"Elizabeth, are the gifts ready?" William asked.

William Lockwood wasted no time in getting expensive gifts, jewels, fruits and chocolates to be taken to the Carter House.

From what little he heard from Alessandro Carter, he understood they are not out for Lockwood fortune. That makes their daughter a good bride for his son.

"Yes. But aren't we going a little overboard William. We are going to ask for their daughter's hand. What if they rejected the proposal?" Elizabeth asked, not sure about taking the gifts along.

"Reject? Why would they reject? Would they get a better son in law than our son Elizabeth. He is handsome. He is responsible. He is well settled. And he is humble and compassionate, unlike some spoiled brats in our social circle. Above all that, he is no playboy. What more could they ask for in a groom from their daughter?" William asked in disbelief

Benjamin walked into 

"Momma. Can I go to Zia Francessa's house. Chiara has come home for weekend" Isabella asked her mother extra sweetly, wanting to go meet her childhood friend Chiara, who had recently gotten married and shifted to a different place.

"There is no need for that. Shut up and sit there. God knows what new problems you would create" Rosetta said ,as she made snacks for the evening tea.

Isabella stared at her mother furiously, who in turn ignored her

Isabella stomped her foot and stared at her mother, who still ignored her.

"You are over reacting momma. You refused to let me go to the office. I accepted that. But how can you keep me locked inside the house. That's hardly fair. This is twenty first century for God's sake. I have every right to live my life as I wish" Isabella protested at her mother's high handed behaviour.

"Over reacting? You won't understand our worries now Izzy. You will

The next morning Benjamin was a little nervous as he reached the office with little Sapphire .

Sapphire was wide awake as they walked into the office. She waved to the fishes in the big aquarium as they walked past it.

"Ishh Benji ,Ishh" Sapphire squealed pointing at the fishes and waving to them

"Uncle, Say uncle" Benjamin said for the umpteenth time to which Sapphire grinned back and again called him Benji.

Benjamin rolled his eyes playfully at the little girl in his arms.

Claire, his personal assistant smiled when they passed her desk in front of his cabin

"Clay bye bye" Sapphire waved at Claire, who she had started referring to as Clay.

Sapphire seems to enjoy calling everyone by their name. The only person whom Benjamin had heard her not calling by name, is her deceased mother.

"You are one naughty girl with no manners huh" Benjamin said in mock anger and brushed his nose wi

"Elizabeth, are the gifts ready?" William asked.

William Lockwood wasted no time in getting expensive gifts, jewels, fruits and chocolates to be taken to the Carter House.

From what little he heard from Alessandro Carter, he understood they are not out for Lockwood fortune. That makes their daughter a good bride for his son.

"Yes. But aren't we going a little overboard William. We are going to ask for their daughter's hand. What if they rejected the proposal?" Elizabeth asked, not sure about taking the gifts along.

"Reject? Why would they reject? Would they get a better son in law than our son Elizabeth. He is handsome. He is responsible. He is well settled. And he is humble and compassionate, unlike some spoiled brats in our social circle. Above all that, he is no playboy. What more could they ask for in a groom from their daughter?" William asked in disbelief

Benjamin walked into the living room and stopped on tracks seeing the amount of gifts arranged.

"Dad? Mom?" He looked at

Chapter7.