CHAPTER 3

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

Her elder brother and younger sister were not around, as they were still at school.

“Good evening, Mom,” Lerisa greeted her mother but did not pause in the living room. She continued toward the corridor that led to the rooms in the house.

Mrs. Antonia wondered what had happened to her first daughter, noticing how red Lerisa's face appeared.

She called Lerisa back.

“Come here, Lerisa. What happened at the office today? Why is your face so red?”

Lerisa stopped and replied, “Nothing, Mom. I'm fine.”

Mrs. Antonia sighed and let her go.

“All right, hurry up and come join your father and me for dinner.”

“Okay, Mom,” Lerisa replied, darting into the corridor to her room for a bath.

Lerisa stepped into her room and shut the door. She cried as she leaned against it for support, then walked to her pink bed and set down her black handbag.

Lerisa glanced at the clock and saw it was past 7 p.m.; the company was a thirty-minute drive from home.

She undressed for her bath, not wanting to keep her parents waiting for dinner.

After her bath, Lerisa emerged from the bathroom and paused at her mirror to examine her face. She steeled herself, knowing Anthony would never love her.

She muttered to her reflection—a curvy young woman staring back.

“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 selected a long blue one, put it on, and returned to apply dusting powder to her face and neck, hoping to conceal her sadness from her parents and avoid more questions.

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Meanwhile, Anthony was still in the third-floor hallway when Ben emerged from the elevator and approached him.

Ben smiled and greeted him. “What's up, bro?”

Anthony did not enjoy Ben's company, even though they had been high school friends. Ben owned a hotel and spent time with various women, but he persisted in visiting Anthony, who rarely returned the visits.

“Nothing much. How about you? I'm heading home now; the company has closed,” Anthony replied evenly. He entered the elevator with Ben, and they rode down to the first floor, then walked to the parking lot where their cars were.

“That reminds me, I saw your secretary when I arrived, and she looked upset. What's wrong with her? Did you fire her?” Ben asked. Anthony sighed and shook his head, wishing he understood Lerisa, but he did not.

“I don't know what happened to Lerisa, but she said she's fine. I didn't dismiss her.”

Anthony suspected Lerisa might be unhappy about his engagement to Clara; perhaps her mood had shifted when she saw him with the red ring box. He could not fathom why she would be sad instead of happy for him as he prepared to marry.

“Hmm, all right. I like Lerisa, and I've been asking her out, but she won't consider me. Can you talk to her on my behalf?” Ben asked.

Anthony looked at Ben coolly as they stood by their cars; the parking lot had emptied, and darkness had replaced the earlier bright sky.

“How many times do I need to speak to Lerisa for you? She doesn't want you and won't accept your proposal. I don't understand why, either. She's not in any relationship that I know of.”

Anthony checked his gold wristwatch and saw it was past 8 p.m. Ben replied, “But she listens to you, Anthony. If you speak to Lerisa and encourage her, I think she'll agree to date me. I'm serious about her and want to marry her.”

“Hahaha, are you serious about settling down with Lerisa? Do you think she'll agree if I tell her to? She works for me because our fathers were friends who built this company together. That closeness made our families like one, and she's like a sister to me. I want her to be happy. I don't think you're deserving of her, but I'll try talking to her again to see if she'll accept you.”

“Okay, Anthony. I'll look forward to that—thanks,” Ben said. They shook hands and hugged warmly before parting and walking to their cars.

Anthony remembered and asked, “Tomorrow is my birthday, Ben. Lerisa will be there—won't you come too? I'll expect to see you.”

Ben frowned and replied, “I know, but where are you celebrating? Why not at my club? You'd 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 it at home, and it's our custom to celebrate events there in the family hall. I'll expect you tomorrow, Ben. Good night.”

Anthony opened his car door, got in, started the engine, and drove out of the company shortly after Ben departed in his own car.