CHAPTER 5 - THE PERFECT CHOICE
Two hours later, they are sitting near the cashier and trying to spot the right woman and Ben felt frustrated. He never stops sighing every time that his brother will point a prospect, just like what is happening as of the moment.
"How about the hot chick over there?" Eric pointed to one of the woman sitting near the couch.
"Mamà will have a fit if her future daughter-in-law is some kind of a whore. Can you see her dress?" Ben made his brother scanned the woman.
The woman is wearing a dark-shade pink mini skirt, a white sleeveless, and six inches heels while drinking her coffee. She saw the men looking at her and sent a wink.
"Right, she might rip the family money and put the business on bankruptcy – what about that chick over there?" Eric picked his next target.
Ben groaned, but nevertheless followed his brother’s hand with his eyes. This time, the woman seems a bit older – she is wearing eyeglasses and looked intimidating with the stoic aura.
"Are you even considering the age range? She looks like ten years older than me." Ben almost spit the coffee he is drinking.
“The older the better, because they are bolder and has more experience.” Eric commented.
“Obsession and possessive included right?” Ben remembered the woman that his brother hooked up with.
“That was one time.” His brother defended.
“Yeah right.” Ben scoffed.
“Let’s not go there and just keep searching.” Eric changed the topic.
“You are more than eager to find a woman than I am. Are you sure this hunting is for me or you?” Ben chuckled in return.
“This would have been easy if you’re not selective and judgmental.” Eric sipped the espresso.
"This is crazy and useless – we can't find a woman that is eligible. I'm heading back in the office and let Mamà kill me in two months." Ben started getting up from his seat.
"Wait! Give me five more minutes and if none then I’ll plan for your funeral instead.” Eric mischievously bargained.
“Asshole!” Ben slightly hit his brother’s head.
“Ow! Careful bro this suit is expensive.” Eric wiped the spill liquid.
“You think I care you idiot?” Ben looks proud.
“You better buy me a new suit once we found your bride." Eric challenged.
“Hired bride.” Ben corrected.
“I found her! Five o'clock! She looks desperate and I'm sure this time we have the right one." Eric exclaimed suddenly.
Ben saw the woman entered the café; she's about three inches shorter than him, long-light blonde hair. He thought the woman got nice curves, not too slutty, a serious type, but not too stern. Perfect!
"You got it right! She's the one!" Ben smiled and tapped his brother’s shoulder.
“Now leave me alone, so I can finish my cold coffee. Don't forget my suit." Eric gets rid of him with a reminder.
Ben stood on the chair and walked to the woman’s direction to offer assistance and introduce himself. The more he is getting near and seeing the face gets him this feeling of familiarity.
"Hi, welcome to Café Vergnano.” Ben started his introduction.
"Ben? Is that you?" The woman was flustered for a bit.
Courtney can't believe it's really Ben! As in the guy she’s been thinking for the past four months! She was shocked but then again she needs to act normally not like an excited teenager from a movie.
“I – yes.” Ben confirmed but trying hard to recall the woman in front of her.
He was still rocking his brain for an answer on where and how she knew him but failed. Ben just thought she could be one of his followers – being known in the business world can get you famous.
"You don't remember me don't you?" She guessed that right.
“That’s frankly true, but you seem familiar. Are you a regular customer here?" Ben held his neck trying not to be embarrassed.
"It's my first time here actually, but you're right I'm familiar because we met before at the airport." She specifically replied.
"Airport?" Ben sounded more stupid now while trying hard his brain to remember the woman.
"I am Zac Collins cousin, remember he introduced us?” She saw the guy’s expression.
“Oh yes – that’s right! I’m so sorry recognizing you.” Ben still can’t get the woman’s name.
“I'm Courtney.” She helped him seeing he is dilemma.
“I’m very sorry I’m not really good with names.” Ben tried to defend his apologetic state.
"It’s okay, can't blame you since it was the first and last time we met." Courtney smiled at him genuinely.
"You have a very good memory." Ben complimented her.
"Thanks." She blushed.
"Since we already knew each other, can I join to your table?" Ben can feel her tension.
"Sure, but I’ll order first if that’s okay." She nods.
Ben let Courtney ordered her preferences and just when she was about to pay Ben cuts her off.
“It’s on the house.” Ben sent a signal to the cashier.
“But-” Courtney was about to protest.
“I insist.” Ben took her tray.
“Thanks again.” Courtney replied.
“Lead the way.” Ben motioned his head.
Courtney decided to take the end corner of the café since few people occupied the space and it’s the best spot. Ben placed the tray on the table and helped Courtney on her chair.
"How do you find our place?" Ben sat across her.
"It’s nice; I like the combination of contemporary and modern furniture.” Courtney commented while sipping the mocha Frappuccino she ordered.
The ambience of the café is relaxing; there is no loud music that was playing on the background unlike other restaurants. They only serve coffee in giant mug with freshly baked pastries that came from his grandmother’s recipe. It also has al fresco wherein customers can enjoy the sun under the set up canopies during summer and spring.
“My Nonno designed this whole place with the helped of my Nonna.” Ben proudly said.
“Wow that’s amazing.” She responds impressively.
“Yeah, it is. Anyway, enough about me – what about your family?” Ben saw the Courtney suddenly became silent.
“I guess both our grandparents are together now in paradise.” Courtney smiled but not reaching her eyes.
“Sorry for your loss too.” Ben sympathized with her.
“It’s okay, but thanks.” Courtney took a bite of the muffin.
“Is there something wrong with the food?" Ben referred to the pastry she's eating.
As the owner of the café, it’s his responsibility to be concern with their customers specially if it's about the food quality they are serving.
"Yeah, I meant sorry. I zone out for a moment.” Courtney cleared her throat.
“No need to apologize, it happens to me as well.” Ben smiled.
“Anyways, the muffin is absolutely tasty not to sweet or two creamy! In fact I would like to order 3 more pieces later to take home, and this time I will pay for that.” Courtney wiped the corner of her mouth.
“Only if you tell me what’s bothering you then I’ll agree.” Ben answered in curiosity.
“Just thinking what makes you approached me if you didn't recognize me earlier?" Courtney voiced out her first thought.
Ben watched her while contemplating if he will open up about Eric's idea. He is Zac's cousin and he doesn’t his friend to have his throat slit in half.
“What made you say that?” Ben folded his arms.
“There could be three reasons, first, you're just being friendly – second, you’re hitting on me or third you have a reason." She gestured her hand.
"Wow! I'm really impressed!” Ben smirked at her.
“What do you think it is?” Ben arched his brows.
“I’ll go with the last option, so tell me.” Courtney took another bite of her snack.
“Ladies first, is there any reason why you came here looking pissed? Ben observed that earlier.
"I must have been really pissed when you see that.” Courtney sounded depressed.
“Is it because of your boyfriend?” Ben asked again.
“It’s not about him it's something else." She shakes her hand and head together.
"I’m all ears but if it’s too personal it’s okay." Ben offered her.
"It's actually my parents they mentioned something I didn't expect." She confessed with a deep sighed.
"You want to share it with me and I’ll do the same in return to be fair." Ben suggested kindly.
"Well, my parents just arranged a dinner in two weeks with their friends and I can't be there." Courtney talks after placing the fork on the plate.
"It's just an acquaintance dinner I'm sure you can handle that." Ben gave her a boost.
"It's not the dinner I can't handle. It's the people I can't be with because it's supposed to be my -- Engagement. They set me to marry someone who I don't even know. If I don't comply I will lose everything, my clinic that I worked hard for. I mean who does that?!" Courtney spilled everything with an upset tone.
Ben grinned inwardly after hearing the woman timid outburst and he thought that this is the perfect timing for him to offer the deal. This way he will not feel guilty since it will be mutual decision.
"I think I got your problem solved.” Ben knew she will agree.
“Tell me.” Courtney became lively.
“Marry me." Ben said quickly.
