Chapter 2: Running home

Anthony didn't shift his gaze to stare at Mark Terry for a second, who had stepped into his office to see him. His gaze remained strictly on Lerisa, whom he was staring at with concern.

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

Mark was aware that Lerisa had a crush on Anthony, which was the reason she rejected his love proposal.

Mark shook his head in denial after seeing Anthony holding Lerisa closely by her arms, confirming to him that they were secret lovers but pretending in front of the other staff like they were siblings.

"Lerisa..." Anthony called out her name, making her shudder in his hold and snap out of her trance, as he was still holding her arms closely.

Anthony knew that Lerisa was not in any relationship, so he wondered what had made her look 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're looking 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, not wanting to meet his gaze.

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

"No..." Lerisa responded, forcing a fake smile, which made Anthony relieved to know that she was fine and that she would attend his birthday party at home, as she usually does.

"That's fine. Wait, let me drop you off," Anthony proposed, but Lerisa 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, and not just my staff here," Anthony reiterated.

Lerisa gulped heavily, feeling more sour than when she saw the ring earlier. Anthony kept repeating to her that she was like a sister to him, making it clear 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 through with my morning routine and my exercise too," Anthony let her know, 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 watching Lerisa's face as she nervously responded to him, "Okay, goodbye, Anthony."

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 toward his office seat, shut his computer, and set to go home to his family house.

He dipped 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 stare at the other staff's faces who were staring at her as she exited Anthony's office.

She felt like crying, 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 really loved him, not just working for him happily.

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

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

Lerisa rushed towards the exit door, nearly hitting some staff on her way outside. She exited the first floor where they advertised most of their brand new quality shoes and other fashion products they sold.

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

"Hey, Lerisa. Wait up," Ben caught up with her left arm, but Lerisa immediately shuddered away from his hold, not liking him holding 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. I have to go home now," Lerisa said, running away to her 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 came 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.

Sighing, he walked into the company building to meet with Anthony, making his way up to the third floor where Anthony Gregson's office was, to see Anthony.

....

Meanwhile, Lerisa quickly got into her small red car, picked up her white handkerchief, blew her nose, and finally started her car 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 child and first daughter of her parents, having a younger sister named Martha, and an elder brother called James.

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

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