My CEO Bestie And Me

2| Anthony's worries

Anthony ignored Mark’s presence, not even averting his gaze or blinking to acknowledge Mark Terry, who had stepped into his office to see him. His focus remained strictly on Lerisa, whom he was looking at with concern.

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

Mark already knew that Lerisa had a crush on Anthony, which was why she had rejected his love proposal.

He shook his head in denial after seeing Anthony hold Lerisa closely by her arms, confirming to him that they were secret lovers while pretending to the other staff that they were siblings.

“Lerisa..." Anthony called her name again, causing her to shudder in his grasp and snap out of her trance, as he continued to hold her arms closely.

Anthony knew that Lerisa was not in any relationship, so he wondered what had caused her to look sad and whether someone had broken her heart or was troubling her.

"What's wrong with you? Don't tell me it is nothing when you're looking this sad?" Anthony asked, gazing 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 replied, staring downward at Anthony's chest, unwilling to meet his gaze.

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

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

“That's fine. Wait, let me drop you off,” Anthony proposed, but Lerisa quickly 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,' Lerisa? You're like a sister to me, not just my staff here.”

Lerisa gulped heavily, feeling more sour than when she had seen the ring earlier. Anthony kept reiterating that she was like a sister to him, making it clear again that he couldn’t see her as anything more.

“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 done with my morning routine and my exercise too,” Anthony informed her, 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."

Anthony continued watching Lerisa's face as she nervously replied, “Okay, bye, 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 woman, 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 slipped the red ring box into his trouser pocket and picked up his briefcase to leave his office.

Lerisa had rushed into the elevator, not wanting to make eye contact with the other staff members 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 hoped that one day Anthony would recognize her feelings and fall in love with her, but he failed to see in her eyes that she truly loved him, beyond merely enjoying her work for him.

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 also there, along with their advertising section.

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

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

“Hey, Lerisa," Ben called out, reaching for her left arm, but Lerisa immediately shuddered away from his hold, not liking his touch.

“What's wrong with you, Lerisa? Wait, who hurt you?" Ben asked, noticing her saddened expression.

“Nothing. I'm fine. I have to go home now,” Lerisa said, running to her car in the parking lot, seeing that most of the staff were already leaving for home since it was Friday.

Ben sighed as his fist clenched. He had come to see Anthony and Lerisa too.

He loved Lerisa, but she didn't give him the green light or any chance to prove his love or speak to her.

Ben sighed again and finally walked into the company building to meet with 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 finally 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 the first daughter, having a younger sister and an elder brother.

She arrived home, drove her red car into her father's compound, parked the car, and finally got out.

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