Chapter 4

Anthony continued to think about why Lerisa wasn't happy. He had no siblings and had always seen her as a sister.

Anthony sighed, focused on the road, and drove home. Soon he arrived, pulled into the garage, got out of his car, and walked up to their duplex mansion.

“Good evening, Mom and Dad,” Anthony greeted as he stepped into the living room and saw his parents sitting in the dining area.

His mother smiled. “Welcome home, Anthony. How was work today?”

“Fine, Mother,” Anthony replied and started up the living-room stairs to retire to his bedroom. His mother called after him, “Wait, Anthony—won't you join us for dinner before you go up?”

Anthony paused, looked back at her, and said, “Okay, Mom. How's the birthday preparation going? We'll celebrate it here tomorrow in the event hall.”

Anthony walked to the dining table and pulled out a chair before sitting across from his father. “Fine,” his mother replied.

Anthony's phone rang; he took it from his trouser pocket and saw that Clara was calling. “Excuse me, Mom and Dad, I have to take this.” He answered, “Hello, babe. I’ll call you back later.” He then ended the call, smiling at his parents as he dragged his chair closer to the table.

Mrs. Beatrice smiled and knew her son was in a relationship. She didn't want to interrupt him by asking who it was; she was still hoping Anthony would one day settle with Lerisa Jonah, whom she liked and hoped would become her daughter-in-law.

“Anthony, how about Lerisa? Did she come to the company today?” Anthony’s father, Mr. Joshua asked before they resumed eating.

Anthony frowned slightly, remembering Lerisa’s sad look before she left the office.

"Yes, did." He said, but his mother noticed his frown and asked, "What's wrong Anthony?"

“Nothing, Mom. Lerisa is fine. She came to work today,” Anthony answered, then asked, “Where’s the meal?”

“Anthony, I know you only see Lerisa as a friend,” Mr. Joshua said. “Her father was a good friend of mine, not just my assistant. Mr. Fred Jonah supported and encouraged me when I was building this company. The Jonah family matters to me, which is why I ask about Lerisa.”

“I understand, Father. Where's Sandra, Mom?” Anthony asked. Just then, Sandra stepped out of the kitchen with a tray of food and approached the table to serve dinner. “I'm sorry for the delay,” she apologized.

Mrs. Beatrice sighed. “It's okay, Sandra. Be quick.”

They resumed dinner in relative silence. When Anthony finished, he stood and said, “Thanks, Mom and Dad. I'm going upstairs to my room to rest. Good night.”

“Yes, good night, Anthony,” Mrs. Beatrice replied, as she watched him climb the stairs.

* * *

In his bedroom, Anthony sighed and decided to call Clara back. He had missed her earlier call because he was with his parents. “Hello, babe,” he said as he slipped off his black coat.

Clara answered, “Hi, sweetheart. How was your day at the office?”

Clara sounded as if she were in a clubhouse; because loud music played in the background. “Where are you, babe?” Anthony asked.

“I’m at the club. My girlfriend is having a birthday party tonight and invited me. You know I couldn't turn down the invitation,” Clara replied.

Anthony checked his watch—it was after 9 p.m. “But it's getting late, babe. Start heading home now; I'm not happy with you staying there.”

“Hahaha. Relax, babe. I didn't come here to sleep with any man. It's a midnight party; I'll be fine,” Clara assured him. Anthony frowned, about to complain, but Clara cut him off. “I have to go now, babe. Good night. See you tomorrow at your parents' house. But you know I'm not happy you chose to celebrate your birthday at your parents' home instead of a hotel.”

Anthony frowned deeper. “It's what my parents want. Clara, I can't go against them.”

“How your parents want it? But not how I want it, Anthony. Anyway, it's okay. Good night.” The line went dead, and Anthony sighed.

Anthony loved Clara. He took off his red-sleeve shirt, reached into his pocket, and felt the red ring box. He took it out and stared at it again, thinking about proposing the next day.

Anthony then set the ring box in his bedside drawer. After a quick shower, he donned a white robe, sat on the bed, and opened his laptop. He thought about calling Lerisa to check that she had gotten home safely.

He unlocked his phone and called her, but she wasn't with her phone..

Lerisa had finished dressing in her room, and was sitting with her parents having dinner, so Anthony's call did not connect.

Anthony closed his laptop after browsing for a while, he switched it off, and went to plug it in to charge.