CHAPTER 11 - THE UNEXPECTED DECISION
Ben placed the phone back into his pocket and started shutting down the laptop when his brother came in.
"Fratello, my car broke down I need a ride to get home while mine is in auto-repair shop.” Eric says casually.
“Sì certo (Yeah sure), you already decided for us eh?" Ben closed the lid of his laptop.
“Si, it saves you gas and time.” Eric smiled wickedly.
“Give me some more minutes I'm almost done.” Ben keep tidying up the desk.
“So did you bang the blonde chick? What’s her name again? Cassie, Chloe—“ Eric tried to guess the name.”
“First her name is Courtney and second no, we didn’t do what your dirty mind is thinking.” Ben corrected him.
“Whatever, so what happened?” Eric dismissed.
"It was easy since she needed an escape plan for herself.” Ben briefly started.
“Escape plan?” His brother seems to be confused.
“We have the same case but her problem is worst – she ought to get married to a stranger that her parents chose for her in 2 weeks. That’s when your idea came in, she hesitated a little but agreed after all." Ben decided to tell him everything.
“I wonder how you’re able to convince her.” Eric teased.
“We discussed the conditions that will help us both.” Ben explained.
“Conditions?” His curious brother asked.
“Si, we wrote few things that we need to follow and make everyone believe about our so called relationship.” Ben checked if he got his car key in his pocket.
“Are those really necessary?” Eric fixed his wrinkled pants.
“It is, you know how nosy the media are and let’s not forget our mother who will pass the greatest Detective on earth.” Ben stated with a soft chuckle.
“Tel me about it, I guessed both of you are saved from parents trouble.” Eric opinion was definitely timely.
“That’s true.” Ben nodded.
"See, my genius idea your dilemma will not be solved, without me your dead.” Eric got a smug look.
“Asshole!” Ben hit him with the pen.
“Yet I’m the smartest ha!” Eric countered.
“Let’s get going before your ego went too far.” Ben unhooked his coat on the cloth hanger.
As they head out of the office, two more staffs went out and bid them goodnight including the one that Ben confronted earlier. Eric secured the back door with the auto theft alarm. Ben on the other hand tied the main door handle with a metal chain around it. After making sure that all doors are locked they some minutes, they walked going to the basement parking where the car was located.
“By the way, did Mamà called you about the dinner tonight?” His brother began the conversation.
“She did.” Ben confirmed
“Are you going to tell Mamà about Courtney tonight?” Eric waited for his brother.
“I actually invited Courtney tonight that’s why you need to go home first.” Ben unlocked the car doors.
“This is going to be exciting, what you think?” Eric has this tone of excitement.
“I don’t want to know, its Mamà we’re talking about - no woman can surpass her standards.” Ben dismissed the thought for now.
“Agree.” Eric opened the front door of the car after the alarm went off.
They talked randomly inside the war until they reached the highway heading towards their ancestral house located in Turin, outside the city. It is not as wealthy as the City but has wide selection of elegant shops and fine fancy restaurants. Not as posh as the City but it has its own distinction especially when it comes to Italian history and some magnificent Alps landscape.
Two hours passed, the siblings finally reached the five meter grand gate of their residences. The gate opened automatically opened after Ben pressed a button inside his car that is connected to the main gate. Upon entering you can see a roundabout with an outstanding waterfall in the center. Few meters away you can see a gazeebo where their mother usually sits. Ben parked the car upfront since he will be driving out again later to pick up Courtney.
"Mamà!" Eric called out their mother’s attention.
"I miei figlio(my sons)!" Mrs. Venoso immediately recognized the voice and stood up.
“Hi Mamà.” Ben joined them after a minute.
“I'm glad both of you came in early so you can help me with the dinner.” Mrs. Venoso hugged them.
The brothers approached their mother by kissing both cheeks starting with your left. Mrs. Venoso on the other hand happily released them from hold after the greetings.
“I just came early to drop off Eric since his auto is in repair shop Mamà but --" Ben was suddenly cut off.
"You agreed to help me with the dinner remember?” His mother stated.
"Eric can help with because—” Ben tried to speak up but was interrupted again.
“Don’t reason out with me again Benjamin.” Mrs. Venoso used the full name as a sign she does not like the answer.
“I need to be somewhere in an hour Mamà.” Ben informed her.
“No, we already talked about this.” His mother refused to listen.
“Ma, will you please hear me out?” Ben calmly said.
“This better be good.” His mother waited impatiently.
“I need to go because I’m picking up my fidanzata (girlfriend).” Ben responds instantly.
“I’m meeting my future daughter-in-law tonight?" Her voice pitched.
“Si Mamà.” Ben confirmed.
“Are you saying this to get away from me?” Their mother looked to both of them.
“Of course not Mamà, we are planning to surprise you actually but you won’t allow me to go.” Ben knew this time his mother was convinced.
"Oh I'm excited to meet her! I can't wait for the wedding and to hold my first grand baby!" His mother keeps babbling.
"Mamà calm down before you have a heart attack." Eric held his mother’s hand.
"Bene (Fine), I will prepare a nice dinner for her, what food does she likes?" Mrs. Venoso tone is very enthusiastic.
“She loves pizza, no any knid of nuts because she’s allergic and she dislikes pineapple.” Ben mentally thanked himself for remembering those important things about Courtney.
“Alright, I will run along, Enrico come and help me with the dough.” His mother commanded.
"I'll get going Mamà. See you in two hours.” Ben kissed his mother again to bid goodbye.
Mrs. Venoso dismissed him eagerly and walks faster inside the house while calling their house help from a distance in high –pitch voice. Eric was behind and gave a pat on his brother’s shoulder before heading towards inside the house. Ben drove for forty five minutes to his pad and estimated that he will be ready in less than twenty minutes. The hotel is about half hour away from his place so it is only ideal to park his car outside the building for easy access.
