1975: A Once in a Lifetime

Chapter Two

Eleanor raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.

"Tonight, five o'clock," Antonio continued, "at the best restaurant in town. I'll be expecting you."

Pacita gasped dramatically, her eyes wide with excitement. "Oh my goodness, Eleanor! You never told me you had a suitor!"

Eleanor's frown deepened. "I don't."

Pacita ignored her, turning back to Antonio. "You hear that? She's just shy!"

Antonio chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I'll take that as a yes."

And before Eleanor could object, he turned on his heel and walked away-though not before giving her a playful wink.

Pacita squealed as soon as he was out of earshot. "Eleanor, why didn't you tell me you knew Antonio?! He's one of the most popular guys on campus!"

Eleanor exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples. "Pacita, I don't know him. And he's arrogant. Who just invites someone to dinner like that without even asking first?"

Pacita grinned. "A man who knows what he wants!"

Eleanor rolled her eyes. "I'm not going."

Pacita pouted. "Oh, come on, just this once! He's gorgeous!"

But Eleanor shook her head, already picking up her pencil again. "I don't care about that. He's full of himself. He probably thinks I'll just fall for his charm like every other girl."

Pacita sighed dreamily. "And what's wrong with that?"

Eleanor only laughed, shaking her head.

Meanwhile, across town, Antonio was in Eduardo's house, standing in front of a mirror as his two closest friends helped him prepare.

Eduardo straightened Antonio's collar while Sebastian sat on the bed, shaking his head in amusement.

"You're really going through with this?" Sebastian asked, smirking.

Antonio grinned. "Why not?"

Sebastian leaned back against the pillows. "You usually don't put this much effort into a girl."

Eduardo chuckled as he buttoned Antonio's sleeve. "Yeah. What if you actually fall for her?"

Antonio didn't miss a beat. "Then I'll just leave before it gets serious."

Sebastian laughed, shaking his head. "You're unbelievable."

Antonio only smirked.

Minutes later, his friends sent him off with a teasing "Good luck," and Antonio confidently made his way to the restaurant.

At 5:00 PM sharp, Antonio was seated at one of the nicest restaurants in town. He had ordered a drink, leaned back in his chair, and waited.

And waited.

And waited.

But Eleanor never came.

The minutes dragged on, and as the clock struck 6:00 PM, Antonio finally leaned forward, rubbing his temple in frustration.

She had stood him up.

Antonio had been rejected before, sure, but this? This was something else. He had expected her of all people to be the one to show up-maybe with skepticism, maybe with attitude-but to completely ignore him?

It bothered him.

With a sharp exhale, he tossed a few bills onto the table and stormed out of the restaurant, irritation simmering under his skin.

When he arrived home, he slammed the front door behind him, his footsteps heavy as he stormed past the living room.

His sister, who had been watching TV, barely glanced up as he passed.

She raised an eyebrow. "What's your problem?"

Antonio didn't respond, disappearing into his room and slamming the door shut.

His sister smirked to herself, shaking her head. "Must've been a girl."

Back in the present...

Antonio's grandchildren gasped, eyes wide with excitement.

"She stood you up?!" one of them cried.

Antonio chuckled. "She did."

"But why?!" another asked, frowning, as if they were hearing the story for the first time.

Antonio only smiled, his eyes twinkling with the memory.

"That," he said, "is a story for tomorrow."

A chorus of groans filled the room.

"Grandpa!"

Antonio laughed, shaking his head. "Patience. The best parts are yet to come."