CHAPTER 10 - THE EXCHANGED MESSAGES
Courtney is now inside her flat and was checking some online classes for cooking and baking at the same time. She wrote down few of those phone numbers and planned to enroll one of these days. She was about to call the number when she received a call.
(PHONE CONVERSATION)
Mamà: Courtney! Thank God you're finally reachable! I've been trying to call you but I couldn't contact you earlier. Your Papà and I are worried about you. (Mrs. Montini started ranting as soon as she picked up the call)
Courtney: Mamà. (She acknowledged her mother)
Mamà: Stai bene (Are you okay)? Where are you? What happened to your phone? (Mrs. Montini bombarded her daughter with questions)
Courtney: Mamà will you relax? How can I possibly answer you if you keep babbling? (She finally had the chance to talk).
Mamà: Sorry go ahead Tesoro. (Her mother paused for a minute)
Courtney: Prima di tutto (first of all), I'm okay and lastly, my phone battery was already drained. (She responded in order)
Mamà: Tesoro, I know you're mad at your father but I called to tell you he was sorry for what he did. So will you please talk to him for me? (Her mother has a pleading voice)
Courtney: I will Mamà but not now please. (She hoped she does)
Mamà: Capisco (I understand). (Mrs. Montini sounds defeated)
Courtney: I got to go Mamà and get myself some dinner. (She excused herself)
Mamà: I can bring your food since I know you’re bad at cooking. (Her mother tried to cheer up)
Courtney: Grazie (Thanks) Mamà but I already brought my dinner. (She stared at the menu card on her table)
Mamà: Very well, anyway I want to remind you about the family dinner with your future marito (husband). You need to be there, please Tesoro. (Her mother pressed the same issue)
Courtney: I already told Ben about it, he was furious. (She lied smoothly)
Mamà: I know you’re just making it up so I won't buy it. (Her mother can tell a part of it was true and some are not)
Courtney: When are you going to believe me Mamà? (She sounds disappointed)
Mamà: It’s not that I don’t believe you Tesoro; we just haven’t met the guy that you claimed dating for four months now. (Her mother defended)
Courtney: If I let you meet him, then tell Papa to withdraw the engagement, I guess that’s fair enough (She negotiated)
Mamà: Yes I can do that Tesoro. (Mrs. Montini gave in)
Courtney: Alright, I will send you the details on this but for now I got to go Mamà. Addio (Goodbye). (She hanged up)
(END OF PHONE CONVERSATION)
Courtney decided it’s better to tell this to Ben and make a plan for the meet up so her father will stop pestering her about that engagement. At least with Ben, she is sure he is a good guy and will not take advantage of her family status. After the stressing call with her mother, she went down to the pool area, took a dip, and got a bit of tanning. If there is one thing that can help her ease her mind, it’s swimming. It’s her stress reliever to clear her head and she will feel rejuvenated by doing laps for the whole 10 minutes. She was about to pick up the towel when her phone vibrated on the table.
(START OF TEXT MESSAGES)
Ben: Hey wifey! Have you reached your flat yet? (He didn’t think twice before sending the message to her with the preferred endearment).
Courtney: Hey Ben! (She typed quickly).
Ben can’t figure out why he felt excited upon receiving the response from Courtney but something about her made him feel alive. Maybe it's because she is helping him with his dilemma and so to her.
Ben: Are you settled in your flat just fine? (He replied in same phase).
Courtney: Yeah, I am settled here in Grand' Italia. (She answered back while slowly walking to her bed).
Ben: That's good. Is everything okay? (He felt the text seems troubled).
Courtney: Not really, my mother called and still insisting about the engagement. (She ended it with sad emoticon).
Ben: Don’t worry about it, we got this and everything is planned. (He can tell that Courtney is really upset after mentioning her mother).
Courtney: Yeah I know but it’s still stressing me out and I made a deal to meet her up with you, just didn’t know when. (She took a big sigh.
Ben: We have enough time to plan for that and make this believable by starting to act on it. (He motivated her).
Courtney: What do you mean by that exactly? (She became interested).
Ben: We need to be seen more often – like we go to dinner, do shopping together or whatever couple does. (He opt the options).
Courtney: Yeah that’s actually a good idea. (She sent an okay sign after the word idea).
Ben: It is - everyone will believe about the so called relationship we have specially our mothers. (He encouraged more).
Courtney: That’s true they seem to know every little thing. (She added).
Ben: Is it okay to call? I just need to tell you something. (Hen asked permission).
Courtney: Sure. (She quickly responded).
(END OF TEXT MESSAGES)
(PHONE CONVERSATION)
Ben: Hi again. (Ben started on the other line)
Courtney: Yeah - hi! So… what is it you want to tell me? (She went straight to the point.
Ben: I sent the contract to my lawyer to finalize it and he will be sending the copy tonight, can drop by tomorrow? (He suggested).
Courtney: That's great! I will see you then. (She absentmindedly nods.
Ben: Cool! (He rolled the word).
Courtney: Anyway I better get my dinner started, I’m really starving. (She is now looking at the menu)
Ben: Speaking of dinner, there’s one more thing I need to say. (He was his turn to take a deep breath this time)
Courtney: Shoot! (She placed the menu down)
Ben: My mother called asking for dinner, I was wondering if you’re up for it. (He prayed she does)
Ben can only hope that his mother will not be disappointed when she meets her. Courtney is a nice woman that even a blind man can tell; in fact he thinks any guy will find her attractive including him. Ben uttered to himself that he is just helping her out just like the way she's doing to him and that's it. He reminds himself that it is just a deal.
Courtney: Ben, are you there? (She called him again)
Ben: Oh. Sorry. What are you saying again? (He apologized after getting his attention back to her)
Courtney: I said, when and what time would the dinner will be? (She repeats while scanning the menu)
Ben: Around 1800 tonight, will you be able to come with me? (He hopes she agrees)
Courtney: Tonight? (She wants to make sure if she heard it correct)
Ben: Si! I want to surprise her so dress up and then I'll pick you up in four hours. (He said without a pause)
Courtney: You don’t even wait for my answer. (She complained)
Ben: See you wifey, ciao! (He cuts the line before she can even answer)
(END OF PHONE CONVERSATION)
