My CEO Bestie And Me

CHAPTER 2

Anthony ignored responding to Mark. He didn't even avert his gaze or bat an eye to look at Mark Terry, who had stepped into his office to see him, as his focus was strictly on Lerisa, whom he was watching with concern.

Lerisa felt embarrassed after seeing Mark apologize to Anthony, and he exited the office immediately, 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 holding onto Lerisa's arms firmly, confirming to him that they were secret lovers but pretending in front of the other staff that they were like siblings.

“Lerisa," Anthony called out her name, making her shudder in his hold and snap out of her trance. He was still holding her arms.

Anthony knew that Lerisa was not in any relationship, so he wondered what had made her look sad and if 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," he asked, looking deeply into her face. His concern evident.

"No, Anthony . Nothing is wrong with me, sir. I only came here to collect the office key from you, but it seems like you aren't ready to leave for home,” Lerisa repeated, staring downward at his chest, not wanting to meet his gaze.

“It is alright. I'm already going home now. But I hope that you are not putting up this act so you won't attend my birthday party tomorrow?” Anthony asked.

“No..." Lerisa responded, immediately forcing a fake smile, 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 swiftly 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, and not just my staff here," Anthony corrected her, sternly.

Lerisa gulped heavily, feeling more sour than when she saw the ring earlier. Anthony kept repeating to her that she was like a sister to him, making it clear that he couldn't see her beyond that.

“Okay, Anthony. I have to go home now,” Lerisa corrected her statement, not wanting to be reminded that she was like his'sister.

“Okay, drive safely home. I will come to see you tomorrow morning, once I'm through with my routine and my exercise too,” Anthony let her know, to which Lerisa said, "No need for that, Anthony, I said that I'm fine."

"Hmm…" Anthony hummed, finally releasing her arms, and said, “It is alright. You can leave for home now."

Anthony continued watching Lerisa's face as she nervously responded to him, “Okay, Anthony. Good bye.”

Lerisa turned and exited Anthony's office, making her way into the elevator on the third floor.

Meanwhile, Anthony knew that Lerisa was a 24-year-old woman, and he felt bad for not being able to comfort her.

He walked toward his office seat, shut down his computer on his black desk, and prepared to go home to his family house.

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

Additionally, Lerisa rushed into the elevator, not wanting to look at the other staff who were staring at her as she exited Anthony's office.

She felt like crying out, knowing that Anthony would never notice her feelings for him, especially now that he was finally going to marry Clara Harry.

Likewise, Lerisa had been hoping that one day Anthony would notice her feelings and fall in love with her, but Anthony failed to see in her eyes that she really loved him, not just working for him happily.

She stepped out of the elevator and onto the first floor, the company lobby where they usually advertised most of their new fashion products.

The receptionist's office was there, along with their advertising section.

Lerisa rushed towards the exit door, nearly bumping into some staff on her way outside. She exited the first floor, bumping into Ben Wilfred on her way outside, as Ben was Anthony's friend too.

“Hey, Lerisa, wait up!" Ben caught her left arm, but Lerisa immediately pulled away from his hold, not liking him touching her.

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

“Nothing is wrong, Ben. I'm fine. I have to go home now,” Lerisa replied, hastily running away to her car in the parking lot. She saw that most of the staff were leaving for home as 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 to her or even speak to her.

Sighing once more, Ben finally walked into the company building to meet with Anthony. He entered the elevator going up to the third floor where Anthony Gregson's office was.

Meanwhile, Lerisa sharply got into her small red car in the car park. She picked up her pristine white handkerchief, blew off her nose, and swiftly started her car engine.

She drove out of the company premises, passing the security checkpoint at the exit gate. Then she drove back home to her father's house, where she still lived with her parents and her siblings.

She was the second-born, having a younger sister and an elder brother. Martha and James.

Lerisa arrived home, parked her red car outside the gate. She alighted her car, went and pulled the gate open then she drove into her father's compound and parked it.

Once more, she got out of her red car, picked up her black handbag, then shut her car door, as she walked into her family house. The night had fallen.