Chapter 2 Anthony's worry

Anthony ignored Mark's presence, not even averting his gaze or batting an eye at him as Mark Terry stepped into his office. His focus remained solely on Lerisa, whom he observed with concern.

Lerisa felt embarrassed when she saw Mark apologize to Anthony, and he quickly exited the 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 holding Lerisa closely by her arms, confirming to him that they were secret lovers but pretending in front of the other staff that they were just siblings.

"Lerisa..." Anthony called her name again, making her shudder in his hold and snap out of her trance, as he still held her arms tightly.

Anthony knew that Lerisa was not in a relationship, so he wondered what had made her look so sad and if someone had broken her heart or was troubling her.

"What's wrong with you? Don't tell me it's 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 you aren't ready to leave for home," Lerisa repeated, staring downward at Anthony's chest, not wanting to meet his gaze.

"Hmm, it's alright. I'm already going home now. But I hope you're not just putting on an act so you won't attend my birthday party tomorrow?" Anthony asked, his eye brow raised.

"No...!" Lerisa responded, immediately forcing a fake smile, which relieved Anthony, knowing that she was fine and 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 in 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 a member of my staff," Anthony replied.

Lerisa gulped heavily, feeling more dejected than when she first saw the ring. Anthony continually reminding her that she was like a sister to him made it clear 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.

"Alright, drive safely home. I will come to see you tomorrow morning once I've finished my morning routine and my exercise," Anthony informed her, but Lerisa replied, "No need for that, Anthony, I said I'm fine."

"Hmmm." Anthony hummed, finally releasing her arms. "It's alright. You can leave for home now."

Anthony continued watching Lerisa's face as she nervously responded, "Okay, goodbye, Anthony."

Lerisa quickly turned her back to Anthony and exited his office, making her way out of the third floor and into the elevator.

Anthony felt bad for not being able to comfort Lerisa. He walked back to his office chair, shut down his computer, and prepared to go home to his family.

He slipped the red ring box into his trouser pocket and picked up his briefcase to leave.

-----

Lerisa had rushed into the elevator, not wanting to meet the gazes of the other staff who were watching her as she left Anthony's office.

She felt like crying it all out, 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 that she truly loved him, not just that she enjoyed working for him.

As she stepped out of the elevator and into the first floor-where they usually showcased most of their new products. The receptionist's office was there, along with their advertising section.

Lerisa hurried towards the exit door, nearly colliding with some staff on her way outside. She exited the first floor, where they primarily advertised their brand new quality shoes and other fashion products.

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

"Hey, Lerisa," Ben called as he caught her left arm, but Lerisa hastily shuddered away from his grip, uncomfortable with 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 toward her car in the parking lot, watching as most of the staff were already leaving for home since it was Friday.

Ben sighed, his fists clenching. He had come to see both Anthony and Lerisa. He loved Lerisa, but she hadn't given him any signals or opportunities to prove his affection or even talk to her.

Ben sighed 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.

____

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 through the security checkpoint at the exit gate, and headed back to her father's house, where she still lived with her parents. She was the second-born and first daughter, with a younger sister and an elder brother.

Upon arriving home, she drove her red car into her father's compound, parked it, and finally got out.

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