CHAPTER 51 - THE DOUBLE CONFESSION
When she saw Ben, all her anger vanishes and everything around her stopped. All she wants to do is hug and kiss him but Courtney she needs to keep her dignity and pride so she stayed frozen. Seeing Ben crying and begging, she can’t control her emotion as well so she decided that this is the best time to let go of that feeling.
"Benj... there's something you need to know---" Courtney wiped Ben’s face.
"I’m listening.” Ben acted tough but deep inside he yearns for her forgiveness.
"Ben, I want to be honest with you too… the day we were introduced at the airport I already felt something for you. It would be understatement of the year if I say it was attraction because I know it was more than that.” Courtney admitted.
“Love at first sight maybe?” Ben guessed with a hopeful smile.
“You could say that, anyway fast forward at the café, I agreed to the deal because of that.” Courtney finally had the courage to tell one of her skeleton in her closet.
She told Ben about the alibi she used tell her parents about him, the stalking part on his social media accounts and how she made up the long distance relationship with him.
“Ah, you’re my stalker then?” Ben joked a little.
“I was not!” She defended.
“Not anymore because you’re more than that.” He smiled warmly.
“Anyways, when you offer the deal it was timely for me even though it’s embarrassing, I will admit that my imagination about you came true.” Courtney confessed.
“I’m glad you made that story up.” Ben holds her hand.
“It’s so embarrassing.” Courtney couldn’t look up to him.
“It’s actually cute.” He smirked.
“Yeah right.” She felt self-conscious but softly laughed at her actions.
“Am I too late to continue the story you started?” He boldly asked.
“Depends on how you want it to end.” Courtney replied.
“Take me back, please." Ben cupped my face.
“I..” She was interrupted.
“Please call off the engagement with Nicolo and be with me.” Ben cupped her face.
“I can't live without you hunny, please be with me.” He tried again.
"I can't call it off.” Courtney word crashed him.
“I… of course… I understand you already moved on and ---" Ben started ranting.
Courtney felt happy after hearing the words she was longing to hear from Ben. She knew Ben is the love of her life and she wants to be with him too.
“You talk too much.” Courtney watched him in amazement.
“I--- I'm sorry.” His tone sounded disappointed.
"There is no engagement." She told him instantly.
“I get it you have already moved on from me --- and there is no engagement?” Ben realized his own words.
“Yes you heard it right.” Courtney affirmed.
“But… how is that possible?” He seems to be taking in the information.
“Isn’t obvious that I’m not in love with him?” She asked back.
"What do you mean? Did you break it off? But I just saw him here and he was --" Ben bombarded her with questions.
"Will you let me finish!! I swear you're becoming like Liliana and my mother." Courtney giggles after demanding.
“Oh… right.” Ben nodded.
"There is no engagement because that was an act.” She started explaining.
“I don’t understand….” Ben knitted his brows.
Courtney disclosed that it was her friend’s idea to act as her date at Mrs. Venoso’s birthday but being the cheeky friend he is. Nicolo claimed he is her fiancé just to be able to see Ben’s reaction that night. Their plan worked because Ben was affected when he found out she has moved on. They also talked to Eric about it and to Courtney’s surprised he agreed to conspire with his brother.
“So Enrico knows everything?” He didn’t even see that coming.
“Yeah, he even came up with a plan to talk to your mother about it and in exchanged we need to tell everyone the truth about the deal.” Courtney admits.
“So everyone knew it aside from me?” Ben analyzed.
“Yes.” Courtney replied nervously.
"You mean to say you're not really engage to him?” He finally comprehends with the situation.
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you.” She indirectly implied.
“How about the ring you were wearing at the birthday party?" He remembered but when Ben looked at Courtney’s ring finger it was now empty.
“The ring belongs to my mother.” She was a little embarrassed about her comment.
"So you're not marrying him?" Ben can’t hide the smile on his face.
"I'm not marrying any guy or Nicolo for that matter.” Courtney proclaimed.
“How did you meet this Nicolo guy?” He couldn’t help but asked.
“He is my gay best friend." Courtney began to laugh.
"I knew there's something off about him!" Ben exclaimed like he won a prize.
"He is also Nathalia's brother and my best guess your assessor to all of this.” She looked around and saw all the decorations.
"I can't just sit and wait until you talk to me so I thought this is my only chance and yes, I asked her help about it.” He acknowledged.
“I also knew you hired an Investigator.” She folded her arms trying to intimidate Ben.
"I am so sorry I didn't know.” Ben touched the base of his neck.
“I know bit you need to act fast, if anything gets worse my best friend will be the talk of the town and I don’t want that for him.” Courtney meant that.
“I will call her." Ben nods repeatedly.
“Call her before my best friend gets in trouble or I swear I will ignore you forever.” Courtney threatened.
“I’m on it but let me do this first.” He immediately bowed on her demand.
Ben held Courtney’s chin and claimed her lips making her caught off guard so she didn’t respond when Ben was about to pull away thinking she rejected, Courtney kissed him back. The kiss was so sweet yet demanding as they fought for dominance. Ben wanted to ravish her but given the situation, they both pulled away from the intense make out.
“If we don’t stop I might take you here and that would be awkward since everyone is here.” Ben says while catching his breath.
“You’re unbelievable.” Courtney says having the same breathing tempo as he is.
“I don’t care because I am madly deeply in love with you.” Ben confessed.
“I don’t understand, you said you’re in love with a woman?” Courtney remembered those lines he said.
“You can be so gullible sometimes; of course you’re that woman that I am in love with.” He saw Courtney blush.
“Are you sure?” She replied back joking with him.
“Yes.” Ben conquered her lips once again for a quick peck.
“I love you too Benj.” Courtney says back.
“I love you more but I have to take this call and I’ll be back.” Ben fished out his phone inside his pocket.
Courtney watched his retracted figure and waited until he gets back for him to be able to say the most important revelation of all. She just hoped that Ben will not push her away this time.
