Chapter 2

Anthony ignored Mark, who had stepped into his office to see him. His gaze remained fixed on Lerisa as he stared at her with concern.

Lerisa felt embarrassed after seeing Mark apologize to Anthony.

Mark pulled the door open and exited the office. He knew that Lerisa had a crush on Anthony, which was why she'd rejected his love proposal.

Mark shook his head in disbelief after seeing Anthony holding Lerisa firmly by the arms. This confirmed his suspicion that they were secret lovers but pretended to be siblings in front of the other staff.

“Lerisa…” Anthony called, making her shudder in his hold and snap out of her trance. His hands were still holding her arms firmly.

Anthony knew that Lerisa wasn't in a relationship, so he wondered what had made her look so sad. He also wondered if someone had broken her heart or was troubling her.

“What's wrong with you? Don't tell me it's nothing when you're looking this sad,” Anthony asked, his gaze fixed intently on Lerisa's face.

“Nothing's wrong with me, Anthony,” Lerisa replied, her voice calm. “I only came here to collect the office key from you, but it seems like you aren't ready to go home yet.” She stared down at his chest, avoiding his intense gaze.

“Hmph. All right,” Anthony sighed. “I'm already going home now. But I hope you're not putting on this act just to avoid attending my birthday party tomorrow.”

“No, Anthony…” Lerisa replied, immediately forcing a fake smile onto her face. This reassured him that she was fine and would attend his birthday party at home, as she usually did.

“That's fine. Wait, let me drop you off,” Anthony offered, but Lerisa immediately declined.

“No need, sir. I came with my car today, so I'll be leaving now.”

“Sir? Haven't I told you to stop calling me sir, Lerisa?” Anthony asked. “You're like a sister to me, not just a staff member here.”

Lerisa gulped, feeling even worse than she had when she saw the ring earlier. Anthony kept reminding her that she was like a sister to him, making it clear once again that he couldn't see her as anything more.

“Okay, Anthony. But I have to go home now,” Lerisa replied, correcting herself because she didn't want him to remind her again that she was like a sister to him.

“That's fine. Drive safely,” Anthony replied calmly. “I'll come to see you tomorrow morning once I've finished my morning routine and exercise.”

He released her arms, but she replied, “There's no need for that, Anthony. I told you I'm fine.”

“Hmm.” Anthony narrowed his eyes and said, “All right. You can go home now.”

Anthony continued watching Lerisa as she nervously responded, “Okay, Anthony. Goodbye.”

Lerisa swiftly turned her back on Anthony and exited his office. She made her way off the third floor and into the elevator.

Anthony knew that Lerisa was only 24 years old. He felt bad that he couldn't comfort her. He walked back to his desk, shut down his computer, and prepared to go home to his family house.

He slipped the red ring box into his trouser pocket and picked up his briefcase before leaving his office.

---

Meanwhile, Lerisa rushed into the elevator, not wanting to face the other staff members who were staring at her.

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

Lerisa had hoped that one day Anthony would notice her feelings and fall in love with her, but he failed to see how much she loved him. She wasn't just happily working for him; she was also secretly in love with him.

Lerisa stepped out of the elevator onto the first floor, where the company lobby was located. The company displayed most of its new products there.

The receptionist's office was also situated on the first floor, alongside the advertising section.

Lerisa rushed toward the exit, nearly bumping into some staff members on her way out. She passed the displayed products on the first floor and hurried toward the exit door.

She bumped into Ben Wilfred, who was also Anthony's friend.

“Hey, Lerisa!” Ben exclaimed, catching her by the left arm.

She immediately pulled away from him, not wanting him to hold her, let alone touch her.

“What's wrong with you, Lerisa? Wait, who hurt you?” Ben asked, noticing the sadness on her face.

“Nothing's wrong with me,” Lerisa replied, forcing a fake smile. “I'm fine. I have to go home now.”

She hurried toward her car in the parking lot, noticing that most of the staff members were already leaving for home since it was Friday.

Ben sighed and clenched his fist. He'd come to see both Anthony and Lerisa.

Ben loved Lerisa, but she hadn't given him the green light or a chance to prove his love for her. He walked into the company building and made his way up to the third floor to see Anthony in his office.

----

Meanwhile, Lerisa jumped into her small red car. She picked up her white handkerchief, blew her nose, and started the engine. She gripped the steering wheel tightly as she drove out of the company premises.

The security guards inspected her car at the checkpoint before opening the exit gate. Lerisa drove off, heading to her father's house, where she still lived with her parents.

Lerisa was the second-born child and the first daughter in her family. She had an elder brother named James and a younger sister named Martha.

Lerisa arrived home, drove her red car into her father's compound, parked, and got out.

She picked up her black handbag, shut the car door, and walked into her family home as night fell.