Chapter 3 Arriving home

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

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

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

Mrs. Antonia wondered what had happened to her first daughter, as she noticed that Lerisa's face looked quite red. She 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; be quick and come join your father and me for dinner."

"Okay, Mom," Lerisa replied, darting into the corridor as she headed to her room to take a bath.

She stepped into her room and shut the door. Crying, she leaned against the door for support before strolling toward her pink bed to drop her black handbag.

Lerisa saw that it was past 7 PM, realizing that the company was a 30-minute drive from her home.

She stripped off her clothes to take a bath, knowing she couldn't keep her parents waiting for dinner.

After finishing her bath, Lerisa walked out of her room and paused at her mirror to stare at her face. She braced herself, understanding that Anthony would never love her.

She muttered to her reflection, a curvy, seductive woman staring back at her, "What am I going to do? Anthony will never notice me, and he will soon be married."

Lerisa knew there was nothing she could do, so she searched her wardrobe for an evening gown to wear.

She took out a long blue gown, put it on, and walked back to apply dusting powder to her face and neck to hide her sadness from her parents and avoid any further questions.

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

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

Anthony wasn't particularly keen on Ben's company, despite him being a high school friend. Ben owned a hotel and loved hanging out with different women. However, Ben wouldn't back off, as he regularly visited Anthony, despite Anthony not returning the favor.

"Nothing much. How about you? I'm leaving for home now, as you can see we have closed," Anthony replied casually as he walked into the elevator with Ben. They both went down to the first floor and outside to the parking lot, where their cars were parked.

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

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

Anthony thought that perhaps Lerisa wasn't happy about his engagement to Clara, considering her mood might have 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 should be happy for him, knowing that he was finally getting married.

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

Anthony looked at Ben coldly as they stood beside their cars, with the remaining vehicles having left the parking lot and darkness enveloping the previously bright sky.

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

Anthony glanced at his gold wristwatch and saw that it was already past 8 PM. Ben continued, "But she listens to you, Anthony. If you could apply some pressure when speaking to Lerisa, I think she would agree to date me. I'm serious about her and want to marry her."

"Hmm, hahaha, are you serious about settling down with Lerisa? Do you really think she would agree to marry you if I ordered her to? She's only working for me because my father and her father were friends and worked together to build this factory. That connection also made our families close; to me, she's like a sister, and I want her happiness. I don't think you deserve her. But don't worry, I will try to help you talk to Lerisa again and see if she will accept you," Anthony replied.

"Really? Thanks, Anthony, I will look forward to that," Ben said. They shook hands and hugged before parting with a friendly pat on the shoulder as they made their way to their cars.

Anthony remembered something and asked Ben, "Tomorrow is my birthday. Lerisa will be attending; won't you join us as I will be expecting you around too?"

Ben frowned in response, "I know, but where do you plan to celebrate? Why not come to my club and celebrate there? You would have more fun than at home with your parents like a mummy's boy."

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

Anthony quickly got into his car, pulled the black door closed, and started the engine, driving out of the company shortly after Ben left in his own car.