In a magnificent five-story building called the Gregson Group, Lerisa Jonah stood up from her office chair on the third floor, finished with her work for the day. She worked as Anthony Gregson's secretary, so she stepped away from her desk and picked up her black handbag, ready to go home.
Lerisa was a fair-complexioned young lady, 24 years old, wearing a yellow shirt, black pencil skirt, and black shoes. She wondered why she hadn't seen Anthony leaving his office. She knew he usually closed by 5 PM and left before 6 PM, the company's normal closing hour. She made her way toward Anthony's office door to find out what was delaying her boss, as it was already after 6 PM and most staff had gone home.
Approaching Anthony's office door, Lerisa knocked and heard him respond, "Come in." She pushed the door slightly open, stepped inside, and saw him seated in 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. She knew at that moment that Anthony was in a serious relationship with Clara Harry and would soon propose to her. Lerisa felt like crying, as she was secretly in love with Anthony but couldn't tell him the truth—she wasn't brave enough.
Her yellow face turned red with sadness, and she stared downward to hide her expression. Anthony was busy admiring the diamond ring, not shifting his gaze to look at Lerisa. They were childhood best friends, thanks to their fathers' past closeness. Lerisa's father had been Anthony's father's former assistant, supporting him in building the shoe company that was now Anthony's own. Lerisa knew Clara Harry was a cheat, undeserving of a man like Anthony. She had seen Clara flirting with different men behind Anthony's back but couldn't advise him to stop dating her. Lerisa had witnessed Clara visiting Anthony in his office and caught them kissing, which made her heart sink, knowing he was seriously in love.
Anthony was a 30-year-old black man, wearing a black suit with a red inner shirt and black shoes, which made him look handsome. He had a short mustache and beard that enhanced his looks and made him charming. Finally, Anthony stared at Lerisa's face and saw her looking downward. He wondered what she wanted, having already seen her for the day. He had forgotten the company had closed, busy admiring the ring he had bought to propose to Clara the following day. He asked, "What do you want, Lerisa?"
"I… I…" Lerisa spluttered, unable to say why she was in his office. She was heartbroken at the sight of the ring. She had come to tell him she was going home, but Anthony didn't look up again, busy admiring the diamond ring and wondering if Clara would like it.
Anthony asked, "How do you see this ring, Lerisa? Remember I invited you and the rest of the staff to my birthday party tomorrow at my family's house? Well, I want to propose to Clara tomorrow. But I don't know if she will accept this beautiful diamond ring I bought for her from abroad. I do love Clara. What do you think? Do you think she 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 stupid question. She saw him smiling sweetly at the ring as he continued looking downward. She replied, "I thought you had closed, sir. That's why I'm here to collect the office key from you. But it seems you're not yet ready to go home." Anthony immediately noticed the sadness in Lerisa's voice. He shut the red ring box, stood up from his seat, and walked over to her. "What's wrong, Lerisa?" he asked.
Lerisa turned her back on Anthony as hot tears streamed down her eyes. She couldn't tell him 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?" he finally approached her, swirling her around to face him. Lerisa felt sparks, but Anthony ignored them and looked intently at her face. "Tell me, what's wrong with you?" he asked again in a stern voice. Lerisa shuddered in his hold but shook her head to indicate nothing. She lied, "Nothing, sir… I only came here to tell you I'm going home. The company has closed for the day, and to collect the office key from you."
"Sir?" Anthony asked again, staring coldly at Lerisa's face, his eyes squinting in pain. "How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me sir? You're like a sister to me, not just a staff member here." Lerisa shuddered, hating that he always reminded her she was like a sister.
Anthony's office door pushed open, and his assistant Mark Terry stepped in, looking surprised to see him holding Lerisa's arms firmly, close to his chest.
Anthony didn't look at Mark, busy staring at Lerisa's face. 'Do they want to kiss?' Mark wondered, but quickly composed his surprised expression and apologized, "I'm sorry, boss."