CHAPTER 17 - THE BROTHER'S INTUITION

Two days after their first encounter Ben couldn't sleep at night and had to wake up many times because he is dreaming her hired bride. He was contemplating why it was happening when in fact she is the opposite of what he is looking for a woman. He was at that state when his brother barged inside his pad without notice.

"Rise and sun fratello!” Eric opened one of the curtains inside his room.

“What the hell are you doing in here so early?” Ben groaned as the sun ray hits his face.

“It’s already noon dumbass!” Eric statement made him awake.

“It’s what?!” Ben jolted on his bed.

“I have been calling you all this morning but you seem to be off this to world, come to think of it you’ve been acting weird since yesterday. Here take this.” Eric handed him a cup of coffee.

“Thanks.” Ben sipped the hot drink.

“Anyway, I came here to tell you that our deal was a success. We are now part of the brewery industry; we just need to make it official by signing the contract.” Eric grinned from ear to ear.

“Is there any date for the partnership?” Ben gets up from his mattress.

“That’s the reason why I’m here, we need to decide when.” Eric pointed her hand back and forth to him and to his brother.

“Is Friday good?” Ben suggested.

“Totally fine since we need to meet Lawrence to finalize the papers.” Eric approved the date.

“I will be meeting him up today and tell him about it. He can run it through and check for any loop hole in case something bad happens.” Ben grabbed his phone and saw there is one unread text messaged.

“Who in the hell is wifey?” Eric saw the sender’s name.

“It’s Courtney.” Ben didn’t even bother to listen to his brother’s respond.

Ben was smiling while reading the text messaged and felt guilty for not replying. He was oblivious that his brother is watching him smiling like a lunatic as he typed away to his phone.

"It's only been two days but you're getting attached to her already?” Eric didn't pass the chance to mock his bother.

“I am not attached to her asshole.” Ben finally looked up to his brother.

"Who are you convincing me or yourself?" Eric retorted.

"You are over analyzing the situation. It's purely business nothing more.” Ben corrected him.

“You’re in denial stage I can tell.” Eric persuaded him more.

“I am not in denial." Ben stubbornly denies.

“Whatever you say fratello.” Eric knew his brother so he rather just let him discover it on his own.

“By the way thanks for playing dumb the other day, you almost put me in my early grave by mentioning kids.” Ben whacked his brother’s head.

“Ow! Stop hitting me and start thanking me for making Mamà bought our plan.” Eric held his head.

“Still you could be a little more cautious specially when Courtney is around.” Ben turned on his razor.

“Damn man you got it bad.” Eric taunted him.

“Shut up!” Ben made sure the razor is on full speed so he will not hear the next words that his brother will say.

“Speaking of Mamà she was asking me about her number and where her clinic is located.” Eric speaks louder.

“You think she was convinced with our acting skills?” Ben stops shaving for a minute.

“Yeah, she couldn't stop talking about Courtney since they’ve met. Even I will believe if I didn’t know that it was just an act.” Eric is now leaning against the wall.

"Thank God! Now I don’t have to worry about her setting me up for someone.” Ben reacted normal but inside he was happy that his mother likes Courtney.

"So what's the next plan?” Eric continued to ask.

“We just need to have show-off in public and make sure to get a ring that everyone will notice.” Ben washed his face full of foam.

When do you plan to have the engagement?" Eric walks towards the nearby chair to give his brother time to get ready.

"The proposal will be on Mamà's birthday." Ben emerged from the shower and picked his clothes.

"I'll pretend I didn't know anything in case she asked, I'm a good at it anyways." Eric boasts himself.

“All thanks to you my problem was solved." Ben thanked his brother.

“Of course I’m the best.” Eric added.

"I'm lucky we picked Courtney." Ben suddenly felt proud.

“By the sound of your voice, you seem hook.” Eric chuckles.

“Out of my room!” Ben threw his wet towel to his brother that Eric caught.

"Mark my word, sooner or later you will tell me I’m right." Eric went out of the bedroom while grinning.

"Let me dress asshole!" Ben avoided the fact that his brother might be right.

As soon as Ben was alone he tried to think if what his brother was right but he knew it is impossible since what they have is just a contract and beside Courtney might not be interested with him. It’s only luck that they were caught up on a difficult situation by their own parents. After Ben got dressed, he went out of his bedroom and found his brother is sitting on his couch looking bored. He tapped his shoulder to let him know his presence; they walked out on the way to private lift and drove away. They head to their respective offices when they reached the Café. Eric made some necessary adjustment for the upcoming partnership while Ben contacted the lawyer.

Meanwhile in Courtney’s clinic, she just finished documenting her patient information when suddenly her phone vibrated on top of her table. She grabbed it in an instant since she is expecting another patient to come in for the appointment session.

(TEXT CONVERSATION)

Ben: Hey, sorry I just read your message since I passed out early because Eric and I had few drinks last night. (He made the safest lie that he can think of)

Courtney: Oh, hi Ben! It’s okay I understand. (She replied a bit flabbergasted)

Ben: By the way, it’s nice to hear that your mother knew about our relationship, I mean our set up. (He corrected himself)

Courtney: Yeah, she actually believed that I was meeting you at the airport last night. (She typed away)

Ben: Same with my mother, Eric said she can't stop talking about you. (He was smiling while texting the information)

Courtney: It's a great sign does it? (She felt proud that Ben’s mother approved her)

Ben: Yeah, all we need to do is keep on acting. (He sent a smiley)

Courtney: Speaking of acting, since my part is done as your girlfriend it's your turn to act to meet my Mamà. (She brought up to know his availability to plan ahead)

Ben: Of course! Is Saturday good? (He recommended)

Courtney: That would be great time since my father will be there too. (She marked her calendar and encircled the date)

Ben: Alright! What about the time?

Courtney: Does dinner time good for you? (She asked while biting her lip)

Ben: Dinner time it is! (He eagerly agreed)

Courtney: Great! Thanks Ben. (She grinned while typing away)

Ben: Oh! By the way I also wanted to tell you that I’ve got the contract all that is left is for us to sign it. (He put a grin emoticon)

Courtney: Wow! That was fast. (She sent a shocked emoticon with smiley)

Ben: So are you free like an hour from now? (He initiated the invite)

Courtney: That’s quite impossible, I have three more patients coming in (She explained disappointedly)

Ben: Oh I see, when do you think can you make it? (Ben was feeling disappointed too)

Courtney: After clinic hours, is that alright? (She checked her watch)

Ben: Sure! I’ll pick you up then we can have dinner while going over the signing. (He opt the idea)

Courtney: I think the best safest place to get the document signed is your office; no one will overhear our conversation. (She knew Ben would agree on this)

Ben: You’re right about that. (He nodded with a bit of embarrassment)

Courtney: Anyway, I better get off my new appointment is here. (She took her phone away to focus on her patient)

Ben: See yah (His last reply)

(END OF TEXT CONVERSATION)

After their conversation, Ben was still holding his phone waiting to get another answer from Court but it never came through. He can't explain it but somehow he wants to know everything about her.