Chapter 18 Perfection

Dinner was ready and everyone had prepared for the long-awaited moment, the heir would be announced.

Valeria chose her most striking and expensive garment, a dress completely embroidered with ivory rhinestones that adjusted to her curves, with short sleeves and a long skirt with a fall, with an opening in the back and on one leg.

Although the girl was thin, to her, she was at the standard of the perfect body.

In addition, Valeria asked for a couple of assistants, who were in charge of gathering her blonde hair in a low bun, with some loose strands in waves and integrated a tiara.

And she had a distinguished and soft makeup made, which would highlight her blue eyes with a light eyeliner. The young woman completed her outfit with very high white heels, ideal to be somewhat close to Maximo's height, and to be able to kiss him, when they will announce him as her fiancé.

Vanessa was sure that she would be the chosen one, because who else could be the heir than her?

Her cousins Zara and Emma already had boyfriends, everyone knew it and if that didn't count, it didn't matter, because they were both so bland that they couldn't represent the family. And of course, there was the homeless woman, but why think about her.

She also had to remember that her brother and cousins entered the fray, whom she considered inferior in every way.

Valeria had spent the last few days trying to share with her grandmother, which was the plan she had left to secure her position... However, many times, Margaret chased her away, tired of her persecutions and empty words.

But Valeria felt that she had a point in her favor, because she had managed to organize dinner with Máximo and Emily to show her regret, so, for her thinking, she had made a lot of progress.

Regardless of what Maximo had told her, she had also shown Margaret, her grandmother, that she was a lady worthy of the prize.

There was no room for doubt, Valeria looked at herself in the mirror contemplating what for her was, perfection.

A smile formed on her lips as she imagined that she would now have a lot of money and power to spare, because she would be the heiress of the Sinclair’s and the spouse of one of the richest, most handsome, and most desirable men in the country, Maximo Collins.

She left her room in the direction of the restaurant, walking with that air of elegance and superiority, causing a great impact as soon as she entered, because she looked beautiful. Everyone present greeted and praised her, increasing her enormous ego.

She took her place at the table, next to her parents and in the distance, she saw Máximo and Emily, at one of the central tables, near the stage, the man and his sister seemed tense, which was logical, since their future would be decided at that moment.

*

The door to the room rang, Isabella opened it, and Aiden immediately changed his permanent smile to an expression of surprise, the boy's jaw almost falling to the floor like that of a cartoon.

"Cousin! But what happened to you?! He said excitedly.

"What?" Isabella covered her face, embarrassed. - Do I look bad? It's too much, right? I think this is a lot, I don't know...

"No, you're just “These... Beautiful! Spectacular! Shocking! Sorry, I can't find the right word, it's... Is... Perfection. Aiden blushed, just by detailing it and he had to remind himself that it was his cousin who was in front of him.

"Grandma sent me this dress..." Isabella explained, lowering her gaze to try to detail herself. "Well, he actually sent me a couple of dresses, but the staff said this one fit me better..."

"The staff?"

"Yes, Grandma sent a whole team to help me get ready..." she said blushing. - She said that tonight was very important.

"Well, it already is!" Just having everyone see you will make this evening a memorable evening. Aiden took Isabella's hand, spinning her to get a better perspective. "I already knew that..."

"What?" Isabella asked, surprised, when she was in front of him again.

"That you are the most beautiful girl on this ship!" Aiden said with conviction. Isabella smiled without avoiding blushing.

"Well, what about you?" You are very handsome.

"Yes..." He began to settle down, moving like a model. "It seems that Grandma wants to show off tonight...

"Why do you say that?"

"Why did she send me this tuxedo herself, too..." Aiden explained. Isabella's eyes opened in surprise. “Or maybe you thought you didn't have a suitable suit for the occasion, I don't know. He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly as he extended his arm to Isabella, as an invitation to escort her.

Isabella smiled and took her cousin's arm; it was time to head to the restaurant.

The young woman was talking to Aiden more animatedly, telling him a little about what her grandmother told her and everything the staff members did to fix it.

She laughed at her own jokes, seemed fuller of life and optimism, Aiden detailed her fascinated.

The change in Isabella was not for less, that detail that her grandmother had and her words, had given her hope, had taken her out of her eternal fear, she would no longer be forgotten, she would no longer have to live on the street, because her grandmother was there and would help her from now on.

Aiden and Isabella entered the restaurant when almost everyone had already arrived, the only person absent was Margaret de Sinclair. Unlike the opening dinner, in which they arrived first to sit apart, on this occasion, they entered a little late.

Aiden paced with an air of superiority and pride holding Isabella's hand, walking slowly toward the center tables, very close to the entire Sinclair family.

"Aiden..." Isabella whispered, noticing that the boy was guiding her to that nest of wolves. "What are you doing?"

"I'm looking for a table, little cousin. - The young man murmured, with a smile full of mischief. “This time I want to be closer to the show.

"No... I can't, everyone is looking at me. Isabella muttered, swallowing thick as she felt everyone turn as she passed.

"Of course they look at you, you're the most sensual and elegant woman in the room..." Aiden stopped at a table, letting go of Isabella's hand to move a chair for her. - You don't have to be afraid of them, didn't grandma tell you? You're a Sinclair and this is your place. Aiden whispered in her ear, as he gently took her by the arms to help her sit down.

When Aiden turned to take a seat next to his cousin, he caught a glimpse of Maximo, who did not take his eyes off the couple out of decency.

In a defiant act, Aiden showed Collins a lopsided smile full of arrogance, his eyes flashed with evil, noticing how Maximo literally detailed Isabella with his mouth open and then, he gloated in himself, noticing how Collins, clenched his jaw and fists on the table.

Máximo was engrossed, he looked like a statue, he knew that Emily was muttering a few idiocies to him, although he ignored her.

"Look at her, isn't that the homeless one?" Well... Even if they put whatever clothes they are, they will not get rid of the dirt, ignorance, and lack of class that the street left them. Don't you think so, Max?... Max? Max? Max, do you hear me?! “Emily, she tried to get his attention.

"Yes..." Maximo growled, with a grimace of rage, throwing himself back, in his seat. "I heard you.

"How much do you look at that homeless woman?" Her sister grumbled, noticing Maximo's fixation and his wrinkled brow. "Are you going to be impressed by that?" For a dress and some makeup?

Maximo ignored his sister's question and took another drink from his glass, he needed to calm down, his heart was racing, and he was beginning to feel strange.

To have seen Isabella arranged in that way, seemed to him a revelation, never in his life had he seen a woman with such exuberant beauty, how was it possible that such a simple and simple girl could cause such an impact?

He couldn't be impressed so easily; it wasn't the first time he'd seen a beautiful woman. Sure, Maximo already knew Isabella was a pretty young woman, but now... It had exceeded all his expectations.

A league of emotions formed inside him, not only because of the irregular beating of his heart, but also, it was necessary to add to the rage and impotence, which began to eat away at him.

Seeing that couple chatting, smiling, having a good time, he didn't know why, but every time he saw Isabella next to Aiden, his nerves were upset.

And while Maximo focused all his attention on Isabella and her companion, just as Emily grumbled, from her seat, a couple of tables away, Valeria felt that she was choking on her own poison.

She wanted to scream, insult, spit out all the rage she had inside, why did everyone look at that dead fly?, just because of an expensive dress and a nice hairstyle?, why did Máximo not stop looking at her when he barely turned to look at her for a second?, why...?, why...?

She kept asking herself lots of questions, which she found outrageous, as she listened to the murmurs of her whole family, impressed with the beautiful young woman who accompanied Aiden.

And it was no wonder, the change was incredible.

Isabella looked like an haute couture model in her elegant red wine mermaid evening dress that highlighted more than generous curves, with a long overskirt that gave a sober air of elegance.

The V-neck dress left the shoulders, part of the chest and neck of the young woman exposed, which was decorated with a beautiful necklace of diamonds combined with earrings, and thanks to the long, translucent sleeves, with appliqués and embroidery, the garment did not look vulgar or revealing.

Isabella also carried a matching bag, as an accessory, and heels that she could barely walk in, if not for Aiden's strong arm that had been holding her.

The makeup was deep, with a smoky that highlighted the gray color of her eyes and a crimson red on her voluptuous lips that made them look more provocative, while her long chocolate hair was loose in delicate waves.

Valeria almost broke the cup in her hand, because of the force she exerted on it, when she held it.

The move had gone wrong, she had pretended to look like a sweet and pure fiancée, while Isabella had overshadowed her by seeing herself as a sensual, elegant, and provocative woman.