Chapter 8 - 8

"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 understand this only when you become a mother. Because of your impulsive act, you ruined your reputation at that office. Your brother lost his job"

"They didn't fire fratellone. He quit the job"

"And what is the reason?"

"Yeah. Blame it all on me"

"Stop fighting and pour these tea into those cups and take them to your papa and fratellone" Rosetta ordered

Isabella made a face and did as she was told.

They heard the calling bell ringing and wondered who it could be

"Are we expecting guests momma?" Isabella asked

"Not that I know of. Let me go and see who it is" Rosetta said and walked out of the kitchen after turning off the stove.

Isabella followed her mother and looked at sight in horror.

Her boss, Benjamin Lockwood was standing in the living room ,with a sleeping Sapphire in his arms, next to a frowning Alessandro and a confused Zakariah Carter

And elderly couple was also present, whom she figured, must be his parents.

"Hello Mr and Mrs Carter. I'm William Lockwood. This is my wife Elizabeth Lockwood and our son Benjamin Lockwood" William introduced

"Please take a seat" Zakariah Carter said and their eyes widened in horror when the driver came in carrying different trays of gifts.

Benjamin closed his eyes in disbelief. He had planned to tell his father not to get the gifts out until they have the talk with the Carters.

Sapphire threw up on the way and the topic skipped his mind.

"Mr Carter. We would like to come directly to the point. Isabella and Alessandro must have filled in on the circumstances and what happened in the office" William said

"Yes"

"We would like to ask your daughter's hand in marriage for our son" William said

Isabella held her breath waiting for the explosion

Zakariah and Rosetta shared an helpless look

They had not really expected the family to come asking for Isabella's hand.

"Mr Lockwood -" Zakariah started to say

"William please. Now that we are going to be relatives, it would look awkward addressing each other so formally. I can call you Zakariah right?" William asked with a polite smile.

"Dad please" Benjamin hissed

"Yeah sure. As I was saying William, we feel honoured that you had come to our home asking for our Izzy's hand. But-"

"But?" William asked with a frown

"We are from different worlds as you can see. We are simple middle class people and an alliance with such a well settled family is not what we want for our daughter. Also our cultures are so very different" Zakariah said

"What??" William asked in shock

Carters don't want this alliance because they are rich?? William couldn't believe what he is hearing.

"Izzy would find it difficult to adjust to the high society life. I hope you understand what I'm trying to say?" Zakariah asked politely

"You are rejecting us because we are rich?" Williams asked in disbelief

"Oh no. Please don't take it that way. Marriage is not just between two people right. Its between two families too. And our families are far apart in everything. Yes, we are settled in London for a long time now. But at heart, we are still conservative Italians" Zakariah said and Rosetta nodded

"We love our son and you love your daughter. We want what is best for our son. That must be what you want for your daughter too. Where it matters ,we are same Zakariah" William said

"Forgive me ,but please ,if it weren't for the child, would you have come here asking for our daughter's hand?" Rosetta asked leaving William speechless for a moment

"If that's what Benjamin wanted ,we would have" Elizabeth said as she liked the pretty girl instantly. And from what Benjamin has said, she is a nice girl too.

So, if Benjamin had come and said he wanted to marry Isabella, they would have definitely come asking for her hand.

"That's the point. He wouldn't have wanted her if it were not for the child" Rosetta pointed out

Benjamin didn't have any argument

What could he say? That he fell in love with her at the first sight.

That would be a lie

Maybe, given time, he would have.

She is beautiful, she is smart and witty. What is there not to love.

But you will never know!!

"We understand your concern. You don't want your daughter to get into a marriage where there is already a child" Elizabeth said with a sad smile.

She do understand. She wouldn't have wanted that for her daughter either.

"We are glad you understand our point" Zakariah said

"We hope you would reconsider. We are not forcing you. Please just think about it. Benjamin would keep her happy" William promised

Zakariah nodded halfheartedly ,not having the heart to outright say their rejection again

"Mr and Mrs Carter. I'm extremely sorry for the distress I have caused you because of my impulsiveness. Alessandro told me that you were angry with Isabella. But it was not Isabella's fault Mrs Carter. It was all me. Please forgive me and don't be angry with Bella" Benjamin said looking at Rosetta

Rosetta's heart melted a little.

Oh! Such a nice guy, her heart whispered

He would have definitely kept their Izzy happy.

Only if the circumstances were different.

"Its okay son"

"We will take your leave then" William said and he stood up from the couch, disappointed with the turn of events

Benjamin came and stood in front of Isabella.

"Hi" he said

"Hi" she smiled

"She was so excited to meet you. But she threw up on the way and then fell asleep exhausted" Benjamin said looking at the baby in his arms.

"I missed her too" Isabella said and raised on her tip toes and pressed a light kiss on the baby's cheeks.

Everyone looked at them in awe.

'They all look so cute together' a traitorous voice from inside Rosetta's head screamed.

Rosetta shook her head to dispel that voice.

She simply can't have her daughter sacrifice her life for someone else's child.

"Bella" Benjamin called

"Yes?"

"Now that you resigned ,why don't you start a small scale baking" Benjamin asked

"But, I don't have the money to start a shop" Isabella said

"Don't start a shop. Do some home baking. Ask Alessandro to set up an online portal for your business."

Alessandro frowned. Why didn't that idea strike him before??

"That would work?" Isabella asked

"If your baked goods are tasty ,it will definitely work. Take care Bella" he said and turned to the other family members

"Dad Mom! Let's go?"