My CEO Bestie And Me

Chapter 2

Anthony ignored responding to Mark, not averting his gaze for a second to look at Mark, who had stepped into his office. His focus was strictly on Lerisa, whom he stared at with concern.

Lerisa felt embarrassed after seeing Mark apologize to Anthony and exit the office immediately, shutting the door. Mark already knew 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 to him that they were secret lovers pretending to be 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 Lerisa wasn't in any relationship, so he wondered what had made her look sad—if 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 her face.

"Nothing is wrong with me, Anthony. I only came here 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, not wanting to meet his gaze.

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

"No..." Lerisa responded, immediately forcing a fake smile on her face, which relieved Anthony, knowing 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 proposed, but Lerisa immediately rejected his offer. "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? You're like a sister to me, not just my staff here." Lerisa gulped heavily, feeling more sour than when she saw 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.

"Okay, Anthony. But I have to go home now," Lerisa corrected herself, 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 exercise too," Anthony let her know, but Lerisa replied, "No need for that, Anthony. I said I'm fine."

"Hmm…" Anthony hummed, finally releasing her arms, and said, "It's alright. You can leave for home now." He continued watching her face as she nervously responded, "Okay, Anthony. Goodbye."

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 Lerisa was a 24-year-old lady, and he felt bad for not being able to comfort her. He walked back to his office seat, shut his computer, and prepared to go home to his family house. He dipped the red ring box into his trouser side pocket and picked up his briefcase to leave.

Lerisa had rushed into the elevator, not wanting to face 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 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, not just worked for him happily.

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

She bumped into Ben Wilfred on her way out, as Ben was also Anthony's friend. "Hey, Lerisa," Ben caught her left arm, but Lerisa shuddered 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 replied, running to her car in the parking lot, seeing that most staff were already leaving for home since it was Friday. Ben sighed, his fist clenched. He had come to see Anthony and Lerisa too. He loved Lerisa, but she hadn't given him any chance to prove his love or speak to him. Ben sighed again and finally walked into the company building to meet Anthony, making his way 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 drove 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. She arrived home, drove her car into her father's compound, parked, and alighted. She picked up her black handbag, shut her car door, and walked into her family house as night had fallen.