Chapter 4... Thinking about Lerisa

Anthony continued to think about why Lerisa wasn't happy, as he didn't have any siblings and had always seen her as a sister.

He sighed and focused on the road, driving home. Soon, he arrived and drove into the garage before getting out of his car and walking up to their mansion.

“Good evening, Mom and Dad,” Anthony greeted his parents as he entered the living room and saw them sitting in the dining room.

His mother smiled and replied first, “Welcome home, Anthony. How was work today?”

“Fine, Mother,” Anthony said, walking toward the stairs to go to his bedroom. However, his mother spoke up, “Wait, Anthony, won't you join us for dinner before heading to your room?”

Anthony paused, looked back at his mother, and replied, “Okay, Mom. How's the birthday preparation going? We'll celebrate it here in the event hall tomorrow.”

Anthony went to the dining room to join his parents. He pulled out a seat and sat down across from his father. His mother replied, “Fine.”

Anthony's phone rang, and he took it out of his pocket. He saw that Clara was calling.

“Excuse me, Mom and Dad, I have to take this call. Hello, babe, I'll call you back later,” Anthony said to Clara. He immediately ended the call and smiled at his parents while adjusting his chair closer to the table.

Mrs. Beatrice smiled, knowing her son was in a relationship. She didn't want to disturb him by asking who the caller was, as she hoped Anthony would settle down with Lerisa Jonah, whom she loved and wanted as her daughter-in-law.

“How about Lerisa, Anthony? Did she come to the company today?” Anthony's father asked before they resumed eating.

Anthony frowned slightly, remembering the sad look on Lerisa's face before she left the company. His mother asked, “What's wrong, Anthony?”

“Nothing, Mom. Lerisa is fine. She came to work today,” Anthony answered, then asked, “Where's the meal?”

“Anthony, we know you only see Lerisa as a friend. But her father was not just my assistant but a good friend who supported me in building the company you now run. The Jonah family means a lot to me, which is why I'm asking about Lerisa,” Mr. Joshua Gregson said.

“I understand, Father. Where's Sandra, Mom?” Anthony asked. Just then, Sandra stepped out of the kitchen with a tray of their meals and approached the table to serve dinner, as she was their maid.

“I'm sorry for the delay,” Sandra apologized. Mrs. Beatrice sighed and replied, “It's okay, Sandra. Please hurry.”

Anthony and his parents resumed eating in silence. When Anthony finished, he stood up and said, "Thanks, Mom, Dad. I'm going back upstairs to rest. Good night.”

“Yes, good night, Anthony,” replied Mrs. Beatrice. She watched as Anthony walked away and climbed the stairs to his bedroom.

Anthony entered his bedroom and sighed, deciding to call Clara to find out why she had called earlier. He missed Clara, and the call connected.

“Hello, babe,” Anthony said as he took off his coat. He heard Clara respond, “Hi, sweetheart. How was your day at the office?”

Clara was in a club, and Anthony could hear music in the background. He asked, “Where are you, babe?”

“I'm at a club. My girlfriend is having a birthday party, and she invited me. You know I couldn't turn her down," Clara replied.

“Hmm...” Anthony checked his wristwatch and saw it was already after 9 p.m. He said, “But it's getting late, babe. Start heading home now; I'm not happy with you being there.”

“Hahaha. I know, babe, relax. I didn't come here to sleep with anyone, and it's a midnight party. I'll be fine,” Clara assured him. Anthony frowned, and as he was about to complain, Clara said, “I have to end the call now, babe. Good night, and see you tomorrow at your parents' house. But I'm not happy you're celebrating your birthday at home instead of a hotel like an adult.”

“Hmm,” Anthony frowned and said, “It's how my parents want it, Clara, and I can't go against them.”

“How your parents want it? But not how I want it, Anthony. Anyway, it's okay. Good night," Clara said, and Anthony heard the call disconnect, deepening his frown.

Anthony loved Clara; he sighed and took off his shirt. He was about to remove his trousers when he touched the red ring box in his pocket.

He took it out and stared at it, intending to propose to Clara the next day.

Anthony sighed and placed the ring box in his drawer.

He went to his bathroom to bathe, and afterward, he put on his usual white robe, walked to his bed, and sat down to use his laptop.

Anthony thought about calling Lerisa to check if she was okay and had gotten home safely. He sighed, picked up his phone, unlocked it, and called Lerisa.

***

Lerisa had finished her bath and was wearing a gray nightgown. She was at the dining table with her parents, having dinner. She wasn't with her phone, so Anthony's call didn't connect.

Anthony finally put his phone in the drawer and continued with his online research. After browsing for a while, he turned off his laptop and plugged it in to charge.