TRAPPED BY LOVE

CHAPTER 3

Anthony wasn’t able to sleep until ten in the evening while waiting for Janna’s response. He tossed and turned while patiently waiting. He only gave up when his eyes were exhausted, and he had to take a rest.

When he woke up in the morning, the first thing he did was check his phone if a message from her came when he slept. Anthony’s shoulders dropped low in disappointment when there was nothing on his inbox. He flipped his phone to check if it’s working properly.

Maybe I should restart it, he thought.

Unfortunately, there was nothing in his inbox after restarting the phone. He just imagined that she’s probably busy and get up to get ready for the day. Even if his grandfather was considered well-off in their community, he wasn’t allowed to slack around during the weekend. He needed to help at the farm.

While in the shower, he couldn’t stop thinking about Janna and considered visiting her residence. On second thought, he convinced himself to wait. It’s planting season on the farm, and he’s in charge of the distribution of snacks to the farmers.

“So, how is it? Did you hear anything from her?” Frederick made a joke of the incident last night as soon as Anthony joined him for breakfast.

“It’s private, Grandpa,” Anthony replied.

“Okay, I understand. Sit down and eat your breakfast,” Frederick ordered as he filled Anthony’s plate with rice, ham, and egg. “By the way, will it be okay for your Aunt Millie to live here?” He mentioned his cousin, who was scheduled to return to the country.

“Is she allowed to leave the convent?” Anthony asked as soon as he recognized his cousin's name, who served as a nun in one of the monasteries in Italy. Then, he stared at his grandfather’s outfit and furrowed his forehead in confusion. “Are you going somewhere?”

“Yes, we are going to get you your ride,” Frederick announced. “It’s a belated gift for your birthday.”

Anthony’s eyes blinked several times because he couldn’t believe what his grandfather said. “Are you serious, Grandpa?” Excitement rose within him as he imagined having his motorcycle. “Grandpa, will you really buy a motorcycle for me?”

“Yes, so hurry up with your breakfast so we can leave,” Frederick responded.

The food on the table was ordinary, but in his eyes, they became special. He ate with gusto, and in less than twenty minutes, he’s done. He would glance at his grandfather to check if he was toying with him from time to time, but his grandfather's expression has always been serious. He stood up and excused himself to change his farm clothes. “I’ll be back before you finish your coffee, Grandpa.” The older man just nodded and dismissed him right away.

With so much excitement in his heart, he forgot about the delayed response from Janna Auxtero. His mind was occupied with the thoughts of having a brand new motorcycle that he could use in going to school or hang out with his friends.

Most of the motorcycle dealers were located two towns from Saint Augustine, and since the weather was hotter than the other day, he chose to wear a light grey t-shirt and paired it with black cargo shorts. When he went downstairs, Frederick Quileopas was already waiting in the living room and ready to leave.

“Once you have the scooter, I trust that you’ll be extra careful, Anthony. I don’t want you to get into an accident while trying to show off,” Frederick warned the young man who wore his excitement on his sleeve.

He stopped walking and glimpsed at the older man. “A scooter? Are you kidding me?” He expected to have his big bike, or a Yamaha XTZ would suffice, not a scooter, for goddamn sake!

Frederick narrowed his eyes towards Anthony and asked, “Are you disappointed? What do you want then?”

“A big bike,” he answered without holding back.

“WHAT? No, you’re still young for a big bike, young man!” Frederick made himself clear. “A scooter will do, take it, or leave it.”

Anthony lived with Frederick since he was a child, and he knew when the older man was serious or not. “So when can I have my big bike?” he inquired.

“When you’re eighteen, but you have to graduate first,” Frederick declared.

“Hmmm, thanks, Grandpa.” He said before hopping in the pick-up truck that Frederick Quileopas chose to ride on their way to the motorcycle dealer.

They have been on the road for about thirty minutes when Frederick suddenly became serious. When he glanced at his grandson, vivid images of his son flashed back into his head. “I’m okay if you’ll get a girlfriend now, but just promise me, Anthony, that you will not rush into getting married or having a baby.”

Anthony tightened his lips as he listened to his grandfather, but later on, he said, “Don’t worry about it, grandpa. I may not be the smartest in our class, but I will graduate just fine.”

“I know you will,” Frederick agreed because he’s updated with Anthony’s grades, and they’re not bad at all. However, he couldn’t help but worry.

At the motorcycle store, Anthony preferred the Honda Beat to the Mio. After he chose the colour, his grandfather paid for it, and soon, the new motorcycle was loaded into the pick-up truck. He was excited to try it, but Frederick was against the idea that he would drive it from the store to their home.

The whole ride in going back home felt like forever for Anthony, and his eyes were glued to the back of the truck where his motorcycle was loaded.

As soon as they got home, Anthony couldn’t wait and tested the motorcycle. His head was occupied with thoughts about his new toy that he failed to notice the young girl who accompanied her father to sell something to Frederick.

“Can I visit a friend nearby? Please, grandpa?” he asked for the old man’s permission, and when he received it, he immediately rode the bike and speeded away.

Five minutes later, Anthony parked his Honda Beat in front of the Red House, and then he checked his face from the mirror before he got down and walked towards the door. It was closed, but he heard the sound coming from a television.

“Jeff?” Anthony called for his friend’s name as he kept on knocking.  “Jeff?” He shouted and only stopped when he heard some footsteps coming to the door. “Kylie? What are you doing here?” Anthony asked upon seeing the girl who almost became his girlfriend.

Her eyes became round when she came face to face with a man who rejected her love a year ago. Everyone on the campus assumed they would be a couple, but Anthony ghosted her even before they became official. “I’m with Jeff,” she answered.

“Oh, I see. You must be busy so that I won’t disturb you guys. Just let him know that I came,” he said before leaving. As he drove away from the Red House, he gritted his teeth while thinking about Jeff and Kylie.

Anthony was occupied that he was startled to see Ella at the intersection, and from his observation, she just got back from the city.  He stopped in front of her and smiled. “Hello,” he greeted her, and she arched her brows upon seeing him. Nevertheless, she looked chic in a floral and breezy cropped jumpsuit. “You look good in blue,” he said.

 “Anthony! It’s been a while,” Ella smiled back at the young man whom she recognized as one of Jeff’s friends. “How are you?” She asked.

He was shocked to know that the woman was friendly to him. In the past, they never talked. However, he couldn’t let her discover that Jeff brought a girl to her home. “I’m good. Do you want a cold drink?” He asked.

“Hmmm, why not?” She smiled.

When Ella accepted the ice-cold sprite, Anthony scolded himself for being nosy. So what if she would find out that Jeff brought a girl to her home? “Jeff has a visitor,” he informed her.

“I know,” Ella answered.

Anthony was astounded at the way she handled Jeff’s affair at the Red House. “Is that why you’re here? To give them space?” He was curious, and when she smiled shyly, he had his answer.

Ella raised her eyebrow towards the young man and wondered why he’s nosy about her affair. She just smiled and asked, “Are we close?” It was meant to be a joke, but she earned a scowl from Anthony, and his light-coloured brown eyes glared at her. As she gawked at him, she almost got lost at his mysterious and beguiling peepers. They were kind and yet they looked unfriendly!