CHAPTER 44 - THE HISTORY REPEATS
Ben was able to find his mother from the crowd seeing her talking to some of the invited guests.
"Mamà, can I speak with you for a moment?" Ben kindly excused her.
"Do you need anything figlio?" His mother was quite curious.
"I need to know if you are aware about Courtney's engagement to that guy?" Ben tone came out as demanding.
"I... uhm... yes." She verified.
"But Courtney is still my fiancée, we haven’t called it off." Ben contests.
“You don’t have too because I already did.” Mrs. Venoso informed him.
“You did?” He couldn’t believe he was hearing it from his mother.
“Carlos told me that you came there to apologize about the deal you made with Courtney while Arianna learned the truth from Courtney. Now, I’m the last one to hear that from other people when in fact you could have told me as well about it prior to talking to Carlos. Do you know how embarrassing it is for me and our family Benjamin?” His mother speaks with pure disappointment.
"I'm sorry Mamà I just thought it was the right thing to do for you to stop that blind dates and that engagement." Ben paused for a minute.
“Good thing that deal ended, otherwise you’ll put our family in pure humiliation.”Mrs. Venoso said.
“I know apology will not be enough and I promise to make it up to you and to everyone just give me chance to do it.” Ben holds his mother’s hand.
“If you aren’t my son I would have not forgiven you and your brother for making up those lies. Now I’m really wondering who amongst you broke my favorite vase because I’m confident it was not your father this time.” Mrs. Venoso brought it up.
“It was Enrico, who did it. I swear on Papà, Nona and Nono’s grave; he it was his idea to say that it was fathers because you’ll punish us for breaking it.” Ben talks like a child who gets caught red handed.
“You and your conniving brother really need to be taught a lesson.” Liliana hit her son’s shoulder.
“If you’re Nona is still here I’m sure this would not happen because she knew exactly what she will say to you. Perhaps, it’s also my fault for leaving you and Eric under her care because I feel I won’t be able to move on from your father’s death because I see him with you and Enrico.” Mrs. Venoso membered those times that she struggled on coping up and how she abandoned her children.
“Let’s not dwell on the past Mamà , what matter now is we are now patching up the lost times and try to make the most of it. Everybody deserves a second chance and whatever we do, you are still our mother and we will always love you.” Ben hugged his mother.
“Thanks to Sherina, she made it possible for us to reconcile.” Mrs. Venoso mentioned Ben’s former girlfriend.
“Yeah she speaks to me about give you a second chance, do you think Courtney will give me that chance Mamà?” He asked.
“You’re asking the wrong person figlio, but if there is one thing I am sure of is you feel something special for her, am I right?” Mrs. Venoso asked in return.
"I do Mamà, I'm in love with her and I want her to be my wife without any arrangement.” Ben confessed with his mother.
“Courtney is now marrying that guy so you don’t have the right to claim her anymore." Liliana knew it will affect his son.
“I know that’s why I need your help to get her back, please Mamà.” He pleaded.
"Did you even tell her what you feel?” Mrs. Venoso studied her son’s action.
“I didn’t because I don’t know if I’ll get the same rejection I had with Sherina, its like history repeats itself.” Ben knew his mother can recognized that memory.
“I know that’s why if you want to get your woman back, you need to be a better person for her. Ask yourself on what you have done during the past why it seems to be getting back at you. Once you figured it out, acknowledge it and do something about it because that is the only way you can surpass your present.” Mrs. Venoso wisely said to her son.
“You speak like Nona now, but I will not take that advice for granted.” Ben kissed his mother’s forehead.
“Good thing you are my son and also amica and I are still rooting on you and Courtney so I'll see what I can do but I'm not promising you anything." Mrs. Venoso gave him a little hope.
"Grazie Mamà I'll take my chances. I can't lose her again especially not to that guy." Ben felt he was able to relax.
“Come along now, I need to entertain my guests before leave.” Mrs. Venoso turned round while Ben in tow.
After their conversation Ben went to the receiving area and grabbed some whiskey thinking on approached he needs to do to talk to Courtney again. He was half way drinking the glass when he saw Nicolo entered and he said to himself that this is his chance to break the guy’s face.
"Hey man, can I talk to you?" Ben balled his fist ready to attack him.
"Is this about my fiancé?" Nicolo stretched the word.
Ben lost his cool temper and threw his first punched on the guy’s face making every one in the room stopped what they are doing and watch the scene. Nicolo punched him back with full so much force but as hard as Ben did to him.
"She's my fiancée not yours!" Ben yelled full of anger.
“Really now after what you did?” Nicolo retorted.
"She's not yours to begin with! If there's one person here who's going to claim her it's me! Asshole!!" Ben countered still couldn’t contain himself.
Ben was about to punch him again when Eric stopped him while Mr. Montini break them apart. Soon enough Arianna, Courtney and his mother followed with pure disgust look coming from the woman he ought to get back.
"What's this commotion all about Benjamin?" Carlos stands between them to stop them from reaching each other’s throat.
"He attacked me first!" Nicolo groaned while holding his cheek.
“What the hell is wrong with you!?" Courtney is now inspecting Nicolo’s face.
"Settle it as civilized people and not acting like a caveman." This time it was Arianna.
"For God sake this is not a cockpit and you guys are attracting attention with the guests! Apologize Benjamin." Mrs. Venoso demanded.
“I will not apologize to him just like what he wants to claim as is. Courtney is mine! I'm supposed to be her fiancé not him!" Ben stated possessively.
"I am not yours Mr. Venoso what we had was just a deal." Courtney strongly opposed while shooting daggers at Ben.
“Let’s get you cool down bro, I think you had too much drinks tonight. Come on.” Eric dragged his brother away.
Ben didn’t even have a say because he saw his mother’s disappointed look while explaining to the Montini. He realized that he already caused too much trouble and humiliated his mother in front of everyone. He grabbed the half empty bottle of whisky before leaving. Ben opened the bottle of whiskey and drinks his sorrow away it doesn't matter how much he consumed all he wants is to continue until he felt numb.
“I should be Courtney’s husband not that guy!” Ben keeps repeating the same lines while gulping every drop of whiskey.
Eric saw how defeated his brother is but he can’t help him out this time. All he could do is listened to what is brother while watching his brother silently.
