MY CEO BESTIE AND ME

At L.H. Group, Lerisa Jonah stood up from her office chair, having finished her work for the day. She worked as Anthony Gregson’s secretary, so she picked up her black handbag from her desk, ready to go home.

Lerisa was a fair-complexioned 24-year-old who wore a yellow shirt, a black pencil skirt, and black shoes. She wondered why she had not seen Anthony leave his office. She knew he usually finished by 5 p.m. and left the company before 6 p.m., the normal closing hour.

It was after 6 p.m., and most of the staff had gone home. Lerisa knocked on Anthony’s office door, and he replied, “Come in.” She pushed the door open slightly, stepped inside, and saw him sitting in his executive chair, staring at a red ring box in his hands.

Lerisa’s heart dropped the moment she saw the beautiful, sparkling diamond ring in Anthony's hand. She knew he was in a serious relationship with Clara Harry and that he would likely propose soon. She felt like crying; because she was secretly in love with him but not brave enough to tell him. Her face flushed red with sadness, and she looked down to hide it.

Anthony was absorbed in admiring the ring and did not look up at Lerisa. They had been childhood friends because their fathers had been close. Lerisa’s father had been Anthony’s father’s assistant and had helped build the fashion company that Anthony now owned.

Lerisa believed Clara Harry was unfaithful and undeserving of a man like Anthony. She had seen Clara flirting with other men behind Anthony’s back and had once caught Clara visiting Anthony in his office and kissing him, which made her heart sink; Anthony was clearly serious about Clara.

Anthony was a 30-year-old Black man. He wore a black suit with a red shirt underneath and black shoes, which made him look handsome. He had a short mustache and beard that enhanced his looks and made him more charming.

Anthony finally looked at Lerisa and saw her staring down. He wondered what she wanted, since he had already seen her earlier that day. He had forgotten the company had closed; he had been preoccupied with the ring he planned to use to propose to Clara the next day.

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

“I… I…” Lerisa spluttered; she couldn’t explain why she was there, her voice breaking at the sight of the ring. She had come to tell Anthony she was leaving, but he did not look up; he was preoccupied with the diamond and wondering whether Clara would like it.

Anthony held the ring box and said, “What do you think of this ring, Lerisa? Remember I invited you and the rest of the staff to my birthday party at my family’s house tomorrow. I want to propose to Clara then, but I don’t know if she’ll accept this diamond I ordered from abroad. I love her. Do you think she’ll like it and accept it?”

Lerisa’s heart broke even more at Anthony’s thoughtless question. He smiled at the ring. Still looking down at it, as he continued to admire it, and she replied, “I thought you’d closed, sir. I came to collect the office key from you because I’m leaving, but it seems you’re not ready to go home.”

Anthony immediately noticed the sadness in Lerisa's voice. He closed the red ring box, rose from his chair, walked over to her, and asked, “What’s wrong, Lerisa?”

Lerisa turned her back on Anthony as hot tears streamed down her face. She couldn’t tell him the truth—that she loved him. Anthony only saw her as a sister, even though they were not related.

Anthony reached for Lerisa's arms and spun her around to face him. She felt a spark, but he seemed oblivious and looked intently at her face. “Tell me, what’s wrong?” he asked again, sternly. Lerisa shuddered in his arms but shook her head to indicate nothing.

“Nothing, sir. I only came to tell you I’m going home and to collect the office key,” she lied.

Anthony scowled. “How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me ‘sir? You’re like a sister to me, not just a staff member.” Lerisa shuddered; she hated that he always reminded her she was like a sister.

Just then the office door opened and Mark Terry, Anthony’s assistant, stepped in. He looked surprised to see Anthony holding Lerisa’s arms close to his chest. Anthony didn’t look at him; he continued to gaze at Lerisa's face.

*Do they want to kiss?* Mark wondered and quickly masked his surprise, apologizing, “Sorry, boss.”