Chapter 13 Inappropriate

Maximo left Isabella's room, completely confused, "What the hell just happened?" he pondered.

First, it felt strange, had the closeness with Isabella affected him? No, that was impossible.

The accelerated rhythm of his heart must have been due to the impression of discovering the truth: that the young woman was the same homeless woman he had run over; added to the shock caused by the unexpected arrival of Mrs. Margaret Sinclair to the room... Yes, it had to be that.

Once he thought those strange feelings and sensations cleared up, there was another point to think about.

He had discovered the truth about the young woman and much more than he had ever hoped to discover.

Yes, indeed, the girl who was on that cruise ship was the same homeless woman who had run over... But was she also a Sinclair?

He still couldn't believe it.

How could Isabella belong to the second richest and most powerful family in the country, when only a few days ago, he himself had seen her on the street, looking dirty and disheveled, with battered clothes and that little torn bag?

Máximo weighed it for several minutes... "I think I remember... That it was my father who told me, one of the successors of the Sinclair’s, had been banished from the family, could it be...? Yes, it must be Isabella's father."

"So, that girl... never lived like a Sinclair? Did her father's life go so badly that she was living like a homeless woman?"

He was walking down the hallway, heading in the direction of his room, when a thought made him stop in his tracks: "If Isabella, is one of Mrs. Margaret Sinclair's granddaughters, which means there's also a chance she could be chosen, how my future spouse?"

No, that couldn't be, that was inconceivable, a girl who until a few days ago was nothing more than a homeless person living on the streets couldn't be selected as the Sinclair heiress, much less if it was to become the spouse of the Collins heir.

The young girl was pretty, that could not be denied, but from there to being a lady worthy of bearing the title as heiress of both families and his spouse, there was an abysmal space. Isabella, surely, did not have the studies, nor the basic preparation of a society lady.

Maximus had to trust, that Mrs. Margaret Sinclair would have the sense to choose a suitable candidate for him, or a candidate who would be on a par with his sister... For if it wasn't, how could I accept a marriage like that?

*

The care Isabella had received in recent days exceeded her expectations, the doctor had been very attentive and kind, the nursing staff checked her temperature from time to time, put ice on her and gave her painkillers, everything was very exaggerated for a simple bruise.

The young woman could not stop thinking about what it would have been like, if her mother had had half the attention, she had now... Perhaps he was still alive.

After several days, the confinement began to depress the young woman, as she also felt bad because she had not seen Aiden again. Possibly, her cousin was upset with her, for how he asked her to leave the room after the incident in the pool.

Isabella couldn't stop thinking about it and feeling guilty. So, he decided to leave.

It was dinner time, asking the crew, he managed to find Aiden's cabin, however, no matter how much he knocked, no one opened it... Where else on that huge ship could he find him?

Isabella went to the restaurant and saw him eating alone at a huge table.

"Aiden..." she murmured behind him; he turned around in surprise. “Bon Appetit.

"Oh, Isabella..." He got up from his seat to greet her with a kiss on the cheek. "How are you doing?" Sit down, please..." They both took a seat.

"I'm fine, thank you...

"Do you want to eat?" “He invited him very kindly. "I've just finished, but I'm staying to accompany you."

Isabella couldn't help but notice, that although Aiden was still kind to her, she no longer had that spark, that glow of fun, she only saw cordiality in his expression.

"No... I, I'm here why... Aiden I'm sorry, really, I'm very sorry..." The young woman suddenly blurted out.

"What?" Why?

"Because of how I spoke to you that day, I asked you to leave, you have been very kind to me and, on the other hand, I..." Aiden took Isabella's hand and looked at her in a very meaningful way.

"Don't worry, Isa... Everything is fine, I understand that you were nervous and scared, I don't blame you, it was all my fault... I am the one who should apologize. He murmured, looking at her tenderly and moving a lock of Isabella's hair behind her ear, sweetly, while she smiled at him with relief.

"I haven't seen you again..." she muttered.

"Well, I found out that grandma had you very well taken care of, with doctors and nurses who were checking you all the time, checking that you had rest, so I preferred to leave it like that and give you a few days of rest..." He explained very casually, although still with a serious expression.

"Are you sure you're not upset?"

"Annoyed?" Aiden looked at her confused. "What?" No, why would it be?

"It's just that..." Isabella was thoughtful, she didn't know if it was better to tell her what she thought or keep her assumptions quiet.

"What's wrong, Isa?"

"It's just that..." She swallowed thick and took courage. "You're very serious, you look angry, I haven't seen you like this before and I can't help but think that you're upset with me..." Isabella murmured, with some embarrassment, as it seemed that she was complaining to him.

"What?!" Aiden flashed a smile of disbelief. "No!" Ha, ha, ha, I'm not angry, well... Not with you.

"So... With whom?" Isabella asked, puzzled, noticing that Aiden was staring at a point on the other side of the restaurant.

There was Emily Collins, sitting at one of the tables a few feet away, chatting with the same guy they'd seen her with at the pool bar a few days ago.

"No... I don't understand. Isabella muttered, turning to Aiden.

"That very conceited one, she's been ignoring me all week... And he spends his time walking with the imbecile Carlos. Aiden growled with a pout.

"What?" I thought you weren't interested...

"I didn't say I wasn't interested, just that I didn't want her to marry, Collins has her own thing, and she knows it..." Aiden refuted looking at where Emily was, his eyes narrowing. - Also, I was very bored these days that you were locked up and she is the only girl here with whom I can... You know. Aiden raised his eyebrows suggestively.

"What do I know?" Isabella frowned, puzzled, and Aiden had a hunch that it was best not to be too explicit with his cousin.

"Eh... Well, flirting... You know, throwing the dogs, hanging out..." He tried to explain colloquially without sounding too loud.

"Ah, I understand.

"Anyway... Collins is still ignoring me, but she'll see, she's going to get a good crash when she realizes that Carlos, she's never going to be able to give her..." Aiden murmured with an expression full of malice.

"Give it?" Give him what? Love, money?

"Do you keep a secret from me?" Aiden whispered, Isabella nodded confused and then, he moved much closer, pressing his lips to Isabella's ear. "No one in the family knows and if Uncle Hector finds out he will kill him..."

"What?" Isabella exhaled, puzzled.

"Carlos..." He's gay. Aiden parted slightly, watching Isabella's expression turn red, filling with surprise and disbelief, while he smiled.

"How do you know?" She asked in a whisper.

And so, the talk went on for a while longer, they smiled and talked pleasantly... Meanwhile, from the other side of the restaurant, a little far away, at the end of the bar, intense eyes watched them.

He had not seen her for several days, he had gone several times to her room to see how the blow was going on because obviously it was still his responsibility, however, Isabella did not stop receiving visits from the cruise ship staff.

For this reason, Máximo had to return several times without being able to make sure that Isabella was okay, because he did not want to create misunderstandings or a scandal because someone saw him visiting the girl.

He had been very anxious lately, he needed to hear from her and when he finally managed to see her entering that restaurant, it was like a breath of fresh breeze, until he saw her sit next to Aiden.

Of course, it was impossible for those two to have anything, Máximo already knew that being boyfriend and girlfriend was a lie, because they were cousins...

He saw them talking, holding hands, smiling at each other... It was annoying, but Maximo knew it wasn't inappropriate. Then she saw Aiden approach Isabella's ear and she blushed.

"They can't have anything, they're cousins" he said to himself, while he felt his fists clench... That behavior began to be too appropriate.