My CEO Bestie And Me

CHAPTER 3

Lerisa walked into the living room of her family mansion and found her mother standing beside the dining room, arranging the dining chairs.

Lerisa's elder brother and younger sister weren't around, as they were still in school.

"Good evening, Mom," she greeted her mother but didn't stop in the living room as she walked toward the corridor that led to all the rooms in the big house.

Mrs. Antonia paused and wondered what had happened to her first daughter. She noticed how Lerisa's face looked quite red and immediately called Lerisa back.

"Come here, Lerisa! What happened at the office today? Why does your face look so red?"

Lerisa stopped and replied, "Nothing, Mom, I'm fine."

Mrs. Antonia sighed and dismissed Lerisa.

"That's alright; do hurry and come join your father and me for dinner.”

“Okay, Mom,” Lerisa replied, darting into the corridor as she went to her room to take a bath.

She stepped into her room, shut the door, and cried as she leaned against the door for support. She then walked toward her pink bed to drop her black handbag and saw it was past 7 p.m. in her room. The company was a 30-minute drive from her home.

Lerisa went to strip off her clothes to take a bath, knowing she couldn't keep her parents waiting to join them for dinner.

After she finished her bath, she walked out of her bathroom and entered into room. She paused in front of her mirror and stared at her beautiful fair face reflecting on the mirror..

Lerisa braced herself, knowing that Anthony would never come to love her.

She muttered to her reflection, a curvy, seductive young woman staring back at her.

"What am I going to do? Anthony will never notice me, and he will soon be married," she mused.

Lerisa knew there was nothing she could do, so she went to her wardrobe and searched for the nightgown she would wear.

She took an ash-colour nightgown, put it on, and walked back to apply dusting powder to her face and neck to hide her sadness from her parents and avoid further questions.

Meanwhile, Anthony was still in the third-floor hallway when Ben got out of the elevator and walked up to meet him.

Ben smiled and greeted, “What's up with you, bro?"

Anthony didn't enjoy the company of Ben around him. Despite Ben being a high school friend, and owned a hotel as he loved hanging out with different ladies. However, Ben wouldn't back off, as he usually visited Anthony, despite Anthony not returning the favor.

“Nothing. How about you? I'm leaving for home now, as you can see that we have closed,” Anthony replied, walking into the elevator with Ben.

They went down to the first floor and outside to the company parking space, where their cars were parked.

“That reminds me. I saw your secretary earlier when I arrived here, and she looked red. What's wrong with her? Did you fire her?” Ben inquired, and Anthony sighed and shook his head, hoping he understood Lerisa, but he didn't.

“I don't know what happened to Lerisa, but she said she's fine. I didn't terminate her employment here," Anthony replied.

He thought that perhaps Lerisa wasn't happy about him engaging Clara. He suspected her mood changed when she saw him staring at the red ring box in his hands. He couldn't understand why she would be sad, when she was supposed to be happy for him, as he was finally getting married.

“Hmm. That's alright. I do like Lerisa, and I have been asking her out, but she wouldn't consider me. Can you please help me talk to her on my behalf?” Ben inquired.

Anthony looked at Ben's face coldly as they stood beside their cars in the car park. The rest of the cars had left the parking lot, with darkness covering the previously bright sky.

“How many times do you want me to help you talk to Lerisa? She doesn't want you or would accept your proposal, and I don't understand why either. She's not in any relationship that I know of," Anthony said

He glanced at his golden wristwatch and saw that it was past 8 p.m.

However, Ben replied, “But she listens to you, Anthony, and I believe if you help me apply pressure in speaking with her, she will agree to date me, as I'm serious about her and want to marry her."

“Hmph, are you serious about settling down with Lerisa? So you think she will agree to marry you if I order her to? Well, she's only working for me because my father and hers were friends and worked together to build this factory. That made our families close, as she is only like my sister. I want her happiness and I don't think you're very deserving of her. But don't worry, I will try to help you talk to Lerisa once more, to see if she will accept you."

“Thank you, Anthony. I will be looking forward to that," Ben said, hugging Anthony excitedly, before they parted and strolled up to their cars.

Anthony remembered, asking Ben, "Ben, tomorrow is my birthday, and Lerisa will be there. Won't you attend it too, as I will be expecting to see you around?"

Ben frowned and replied, “I know, but where do you plan on celebrating it?"

"Why not come to my club and celebrate it there? You will have more fun there than being at home with your parents as a mummy's boy."

Anthony glared at Ben before replying, “No. My parents want me to celebrate it at home, and it has been our custom to always celebrate whatever event we want at home and in our family grand hall. I will be expecting to see you tomorrow, Ben. Good night."

Anthony swiftly got into his car by pulling the black car door open. He hopped in, started his car engine, and drove out of his company. Later, Ben drove out of the company with his car.