Chapter 14

During the few days Anthony had stayed at home, Stella stuck by his side pretty much the entire time. Whether he was eating, exercising, studying, or playing the piano, Stella seemed constantly tense. She was worried that Anthony might suffer from some sort of heart problem at any moment. Anthony had tried to convince her that he was fine. Although Stella told him she would ease up a little, her actions suggested otherwise. Anthony figured they could not let things go on like this. Coincidentally, one of his friends was celebrating their birthday tonight. By using the party as an excuse, Anthony asked for Stella's permission to go out. "Stella, I haven't gotten in touch with my high school classmates for years, ever since I went abroad. I'm about to have mold growing on me after staying home for so many days." Stella could not help chuckling when Anthony, a young man who was nearly 6'3", was begging her desperately and pitifully. She thought about how she had probably been overly