anthony quickly gets into his black car. He pulls the door shut after sitting down, starts the engine, and drives out of the company, heading home.

Ben also leaves the company in his car.