CHAPTER 2 - THE WOMAN'S INFATUATION

Meanwhile at the Montini’s Residence, Courtney is inside her bedroom replying to emails and made her schedule for the rest of the week. After it was organized, her fingers works on its own and logged in to her social media account with one goal. She quickly opened Ben’s profile that has more than 1M followers to see if there is any recent update, but found none. It seems Ben’s account hasn’t been active for quite some time and there is no chance he will be able to get active.

Looking back the last three months, she never stopped searching every name that is associated with Ben until it was finally paid off when she found his Facebook account with basic information like age, parents, siblings and relatives, but that’s it. She also Googled him and discovered Ben’s family business has been well-known not only in Italy, but to the rest of Europe. They also owned chains of shops named Café Vergnano serving the best coffee in entire Italy that can definitely compete with America’s prominent coffee shop.

“Ding!” Courtney almost jumped when she heard the familiar sound on her laptop.

She hastily checked the inbox in hopes that finally Ben responded to her, but her excitement soon deflated after seeing the sender. It was her best friend sending photos of their family vacation in Spain; all those snaps are magnificent with one look.

“You’re shots are remarkable Nic-Nic!” Courtney commented after scanning the pictures.

“Muchas gracias (Thank you so much) Con-Con!” Her friend used their term of endearment.

Glad she was able to understand the foreign language since she took up Spanish during College that she use up until today when it was needed. She was about to hit the keyboard when her friend requested for video call that she willingly accepts.

“So, how’s the vacay?” Courtney sat comfortably on her bed.

“It’s fun and relaxing.” Nic-Nic placed the phone on the table.

“So what you have been doing there aside from eye-raping those guys.” Courtney teased.

“We joined a festive called Haro Wine Festival. It is a festival that celebrates the production of one of the finest beverages – red wine.” Nic-Nic gave her a short description.

“Sounds interesting.” Courtney listens.

“Oh believe me it is especially getting soak in red wine with thousands of hunks surrounds you.” Nic-Nic made sure to speak softly.

“Any hot guys you met?” Courtney teases her friend.

“Shh tone it down! They might hear you and explode.” Nic-Nic flipped the phone to the side showing the rest of the family.

“Oops! Sorry I didn’t mean to say that Nic-Nic.” Courtney immediately bit her lip.

“Forgiven – speaking of guys, I did meet one.” Nic-Nic blushed.

“Oh, details girl.” Courtney waited for her friend to tell more.

“I will when we get back it’s safer that way, I don’t wanna die yet without tasting the sweet heaven of sex.” Nic-Nic joked around.

“How are you going to do that if you’re just sitting there?” Courtney pointed out.

“I can’t risk it especially not with them around, you should know that.” Nic-Nic sounded cautious.

“Yeah I do, I just wish you could be yourself with them too.” Courtney truly meant that.

“It will one day, but for now enough about me, how’s your day been without me?” Nic-Nic changes the topic.

“Nothing much, just doing same errands – reading books, making appointments, and checking emails.” Courtney says one by one.

“And stalking Ben’s profile.” Nic-Nic can tell the presumption was correct.

“I’m not stalking him!” Courtney denied.

“I knew it! You are so dead to me when I’m back.” Nic-Nic wants to smack Courtney’s head.

“As if you can do that… you love me.” Courtney stuck out her tongue.

“That I can’t deny… so did you get any response?” Nic-Nic waited on the other line.

“Still none.” Courtney shook her head.

“Ben is a business tycoon and will probably have no time to log in to his account like you do and who knows maybe that account is fake; a poser pretending to be him. Being a celebrity photographer I get to have the privilege to know how their lifestyle is; most of them don’t want to share personal life on camera; what more with Ben since their family are rich as hell.”Nic-Nic stated truthfully.

“Oh my God! Why didn’t I think about that?” Courtney gasped.

“Clearly your brain is not functioning when it’s about him. It’s like you’re the dumbness of all the dumb, are you sure you’re a Therapist?” Nic-Nic didn’t hesitate to say that.

“Did you just mock my job?” Courtney was not taken aback with that since her friend is vocal.

“Just stating fact, no offense Con-Con; well I guess with a body and face like Ben I’ll definitely lose my mind too.” Nic-Nic giggled.

“Are you after the man of my dreams?” Courtney raised her eyebrow.

“Technically you’re dreaming by creating story with your parents.” Nic-Nic knew it will somehow hurt her.

“You’re right about that.” Courtney took a deep sighed and nod at the same time.

“I am always right!” Nic-Nic said in all confirmatory tone.

“Yeah, big head, no offense.” Courtney says with a timid smile.

“But kidding aside, you have to maybe accept that he might not contact you.” Nic-Nic said in all seriousness.

“I know, and to be honest I think even if he saw the message I sent him it’s impossible for him to remember me or read it for that matter.” Courtney added.

“Exactly what I thought would happen, unless you want to call your cousin and ask his help.” Nic-Nic suggested.

“That’s a good idea!” Courtney became giddy.

“Get your undies together; you are not going to do that.” Nic-Nic warmed.

“Why not? It seems very helpful and wise thing to do.” Courtney defended.

“And what would you say huh?” Her friend folded arms waiting for an answer.

“Like, “Hey Zac I have a favor to ask can you tell Ben to be active in his Facebook account because I haven’t seen him for a while and I am dying to talk to him.” Courtney said in fast phase.

“Yeah tell him exactly that and he will definitely agree with your parents that you’re just obsessed.” Nic-Nic giggled.

“I am not.” Courtney differed.

“Oh please don’t deny it with me, I am your sister from another mother, you can’t hide that fact from me.” Her friend’s voice became high pitched a little.

“You’re such a bully.” Courtney sulked.

“That attitude never works for me girl, so you better listen to me this time. Besides. how are you going to defend to everyone that you’re in relationship with him if you’re going to ask Zac about you’re so called boyfriend?.” Nic-Nic pointed out.

“Yeah I totally forget that part.” Courtney agrees this time.

“Finally, you’re thinking straight now.” Nic-Nic clapped hands.

“I guess I’ll just keep checking his social media accounts then.” Courtney saw her friend slapped the forehead on the table.

“Oh my God… you are hopeless case Con-Con.” Her friend groaned.

“Just support me on this will you?” Courtney has a pleading tone.

“Even how dumb you are of course I will, I just don’t want you to end up getting hurt for expecting too much.” Nic-Nic gets emotional.

“I won’t it just a harmless infatuation.” Courtney gave an affirmative statement.

“Then prove it’s just an infatuation Con-con.” Her friend thought of an idea.

“How would you like me to do that?” Courtney asked in confusion.

“You won’t check his social media account every single day.” Nic-Nic said easily.

“What will I get out of this?” Courtney asked in return.

“I will tell my big secret.” Her friend has a convincing tone.

“What if I lose?” Courtney thought of the consequence.

“You will tell them the truth when I get back.” Nic-Nic bargained.

“That is like a week away from today.” Courtney almost choked on her words.

“In did it is, so you have to keep your promise at least not until I’m back.” Her friend added.

“I can do that.” Courtney challenged herself.

“Can you promise on your Gramps grave?” Her friend pushed some more.

“Yeah I can, not because I am afraid of the consequence but because I would like for you to be free of your secret.” Courtney agreed.

“Good! I need to go now. I promised Nat we will do paragliding.” Nic-Nic stood up.

“Stay safe and get that guy’s number.” Courtney whispered the last two words.

After their call, Courtney finally logged off her account and shuts down her laptop. She head to the shower and think of an activity that she can do since its weekend. Normally she stays overnight at her Nic-Nic’s house, they watch movies sometimes playing card games or simply talking anything under the sun until both of them fall asleep. When she was done getting ready she stepped out of her bedroom and joined her parents for breakfast.