MY CEO BESTIE AND ME

Anthony ignored Mark and didn't avert his gaze to look at him for even a second, even though he had stepped into his office. His gaze remained fixed on Lerisa, whom he stared at with concern. Lerisa felt embarrassed after seeing Mark apologize to Anthony. Mark exited Anthony's office immediately, shutting the door behind him. Mark already knew that Lerisa had a crush on Anthony, which was why she had rejected his marriage proposal. He shook his head in denial as he saw Anthony holding Lerisa's arms closely, confirming his suspicion that they were secret lovers pretending to be like siblings in front of the other staff. “Lerisa...” Anthony called her name again, making her shudder in his hold and snap out of her trance, as he still held her arms closely. Anthony knew that Lerisa wasn't in any relationship, so he wondered what had made her look so sad—whether someone had broken her heart or was troubling her. “What's wrong with you? Don't tell me it's nothing when you look this sa

Anthony continued to wonder about why Lerisa wasn't happy, as he didn't have any siblings and had grown up seeing her as a junior sibling to him. He sighed and focused his gaze on the road, driving home. Soon, he arrived home and drove into the garage before getting out of his car and walking up to their duplex mansion. “Good evening, Mom and Dad,” Anthony greeted his parents as he stepped into the living room and saw his parents sitting in the dining room. His mother smiled and replied first, “Welcome home, Anthony. How was work today?” “Fine, Mother,” Anthony said as he walked toward the living room stairs to retire to his bedroom. However, his mother spoke to him, “Wait, Anthony, won't you join us for dinner before retiring to your bedroom?” Anthony paused, stared back at his mother, and replied, “Okay, Mom. How's the birthday preparation going? We will celebrate it here tomorrow in the event hall.” Anthony walked to the dining room to join his parents. He pulled out a seat be

Anthony stared at Lerisa and said, "I have to go home now, Lerisa. I hope you're truly feeling fine." He drank from the bottle of water in his hand and looked directly at her. She replied, "Yes, I'm fine. See you this evening." Lerisa's pretty, fair face grew sad again as she remembered that Anthony would probably propose to Clara that evening, since Anthony and Clara had been dating for three years or more. Anthony noticed the change in Lerisa's mood when her face flushed. He immediately asked, "What's wrong with you now?" Lerisa snapped out of her trance and replied, "Nothing. I'm fine." "Hmm. You keep telling me you're fine when you're not. Tell me the truth, Lerisa. What's bothering you? You can share it with me. You know I care about you, and I know you don't have any other friends besides me," Anthony said. "You don't have a boyfriend—well, maybe you do and I just don't know him yet. But that's not a reason to look so sad," he added. "I don't have any boyfriends, Anthony,"

Lerisa sighed, knowing she couldn't miss Anthony's birthday party. She had been there since his seventh birthday, and now he was an adult. She knew that if she avoided the party, it might seem like she was jealous or holding a grudge, and her parents would disapprove. Lerisa focused on the road as she drove her car out of the street, about to turn onto the main road. But then, she saw a woman and a man kissing in front of a black car parked on the street. Lerisa wondered who the shameless couple were, kissing in public instead of finding somewhere private. She knew that mostly wealthy families lived in the estate, with most houses individually owned and occupied by the owners and their families, not tenants. As she drove to exit the street and passed the black car, she saw the woman's face. Lerisa was shocked to see that it was Anthony's girlfriend, Clara Harry, kissing another man by the roadside. Lerisa's jaw dropped as she slowed down to get a better look. She had initially

Lerisa met with her parents in their living room and greeted them, "Good afternoon, Mom, Dad." "Welcome home, Lerisa. Your father and I forgot to purchase birthday gifts that we will give to Anthony today. How about you? Did you purchase anything when you were coming home?" Mrs. Antonia asked, and Lerisa replied, "No, mom. I forgot too." Lerisa stared at the living room wall clock and saw that it was 2 pm. Her father said, "There's still time, Lerisa. Why not go outside now with your sister to the shops nearby and purchase what we will give to the Gregson family? As you know, we cannot go there empty-handed to attend Anthony's birthday, since he is their only son." "Hmm, you're right, father. But what do I shop for him? As they're rich, and last year we had already given Anthony a standing fan. And I don't know what to buy for him this year again," Lerisa said with a frowning face, as they had bought a lot of gifts for Anthony before, and she didn't know what she would give him rec