Chapter 6... Anthony's advice

Anthony finally looked back at Lerisa's face and said, "I have to go home now, Lerisa. I hope you're truly feeling fine."

Anthony drank from the bottled water in his hands again, looking directly at Lerisa. She replied, "Yes, I'm fine. See you later this evening."

Lerisa's pretty, fair face turned sad again as she remembered that Anthony would propose to Clara that evening. Anthony and Clara had been dating for three years or more.

Anthony noticed the change in Lerisa's mood as her face turned red. He immediately asked, "What's wrong with you again?"

Lerisa snapped out of her trance and replied, "Nothing, I'm fine."

"Hmm, you keep telling me you're fine when you're not. Tell me the truth, Lerisa. What's bothering you? You can share anything with me. You know I care about you, and I know you don't have many friends aside from me.

You don't have a boyfriend, or maybe you do, and I just haven't met him. But that's no reason to look sad," Anthony advised.

"I don't have a boyfriend, Anthony," Lerisa admitted. Anthony looked at her and asked, "Why? You're very beautiful, Lerisa, and I want the best for you. How about my friend Ben? He's been asking about you. Why not consider dating him?"

"No. I'm not interested in Ben," Lerisa replied, quickly rejecting the idea.

Anthony's eyes squinted in suspicion, and he smiled, asking, "Then who are you interested in? I don't know anyone who's your boyfriend or love interest that could make you look sad."

Lerisa gazed up at Anthony's face. She met his blue eyes, her lips parted to speak, but no words came out. She couldn't tell Anthony the truth she was in love with him. She gulped and looked down.

Anthony sighed and told her, "It's okay, Lerisa. If you don't want to tell me about the guy you like. Just know that I care about you very much and see you as more than a friend."

"I have to go home now, as I promised my mother I'd be home early for breakfast after my exercise. Otherwise, I would have joined you and your mom for breakfast. How about your dad?" Anthony inquired.

"He's gone out for a weekend meeting," Lerisa said. Anthony sighed and advised her, "Be good, okay? Take care of yourself."

Lerisa escorted Anthony to the exit gate. She opened it for him and locked it after he left. Unknown to her, her mother was watching from the kitchen window, listening to their conversation.

Lerisa wiped her tears and turned to go back inside, unaware her mother was rooting for her and Anthony to be together.

As she entered the living room, her mother came out of the kitchen and asked, "What's going on between you and Anthony, Lerisa?"

Mrs. Antonia was carrying a tray of fried eggs as she walked to the dining table and placed it down.

Lerisa joined her mother in the dining room and replied, "Nothing, Mom."

Lerisa sat down, her face still red, remembering the diamond engagement ring she saw with Anthony the previous day.

"You keep saying 'nothing, Mom,' but you look as red as a tomato. Didn't you look in the mirror?" Her mother asked.

Lerisa sighed and replied, "I'm fine, Mom."

"Okay, if you say so. But I hope you know I like Anthony too, and I don't want you to chase him away with your red face," Mrs. Antonia teased. Lerisa just shook her head, picked up a piece of fried egg, and ate it.

"Go wash your hands first, and let's have breakfast together since your dad isn't home yet. Have you picked out what you'll wear to Anthony's birthday party this evening? Your father and I will be attending too. I like Anthony and want him to marry you when he's ready to settle down, to strengthen our family's bond with his," Mrs. Antonia said, smiling.

"Mom, Anthony has a girlfriend. You and Dad should stop thinking about me becoming Anthony's wife. He'll only remain my boss and family friend," Lerisa said sadly. She stood up and went to the kitchen to wash her hands.

"Hmm..." Mrs. Antonia frowned and followed her daughter into the kitchen.

"Why would you say that, Lerisa? Anthony can't just marry any girl he's dating. His parents won't support him marrying anyone except you. His dad and your father are best friends, and the same goes for his mother and me."

"Hmm." Lerisa shook her head, finished washing her hands, and said, "Mom, I'm hungry, and I need to shop for a new dress for Anthony's party tonight."

"Okay," Mrs. Antonia sighed, letting Lerisa pass. Lerisa left the kitchen with her teacup and returned to the dining table for breakfast.

Mrs. Antonia joined her daughter, and they had breakfast together.

Lerisa didn't want to tell her mother the truth—that she saw Anthony with an engagement ring. She feared her parents would be heartbroken if they witnessed Anthony proposing to Clara Harry.

Lerisa resumed eating her bread with fried eggs, while her mother silently continued her breakfast too.

After breakfast, Lerisa cleared the dishes, washed them, and went to her bedroom to freshen up. She planned to go out and shop for a new gown for Anthony's party.

Her phone rang, startling her. She wasn't expecting a call, as she didn't have many friends' numbers saved.

Lerisa picked up her phone from the drawer, saw it was an unknown number, and answered, "Hello, who is this?"

"Hi, Lerisa. How are you this morning?" a deep, masculine voice asked.

"I'm fine; who is this?" Lerisa questioned, quickly recognizing Ben's voice.

She frowned, wondering how he got her number.

"How did you get my mobile number?" she asked.