Chapter 6 Let the Hunger Games Begin

"What?!"

The resounding scream was heard throughout the room, and everyone saw how Ricardo, Aiden's father, had risen from his seat.

The man's expression was a contradictory mixture of surprise, fury, and indignation.

"How can you inherit one of your grandchildren?!" Mother, your successor should be one of your sons, Hector, or me! Ricardo continued speaking.

"My successor will be whoever I say... I am the head of the family, and the decision is mine alone. Margaret replied in a voice full of authority. “Do you plan to contradict your mother's decision?

Ricardo pursed his lips in a line and looked around, all eyes were on him, with a grimace of disgust he returned to his seat, while Hector, his brother, who had not replied anything, showed an expression full of discomfort.

"Well... The decision has already been made and everything is settled... One of my grandsons will be the one who inherits the head of the Sinclair family and not only that... The chosen one will have to marry one of the heirs of the Collins family". Margaret announced, pointing to the Collins brothers who were still at the table, with a very formal expression.

The murmurs increased; Isabella looked around in confusion. Would the next heir marry one of them? She looked at Maximo, who was still expressionless in his seat, as if she were not interested in anything that was happening around him.

"Will you force one of your grandchildren to marry our enemies, our competition, the Collins?!"

This time it was Hector who complained, while some squeals of happiness were heard, he looked to his sides, both his daughters, Zara, and Emma, seemed to celebrate happily, as did his niece, Valeria, from another table.

"You're wrong, the Collins are not our enemies and from what I see, it doesn't seem to be an obligation for my granddaughters..." Margaret replied while raising an eyebrow arrogantly, noticing the happiness of her granddaughters. Then, she walked back across the stage to continue talking. - I am not going to force anyone to accept, if the chosen one wishes to receive the inheritance, he or she will consent to the marriage and if he or she does not, he or she will be replaced by someone else, as easy as that...

"What?"

"This was my late spouse's last wish, an agreement that was made many years ago..." Margaret continued to speak from the stage. “A union between the two richest and most powerful families in the country, which will make us an unstoppable power, and the chosen ones will become the highest head of high society, practically unattainable.

"You can't do that, mother!" Neither Hector nor I agree! Ricardo shouted again, joining his brother.

"I don't care if they disagree..." Margaret said with authority. "This is my last word... And I remind everyone present that I, and I alone, am the head of the family, the one who gives the orders and the only one in charge of choosing the successor.

"This is a scam, a joke, mother!" How can you choose one of your grandchildren over your children? Ricardo refuted indignantly. "I'm leaving!" We are going home; we will not continue with this circus! Ricardo turned around. His spouse and daughter rose to follow him.

"I remind you that we are on a cruise, Ricardo... And since we have been several hours since we set sail, we are now in the middle of the open sea. Margaret explained, very seriously.

"I know!" Ricardo began to walk. "I'm not stupid, mother... I'll call a helicopter, here's a helipad.

"The ship has orders not to receive any helicopters, yachts, boats, or any means of transport..." Margaret replied arrogantly. "And the crew has orders not to use the lifeboats, unless it's a real emergency, so if you want to leave, you'll have to lower a boat yourself and paddle with your bare hands to the port..." Or swim away... You decide.

Everyone present saw how Ricardo turned to his mother, perplexed.

"Are we trapped?" Can't we leave?

"No, until I decide. Margaret declared, very seriously.

Ricardo looked around, as if he expected someone to say something, everything was in absolute silence, he looked at his mother one last time with contained anger and turned around to leave the living room, his spouse followed his steps and further back, Hector came out.

"Well, I can only remind the rest of those present that, in a fortnight, at the end of the trip, I will announce the person chosen as the leader of the Sinclair family, so enjoy the trip. "

Margaret returned to her seat and continued to attend to her guests, the Collins, as if nothing had happened. While the rest of the family, one by one, got up from their seats.

"Wow, which was... Intense. Aiden turned to Isabella, surprised by the scene everyone had witnessed, when in a second, his expression changed to one of annoyance.

Isabella turned around and saw Valeria approaching them, her nerves were on edge, because it was obvious that her cousin was not coming to greet her.

The young woman wore a stunning dress, full of glitter and glamour, which caught the attention of everyone present. Valeria walked arrogantly and confidently, knowing full well that her beauty was striking.

"Aiden!" What do you do with the little thing is?! Valeria scolded him between her teeth, stopping a step away from them.

"Stop the annoyance, Valeria, the fact that Dad forced me to come, doesn't mean that I will do whatever you want. Aiden growled, rising from his seat.

"Isn't it enough for you to humiliate us in public, but you will also do it in front of the whole family by relating to that one?" She murmured.

"Ugh, now you have to live, little girl..." Aiden blurted out, rolling his eyes wearily. - Go and continue to make a footbridge to Collins and leave me alone, I know very well what you are doing, and I am not going to lend myself to your game. Aiden refuted, standing in front of Isabella, practically covering her with Valeria.

"Jump, you're wrong, I don't need your help, or you lend yourself to anything..." Valeria crossed her arms. - I will win this, Zara and Emma's dogs are not competition for me, obviously I will win that award, Máximo Collins...

She sighed looking at Maximo from a distance. Then, Valeria looked away at Isabella, who was practically hiding behind Aiden. "You're no competition to me, you dead fly, you're definitely too little to be taken into account."

"Oh, Valeria... Little sister, what do you have in your brain? You're supposed to make eyes at her, its grandma, she's the one who's going to pick the next heir, not that Collins. Aiden replied, in a mocking tone.

"Do you really think I'm so stupid?" When Max falls in love with me, which he will, he himself will ask grandma to choose me and there will be no turning back. Valeria smiled arrogantly.

And after throwing a hateful look at Isabella, he turned to leave. Isabella breathed a sigh of relief, as Aiden threw himself back in his seat with a tired expression.

"Let them begin, the hunger games..." Aiden said in a solemn voice.

"What?" Isabella looked at him confused.

"You know, as they say in the hunger games, in the competition that they end, against each other..." He tried to explain. Isabella was still looking at him in confusion. "Haven't you read the books or seen the movies?"

"No, why?" It's important?

"Oh cousin, you definitely have to spend more time with me. Aiden rose from his seat again, reaching out to Isabella. "Come on, I'll accompany you to your cabin."

*

Máximo listened to Mrs. Sinclair talking to his sister, Emily, she explained all the amenities they would have in the coming days, they would have exclusive treatment on the cruise, as they were special guests.

He didn't participate much in the conversation, he was still quite angry, just thinking that one of those silly girls who made eyes at him from a distance, could become his spouse, made him even more angry.

His father had forced him, if they wanted to inherit, he or his sister, would have to marry a Sinclair, specifically, whoever was chosen as the new heir, if not, he would take care of taking everything from them.

For the moment, Maximo had no choice but to accept it, while he found a way to become independent and get out of the yoke of his parents and the entire Collins family.

He was raising the glass of champagne in his hand, ready to take one last drink to apologize and retire to his room when he saw her in the distance, a young woman who caught his attention, not because she stood out among the other girls, but because Máximo seemed very familiar.

He felt a startle in his chest, a kind of fright, something that could not be explained, when he saw Isabella holding the hand of a somewhat attractive young man, the boy was helping her up and placed her arm on his, like a gentleman.

"Max... Is something wrong?" Emily spoke to him, getting his attention. - You look very tense; do you have a headache or are you angry?

"Yes..." he replied with a clenched jaw. “I have a bit of a migraine... If you'll excuse me..." He rose from his seat, leaving Margaret and Emily perplexed. "I will retire to my cabin."

Máximo had every intention of leaving, which was what he ordered his mind, but he saw how Isabella left the restaurant on the arm of that man, and he couldn't stop thinking about what he knew her, from somewhere, but from where?

The young couple was walking down a corridor, Maximo's cabin was on the opposite side. Máximo stood there for a moment, in the middle, hesitating, but a feeling, a flame that was born inside him, was stronger than reason, he took the opposite path, following in the footsteps of Isabella and her companion.