CHAPTER 31 - THE INTENDED ANNOUNCEMENT
Ten minutes passed she received a message from Ben telling her that he was outside the hospital's entrance waiting. She immediately closes the laptop and wants to make sure she looks presentable before opening the door to meet him.
"I'm sorry I just saw your message Ben." Courtney saw him sitting outside the waiting area.
“Thought you forgot about me.” Ben pouted.
“That’s impossible you bug me all the time.” Courtney pecked him.
Courtney was happy that their getting closer and comfortable with each other but she doesn’t know what to label their status is. They have been photograph kissing and holding hands in public areas and even during their private time it feels like a natural reaction for them.
“I missed you.” Ben took this as an invitation to pull her closer.
“I missed you too.” She uttered between kisses.
They kissed hungrily like and Courtney automatically clasped her hand on his neck while gripping her waist. Their kissing session was disturbed when Courtney’s stomach made its own entrance.
“Someone is starving.” Ben chuckles.
“Can’t blame me I had a very busy day.” Courtney joined laughing.
“Good thing I brought us dinner.” He switched his eyes on the table.
"I hope you bought my favorite." She noticed two boxes of pizza on the desk.
"Yeah I got your Margherita and I got Napoletana." He confidently remembered.
Margherita is a bubbly crust simple pizza crushed with San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella and basil, a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt.
Napoletana is a style of pizza made with tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. The crust is crispy from the wood –fired stone pizza oven making the flavor of the topping not overwhelmed.
"Yes! Thanks Benj." She pecked his lips.
“You better stop doing that or I’ll eat you instead.” Ben teased her making her blushed.
“Let's dig in, so your mind will be taking off the gutter." She began opening the box and the aroma filled the clinic.
“Coffee or soda?” Ben offered.
“Coke please.” She answered and took a bite of the pizza.
“Here wifey.” He handed over the cold drink while he’s having wine.
They started having nice conversations on how their day went, Ben informed her that Eric agreed with the idea she suggested. They will be hiring an artist to make some sketches for the design for their upcoming mugs.
“I can’t wait to see the designs.” Courtney was happy to hear that news.
“I will show it to you once it’s made since we need a woman’s input on it.” Ben informed her while eating his slice of pizza.
When their dinner was finally done Courtney stood up and take the empty boxes to the bin. She knew Ben was checking him out so being the tease she was, she remove her lab gown leaving her with a halted sleeveless that reaches her cleavage.
“You think I didn't know what you're doing?" Ben grabbed her from behind.
"I'm not doing anything." She played innocent.
Courtney felt the excitement on Ben’s groin and she tried holding her desire otherwise they might forget the important discussion they need to do.
“We need to stop I need to tell you something important.” She decided to pull away.
"Can that talk wait, I want you right now.” Ben answered and continued his assault on her neck.
“It can’t because this is really important.” She didn’t give in.
“Hmm…” Ben uttered.
“Mamà wants me to come tonight to meet the guy.” Courtney informed that finally got his attention.
“Of course you refused, right?” He stopped and waited for a positive answer.
“I did but Papà is stubborn as bull, he claimed I need to respect the family and show some decency to face them for calling off the engagement.” She responded with a puffed.
“Am I invited?” Ben asked.
“As a matter of fact I would love for you to be there and settled that topic once and for all, you are coming right?” Courtney gave a pleading tone.
“Hell yeah, we had a deal so I won’t let you go there alone.” He responded full of determination.
“Wants some coffee?” Courtney felt offended by the comment.
“Sure.” Ben nodded.
“Yes please.” Ben nodded.
Courtney walks to the new espresso machine that Ben got her after coming to Ben’s grandmother death anniversary. True to his word, Ben was with her the whole time while Mrs. Venoso introduced her to friends who came that day. Courtney was never left unattended because Ben made sure she is comfortable with everyone. They stayed until nine in the evening and left with a promise to Mrs. Venoso that they will meet again. Ben drove her home and stayed the night over and decided to drop her off the clinic and found out she’s been getting some instant coffee from the hospital’s pantry. He claimed she needs a better coffee especially when working. Courtney tried rejecting the gift as possibly she could but Ben won through sexual seduction as she called it.
“I have an idea.” Ben started after receiving his coffee.
“What is it?” Courtney took a sip of her own drink.
"Let's surprise them by announcing our engagement instead?" He suggested while smiling.
"That’s way better!" Courtney exclaimed.
“Yeah but we need to prove it to them.” Ben gulped his coffee.
“Everybody knew we are in relationship so I don’t think we need to convince them more.” She thought.
“That’s correct but that’s not enough.” He opposed.
“So what else we need to do then?” Courtney raised an eye brow.
“If we we’re to announce our engagement, don’t you think we should get you a ring to match that news?” Ben pointed towards her empty ring finger.
“Oh… right, how could I missed that part?” Courtney realized that Ben is right.
“We talked about the ring before we just didn’t have time to buy it remember?” He reminded her.
“Yeah I remember that.” She nods continuously.
“If we go now, we still have time before the shop closes.” He checked the time on his watch.
“Then let’s go get one.” Courtney stood up.
“I’ll go get the car ready while you’re locking up the clinic.” Ben copied her action.
“Good idea; that saves us time. I’ll pack our coffee on our to-go cups then we can meet at the lobby.” Courtney is now holding the mugs.
“Alright. See you in five.” He gave a soft kiss on Courtney’s cheek.
On the way to the hospital’s parking area Ben called the shop where he plan to buy the ring. He made a special instruction to the Manager to wait them until they arrived.
