From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent (Anthea )

Tina0216: "Wasn't someone supposed to livestream themselves eating their phone? [Screenshot.jpg][Screenshot.jpg]"

The comment section buzzed as people tagged the individual who had made the bold claim.

Embarrassed and cornered, the person in question decided to ghost and not respond.

The next day.

Anthea, Lizzie, and Tanya had planned a day out at the amusement park. However, Tanya had to bail last minute due to some urgent matters.

Anthea arrived at the spot she and Lizzie had agreed on.

Lizzie, ever curious, asked, "Annie, did Tanya tell you why she suddenly couldn't make it?"

"Something about a stomach ache," Anthea replied.

Lizzie nodded and then said, "Strange, she was fine yesterday. Oh, Annie! Did you see how well Tanya and I teamed up yesterday? We had those trolls silenced in no time! It was epic!"

Just then, a sleek black car pulled up in front of them. The window rolled down, revealing a sharply featured face. The hand on the steering wheel was clutching a rosary.

Lizzie was starstruck. Who was this guy?! Incredibly handsome. She had never seen a guy rocking a vintage button-up shirt so effortlessly. That aura, that presence. He made the so-called heartthrobs of today look like amateurs.

"Anthea," the man spoke up softly.

"Sherman?" Anthea raised her eyebrows in surprise.

Sherman continued, "Get in, I'll give you a lift."

Anthea smiled, "No need, the bus should be here any minute."

"This area doesn't allow for parking," Sherman said in his calm tone.

Not wanting to refuse any further, Anthea and Lizzie got into the car. "We're headed to the amusement park. Thanks, Sherman."

"Sure," Sherman replied, as stoic as ever.

Anthea introduced Lizzie to Sherman, "Sherman, this is my classmate Lizzie. Lizzie, this is Sherman, just Sherman is fine."

Lizzie was astonished. Wasn't Anthea an only child? When did she get a brother? The way Anthea addressed him felt a bit intimate, "Maybe I should just call you Mr. Christensen."

Before Anthea could correct her, Sherman simply said, "My last name is Christensen."

"Christensen?" Lizzie frowned slightly. So, he wasn't Anthea's brother? "So, you and Annie are..."

Sherman, a man of few words, added, "We're just friends."

Just friends, huh. Lizzie nodded, her gaze shifting between Anthea and Sherman, sensing there was more than what met the eye.

The amusement park wasn't far from the city center. They arrived shortly.

Anthea thanked Sherman as they got out of the car.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

“No need for formalities with me," Sherman replied with a slight nod.

"We'll head in then."

"Go ahead," Sherman nodded slightly.

As Sherman watched them walk away, Lizzie sneakily glanced back at him, whispering to Anthea, "That Mr. Christensen is quite a looker."

"Yeah, he's not bad," Anthea casually remarked.

Lizzie continued, "Does he like you or what?"

"You're overthinking it,” Anthea responded lightly.

"Why else would he offer us a ride to the amusement park! You have no idea, when he said 'Get in, I'll give you a lift,' it was so cool! Like something straight out of a billionaire romance novel!"

Lizzie reminisced about that

moment, her eyes practically sparkling. She had read countless romance novels. Never had sheê encountered anyone in real life who embodied the billionaire CEO trope as much as Sherman. That effortless authority, that natural commanding presence, itwasn't something one could imitate or learn.

Anthea just laughed, "He's a vegetarian and a Buddhist; it's unlikely he'd fall for anyone. You're worrying over nothing!"

Sherman was thirty-one. If he had any romantic interests, surely, he would have acted on them by now. Anthea had done her homework on Sherman; since becoming an adult, his circle had never included any significant others. Even his assistants and secretaries were male. To Anthea, Sherman was a man untainted by worldly desires.

"What if you're the one to awaken his heart?" Lizzie countered.

"That's impossible," Anthea stated, "We're just friends."

The idea of a man without worldly desires falling in love? That sounded like a plot from one of Lizzie's fanciful novels.

Lizzie squinted, "Based on my years

I

of reading novels, there's more to this. He definitely has feelings for you! Annie, do you know? When someone likes another person, it's all in the eyes. He's got that look for you, you know what I mean?"