CHAPTER 2

Anthony ignored Mark Terry's interruption, his focus remaining solely on Lerisa with a gaze full of concern.

Lerisa felt embarrassed after Mark apologized and exited immediately, shutting the door behind him.

Mark already knew that Lerisa had a crush on Anthony, which was why she had rejected his love proposal. He shook his head in denial after seeing Anthony holding Lerisa closely by her arms, confirming his suspicion that they were secret lovers pretending before the other staff as though they were merely siblings.

"Lerisa..." Anthony called her name, making her shudder in his hold and snap out of her trance.

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

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

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

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

"No..." Lerisa responded, forcing a fake smile onto her face as thin as paper, which made Anthony relieved to know she was fine and would attend his party at home as she usually did.

"That's fine. Wait, let me drop you off," Anthony proposed, but Lerisa immediately rejected his advances. "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 gulped heavily, the words leaving a taste more bitter than when she had seen the ring earlier. Anthony kept repeating that she was like a sister to him, making it clear again that he couldn't see her beyond that—a door he would never open.

"Okay, Anthony. But I have to go home now," Lerisa corrected herself, unwilling 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 through with my routine and exercise," Anthony let her know, but she replied, "No need for that, Anthony, I said I'm fine."

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

Anthony continued watching Lerisa's face as she nervously responded, "Okay, bye, Anthony."

Lerisa quickly turned her back on him and exited his office, making her way out of the third floor and into the elevator like a bird fleeing a cage.

Anthony knew Lerisa was a twenty-four-year-old lady, and he felt bad for not being able to comfort her. He walked back toward his desk, shut his computer, and prepared to go home to his family house. He slipped the red ring box into his trouser side pocket and picked up his briefcase to leave.

Lerisa had rushed into the elevator, unwilling to meet the eyes of the other staff who stared at her as she exited Anthony's office. She felt like crying it all out, knowing Anthony would never notice her feelings for him, especially now that he was 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 and wasn't merely working for him happily.

She stepped out of the elevator onto the first floor, of the company lobby where they usually advertised their newest products. The receptionist's office and the advertising section were also located there.

Lerisa rushed toward the exit, nearly colliding with some staff on her way outside, and hurried past the area where they showcased their brand-new quality shoes and other fashion products.

She bumped into Ben Wilfred on her way out. Ben was also Anthony's friend.

"Hey, Lerisa. What's up?" Ben caught her left arm, but she shuddered away from his hold like a startled cat, disliking his touch entirely.

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

"Nothing. I'm fine. I have to go home now," Lerisa replied, running to her car in the parking lot as most of the staff were already leaving for home on that Friday evening.

Ben sighed, his fist clenching. He had come to see both Anthony and Lerisa. He loved her, but she never gave him the green light or any chance to prove his love or even speak to her.

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

Meanwhile, Lerisa quickly got into her small red car, picked up her white handkerchief, blew her nose, and started the engine. She drove out of the company premises, passed the security checkpoint at the exit gate, and headed back home to her father's house, where she still lived with her parents. She was the second-born and first daughter, with a younger sister and an elder brother.

Lerisa arrived home, drove her red car into her father's compound, parked, and alighted. She picked up her black handbag, shut the car door, and walked into her family house as night had fallen.