My CEO Bestie And Me

Chapter 2

Anthony ignored Mark's presence, not even averting his gaze or batting an eye at Mark Terry, who had stepped into his office. His attention was strictly on Lerisa, whom he was looking at with concern.

Lerisa felt embarrassed when she saw Mark apologize to Anthony, and he exited Anthony's office immediately, after shutting the door.

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 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 out her name again, making her shudder in his hold and snap out of her trance, as he was still holding her arms closely.

Anthony knew that Lerisa was not in any relationship, so he wondered what had made her look sad and whether 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, gazing deeply into Lerisa's face.

"Nothing is wrong with me, Anthony. I'm fine. 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, not wanting to meet his gaze.

“Hmph, it's alright. I'm already going home now. But I hope you are not putting on this act to avoid attending my birthday party tomorrow?” Anthony asked her.

“No..." Lerisa responded, forcing a fake smile on her face, which made Anthony feel 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 offered, but Lerisa immediately rejected his advances. “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,” Anthony corrected her.

Lerisa gulped heavily, feeling worse than when she had seen the ring earlier. Anthony kept repeating that she was like a sister to him, making it clear again that he couldn't see her in any other light.

“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 my exercise too,” Anthony informed her, but Lerisa replied, "No need for that, Anthony. I said I'm fine."

"Hmph…" Anthony hummed, finally releasing her arms and saying, “It's alright. You can leave for home now."

Anthony continued watching Lerisa's face as she nervously responded, “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 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.

Similarly, he slipped the red ring box into his trouser pocket and picked up his briefcase to leave his office.

Lerisa rushed into the elevator, not wanting to meet the eyes of the other staff 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 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 as an employee.

Stepping out of the elevator onto the first floor, Lerisa entered 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 bumping into a few staff members on her way outside. She exited the first floor, where they often showcased their high-quality shoes and other fashion products.

On her way out, she bumped into Ben Wilfred, who was also a friend of Anthony's.

“Hey, Lerisa, wait up!" Ben called as he caught her left arm, but she immediately shuddered away from his grip, disliking his touch.

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

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

Ben sighed and clenched his fist. He had come to see both Anthony and Lerisa. He loved Lerisa, but she didn't give him any signs or opportunities to express his feelings.

He sighed again and finally walked back into the company building to meet with Anthony, making his way up to the third floor where Anthony Gregson's office was located.

Meanwhile, Lerisa quickly got into her small red car, picked up her white handkerchief, blew her nose, and then started the ignition. She drove out of the company premises, passing the security checkpoint at the exit gate, and headed back home to her father's house, where she still lived with her parents. As the second-born and eldest daughter, she had a younger sister and an elder brother.

Lerisa arrived home, drove her red car into her father's compound, parked, and then she got out of the car.

She grabbed her black handbag, shut the door, and walked into her family house, as night fell.