MY CEO BESTIE AND ME

On the third floor of the Gregson Group, Lerisa Jonah stood up from her office chair, having finished her work for the day.

She served as Anthony Gregson's secretary, so she stepped away from her desk and picked up her black handbag, ready to head home.

Lerisa was a fair-complexioned young lady of 24, dressed in a yellow shirt, black pencil skirt, and black shoes. She wondered why she had not yet seen Anthony leave his office.

She knew that Anthony usually finished by 5 p.m. and departed the company before 6 p.m., the normal closing hour.

Lerisa walked toward Anthony's office door to check what was keeping her boss. By then, it was after 6 p.m., and most of the staff had already gone home.

Approaching the door, Lerisa knocked and heard Anthony respond, “Come in.”

She pushed the door open slightly and stepped inside, where she saw him seated in his executive chair, staring at a red ring box in his hands.

Lerisa's heart sank the moment she spotted the beautiful, sparkling diamond ring.

She realized then that Anthony was in a serious relationship with Clara Harry and would soon propose to her.

Lerisa felt like crying, for she was secretly in love with Anthony but lacked the courage to tell him.

Her fair face flushed red with sadness, and she looked down to hide her expression.

Anthony was too absorbed in admiring the diamond ring to glance at Lerisa.

They had been childhood best friends, owing to their fathers' close relationship in the past. Lerisa's father had served as Anthony's father's assistant and helped build the company that Anthony now ran.

Lerisa knew that Clara Harry was unfaithful and unworthy of a man like Anthony. She had seen Clara flirting with other men behind his back but could not bring herself to warn him against the relationship.

Lerisa had also witnessed Clara visiting Anthony's office and caught them kissing, which had made her heart ache, knowing how deeply Anthony cared for Clara.

Anthony was a 30-year-old Black man who wore a black suit over a red shirt and black shoes, giving him a handsome appearance.

Anthony had a short mustache and beard that enhanced his charm.

Finally, Anthony looked at Lerisa's face and saw her staring downward. He wondered what she wanted, as he had already seen her earlier that day.

He had forgotten the company had closed, lost in admiration of the ring he had bought. He planned to propose to Clara the next day.

“What do you want, Lerisa?” Anthony asked.

“I… I…” Lerisa stammered, unable to explain her presence as heartbreak choked her words upon seeing the ring.

She had come to tell him she was heading home, but Anthony did not look up again. He remained focused on the diamond, wondering if Clara would like it.

“How do you like this ring, Lerisa?” Anthony asked. “Remember, I invited you and the rest of the staff to my birthday party tomorrow at my family's house. Well, I want to propose to Clara then. But I'm not sure if she'll accept this diamond I ordered from abroad. I love her so much. What do you think? Will she like it and say yes? I bought it to show my commitment.”

Lerisa's heart broke further at his question.

She watched him smile sweetly at the ring as he continued gazing down at it. “I thought you had finished for the day, sir,” she replied. “That's why I came to collect the office key. It seems you're not ready to leave yet.”

Anthony immediately noticed the sadness in her voice.

He closed the ring box and stood from his chair. He walked over to her and asked, “What's wrong, Lerisa?”

Lerisa turned her back to Anthony as hot tears streamed down her face.

She could not tell him the truth—that she loved him. To Anthony, she was like a sister, despite their lack of blood ties.

“What's wrong, Lerisa?” Anthony approached and gently turned her to face him.

Lerisa felt a spark at his touch, but Anthony seemed oblivious as he looked intently at her face.

“Tell me, what's the matter?” he asked again in a stern tone. Lerisa shuddered in his grasp but shook her head to signal nothing was wrong.

She lied, “Nothing, sir. I only came to say I'm heading home. The company has closed, and I need the office key from you.”

“Sir?” Anthony repeated, staring coldly at her face, his eyes narrowing in concern. “How many times must I tell you not to call me that, Lerisa? You're like a sister to me, not just an employee.”

Lerisa shuddered, hating how Anthony always reminded her of that.

Anthony's office door swung open, and his assistant, Mark Terry, stepped inside.

Mark looked surprised to see Anthony holding Lerisa's arms firmly, drawing her close to his chest. Anthony did not glance at Mark, but kept his focus on Lerisa's face.

“Do they want to kiss?” Mark wondered silently. He quickly composed himself and apologized, “I'm sorry, boss.”