The First Catch

Chapter 14: A Nice Visit

With Victoria and Levi gone.  The house was rather quiet.  Melanie didn't realize till after they left, she got used to there being some kind of noise in the house.  At first, Melanie thought she'd like the house to herself.  Without her friend's badgering her.  But with them gone, it was quiet.  Too quiet.  Sunday and yesterday were fine.  Because Anthony called Sunday for a short visit.  Then yesterday he came over so she could teach him to dance before they went out Friday.  But today she hadn't heard a word from him.  Which she thought was a record.  Anthony always seemed to find some excuse to be around her.  Since the evening he'd come over for the barbecue.  Melanie was tempted to call him herself.  Or go surprise him.  But Melanie assumed since she hadn't heard from him.  He was busy at work.  And didn't want to be a bother. 

At least Melanie thought he was at work.  Because it seemed like the last two days, Anthony found some little way to talk.  Whether it was a phone call or stop by at the house.  Melanie suspected Levi or Victoria had a part in that.  Taking it as advantage of them being gone.  So Anthony had an excuse to spend time with her.  One of them most likely asked him to check up on Melanie.  As a way for them to become closer.  She rolled her eyes at the thought.  Assuming that was part of the reason for them to go on this last minute trip.  They hoped with Melanie alone.  Anthony would take advantage in an attempt at persuading her.  That he was worth giving a chance.

Melanie glanced over at the wall clock.  It was early afternoon.  But it felt later.  This was the first day she was all alone.  With nobody keeping her company.  And Melanie realized she was a little bored.  Seeing that it was time for lunch, and Melanie didn't feel like cooking.  She grabbed some cash.  Deciding it might be a good day to get out.  Then headed towards one of the nearby cafes.

Once she arrived and stepped inside.  Melanie noticed it was quiet.  But it was one o' clock.  There was only one other couple besides herself.  After Melanie ordered, she made her way over to the table.  Then waited for them to call her name.  She leaned back in her chair.  Taking a small look around.  Before staring up at the menu a few moments.  For something to do, so she could take her mind off some thoughts.  After reading the menu, Melanie reached for the phone.  Scrolling down for any messages.  It'd been a rather quiet day.  And it felt strange for Melanie.  Because she wasn't used to someone not checking up on her.  Messages were even quiet on Victoria and Levi's end.  But they must've thought that Anthony was keeping his end of the bargain.

Melanie took a deep breath.  Running a hand through her hair.  As she used her other hand to scroll through the numbers.  Once she stopped at his name.  Melanie stared at it for a few moments.  Letting her thumb hover over the buttons.   Debating if she should send a message. Melanie was so absorbed in her thoughts.  She didn't hear someone calling her name.  Until hearing the sound of someone clearing their throat.  Melanie's head shot up.  The expression showed the deer in the headlights look.   The person in front of her had a smirk on their face. Their expression held amusement at Melanie's reaction.  Knowing she'd gotten caught.

"Anthony?"  Melanie blinked, making sure her eyes didn't deceive who she saw standing in front of her.  The smirk remained on his face.  "I didn't expect to see you here."   Melanie shrugged. Shoving her phone back in her pocket.  "I wasn't planning on coming.  But I needed to get out of the house..."  Hearing Melanie letting the sentence trail off.  Anthony watched for a moment.  But chose not to say anything.  He cleared his throat, giving his hand a small wave at the chair across from Mel.  "May I have a seat?"  "Go ahead.."  Melanie remained quiet as Anthony sat in the chair across from her.

"I'm rather surprised to see you here."  Melanie stated.  Once Anthony got situated in his seat.  He turned his attention on Melanie.  Folding his hands on the table's surface before speaking.  "I come here often.."  He responded.  "Don't worry..   I'm not following you."  He smirked.  Having a guess of what Melanie was thinking.  This got a chuckle from Melanie.  And Anthony couldn't help but smile.  Well at least I got a small laugh out of her.  "I didn't think you were." Anthony laughed.  "Sure you weren't."  He responded.  Melanie could hear in his tone, Anthony was teasing.