My CEO Bestie And Me

Chapter 10, The birthday preparation

Lerisa and Martha entered the living room and greeted their parents, “Good afternoon, Mom, Dad.”

“Welcome home, Lerisa. Your father and I forgot to buy birthday gifts for Anthony today. Did you get anything while you were out?” Mrs. Antonia asked.

“No, Mom. I forgot too,” Lerisa replied as she glanced at the living room clock and noted it was already 2 PM.

“There’s still time, Lerisa. Why not take your sister and head to the nearby shops to buy something for the Gregson family? We can’t go to Anthony’s birthday empty-handed; he is their only son,” her father said.

“You’re right, Dad. But what should I get for him? They’re wealthy, and last year we gave Anthony a standing fan. I’m not sure what to buy him this time,” Lerisa said, frowning as she recalled the many gifts they had given Anthony in the past.

“Anything you choose will be acceptable, Lerisa. What matters is that we bring something. We can’t attend their house without a gift, eat their food and drink their drinks, and not reciprocate. That wouldn’t be polite,” her father replied. Lerisa sighed and said, “Okay, Dad. Martha and I will go out now to shop for a birthday gift since we have until 5 PM when the celebration starts.”

“Great. You can consider getting a radio, a phone, or anything else you think Anthony would like,” Mr. Fred suggested.

“Okay, Dad. Come on, sister. Let’s go shopping. Men’s clothes are fine too; I’m sure Anthony would appreciate that,” Martha added, recalling how she had gifted her boyfriend a t-shirt at school, which he had admired.

“Alright, sis,” Lerisa said with a sigh, and she followed her sister outside to shop for the gift.

As they approached the car, Martha said, “Why don’t you get in your car first? I’ll go open the gate for you, sis.”

“Okay,” Lerisa responded, walking to her car in silence. She unlocked the door, sat in the driver’s seat, and drove out as Martha closed the gate and jumped into the car.

Lerisa followed Martha’s instructions, eager to make the shopping trip quick. She found a handsome yellow top for men, along with some shorts and boxers offered by the seller.

After paying, Lerisa walked out to the parking area where she had left her car, while Martha waited inside.

Feeling nervous, Lerisa glanced around, wondering if someone was following her.

She loved Anthony and hoped he would soon notice her and return her feelings.

Frustrated, she approached her car, placed the gift in the back seat, got into the driver’s seat, and drove back home with Martha.

Martha didn’t ask Lerisa about the gift or check the contents of the shopping bag.

Once home, Martha stepped out of the car and went to unlock the house gate for Lerisa to drive inside.

Lerisa parked in the garage alongside her parents’ cars. After stepping out, she locked the car door properly and walked into the house with the gifts for Anthony.

She found her parents in the dining room. Her mother smiled and said, “Welcome home, you both. Lunch is ready. I’m sure you’re both tired from running to the mall twice.”

Lerisa dropped the shopping bag on the living room couch and joined her family at the dining table for lunch.

Her stomach growled, and she sat quietly.

With each passing second, Lerisa felt the weight of guilt as she thought about how Anthony would soon propose to Clara. She regretted not calling him to tell him the truth about Clara’s character.

“Will Anthony believe me? Won’t he think I’m desperate? How can I talk to him about his girlfriend without seeming jealous?” Lerisa pondered.

She recalled a time when she had opened Anthony’s office door to inform him about new orders from their top vendors. Stepping inside, she had caught Clara kissing him. Embarrassed, she had quickly left, realizing then that Anthony and Clara had been intimate multiple times. It broke her heart, especially knowing Anthony had been in four other relationships that didn’t last.

Lerisa hoped Anthony would break up with Clara soon, but he kept spending money on her, asking Lerisa for advice on what Clara might like.

At 25, Clara never smiled at Lerisa and showed no affection toward her.

“Lerisa, what are you thinking about?” Mrs. Antonia asked, having blessed their lunch and begun eating with Mr. Fred and Martha. Lerisa hadn’t even touched her spoon.

“Nothing, Mom. I’m fine,” Lerisa replied, picking up her spoon and quickly starting to eat. Her mother looked at her sadly, sensing something was wrong.

After finishing lunch, Lerisa stood up and offered to wash the dishes instead of her younger sister.

Martha smiled and took the gifts Lerisa had bought for Anthony to her bedroom, as they had separate rooms. She returned to her own room to rest, having just come home from school, and they were all preparing for Anthony’s birthday celebration that night.