Chapter 25 A Beautiful Young Woman

Isabella prayed many days and nights, and all she asked for was to be able to recover her house, which was full of memories of her parents; to get a decent and stable job that would allow him to support himself and be able to study a career at university.

However, there she was, touring the most exclusive and expensive stores in the country with her grandmother, Margaret, who had ordered the clerks to bring Isabella her most beautiful, exceptional, fashionable, and expensive clothes for her granddaughter.

The girl's life had taken a tremendous turn, giving her much more than she needed or wanted, however, Isabella was well aware that none of this was in exchange for anything, because she had a high price to pay: her freedom.

Isabella felt dizzy and nervous, she had to try on a different garment every five minutes, most of them were not to her taste, many seemed exaggerated or low-cut, but no matter what Isabella said, Margaret had each item that made her granddaughter stand out to be invoiced.

And among so many garments, there was a dress, which left both Margaret and the shop assistants breathless.

Margaret immediately sent to get the shoes, accessories and the perfect jewelry that would serve as a complement, everything had to be packaged separately, because that was the garment chosen for the engagement party of that.

"Very well, Isabella, we'll look for the wedding dress later..." Margaret commented as they both left the last store. An employee was carrying the only important package they had taken, the engagement dress; The rest would be sent by the store to the mansion afterwards.

"Wedding dress?" Isabella swallowed thickly.

"That's right... But today we don't have time anymore..." Margaret said as she got into the car, followed by Isabella. “We still have to go to the spa and the beauty salon.

Isabella nodded heartlessly, tired and with the feeling that there was still a long way to go to end this torture... "The rest of my life," thought the young woman, looking out the window as the car started.

•

Night had come, Isabella was moving inside the car with sweaty hands and her whole-body trembling.

- Calm down, Isabella, it's not that bad... You have me nervous with so much movement. Margaret murmured, noticing that they were already arriving at their destination.

"I don't know if I can do it, grandma..." Isabella breathed deeply through her mouth, in an attempt to calm herself.

"Just remember what we practiced, and you'll be fine... Although I know that heels cost you a little, these are lower and more comfortable than the last ones I sent you. Plus, you did really well at home. Margaret tried to cheer her up.

"No... It's not because of the heels..." Isabella breathed in, lowering her face.

"Don't be afraid, Isabella..." Margaret whispered, holding her granddaughter's hand tightly. "You are a very strong and brave young woman, more than you think... In the short time that I have observed you, I have realized that; you just need to believe it yourself..." Isabella looked up at her grandmother. "I'm proud of you.

A feeling of warmth ran through Isabella's body just as the car stopped in front of a gigantic gate. The limousine slowly moved toward the entrance, and the Collins' impressive mansion gleamed in front of them, as other cars parked and some guests unknown to Isabella arrived at the party.

A young man opened the door of the limousine, and both got out and paraded towards the entrance.

Another employee picked up his coats and led them through the huge entrance hall to a gigantic hall. The space was spacious, with a high ceiling and large windows, all in white with gold decorations.

Some guests greeted each other, while more well-dressed employees walked around the room offering different drinks and snacks. Margaret advanced, greeting the attendees and introducing her granddaughter, Isabella, a young woman who left everyone impressed with her beauty.

"Look, Isabella..." Margaret beckoned to the young woman, discreetly pointing to a woman. “She is Marian Collins, Maximo's mother.

Marian was chatting with some guests and Isabella couldn't help but look at her curiously. Her face looked tired, and she looked somewhat thin, but she was undoubtedly a beautiful and elegant lady. Marian's green eyes bore some resemblance to Maximo's, though she did not have the hostile look he usually carried; on the contrary, Marian emitted kindness and sweetness.

"Grandma..." Isabella murmured.

"Yes?"

"There's something I don't understand..." Isabella murmured discreetly while they both enjoyed a glass of champagne, somewhat removed from the hustle and bustle.

"What?"

If Maximo's father doesn't have the surname Collins, why does Maximo? The young woman whispered.

- Ah, well, that was one of the demands that the Collins made to Maximo's father to accept the marriage; her descendants would have to bear her mother's surname..." Margaret explained cautiously.

“Why?

“Maximo's father does not come from an important family, nor did he have a great education; He was just a man who got lucky and became a millionaire. I don't know why Maximo came out with that thing that you weren't appropriate for marriage. At first, I thought he wouldn't say it, considering his own father's conditions..." Margaret commented.

Isabella looked down sadly, thinking that perhaps Maximo had rejected her because he disliked her or didn't find her attractive.

A moment later, they caught a glimpse of Maximus next to Maximilian.

- There he is, that man is Maximilian, Maximo's father.

•

Máximo wore one of his best formal suits, the meeting was already prepared, almost all the guests from both families had arrived.

His father, Maximilian, came to his room, making sure that his son kept his word, for he would not tolerate another fault.

"Your fiancée has just arrived..." Maximilian warned when his son opened the door.

"That's good..." Máximo blurted out ironically, turning around to adjust his jacket in front of the mirror once again.

"I don't know what you're complaining about..." Maximilian followed his son into the room. - She is a very beautiful young woman; she has captured the attention of everyone present.

Máximo tensed when he heard those words, immediately frowning.

- I never said that she was not, only that she is not prepared. Maximus murmured without turning to his father, who had approached the window to contemplate the landscape.

"And what's that?" Don't you think it's better that way? I think you were lucky..." replied Maximilian.

"What?" Máximo finally turned around, surprised.

“She's a girl without studies or education, isn't she? According to Emily, she used to be homeless... Maximilian turned and began to walk towards his son, with a spark of malice in his eyes. "Even, according to the little I saw of her, she's shy and introverted, isn't she?"

"Yes, I suppose..." Maximo thought for a moment, remembering that Isabella always seemed embarrassed and afraid.

"Which means that she is a manipulable young woman. “Máximo concluded.

- What do you want to tell me, father? Máximo stood up with some suspicion.

"Nothing, son..." Maximilian shrugged his shoulders, with a lopsided smile. "I'm just saying you'll have a beautiful, submissive spouse, everything any man would want..." Now let's go, everyone is waiting for us.

Máximo went out to the main living room of the house in the company of his father. He didn't like the talk they had just had at all; it was obvious that Maximilian had something else in mind.

In the crowd, instinctively, he searched for his fiancée, Isabella, and his eyes quickly slid to a woman who stood out from the rest.

Isabella wore a gold, strapless, V-neck dress, with an open back, lace, embroidery and small shiny stones on top, and a long tulle skirt with a slit on one leg.

The young woman stood up more gracefully and easily, it seemed that her matching heels no longer bothered her as on the occasion of the cruise.

A makeup in golden tones, with a dark eyeliner around her gray eyes, made her look like a Greek goddess, and the hair tied back with loose strands highlighted her with a touch of elegance.

Maximo was engrossed, could Isabella stop his heart every time he saw her? Apparently, she did have that power over him, though she wouldn't admit it.

"Relax, Max..." His father's murmur roused him from his reverie. "Very soon it will be yours..." Maximilian said insinuatingly, offering his son a glass of champagne.

"Where's Emily?" Maximo changed the subject, trying to look away from Isabella.

“I didn't want to go down; I said that I will not witness such a humiliating moment as this... Spoiled girl, I already gave her the order to come down, she must be coming. - Maximilian explained.

"Well..." Máximo nodded. “I want to get out of this quickly.