Anthony completely disregarded Mark's presence, refusing to even glance in his direction. Instead, his unwavering focus was solely on Lerisa, his expression filled with concern.Lerisa was filled with embarrassment as she witnessed Mark's swift apology to Anthony, hastily leaving his office and closing the door behind him.Mark was well aware of Lerisa's infatuation with Anthony, and that was why she turned down his heartfelt confession.He couldn't believe his eyes as he watched Anthony embrace Lerisa, holding her tightly by the arms. It was clear to him that they were more than just friends, despite their act of pretending to be siblings in front of everyone else."Lerisa..." Anthony called out Lerisa's name once more, causing her to tremble in his grasp and snap out of her daze, as he maintained a tight grip on her arms.Anthony noticed that Lerisa appeared downcast, and he couldn't help but wonder what might be causing her sadness. He pondered whether someone had hurt her or if she

Anthony couldn't help but ponder why Lerisa seemed so unhappy. Growing up as an only child, he had always seen Lerisa as a sister figure. He let out a sigh and directed his attention to the road ahead as he made his way home.After a long day, Anthony finally made it back home. He parked his car in the garage and stepped out, making his way towards their impressive duplex mansion. He warmly greeted his parents, addressing them as he entered the living room and noticed them seated in the dining area. His mother greeted him with a warm smile, saying, "Welcome home, Anthony. How was your day at work?""Okay, mother," Anthony made his way up the living room stairs, ready to call it a night and retreat to his bedroom. However, his mother called out to him, "Hey Anthony, why don't you come join us for dinner before heading off to your room?" Anthony took a moment to collect himself, meeting his mother's gaze before responding, "Alright, mom. How are the birthday preparations coming along?

Anthony reluctantly met Lerisa's gaze and softly informed her, "I must return home now, Lerisa. I hope you're doing well now."Anthony took another sip from the bottled water he was holding, his gaze fixed on Lerisa's face. She responded, "Yes, I'm doing well. I'll catch up with you later tonight."Lerisa's face took on a somber expression once more as she recalled that Anthony would be proposing to Clara later in the evening. Anthony and Clara have been dating for three years or more.Anthony observed the shift in Lerisa's demeanor as her face flushed with color. He quickly inquired, "What seems to be the matter this time?"Lerisa quickly regained her composure and responded, "I'm perfectly fine, thank you.""Hmm, it seems that you consistently tell me that you're okay when you're actually not okay. Be honest with me, Lerisa. What seems to be the matter? Feel free to confide in me about any issue you're facing. I understand that I am the only friend you have, and I genuinely care abou

Lerisa let out a frustrated sigh, realizing that she absolutely had to attend Anthony's birthday party. She had been by his side since he celebrated his seventh birthday, all the way up until he reached adulthood.Lerisa understood that not going to Anthony's birthday party could give the impression that she was envious or harboring resentment towards him, which would displease her parents.With unwavering focus, she directed her car onto a different street, preparing to merge onto the bustling main road.In that moment, Lerisa witnessed a passionate embrace between a woman and a man, right beside a sleek black car parked on the street.Lerisa couldn't help but notice the audacity of the young lady and the man who were openly displaying their affection in public, rather than seeking a more discreet location.Lerisa knew that the estate was predominantly inhabited by affluent families, with most houses being privately owned and primarily occupied by the homeowners and their families, ra

In the cozy living room, Lerisa warmly greeted her parents, "Good afternoon, Mom and Dad.""Welcome back, Lerisa. We completely overlooked buying birthday presents for Anthony today. And what about you? Did you buy anything on your way back?" Mrs. Antonia inquired, and Lerisa responded, "No, mom. I also forgot."Lerisa gazed at the living room wall clock and noticed that it was already 2 pm."There's still time, Lerisa," her father said. "Why not step outside and head to the nearby shops with your sister to buy what we'll be giving to the Gregson family? As you're aware, it's important that we bring a gift when we go to Anthony's birthday party, considering he's their only son.""Hmm, I suppose you're correct, father. What should I buy for him? Given their wealth, we had already gifted Anthony with a standing fan last year. I'm at a loss for what to buy for him this year," Lerisa said, wearing a frown. They had already purchased numerous gifts for Anthony in the past, and now she was u