My CEO Bestie and Me

In the L.H. Group, Lerisa Jonah stood up from her office chair, having finished her work for the day.

She worked as Anthony Gregson's secretary, so she stepped out of her office seat and picked up her black handbag from her desk, ready to go home.

Lerisa, a fair-complexioned 24-year-old, was wearing a yellow shirt, black pencil skirt, and black shoes. She wondered why she hadn't seen Anthony leaving his office.

She knew Anthony usually closed by 5 pm and left the company before 6 pm, the company's normal closing hour.

She made her way toward Anthony's office door to find out what was still delaying her boss, as it was already after 6 pm and most of the staff had gone home.

Approaching Anthony's office door, Lerisa knocked and heard him respond, “Come in.”

She pushed the door slightly open and stepped into his office, seeing him seated on his executive chair, staring at a red ring box in his hands.

Lerisa's heart dropped the moment she saw the beautiful, sparkling diamond ring in Anthony's hand.

She knew then that Anthony was in a serious relationship with Clara Harry and would soon propose to her.

Lerisa felt like crying out, as she was secretly in love with Anthony, but she wasn't brave enough to tell him the truth.

Her face immediately turned red with sadness, and she looked downward to hide her sorrow.

Anthony was too busy admiring the diamond ring to notice Lerisa.

He and Lerisa were childhood best friends due to their fathers' past closeness. Lerisa's father had been Anthony's father's assistant and had helped build the shoe company, which now belonged to Anthony.

Lerisa knew Clara Harry was a cheat and didn't deserve Anthony. She had seen Clara flirting with different men behind Anthony's back but couldn't bring herself to advise him to stop dating Clara.

She had also witnessed Clara visiting Anthony in his office and caught them kissing, which made her heart sink, knowing Anthony was seriously in love with Clara.

Anthony, a handsome 30-year-old black man, wore a black suit, red shirt, and black shoes. His short mustache and beard enhanced his looks, making him charming.

Anthony finally looked at Lerisa and saw her staring downward. He wondered what she wanted since he had seen her earlier in the day.

He had forgotten the company had closed, as he was busy admiring the ring he intended to use to propose to Clara the following day.

Anthony asked, “What do you want, Lerisa?"

"I… I…" Lerisa stuttered, unable to explain why she was in his office, sounding heartbroken after seeing the ring.

She had come to tell Anthony she was going home, but he didn't look up at her. He was busy admiring the ring and wondering if Clara would like it.

Anthony asked, “How do you see this ring, Lerisa? Remember I invited you and the staff to my birthday party tomorrow at my family's house? I want to propose to Clara tomorrow. But I don't know if she will accept this beautiful diamond ring I bought for her. I do love Clara. What do you think, Lerisa? Do you think Clara will love this ring and accept it? I bought it to prove my love to her."

Lerisa's heart broke even more at Anthony's question.

She saw him smiling sweetly at the ring. As Anthony continued looking at the ring, she replied, “I thought you had closed, Sir. That's why I'm here to collect the office key from you. But it seems like you're not ready to go home yet.”

Anthony immediately noticed the sadness in Lerisa's voice.

He closed the ring box and stood up from his chair. He walked over to her and asked, "What's wrong, Lerisa?"

Lerisa turned her back on Anthony, as hot tears streamed down her face.

She couldn't tell Anthony the truth, that she was in love with him. Anthony only saw her as a sister, even though they were unrelated.

"What's wrong, Lerisa?” Anthony asked again, swirling her around to face him.

Lerisa felt the sparks between them, but Anthony ignored them, looking intently at her face.

“Tell me, what's wrong with you?” he asked sternly, and Lerisa shuddered in his hold but shook her head to indicate nothing was wrong.

She lied, “Nothing, Sir… I only came here to tell you that I'm going home. The company has closed for the day, and to collect the office key from you…”

“Sir?" Anthony asked again, staring at Lerisa coldly. His eyes squinted in pain.

"How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me sir, Lerisa? You're like a sister to me, not just a staff here," Anthony said, and Lerisa shuddered, hating how he always reminded her she was like a sister to him.

Anthony's office door opened, and his assistant Mark Terry stepped in…

Mark looked surprised to see Anthony holding Lerisa's arms firmly and close to his chest. Anthony didn't look at him, busy staring at Lerisa's face.

'Do they want to kiss?' Mark wondered, but he quickly composed himself and apologized, “I'm sorry, boss.”