Chapter 3... Anthony's invite

Lerisa walked into the living room of her family mansion and found her mother standing beside the dining room, arranging the 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 all the rooms in the big house.

Mrs. Antonia wondered what had happened to her first daughter when she saw how red Lerisa's face looked.

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; hurry up and come join your father and me for dinner.”

“Okay, Mom,” Lerisa replied, darting into the corridor as she went to her room to take a bath.

She stepped into her room and shut the door. She cried and leaned against the door for support as she moved toward her pink bed to drop her black handbag.

Lerisa saw it was past 7 p.m., as 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 her bath, Lerisa walked out of her room and paused at the mirror to stare at her face. She braced herself, knowing 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.

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

***

Meanwhile, Anthony was still in the third-floor hallway when Ben got out of the elevator and approached him.

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

Anthony didn't enjoy Ben's company, despite their high school friendship. Ben owned a hotel and loved hanging out with different women. However, Ben wouldn't back off and often visited Anthony, even though Anthony never returned the favor.

“Nothing much. How about you? I'm leaving for home now, as you can see we've closed,” Anthony replied normally, and they both walked to the elevator. They went down to the first floor and outside to the company parking lot where their cars were parked.

“That reminds me. I saw your secretary earlier when I arrived, and she looked upset. What's wrong with her? Did you fire her?” Ben inquired. Anthony sighed and shook his head, wishing 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.”

Anthony thought Lerisa might not be happy about him getting engaged to Clara. He assumed her mood changed when she saw him with the red ring box. He couldn't understand why she was sad when she should be happy for him finally getting married.

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

Anthony stared at Ben coldly as they stood beside their cars, while most of the cars had left the parking lot as darkness covered the sky.

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

Anthony looked at his golden wristwatch and saw it was already past 8 p.m. However, Ben replied, “But she listens to you, Anthony. If you help me by putting in a good word, I think she might agree to date me. I'm serious about her and want to marry her."

“Are you serious about settling down with Lerisa? Hahaha! Do you think she'll agree to marry you if I order her to? She's only working for me because our fathers were friends and built this factory together. That made our families close, and I want her happiness. I don't think you're deserving of her. But don't worry, I'll try to talk to Lerisa again to see if she'll accept you," Anthony said.

“Okay, Anthony, I look forward to that, thanks," Ben replied. Anthony shook hands with him and hugged warmly before they parted and went to their cars.

Anthony remembered and asked Ben, "Tomorrow is my birthday, Ben; Lerisa will be attending it. Won't you come too? I'll be expecting to see you there."

Ben frowned and replied, “I know, but where do you plan on celebrating it? Why not come to my club and celebrate? You'll have more fun there 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's our tradition to hold events in our family grand hall. I'll expect to see you tomorrow, Ben. Good night."

Anthony quickly got into his car, shut the door, and started the engine. He drove out of his company, before Ben left with his car.