Chapter 10... Birthday preparation
759 Words
Martha and Lerisa met their parents in their living room. Lerisa greeted them, "Good afternoon, Mom, Dad."
"Welcome home, Lerisa. Your father and I forgot to purchase birthday gifts for Anthony today. How about you? Did you buy anything on your way home?" Mrs. Antonia asked.
"No, Mom. I forgot too," Lerisa replied.
She glanced at the living room wall clock and saw that it was already 2 PM.
Her father said, "There's still time, Lerisa. Why not go out with your sister to the nearby shops and buy something for the Gregson family? We can't attend Anthony's birthday empty-handed since he is their only son."
"Hmm, you're right, Father. But what should I get him? They're wealthy, and last year we already gave Anthony a standing fan... I don't know what to buy this year," Lerisa said with a frown, as they had already bought many gifts for Anthony before.
"Anything you give him will be acceptable, Lerisa. As long as we bring a gift, we can't go to their house, receive a gift, and enjoy their food and drinks without offering something in return. That wouldn't be polite," her father said.
Lerisa sighed and replied, "Okay, Father. Martha and I will go out now to shop for a gift since there's still time before the party starts at 5 PM."
"Okay. You could get a radio, phone, or anything you think is suitable," Mr. Fred suggested.
"Okay, Father. Come, sister, let's go shopping. Men's clothes are fine too, and Anthony will appreciate them," Martha said, recalling how she had given a t-shirt to her boyfriend at school, which he had admired and thanked her for.
"Okay, sis," Lerisa finally sighed, following her sister outside to shop for the gift.
Lerisa and Martha walked to her car, and Martha said, "Why don't you get in the car first? I'll open the gate for you."
"Okay," Lerisa walked to her car, unlocked the door, and sat in the driver's seat. She drove out, and Martha closed the gate and got in the car with her.
Lerisa followed Martha's directions, not wanting to spend much time outside. She bought a handsome yellow top for men, along with some men's shorts and boxers that the seller offered.
After paying, she returned to her parked car. She had gone into the boutique alone, while Martha waited in the car.
Lerisa felt nervous, wondering if she was being followed.
She loved Anthony and hoped he would notice and love her too.
She sighed, approached her car, placed the gift on the backseat, got into the driver's seat, and drove home with Martha.
Martha didn't ask what Lerisa had bought for Anthony, nor did she check the package.
They arrived home, and Martha unlocked the gate for Lerisa to drive inside.
Lerisa parked in the garage, stepped out, locked her car, and walked into the house with Anthony's gifts.
She found her parents in the dining room, and her mother smiled, saying, "Welcome home. Lunch is ready, and I'm sure you're both tired from going to the mall twice."
Lerisa left the bag on the living room couch and joined her family at the table.
Her stomach growled as she sat quietly.
With each tick of the clock, Lerisa knew Anthony would soon propose to Clara, and she felt guilty for not warning him about Clara's true nature.
"Will Anthony believe me? Won't he think I'm desperate? I don't know how to talk to him about his cheating girlfriend without seeming jealous," Lerisa thought.
She recalled entering Anthony's office one day to inform him about new orders from vendors. As she stepped in, she saw Clara with him intimately.
Embarrassed, she left. That was when she realized Anthony and Clara were involved, which broke her heart. She knew Anthony had other exes before Clara, as he'd been in four other short relationships.
Lerisa hoped Anthony would break up with Clara soon, yet Anthony kept spending money on her and asking Lerisa, what Clara might like.
Clara, a 25-year-old, never smiled or liked Lerisa.
"Lerisa... What are you thinking about?" Mrs. Antonia asked, noticing that she hadn't touched her food.
"Nothing, Mom, I'm fine," Lerisa picked up her spoon and began eating, while her mother gave her a concerned smile.
After lunch, Lerisa offered to wash the dishes instead of her younger sister.
Martha smiled, taking the gifts to Lerisa's bedroom, then went to her room to rest, as she had just arrived from school. They were preparing for Anthony's birthday, eagerly anticipating the night.
- Writer
