Anthony's previous anger softened as he liked Benita, and he had always wanted to date her. He wouldn't deny that he felt something special for Benita, so he decided to visit Lerisa later and explain that he liked her, but only as his sister, and they couldn't date."Sure, I would like to go for lunch. Let's go to the cafeteria now," Anthony said, buckling his previous anger and not giving Benita the chance to know why Lerisa had appeared in his office and disappeared.However, Benita stood up from the opposite guest seat across from Anthony and asked him, "I saw your secretary leaving your office just now. She bumped into me by the door and nodded my head too."Anthony gazed up at Benita's forehead and saw that she indeed had a red mark on her head, which wasn't there in the morning when he saw her arrive at her office."I am so sorry about that. Lerisa is not feeling well, so she won't be coming to the company for some time. That's why she was here, to let me know about her absence t
Lerisa quickly got out of her car and rushed up to meet Remy."What are you doing here?" she questioned him, hoping that none of her family members had seen him.However, she pulled Remy by his masculine right arm to drag him away to his car and order him to leave.Just then, Lerisa's family house gate was pushed open, and her mother stepped outside, staring at them in shock."Lerisa!!" Mrs. Antonia hadn't expected to see her first daughter holding a man by his arms outside their house gate.Had it gotten to the extent that Lerisa was so desperate, she would shamelessly hold onto a man in front of their gate and lose her family's dignity in public? Mrs. Antonia thought.Lerisa quickly let go of Remy, not expecting her mother to step outside. It was still afternoon, and the sun was hot. What was Remy doing around her father's house gate? Lerisa wondered, and who had told Remy her family house address?Lerisa had so many questions to ask Remy, but she quickly turned to face her mother an
Remy smiled and asked Lerisa, "Why are you so hard on me? I told you that I am serious about you. Please, give me some time."Lerisa frowned, remembering how Anthony had warned her not to date Remy. She stared at Remy's face, wanting him to leave. "Fine. I will think about your proposal, but I am not interested in you. I simply don't like you, and you can go on and look for another person to date.""Why don't you like me? Is Anthony the one advising you against dating me?" Remy asked, meeting Lerisa's gaze."No. It's not about Anthony. How do you expect me to date you after catching you and Clara kissing publicly by the roadside? I cannot possibly date you after witnessing that," Lerisa said. Remy drew closer to her and pleaded, "Haven't you been in a relationship before? I sincerely apologize for that day. Please, give me a chance or do you want me to kneel and beg you?""No. Don't even think about it. Fine, I will send you a final text message tonight to let you know my decision. But
"I don't know, Sister, but that's only if you like him too. I cannot possibly advise you on what to do," Martha said, and Lerisa sighed heavily."You are right, but since I haven't been in any relationships before, let me give him a try first, and then we will see how our relationship works out," replied Lerisa."Alright, Sister," Martha agreed, and they finally left the kitchen.Lerisa returned to her room, preparing to call Remy and give him her final response. However, her mobile phone rang."Hello," Lerisa answered, seeing an unknown number displayed on her phone screen.It was already nighttime, but she heard Anthony's deep, husky voice say, "Hi, Lerisa. It's me, Anthony."Lerisa froze, not expecting Anthony to be the one calling her. She had ignored several of his calls after leaving L.H. Group, perhaps prompting him to use a different number."Good evening. Why are you calling me?" Lerisa asked, trying not to show her annoyance."Is it now a crime for me to call you and see how
Benita Evans was through with her shopping, and she wore a long sleeveless blue dress paired with black stiletto heels.She wondered what Anthony was still doing outside, as she wanted him to pay for most of the designer wear she had selected. She loved shopping, and Anthony hadn't complained about spending his money on her, even though they hadn't been dating for long.However, Benita frowned when she saw Lerisa walk into the same shopping boutique. She looked away, wanting to act like she didn't know her, but she was deeply jealous of the handsome man accompanying Lerisa.Lerisa hadn't noticed Benita either, as Remy wouldn't stop hugging her, even though Lerisa didn't like public displays of affection. She liked Remy and how he treated her, something she wished Anthony would do. As they walked up to select some clothes, it was clear Remy intended to take her shopping. Lerisa rarely changed her wardrobe, and after just a week of dating Remy, he had already told her he didn't like how
Remy looked at Lerisa's face as he finally pulled his Lexus Jeep to a stop. He desired even a quick kiss from her as his eyes lingered on her pink, rosy lips. But Lerisa told him, "Thanks for the shopping; I need to get out now.""Okay, take care. And about the job, I will help you get a position in one of my dad's companies.""No, not to worry. I will find a job by myself," Lerisa said, quickly adding, "Goodbye and drive home safely.""Sure, I will," Remy replied, watching Lerisa get out of his car. She took the gifts he had bought for her and finally walked away.Remy didn't start his car immediately, as he continued watching Lerisa until she was finally out of his view.He understood she was keeping him away from her family, but he wanted her to know that he was serious and not the playboy she had caught him as before."Damn it! How do I make her fall in love with me and kiss me? For how long can I keep holding on like this?" Remy looked at his trousers and knew that even though he
"I don't understand, Mom. Why should I tell him that I am not interested?" Lerisa looked at her mother in disbelief. She already knew that her mother wouldn't accept this situation, as her mother and Anthony's mother were close friends too.Martha rushed out of the kitchen as she heard her mother's voice. She stepped into the living room to find out what had happened."What happened, Mom?" Martha inquired, looking from her mother to her elder sister.Mrs. Antonia hadn't thought about the man who caused Anthony's relationship to crash being the same man desiring her daughter.She was initially happy that Anthony's relationship had crashed, thinking that maybe then Anthony would finally notice Lerisa. But now, Lerisa had moved on with the man instead of Anthony."Can you believe your older sister? She said she is dating the same man who dared to have an affair with his brother's girlfriend.""Mom, I already knew about that before, and I know that he's asking Lerisa out too," said Martha.
Anthony felt relieved after leaving Lerisa's family mansion and walking back to his car. He got into his Jeep and drove off, heading home in his car, and he said, "I cannot believe that Lerisa has become so stubborn these days. But I wouldn't sit back and watch Remy break her heart to pieces." Anthony was relieved for reporting Lerisa to her mother, and he finally went home to his family house. Meanwhile, Lerisa was very annoyed shortly after she had walked into her bedroom. She complained, "Why can't Anthony mind his business? What gives him the right to think that he can decide my life? He should better stay away from me." Lerisa walked up to her bedside drawer, as her room was spacious and moderate. She took her phone and called Anthony's number. She wanted to warn him and let him know that she was serious about not wanting to have anything to do with him. "He used to be my best friend, but not anymore. I won't allow him to dictate my life. What I want is that I will do it now
Anthony already knew Remy would be heartbroken, so he left and went back home to apologize to his parents, not wanting to add to Remy's agony.Remy already grasped the situation, and if Anthony hadn't been his cousin, he could have dealt with him for daring to come to his house and tell him directly that he had slept with his woman.After Anthony left, Remy went back into his house to nurse his broken heart.A month passed and after the trending news stopped, Remy went back to his business. The female staff didn't dare to gossip about the matter. except they risked losing their jobs.Lerisa knew she owed Remy an apology, and her mother had said that she wouldn't marry Anthony unless she tender an apology at Remy.Lerisa arrived at Remy's hotel with the car gift that he bought for her. She did not know his house, so she donned a red dress and made her way to Remy's office.When the female staff saw Lerisa, their murmuring and gossip resurfaced. Lerisa didn't care and made her way to Re
Lerisa hadn't stepped out of her father's house since she started trending. She was ashamed and couldn't face Remy. She couldn't tell Remy why she had broken up with him.Hearing her mother's voice, Lerisa rushed out of the house as she heard her mother shouting at someone. However, as Lerisa walked out, she saw Anthony drenched, with water dripping down his body.Anthony wasn't annoyed. He didn't want to leave until he saw Lerisa."Mom! What have you done?" Lerisa shouted, shocked to see that her mother had actually baptized Anthony with a bucket of cold water. Mrs. Antonia hissed and went back into the house, not wanting to answer Lerisa's questions.Looking back at Anthony, Lerisa offered her apologies to him. She did not know that Remy had arrived earlier, but seeing Anthony wet, Lerisa offered to bring James's clothes for him to change into."See them, shameless people," Mrs. Antonia muttered from her kitchen window. She should have known that she could not change her daughter's d
Lerisa looked at her father sadly and said, "Dad, you cannot tell the Creed family that it's because of Anthony that you want to call off the wedding.""Then what should I tell them?" Mr. Fred asked. "You went to Anthony's house and ended up sleeping on his bed.""Dad, I don't want Anthony and Remy to quarrel because of me. They're brothers and...""You should have been aware that they were brothers and not comfortably slept with Anthony unclothed on his bed. I don't want to discuss this matter again. Mr. Joshua and his wife are equally disappointed, as they know this would cause a rift in their family, especially since Mrs. Samara is Mrs. Beatrice's only sister. Your actions have caused a lot of problems, but it will be settled. You can go." Mr. Fred dismissed Lerisa. He did not believe his wife at first, but after visiting the Gregson home, Mr. Joshua told him personally that his wife had been in tears, blaming Anthony as the cause."Why did Anthony not admit his feelings sooner? He
Remy already noticed that Lerisa wasn't sounding like her usual self. However, he couldn't pinpoint what was wrong with her. He donned a casual outfit, but he was still handsome and tall."Fine. If you say so, I will contact you tomorrow morning before going to work. Try to charge your phone, okay?" Remy said. As he looked at Lerisa's finger, where he had placed the engagement ring the previous day, he noticed that Lerisa had taken off the ring.He furrowed his brows and asked her, "Where's your engagement ring, Lerisa? Did you purposefully take it off? Where is it?"Remy suspected something fishy."I left it indoors," Lerisa tried to lie, but she wasn't good at lying as she spluttered."You left it indoors? Where? You know that you were not supposed to take this ring off. Fine, go inside and bring it, and you can wear it back. Right here in my presence," Remy insisted. He didn't know what was wrong with Lerisa. Just the previous night, he had called her, and she promised to call him b
Mrs. Antonia frowned and accompanied James to Lerisa's room. Lerisa had cried herself to sleep on her bed. She was hungry and weak, but she didn't want to meet with anyone. She had also switched off her phone."Lerisa!" With a gentle knock on her daughter's room door, Mrs. Antonia called Lerisa. "Lerisa, are you in there?" Mrs. Antonia asked again, and Lerisa, feeling hungry, woke up.Lerisa pulled the door of her room open. Her mother and James gasped as they spotted her."Since when did you return?" Mrs. Antonia was the first to ask Lerisa, who looked sad, as did James."Not too long ago. Maybe after you and Dad left for church," Lerisa replied in a sad tone."What happened? Why do you sound sad?" Mrs. Antonia inquired. Lerisa shook her head and said, "Nothing, Mom. I am hungry."As Lerisa walked out of the corridor, Mrs. Antonia saw the red marks all over Lerisa's neck. She inquired, "Wait, Lerisa. What happened to you? Who beat you?"Mrs. Antonia rushed to examine her daughter's ne
"Please, Lerisa, I am sorry," Anthony tried to apologize to Lerisa after his mother left his bedroom with a grimace.Lerisa started crying on the bed as she realized what she had just done with Anthony."What am I going to explain to Remy now? Remy loves me too," Lerisa cried, still sitting on Anthony's bed."You will tell Remy the truth, that you cannot go ahead and marry him," Anthony replied, as he wanted to touch Lerisa's arms again, not equally satisfied with the previous night's events with her. However, Lerisa pushed his hands away."No! It's easy for you to say, but I cannot do it. I cannot face Remy. I have to go home now." Lerisa stepped down from the bed, and Anthony admired her physique.Anthony got down from the bed, fully unclothed. Seeing him in that state, Lerisa remembered all that had happened between them the previous night; she wanted more but knew she had Remy to deal with and, more likely, her family too.Lerisa shook her head and wanted to search the room for her
Anthony stood up from the tiled floor. He knew that it wasn't just him and Lerisa alone. Due to his silence and denial of his feelings for Lerisa, Remy had already engaged Lerisa, and now he was coming to break that bond. The media would become aware, and it would also cause a rift in their family.Lerisa sobbed, and Anthony hugged her closely, comforting her."I am sorry," he continued to apologize, and Lerisa knew that if she had to choose between Anthony and Remy, she would pick Anthony."I don't know what to tell Remy. I don't want to see you both fight because of me," Lerisa said as she turned her back to Anthony's chest.Anthony kissed Lerisa on the neck; he could no longer hold himself back. He had always restrained himself, but now that he had confessed his feelings to Lerisa, Anthony reached to undress her, and she didn't try to stop him. She wanted him badly and hadn't thought the day would come so soon.Lerisa held Anthony close, and they kissed as Anthony took her into his
"How could you lie to me, Anthony? I have been in love with you all these years, and you lie to me that I am just like a sister to you." Lerisa was in tears, and Anthony's heart broke. He turned Lerisa to face him, but she pushed his hands off just as his hands touched her arms."Stay away from me! You cheated on me; you pretended not to be in love with me, breaking my heart further with all your lies. Yet you know the truth that we are destined to be together. Why are you denying that, Anthony? Do you feel scared that you would hurt me in the long run and feel another man deserves me?"Lerisa was in tears as she moved away from Anthony. Anthony stood speechless; he loved Lerisa, but he couldn't admit it to her. He had also felt she saw him as an older brother, and it was only recently when she confessed her feelings to him—that she had been in love with him and couldn't bear to see him with other women—that he knew he had wronged her dearly."I am sorry," Anthony said, but Lerisa move
Lerisa sat down next to Anthony at the dining table, and the maid served them dinner.Anthony's eyes were still glued to Lerisa's face as he saw her frowning. She was going to marry his cousin, so he shouldn't be entertaining the thought of snatching Lerisa from Remy.Anthony finally asked Lerisa, "Do you like the meal, or do you want me to order something for you?"Lerisa didn't look up at Anthony's face. She stared at her plate, which contained jollof rice and fried turkey legs for dinner. She eventually replied to him, "It's okay. I can manage it."Mrs. Beatrice smiled understandingly at Lerisa, not interfering; she soon blessed their meal, and they started eating.After dinner, Anthony's mother called his father, and Anthony spoke to his father for a while.Lerisa knew that she had switched off her phone to avoid her parents. She couldn't face them, so she waited for Anthony to show her to the guest room to rest.Anthony's mother was exhausted, admiring her son's house. She wanted