Chapter 26 Would You Agree to Marry Me?

Isabella noticed Máximo detailing her, that man, with that look so intense, so cold and sullen, made his nerves come to the surface instantly.

She turned to her grandmother, turning her back to those men, and pretended to take another drink from her glass. She couldn't believe what she was doing, if she couldn't even see Maximo in the face, how could she become his spouse?

"Mrs. Sinclair..." A soft female voice caught Isabella's attention, who turned quickly. "How are you?"

- Well, what a pleasure to see you after so long, Marian? Margaret greeted the woman cordially.

"You must be Isabella..." Marian stretched out her hand to the young woman to give her a squeeze.

"The taste is mine, madam. Isabella bowed slightly in an elegant gesture after letting go of Marian's hand.

"My son must be very happy with such a beautiful fiancée. Marian smiled.

"Oh, well... I... Thank you..." Isabella stammered, a little nervously.

"It's okay, you must be nervous..." Marian smiled sweetly at him. - I just wanted to meet you before the engagement... - Then, Marian turned to see Máximo next to his father, watching them from a distance. "Isabella, my son may look like a cold man, but that's only on the outside..." I am sure that a young woman as beautiful as you will be able to captivate his heart.

"Mmmm, thank you". Isabella nodded, a little blushing and trying to smile.

" Well, I'll see them later" Marian withdrew, leaving Isabella perplexed by her words.

*

Emily came downstairs looking unfriendly, hated having to attend that ridiculous party, but her father hadn't given her a choice.

However, just as he was halfway there, he glimpsed from a distance, the arrival of some members of the Sinclair family, whom he remembered very well and it occurred to him, that perhaps, the party could become very interesting.

Emily hurried down to catch up with Valeria.

Ricardo, accompanied by his spouse, entered the party first, while, further back, Valeria and Aiden followed.

- Valeria, dear... What a pleasure to see you again? Emily greeted Valeria effusively, as if they had been good friends, leaving Valeria confused.

"Oh, likewise, it's a pleasure. Valeria responded to the kiss on the cheek that Emily gave her.

- Don't tell me, were you also forced to come? Emily took her by the arm and led her to the center of the room, getting lost among the guests.

"Only then could I come..." Valeria grumbled when they both stopped when they saw Isabella in the distance.

Both women, dressed in simple clothes, had not taken pains to prepare for a party they did not want to attend. When they saw Isabella, they immediately felt inferior and ill-groomed.

- You know, Valeria? I'm convinced that this is all a terrible mistake..." Emily whispered maliciously.

"What?"

" You should have been the chosen one... "

"I thought so... My brother and I were next in line to the throne..." Valeria looked at Isabella angrily. "That homeless woman may bear the surname Sinclair, but that doesn't change that she's the disinherited one of the family..."

"You're right... "

"I mean, it was obvious, wasn't it?" Valeria was filled with rage with every word she said. - It must have been Máximo and me... Or you with my brother.

"With the womanizing dog?" Emily asked sarcastically. "Oh, no, no... I don't think so... But I do think that you should have been the one chosen..." Emily said in a whisper full of evil, provoking Valeria.

"Yes, it must have been me..." Valeria clenched her fists at his sides, full of fury.

- And I clarify, obviously I do not agree with this marriage... I wish there was a way... I don't know, to stop it... Or at least, to make it pay. Emily concluded, evaluating Isabella from top to bottom.

*

Aiden had ordered a shot of Whiskey, he needed something strong, first because he was still angry, his cousin was going to marry a man who didn't deserve her, and they forced him to go to the party.

For, although he had very little knowledge of Isabella, knowing everything he had gone through and suffered in his life had made him create a strong bond with her.

But not only did he need the drink, but also, Aiden had noticed how Princess Collins had arrived greeting his sister, Valeria, which seemed quite strange to him.

And, besides, they both walked away hand in hand, like sisters, when they had barely met on the ship.

Something strange was happening and Aiden knew it, he sneaked up on the girls and noticed them chuckling, both seemed quite focused on Isabella, who was drinking a glass of champagne in the distance, looking stunning, innocent of what was happening.

*

The clattering of a glass sounded, attracting everyone's attention. Máximo made his drink sound in the middle of a small stage that, until now, they used for music, at one end of the room.

"Attention, everyone... Please come closer. Maximo announced, signaling Isabella to come closer.

The young woman felt a startle in her chest; The time had come, and she felt like she was going to faint from nerves, before the marriage even began.

"Come on, Isabella, it's time. Margaret took her arm and led her to the side of the stage.

Máximo extended his hand towards the young woman, who, although initially doubtful, ended up accepting his gesture.

Both were placed on the stage, flanked by Maximilian, Marian, and Margaret, who expressed their approval with their presence.

“First of all, I want to thank you all...

Maximo continued to speak seriously, while holding firmly on to Isabella's hand, which trembled slightly, as well as his own. Neither of them could perceive the other's nervousness.

“We are delighted that you were able to attend this meeting, organized at such short notice... Today we gather to celebrate an event of great importance to both families: the union of the Collins and the Sinclair’s...

In front of the expectant gaze of those present, many of whom saw everything with anger and helplessness, Máximo turned to face Isabella, taking both hands of the young woman, who was stunned, with her mouth open.

It was an instant when their eyes met, when their hearts were pounding, although they both assumed it was nerves or fear.

Máximo was enraptured in Isabella's eyes, large, gray eyes, with long eyelashes that were capable of paralyzing him, and a moment later, he knelt in front of the young woman, releasing his hands to look for a small box in the pocket of his jacket.

There, in front of everyone, Máximo exhibited the brilliant ring that stood out for the huge diamond that protruded at the tip, accompanied by other smaller ones that surrounded the ring.

Isabella was literally out of breath, feeling her cheeks warm, but not from the overly beautiful and expensive ring.

Because, although the young woman knew that this marriage was against the will of both, she could not help but live the moment and feel captivated when she saw Maximo, kneeling in front of her.

For the first time, for a little moment, he had laid aside his permanent expression of bitterness, and looked at her with some mildness.

“Isabella Sinclair, today I stand in front of everyone and before you, to ask you for the honor of becoming my spouse. Would you agree to marry me? Máximo asked seriously.

The young woman was momentarily paralyzed, her face completely red. He couldn't seem to breathe, but hearing someone clear their throat next to him, he reacted.

"I... hey... Yes, I accept... I mean... Yes, I do. Isabella stammered, nervously, her heart pounding, while Maximo slipped the ring on one of his fingers.

Applause rang out, more effusive from the Collins than from the Sinclair family. Maximilian ordered champagne to be distributed to everyone to toast the couple.

- No, thank you... I prefer wine. Valeria said to the waiter who offered her a glass of champagne, while Aiden watched from a distance.

Everyone raised their glasses, Máximo, and Isabella, seemed to forget for a second their dislike for each other, they were still clinging to his hand, although they were unable to look at each other's faces again.

Until the hugs and congratulations from the family arrived, both let go, thus recovering a little from the nervousness.

"I hope you take care of this ring, which was mine, as well as my son's heart..." Marian murmured, suddenly hugging Isabella.

"Oh, sure... Thank you. Isabella muttered, confused, as she wondered about the enigmatic behavior of Maximo's mother.

Feeling uncomfortable among the congratulations, Isabella came down from the stage and went to her grandmother, who was waiting for her in the corner where they had been since her arrival. She was walking cautiously, afraid of falling due to heels and nerves, when suddenly, a familiar figure appeared in front of her.

“Congratulations, cousin. Valeria said with an arrogant smile, causing Isabella to stumble.

"Thank you, thank you..." Isabella murmured, perplexed.

- Let me tell you that the dress is striking, very beautiful. Although I think you looked better with the one you wore on the cruise...

"Oh, good. Isabella nodded, surprised, and tried to walk away.

"Where are you going?" Valeria stopped her by taking her by the arm. "Let me help you..." Definitely, the red wine color suits you better. He concluded as he poured his glass of wine on Isabella.