CHAPTER 62 - THE TRAVEL DESTINATION
Today they are flying to New York to meet Zac’s family and Ben made the necessary arrangement about their flight. They will be staying at his apartment in Time Square since he still has that place reserved when he needs to travel.
After nine hours of travelling by air, they finally landed in JFK and the plane proceeds to the hangar where the VIP lane was located. Ben was just getting their things inside the compartment while Courtney remained seated.
"What were you thinking hun?" Ben touched her shoulder blades.
“Nothing.” Courtney denied but her face showed otherwise.
“There is definitely something when you say nothing.” He insisted with conviction.
“It’s really nothing.” She tried hiding it again.
“Do I really have to persuade you so you’ll tell me what’s bothering your sweet little head?” Ben bent in front of his fiancée.
“I’m just nervous.” Courtney is surprised Ben reads her mind well.
“You don’t have to be, I’m with you hunny.” He consoled her.
“But --” She paused trying to find the best way to say it.
“Bu-tt?” Ben repeated the word while waiting for his fiancé to reveal it.
"Sherina will be there right? Of course she does she is Zac’s sister in-law." Courtney keeps rambling.
“Is that the reason why you've been quiet all throughout our flight?" Ben lifted her chin.
“Mm.” Courtney gave him a small nod.
“Hunny, you don’t have to worry about her okay? She is a nice person trust me.” He assured Courtney.
“But she is still your ex; and I can’t compete your memories with her.” She looked embarrassed for saying her thoughts.
“Sherina was my past but you are my present and future. Yes, we have memories but what we both cherish is the friendship we have built true time.” He explained as carefully as he could not to hurt his fiancé.
“What if you realized that you like to get her back after all this time?” Courtney’s eyes are starting to cry.
“Hunny, listen to me, Sherina is just a friend to me and nothing more." Ben cupped her face.
“You’re only saying that because I’m pregnant with your kids? What if I’m not pregnant and she asked you back?” Her voice shakes a little.
“I meant every word hun, pregnant or not I’ll still choose you because I love you so much and our boys. I'm not leaving you for anyone else.” He kissed her eyes softly.
“I love you too and I’m sorry for doubting you." Courtney came out almost in whisper.
"I understand your fears and if it makes you any better I will not talk to her.” Ben wants her to feel secure and comfortable while they are at her relatives.
“Please don’t do that, it will only cause awkwardness. Don’t worry I’m okay now maybe this is just my mood swings talking. I will be fine later on, I promise.” She withdrew her doubts.
"If you don't want to go then let's gets just explore the city then we can just meet them later without Sherina. I will prefer to see you relax than being stress because of her presence." He gave an option.
“I’m fine to see her and besides I want to see the twins too. I promised Zac and Aunt Maria that I’ll be coming.” Courtney suddenly stops crying.
“Are you really sure?” Ben asked in certainty.
“Yes, I‘ll make you a deal that if I don’t feel well around her or in general for that matter we will leave.” Her turned to negotiate with Ben.
“Okay if you say so, now let’s go -- the crew is waiting for us to off board the plane.” He offered her hand to assist her on the chair.
They exit the jet together with the attending cabin crew and Ben’s Pilot. They walked towards the VIP entrance since it’s the convenient to people like Ben to avoid people from media. The car ride to the Johnson’s from the airport is about an hour so Ben decided to take rental car since they won’t be staying that long in New York. Soon they were already inside the car and Courtney immediately felt tired.
“Go take some nap I’ll wake you when it’s time.” Ben saw her yawned.
“But I’m hungry.” She answered while eyes are closing.
“I can grab something from the drive thru anything you would like to have?” He was able to ask Courtney again but the pregnant fiancé is already snoozing.
Ben decided not to wake her and continues driving in silence until they reached Manhattan. As he drove to the streets, Ben made sure to stop by at the famous pizza in town and grabbed their best seller that he knew Courtney would like to taste. He also ordered one coke in can and lemonade after paying the bill he exited the drive thru.
“Are we there yet?” Courtney spoke during the car drive.
“Almost there.” Ben gave her a side glance.
“It could’ve been more fun if parents and Liliana are here.” She had a quick reminisce of their intended plan to come.
Mr. and Mrs. Montini was supposed to join them but it brought conflict to the launching of hotel’s loyalty program that Mrs. Montini organized a month before the said invitation. Mrs. Venoso on the other hand also had to cancel the flight since the additional investor for the La Vigna is coming and she needs to welcome them with Eric who is also handling the shipments for the Café’s booming merchandize item.
“I know but we can video call them once we get there.” Ben suggested.
“Yeah I was about to say that too.” Courtney nods.
“Oh I have some pizza here, go eat some I know you’re starving earlier.” Ben switched his eyes to the back.
When the world pizza was mentioned Courtney is all up and she started to drool. She can smell the pizza that is inside the big square box and began eating like there’s no tomorrow. From time to time she will give Ben his share of slice so he can take a bite while driving and make sure to assist him with his drinks. Forty minutes later, they reached their destination and their stomach is half way full.
“We’re here.” Ben announced as they entered the driveway.
