CHAPTER 40 - THE MEN'S CONFRONTATION

Since the argument and Ben never heard anything from Courtney, he tried to forget her but she's been on his mind constantly and he definitely missed her. The realization hits him hard that he is really in love with her and he needed her back. He will do anything to get Courtney’s forgiveness and love. Suddenly he got tensed and thought what if she went out of the country like Sherina did? This was like a déjà vu to him so he made sure to do what it takes to find her before she find someone else.

(PHONE CONVERSATION)

Mrs. Venoso: Benjamin, are you listening to me?!” (Mrs. Venoso yelled over the phone)

Ben: Si Mamà, I promise to visit you this weekend. (He said it but didn’t actually mean it)

His mother on the other hand never stop nagging ben on what is the status of their unsettled argument. He chose not to say anything because she is protecting Courtney more than himself. So, to avoid his mother’s questioning, he decided to stay at his flat most of the times instead of the usual visiting days with his mother.

Mrs. Venoso: You said that two days ago abut I haven’t heard anything from you, and what about Courtney? Have you talk to her already? I told you for the umpteenth times to call her yet you’re still not doing anything, and don’t tell me that you’re giving her time two days are enough for a woman to calm down. (His mother keeps ranting)

Good thing that Ben had put his phone on speaker otherwise his eardrums will be damaged for good for the nonstop talking.

Ben: I am working on it Mama alright. (He groaned)

Mrs. Venoso: You better or else I swear on your father’s grave I will drag you by ear. (Her mother threatened him that sounds very humiliating for a guy his age)

Ben: Listen Mama I will come visit you by the end of this week but right now I have to go. Talk to you soon. Ti amo! (He disconnected the line as fast as he can so his mother cannot say anything more)

(END OF PHONE CONVERSATION)

When the call ended, he tried to calling Courtney’s number but it goes straight to the voicemail; he also went to her place but to his dismay the front desk told him that Courtney was not there for a week. Ben also tried the clinic but her Secretary told him that she filed for indefinite leave and didn’t say where she went. He was already running out of option on how to contact her so he visited the place where he thinks she will be. As soon as he reached the driveway he asked for Mrs. Montini from one of the house help, but it seems luck was not on his side because it was Mr. Montini whom he encountered.

"Buon pomeriggio (Good afternoon) Signore." He put the car key in his pocket.

“Buon pomeriggio Ben, so what are you doing here?” Mr. Montini wondered.

“I am actually trying to reach out Courtney, is she here?” Ben approached him nervously.

“She is not here.” Carlos stated.

“Did she mention what time she will be back?” He asked assuming that Courtney left for few hours.

“No she didn’t and I don’t know when she will be back.” Mr. Montini studied him.

“Can I just wait here for a while I mean I will just wait until she gets back, I just really need to talk to her.” Ben asked permission.

“You don’t get it; I don’t know when she will be back because she is not here.” Mrs. Montini repeated his words hoping Ben will realize it.

“Oh… I see.” Ben finally understood it and his hopes on seeing and talking to Courtney deflated.

Mr. Montini saw how tense Ben was when he arrived looking for his daughter; the eagerness to see her and talk to her was the same reaction he recognizes. It was identical to his action during the times when he confessed to the love of his life about his love.

“I better head off then and find her, its been a week since we talked and I’m worried as hell to your daughter, sorry for the word.” Ben explained.

"Why don't you come in for a while?" Carlos gestured his head.

"Thank you for the invite Signore Carlos but I must get going.” He declined politely.

“There's something I want to talk to you about my daughter.” Mr. Montini knew it will catch Ben’s attention.

“Certo (Sure)." Ben followed him to the direction of Mr. Montini’s office.

As they entered the office Mr. Montini sat on the chair and waited for Ben to take his sit before he opened a bottle of whiskey. He poured two glasses and gave it to Ben.

"I know I've never been on my best behavior when we were introduced and I wanted to apologize for that." Mr. Montini’s voice is filled with formality.

"You didn't have to Signore you're just doing your job as a father. I fully understand how protective you are with Courtney considering she's an only child." Ben matched his tone.

“Let’s cut the formalities Ben, I prefer you call me Carlos at least not until you’re married to my daughter and after that you can call me Papa or Padre.” He stared at Ben but not in intimidating ways.

“Noted Signore I meant Carlos.” Ben corrected his words.

"Anyway have you and Courtney decided the date for the wedding?" Carlos placed a hand on his chin.

"Before we talk about it I need to be honest with you first." Ben paused while sweats are forming on his forehead.

"Continue." Mr. Montini lighted a tobacco.

"I hope whatever I have to say will not affect the operation of her clinic. I know she worked for it so I'm begging you not to shut it down, I'll take all the blame." Ben bargained his plea.

"I'm giving you my word she will not lose it but I can't guarantee that whatever you need to say will determine the consequences.” Mr. Montini politely negotiated.

“I am fully aware of it and I’ve thought about this a lot of times and I’m prepared for whatever it might be.” He gulped but Ben made sure it will come out strong.

“Very well, do tell.” Carlos said in calm way.

"Carlos we are really not in a relationship.” Ben knew it was only the rightful way to admit it.

“What do you mean not in a relationship?” Mr. Montini stopped midway of puffing the smoke.

“We made a deal to go on fake dating so that my mother will stop setting up blind dates for me. Courtney on the other hand agreed to stop the arrange marriage that you set up for her.” Ben explained bits by bits.

"Is that all?" He eyed me and I felt shrinking.

“When I found out that it was us who are the supposedly couple, I asked her to end the deal.” Ben knew the consequences of his confession but he rather let it out than regret it later.

“Why did you end it?” Mr. Montini is anxious to know this.

“Because I thought I was doing the right thing for us. I thought that will make her happy knowing she will be free from the deal. We fought and I've said things that hurt her that I am willing to pay for just to gain her trust again.” He admitted with all his heart.

“So that’s the reason why you came here looking for my daughter in hopes that you can settle this?” Mr. Montini understood his unexpected visit.

“Yes, I came to find her to be able to explain everything to her, after our fight I realized my stupid mistakes and I want to make it up to her. I’ve been trying her phone, her flat and the clinic but all of them said they haven’t seen her. I know she’s been avoiding me so my last choice is by going here in hopes to see her.” Ben thoroughly answered each task he did just to contact Courtney.

"Are you sure you're doing this on your own will and not because you wanted to continue the deal?" Mr. Montini furrowed his eyebrows.

“I understand I might not get your blessing for whatever I did or should I say we did but I promise you Carlos, my intentions with Courtney are true and pure." Ben confidently answered.

"I admire your courage and your honesty for telling me this and as a father and a man I know you meant it, I just have one hanging question for you.” Mr. Montini placed his hands on the desk.

“What is it?” Ben waited.

“Do you love my daughter?" Mr. Montini used the powerful word that most men don’t acknowledge.

"I love her with all my heart Carlos. In span of short time that I get to know Courtney she got my full interest and later on I realized that it was more than that." Ben confidently and honestly answered.

“That’s all I needed to hear but I'm warning you if you ever hurt or make my daughter cry again, forgive me but I will not be responsible for my actions." He threatened and Ben knew Mr. Montini meant it.

"You can count on me Carlos. I love her so much and I will do anything to make her happy." He sounded like a love sick puppy but he doesn't care.

"Very well you have my permission to be her husband and it will be my honor to call you as my son in law.” Mr. Montini tapped his shoulder.

“Thank you Carlos this means a lot to me if only I can find she will be happy about this.” Ben really felt a weight was lifted on his shoulder and static at the same time after getting the approval he wanted to get since day one.

"By the way she's been on vacation with her friend for a week now.” Mr. Montini gave a hit about Courtney’s location.

“Can I have her friend's address?" Ben looked up in surprise.

“I'm not supposed to mention the place it but I can tell you’re worried about her." His future father in law took a puff.

“Yeah I am, is she alright?” Ben has lively tone compared to their earlier conversation.

“If it makes it any better she is fine but forgive me I can’t tell you her location as she requested not to let you know specifically.” Mr. Montini pointed his finger at him.

“I understand, she must have been really mad at me.” Ben nods in sympathetically.

“Do you want another shot?” Carlos offered by raising the bottle of whiskey.

“No thanks, if Courtney will know that I had a drink while driving I’ll probably deaf for the rest of my life.” Ben joked while remembering the time when he drove to her place and had a little of shot after celebrating the launch of their tie up with the brewery.

“Tell me about it, women are hard to understand most of the times ha ha.” Mr. Montini joined in the laugh.

“Speaking of woman, I better get going I promised my mother that I will be visiting her please do send my regards to Arianna." Ben stood up.

“I will and please do tell Liliana that we will be at her birthday.” Mr. Montini remembers the invitation they had a week ago.

“Will do Carlos, I'll see you all at her birthday." Ben marched towards the door.

The two man bid goodbye to each other as they head out to the driveway. Ben felt much better after leaving the house since he was able to clear the air with Mr. Montini so even if he didn't talk to Courtney, he felt accomplished.