Few months ago:
The Golden Jubilee of his father's birthday is very important to them. It wasn't just about his father's birthday but also about Ivy's special day. This is the first time they are organising an occasion since their mother died.
The whole world has never got the chance to see Ivy before. It's about to be the first time for everyone to see Ivy Quinn, the heiress of the Quinn group. Till now, whatever they have heard or know about Ivy was only from rumours or gossip.
For the world, Ivy is like a Cinderella, whom everyone wants to meet but doesn't know where to find. Her docile and soft nature is one of the rumours about Ivy that makes others more curious and eager to meet her.
Because among the five leaders of the Mafia world, only Dexter has a daughter, and the rest has sons, all four of them were trying their best to make Dexter their ally through marriage. However, no one yet gets the chance to meet Ivy because of Dexter's possessiveness over her.
Oliver himself was very much content with his father's decision. He never wants his sister to go away to some other family just to make connections or network. His sister is too precious for him to even think about it. Not to forget too young too.
However unknown to Oliver things are going to change forever tonight.
...
"Ivy baby? Are you ready?" Dexter, Ivy's father, asked as he knocked on her bedroom door.
"Yes, Dad. Just a second." Ivy replied.
After a few seconds one of the maids, from inside the room, opened the door for Dexter. With a delightful smile, Dexter walked inside the royal bedroom.
Ivy's room had a purple theme. Every decoration was particularly selected by her mother when she was little. She never allowed anyone to change anything in that room. Because of that, her bedroom looked childish but very much meaningful to her.
Ivy was sitting in front of her dressing table when Dexter walked to her. With a smooth movement, he put on a diamond locket around her neck. Helping her by wearing that, Dexter gave a small peck on top of her head.
"This is your mother's. When you were little she bought it for you. But it was too big for you to wear, at that time. So she kept it for you." He softly said.
Ivy looked down at her neck and saw the heart-shaped locket. It immediately made her smile. She doesn't remember much about her mother, but she vaguely remembered all the happy moments with her.
Seeing another thing that belongs to her mother just made her feel more overwhelmed and ecstatic. Smiling cheekily, she kissed it lightly.
Looking up at her father, Ivy gently nodded. "Hmm, I will keep it safe Dad."
Dexter smiled and patted her head. Looking at her through the mirror, he couldn't help but feel nostalgic. For very long he knew what was coming, and he was prepared for it too, but now when the time has finally come, he couldn't help but feel miserable.
After a pause, Dexter extended his arm and said. "Come. Let me see you properly."
She smiled and stood up for him. Dexter's eyes welled up with tears instantly at her daughter's looks. She looked exactly the same as his wife, her mother. The locket, and Ivy's look, unintentionally made Dexter sad.
Behind him, when other maids saw Ivy completely, they gasped in surprise. They always knew that Ivy's beauty was not compared to any beauty they ever saw. She is just like a mermaid with everything right in its place. With her royal blue gown and minimal accessories, she looks like a noble queen to them. Her gracefulness made them feel ashamed of themselves.
Seeing her father acting up all weird again, Ivy sighed. "Dad, why are you crying suddenly?"
"..."
"Dad?"
"Let it be Ivy, he won't. He only looks rough and tough in front of the outside world. But in front of you, he almost acts like a toddler who desires nothing but your attention." Oliver spoke as he also walked inside the room with a jewellery box in his hand.
"Oh please. You both always bully me, that's why I am like this with you guys." Dexter pouted as he said.
"Yeah yeah. We are all bullies." Oliver snickered.
Coming forward Oliver made Dexter scoot a little bit before standing in front of Ivy instead. Smiling all happily to see her sister all dressed, Oliver gave a small peck on her forehead. Unhurriedly he took a bracelet from the box and put it on Ivy's wrist.
"I always wanted to give you jewellery. But there was no occasion for you to wear it. And that could make you feel sad, so I never bought it. Finally, I got the chance. I am so happy for you." Oliver tenderly looked at Ivy's wrist. "And it looks beautiful on you." He added.
Ivy hugged Oliver by his waist tightly. "Why are you guys making me cry!"
Saying that she hid her face in Oliver's embrace.
Oliver couldn't help but chuckle. Caressing her hair gently, he said. "No matter what, we are always with you idiot. You will always be our priority. Why would you feel like crying?"
Seeing both his children hugging each other, Dexter felt left out. Extending his arms, he pulled both of them in his embrace. "How dare you forget me. Huh? I always knew you both are bonding better than I do with you two."
Ivy childishly chuckled. Hugging her father with the other hand, she said. "Hehehe. Dad grows up. You are already 50 today."
"As if he would realise that. He won't grow up in this lifetime." Oliver commented as he hugged Dexter too.
"You brats! Have you forgotten that I am still your father, and got all right to beat you up!"
"You do remind us of that, now and then."
"Hmph!"
****
Half an hour later...
"Ivy."
"Yes." Ivy put her phone down on the table before answering Dexter's call.
"Look at all these photos."
"Huh?" Ivy raised a brow in curiosity.
Dexter, took a seat on the couch and showed Ivy the first photo out of four as he began. "He is Sean Hatt's only son Chris. He is very good-looking. I heard that he isn't just good with business but also with martial arts. Because of him, his family's growth suddenly took a pace which was unexpected for everyone."
Putting the first photo down, he showed another photo of men as he said. "His name is Leonal, second son of Briggs Seth. He is very good at academics. He is very much known by everyone because of his knowledge. And this photo belongs to the first son of Caple. I totally do not recommend him to you. His name is Owen Caple. He is nothing but a playboy and useless. I personally don't like such characters."
"And this last man intrigued me too. He is a bit older than you but it doesn't matter as maturity speaks a lot. He is known not just for his business or for his martial arts or knowledge, but all in one, for his power, which can not be shaken by any of us. But surprisingly there is something about him that I-"
"Dad? What story are you spouting?" Ivy blankly looked at him. She couldn't feed up a single thing her dad was talking about.
"...huh?" Dexter confusedly looked back at her.
"Why are you telling me all such names suddenly?" Ivy frowned hard as she asked. She couldn't understand a word from him.
"Spouting? Baby, I am telling you all the basic things about these men. This will help you a lot when you select one of them."
"And why the hell am I selecting any one of them? Are they becoming my slave or what?" Ivy genuinely asked.
Dexter promptly shook his head. "Ohh, if you want a slave, I have got a lot of enemies. Do you want me to turn them into your slaves?"
"Dad, what are you saying? Are we getting a new household worker or what?"
"No baby. You can't call them household workers. We shouldn't call our spouse a slave either."
Ivy got more puzzled by Dexter's words. From nowhere suddenly her father started complimenting a few men for no reason. Why does she need to know about their credibility or credentials? She was unable to decipher anything out of that.
Although she knows basic things about the big four families and who their leader is. But, that's all she needed to know earlier. Why now she has to go deep into their matter?
With a sigh, she patiently asked. "Dad, can you explain it to me properly?"
Taking one deep breath. He nodded and replied. "I am trying to say that they are not workers but a fiance for you. You're gonna select your fiance out of one of them today. Did I forget to tell you that?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Baby?"
"What!!!!"