CHAPTER 2

Anthony ignored Mark and didn't avert his gaze to look at him for even a second, even though he had stepped into his office.

His gaze remained fixed on Lerisa, whom he stared at with concern.

Lerisa felt embarrassed after seeing Mark apologize to Anthony. Mark exited Anthony's office immediately, shutting the door behind him.

Mark already knew that Lerisa had a crush on Anthony, which was why she had rejected his marriage proposal.

He shook his head in denial as he saw Anthony holding Lerisa's arms closely, confirming his suspicion that they were secret lovers pretending to be like siblings in front of the other staff.

“Lerisa...” Anthony called her name again, making her shudder in his hold and snap out of her trance, as he still held her arms closely.

Anthony knew that Lerisa wasn't 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'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're not ready to leave for home,” Lerisa repeated, staring down at Anthony's chest, avoiding his gaze.

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

“No...” Lerisa responded, immediately forcing a fake smile onto her face, which relieved Anthony, knowing 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 immediately rejected the offer. “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? You're like a sister to me, not just my staff here.”

Lerisa gulped heavily, feeling more hurt than when she had seen 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 as anything more.

“Okay, Anthony. But I have to go home now,” Lerisa said, correcting herself, not wanting to be reminded that she was like a sister to him.

“Okay, drive safely home. I'll come see you tomorrow morning after my morning exercise,” Anthony told her, but Lerisa replied, “No need for that, Anthony. I said I'm fine.”

“Hmm…” Anthony hummed, finally releasing her arms. “It's alright. You can go home now.”

Anthony watched as Lerisa nervously responded, “Okay, Anthony. Goodbye.”

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

Anthony knew Lerisa was a twenty-four-year-old woman, and he felt bad for not being able to comfort her.

Anthony walked back to his office chair, 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 to leave his office.

-----

Lerisa rushed into the elevator, avoiding the stares of the other staff who watched her exit 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 hoped 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, beyond just working happily for him.

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

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

Lerisa rushed toward the exit door, nearly bumping into some staff on her way out. She exited the building, where on the first floor they advertised their brand-new quality shoes and other fashion products.

Lerisa bumped into Ben Wilfred on her way out; Ben was Anthony's friend too.

“Hey, Lerisa,” Ben said, catching her left arm, but Lerisa immediately pulled away from his hold, not liking him touching her.

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

“Nothing. I'm fine. I have to go home now,” Lerisa said, running to her car in the parking lot. Most of the staff were already leaving for home, as it was Friday.

Ben sighed, clenching his fist. He had come to see Anthony and Lerisa.

Ben loved Lerisa, but she hadn't given him any chance to prove his love or even speak to her.

Exhaling, Ben walked into the company building to meet Anthony, heading up to the third floor where Anthony Gregson's office was.

-----

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, passing the security checkpoint at the exit gate, and headed home to her father's house, where she still lived with her parents.

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

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

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