CHAPTER 2

Anthony did not glance at Mark Terry for a second, who had entered his office. His gaze remained fixed on Lerisa, whom he regarded with concern.

Lerisa felt embarrassed after Mark apologized to Anthony and quickly exited the office, shutting the door behind him.

Mark was already aware that Lerisa had a crush on Anthony, which was why she had rejected his own romantic proposal.

Mike shook his head in disbelief upon seeing Anthony holding Lerisa closely by her arms, convincing himself that they were secret lovers but pretended to be siblings in front of the other staff.

"Lerisa..." Anthony called out her name again, causing her to shudder in his grasp and snap out of her trance as he continued to hold her arms closely.

Anthony knew that Lerisa was not in any relationship, so he wondered what had made her look so sad and if someone had broken her heart or was troubling her.

"What's wrong with you? Don't tell me it's nothing when you look this sad," Anthony asked, looking deeply into Lerisa's face.

"Nothing is wrong with me, Anthony. I only came here to collect the office key from you, but it seems like you aren't ready to leave for home," Lerisa repeated, staring downward at Anthony's chest, avoiding his gaze.

"Hmm, it's alright. I'm going home now. But I hope you're not putting up this act so you won't attend my birthday party tomorrow?" Anthony asked her.

"No..." Lerisa responded, immediately forcing a fake smile on her face, which relieved Anthony, assuring him that she was fine and would attend his birthday party at his home, as she usually did.

"That's fine. Wait, let me drop you off," Anthony proposed, but Lerisa swiftly rejected his offer. "No need, sir... I came with my car today, so I will be leaving now..."

"Sir? Haven't I told you to stop calling me sir, Lerisa? You're like a sister to me, not just my staff here."

Lerisa swallowed hard, feeling more disheartened than when she saw the ring earlier. Anthony kept repeating that she was like a sister to him, making it clear once again that he couldn't see her beyond that.

"Okay, Anthony... But I have to go home now," Lerisa corrected her statement, not wanting to be reminded that she was like a 'sister to him.'

"Okay, drive safely home. I will come to see you tomorrow morning, once I'm done with my morning routine and my exercise too," Anthony informed her, but Lerisa replied, "No need for that, Anthony, I said that I'm fine."

"Hmm..." Anthony hummed, finally releasing her arms, and said, "It's alright. You can leave for home now."

Anthony continued to watch Lerisa's face as she nervously responded to him, "Okay, Anthony. Goodbye."

Lerisa quickly turned her back on Anthony and exited his office, making her way out of the third floor and into the elevator.

Anthony knew that Lerisa was a 24-year-old lady, and he felt bad for not being able to comfort her.

He walked back to his office seat, shut down his computer, and prepared to go home to his family house.

He slipped his red ring box into his trouser side pocket and picked up his briefcase to leave his office.

****

Lerisa had rushed into the elevator, not wanting to meet the gazes of the other staff who were watching her as she left Anthony's office.

She felt like crying it all out, knowing that Anthony would never notice her feelings for him, especially now that he was finally settling down with Clara Harry.

Lerisa had been hoping that one day Anthony would notice her feelings and fall in love with her, but he failed to see in her eyes that she truly loved him, not just working for him happily.

Lerisa stepped out of the elevator onto the first floor, the company lobby where they usually advertised most of their new products.

The receptionist's office was there, along with their advertising section.

Lerisa rushed towards the exit door, nearly colliding with some staff on her way out. She exited the first floor where they mostly displayed their brand new quality shoes and other fashion products they sold.

She bumped into Ben Wilfred on her way outside, as Ben was also Anthony's friend.

"Hey, Lerisa," Ben caught her left arm, but Lerisa immediately shuddered away from his hold, not liking him touching her hand, let alone entertaining his touch.

"What's wrong with you, Lerisa? Wait, who hurt you?" Ben asked, noticing her saddened face.

"Nothing. I'm fine, Ben. I have to go home now," Lerisa said, running away to her red car in the parking lot, seeing that most of the staff were already leaving for home as it was Friday.

Ben sighed as his fist clenched. He had come to see Anthony and Lerisa too.

Ben loved Lerisa, but she didn't give him the green light or any chance to prove his love to her or speak to her.

He sighed again and walked into the company building to meet with Anthony, making his way up to the third floor where Anthony Gregson's office was located.

****

Lerisa quickly got into her small red car, picked up her white handkerchief, blew her nose, and then started her red car's engine.

She drove out of the company premises, passing the security checkpoint at the exit gate, and drove back home to her father's house, where she still lived with her parents.

Lerisa was the second-born and first daughter, having a younger sister and an elder brother.

She arrived home, drove her red car into her father's compound, parked it and alighted from the car.

She picked up her black handbag, shut her red car door, and walked into her family house as night had fallen.