On the third floor of L.H. Group, Lerisa Jonah stood up from her executive secretary's seat, having finished her office work for the day.

She worked as Anthony Gregson's secretary, so she stepped away from her desk, picked up her black handbag, and prepared to leave for home.

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

She knew that Anthony usually finished work by 5 p.m. and left the company before 6 p.m., which was the company's normal closing hour.

As it was already past 6 p.m. and most of the staff had gone home, Lerisa decided to check on Anthony to see what was delaying him.

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

She pushed the door slightly open and stepped inside, finding Anthony seated at his desk, staring at a red ring box in his hands.

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

She realized at that moment that Anthony was in a serious relationship with Clara Harry and was planning to propose to her soon.

Lerisa felt like crying, as she was secretly in love with Anthony but lacked the courage to confess her feelings.

Her face flushed with sadness, and she looked down to hide her expression.

Anthony was absorbed in admiring the diamond ring and didn't look up at Lerisa.

They had been childhood best friends, thanks to their fathers' close relationship. Lerisa's father had been Anthony's father's assistant, helping to build the shoe company that Anthony now owned.

Lerisa knew that Clara Harry was unfaithful and undeserving of Anthony. She had seen Clara flirting with other men behind Anthony's back but felt unable to warn him.

Lerisa had witnessed Clara visiting Anthony in his office and had seen them kissing, which made her heart ache, knowing how deeply Anthony loved Clara.

Anthony, a 30-year-old Black man, wore a black suit with a red shirt and black shoes, which made him look handsome.

He had a short mustache and beard that enhanced his appearance, making him look charming.

Finally, Anthony looked up at Lerisa and saw her staring at the floor. He wondered what she wanted, as he had already seen her earlier that day.

He had lost track of time while admiring the ring he intended to use to propose to Clara the next day.

“What do you want, Lerisa?” he asked.

"I… I…" Lerisa stammered, unable to articulate her reason for being there, her heart heavy with the sight of the ring.

She had come to tell Anthony she was leaving for the day, but he was too engrossed in the ring to notice her.

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? I plan to propose to Clara then. Do you think she'll love this ring and accept it? I bought it to show my love for her."

Lerisa's heart broke even more at Anthony's question. She saw him smiling at the ring and 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 ready to leave yet.”

Anthony immediately noticed the sadness in Lerisa's voice. He closed the ring box and stood up, walking over to her. "What's wrong, Lerisa?" he asked.

Lerisa turned away, tears streaming down her face. She couldn't tell Anthony the truth—that she loved him. Anthony saw her only as a sister, despite their lack of blood relation.

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

Lerisa felt a spark, but Anthony ignored it, looking intently at her.

“Tell me, what's wrong?” he asked sternly, and Lerisa shuddered but shook her head. “Nothing, Sir… I just came to say I'm leaving for the day and to collect the office key…”

“Sir?" Anthony repeated, staring at her with a pained expression. "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 member."

Lerisa shuddered, hating how Anthony always reminded her of their sibling-like relationship.

Just then, Anthony's office door opened, and his assistant, Mark Terry, entered.

Mark looked surprised to see Anthony holding Lerisa's arms so closely. Anthony didn't notice him, still focused on Lerisa.

'Are they about to kiss?' Mark wondered, quickly composing himself and apologizing, “I'm sorry, boss.”