Chapter 56 A Puppet

Maximilian stood firm in front of his son, the confusion evident in his expression.

"What?"

"That I won't. I will not do what you ask of me. I will not leave Isabella, I will not send her to the countryside, nor will I exile her... And I won't sign you the power of attorney you want, either. “Máximo stressed firmly, without hesitating in his decision.

- No, no, no... What are you saying, Maximo? Maximilian was incredulous.

"What you heard, father. I'm in love with her. I love Isabella.

“HA, HA, HA. Maximilian burst into a loud laugh, turning on his heels to walk around the office with an air of superiority.

"What are you laughing at?" What makes you laugh so much? Maximo clenched his fists, feeling his fury intensify at his father's mockery.

"You're in love with the homeless woman?" Maximilian turned to his son, trying to hold back his laughter. "Please don't be ridiculous.

"I don't mind if you don't believe me..." Máximo clenched his jaw, his anger growing. "I won't do what you ask, I won't keep that ridiculous deal, I won't walk away from Isabella.

"Do you realize what you're saying, Maximo?" Of the silly thing you're doing? You will lose everything, all your companies. Maximilian tried to sound casual, although there was a hint of threat in his tone.

"That doesn't interest me anymore. Now that I'm with Isabella, I have everything I need. You can try whatever you want with my business, if I let you..." Maximo shrugged his shoulders with a self-sufficient smile. “Now I'm the head of the family and I have much more than I could have with those companies.

“Much more? And what about your freedom? Maximilian asked maliciously.

Maximo took a deep breath, remembering everything he had longed for and sought in the past.

- Look at you! You don't stop working, you claim to be the ringleader, but you are only the puppet who manages the resources of both families. Maximilian approached his son with a condescending tone. "I can do it for you, son. I can free you from all this. I've worked headfirst in the office for years and I don't care. But what about you?

Maximo's smile disappeared instantly. His father knew how to touch the tender spots. The truth was that although the work was overwhelming, he could not imagine life without Isabella. There was no way!

"Me?" I'll adapt. Even if my life goes on it, I'll stay here and take care of both families..." Máximo replied firmly. "But I won't do what you ask." I won't leave Isabella... The decision has already been made.

"Will you leave everything for that woman?" Jesus! It's just a crush, Maximo, something temporary. You've been through it before and you've gotten through it, remember? And what resulted from that? Maximilian argued maliciously, ready to remove the bad memories.

"That..." Máximo swallowed thick as he remembered the moment he decided not to fall in love, until Isabella arrived. "That's in the past, father...

- Listen to me, Max, with a couple of months away from your spouse, that infatuation will pass and that's it. You will regain your life and your freedom. Maximilian tried to sound understanding. - Don't do stupid things.

"I won't!" Maximus repeated with more force and authority, leaving his father perplexed. - I won't ask you to understand because you don't know what it's like to love someone. It's obvious that you never loved my mother, or your children... But you will have to respect my decision because you no longer have authority over me. Now I'm the new head of the family and you can't do anything to change that. Maximo growled, his heart racing.

"Ah! Now I understand..." Maximilian narrowed his eyes. - You're rising, you think you can face me, me! To your own father!

“I am making the points clear. - Máximo replied.

"Good..." Maximilian let out a snort, turning on his heels with a gesture of rage. "I'm warning you, Maximo, that's not the right decision and in a couple of more months, when you get bored of that silly girl and find out that you don't feel anything for her, I'll see you imploring me to sign the power of attorney with me!"

Maximilian left that office, slamming the door, furious and frustrated, how is it that after having all the power of both families so close, it is now slipping out of his hands?

It was all the fault of that little girl, the homeless woman.

No, he wasn't going to let this opportunity slip away, he just had to be patient and put together another plan.

Maximilian had already done it before, acting calmly, without letting himself be guided by his impulses, not like the idiot of his son, who had come out just like his mother.

Letting himself be carried away by absurd feelings.

*

Isabella visited her grandmother, as she regularly did on weekends. Both Aiden and the young woman spent several hours talking about trivial topics in the company of Margaret.

They did it with pleasure, so that the grandmother would not feel alone, to see how she was doing and to live with her family.

Her spouse had not been able to accompany her on this occasion, Máximo had told her that he had many commitments and that he would spend the whole day stuck headfirst in the office, so he urged Isabella to go alone.

Margaret looked much livelier, although she was still an implacable and strict woman, with Isabella and Aiden, she could talk more calmly and even joke about life.

Well, this pair of boys, her two grandchildren, had won her affection.

With them, Margaret had succeeded in awakening a loving part of her that she had not recognized for a long time, because she had not received the affection and respect of her family for a long time.

"Isa..." Aiden whispered to the side, taking advantage of the fact that Margaret had retired for a moment to the dressing table.

"What?" Isabella muttered, surprised by her cousin's low tone. It seemed that Aiden was hiding something.

"I want to tell you something..." Aiden approached his cousin, changing seats next to her.

"Is it a secret?" Isabella asked, intrigued, and he nodded. "What, tell me?" You've already made me anxious...

"I think..." Aiden thought for a moment. - I think I'm in love.

- What?! Isabella exclaimed, impressed, and then immediately covered her mouth and a moment later uncovered it again to speak in whispers. "Are you in love?" Since when? Who is it? Do I know her? No, I'm sure I don't know her, you have to introduce her to me. She began to let out a quick string of questions.

"Yes, you know her..." Aiden murmured, attentive to Isabella's reaction.

"Really?" Isabella asked, full of curiosity. "Tell me, who is it?"

"It's Emily. Aiden blurted out in a whisper, looking at Isabella to catch her reaction. She remained stiff and thoughtful.

"Emily?" Isabella smiled confused. "Which Emily?" Emily...?

"Collins..." Aiden completed. “Yes, Emily Collins.

"What?" How is it that...? When...? Isabella looked puzzled at her cousin, who was smiling at her from his place. "Didn't you hate each other?"

"It's... It's a long story, but we've been dating for some time, and no one knows. Aiden shrugged.

"Oh, wow..." Isabella lowered her gaze, not knowing what to say or think. Aiden in love with Emily? But she was...

"Does it bother you?" Aiden asked, noticing the change in Isabella's expression.

"No... No, of course, not... Only if she isn't mean or rude to you. Isabella reflected.

"No..." Aiden smiled with a dreamy expression. - Well, at first yes, but what do I tell you, I'm a masochist... She is an arrogant and arrogant woman, of course, but... Then I discovered that, within it, there is much more, you know? He smiled to himself. Isabella sighed thoughtfully, trying to take in the news.

"I understand you, Aiden. Isabella squeezed her cousin's arm, smiling affectionately at him and understanding his words perfectly, since she had gone through something similar with Maximo.

"You know?" I'd like the four of us to meet one day for dinner or hang out together..." Aiden commented, wishing to take a step further in his relationship with Emily and make her known, at least among those closest to him. Who better than Isabella and Máximo for that?

- What?! I don't think she likes it..." Isabella murmured, surprised and a little nervous.

"Nor Maximo..." Aiden nodded thoughtfully. "But you have to take a risk..." He concluded with a shrug and a mocking smile.

"Are you crazy?" Isabella opened her eyes wide, incredulous.

"Yes, I'm crazy..." Aiden sighed, looking at the ceiling. - That woman has me like a puppet in her hands...

"Aiden, are you serious?" Isabella asked sarcastically, holding back a laugh at her cousin's obvious performance.

- Just kidding! Aiden laughed. - Ha, ha, ha, it's not that dumbfounded... But seriously, I think you and Emily will get along better now. She has improved her attitude, she has changed... And I, well, I can try to be nicer to my brother-in-law. He was in the middle of his explanation when Margaret entered the room, interrupting them.

"Isabella, Aiden, I sent for lunch, in a while we can go to the dining room." Margaret announced, entering the room with a smile.

"Grandma, I'm sorry..." Isabella stood up suddenly, surprised. - I didn't know what time it was, you caught me off guard.

"What's going on?" Margaret looked at her confused.

"I won't be able to accompany you for lunch today...

“Why? Aiden asked, surprised, because his cousin always accompanied them.

"It's just that... Maximo is working at home, and I wanted to..." She tried to explain herself, but Margaret interrupted her.

- Go, don't worry, I understand you...

"Really, doesn't it bother you?" Isabella asked with a smile full of relief.

"Why would you bother me?" My granddaughter is happy with her spouse and is in love... Isabella, I'm so happy for you. Margaret commented, nodding happily, before turning to Aiden. - But you do stay! You're single. She said, in a jovial tone.

Aiden and Isabella looked at each other and smiled, aware that Margaret's statement was not entirely accurate.

"Thank you, grandma. Isabella approached Margaret, moved. "It's all thanks to you... You were right, Máximo is a good man.

After saying goodbye with a hug, Isabella went straight home, eager to meet with Maximo.