Chapter 7 Cruise Ship Sets Sail

• A boy who had arrived with Valeria approached from the reception, smiling.
• "Nice to meet you!" He extended his hand to Isabella. "I'm Aiden Sinclair."
• "Isabella... Isabella Sinclair," she replied, reaching out her hand to him, feeling somewhat unsure.
• "What are you doing?! How dare you shake her hand?! Look at her, it's obvious she's not a Sinclair!" Valeria yelled indignantly, pulling Aiden away.
• "Didn't you hear?" Aiden looked at Valeria sternly. "Of course she's a Sinclair!" Then Aiden turned to Isabella with curiosity. "Wait, which branch of the family are you from?"
• "What?" Isabella looked at them confused.
• "Whose daughter are you?" Aiden insisted.
• "My father... My father is Albert Sinclair," she stammered uncomfortably as Aiden scrutinized her closely.
• "It can't be! You are Uncle Albert's daughter?! The one who was disinherited and banished?! I'm a fan of his!" Aiden hugged Isabella, making her even more nervous. "We're cousins, Isa!"
• "Let her go, Aiden!" Valeria shouted, pushing Aiden aside to approach Isabella arrogantly. "So you're the black sheep of the family?" She looked her up and down.
• "I don't know what you're doing here; you and your family no longer belong to the Sinclairs... You're a disgrace! What a shame to be associated with your family!" she huffed angrily.
• "Enough, Valeria!" Aiden stepped in.
• "Hey!" A voice was heard from the back, and everyone turned to see a middle-aged man approaching, holding hands with a woman, the same man who had arrived with the young people.
• "What are you doing?! We're already checked in, let's go!" he barked authoritatively.
• The couple passed by them; Isabella noticed how the older man looked at her suspiciously and how Aiden also gave her a dirty look.
• "I'll go find my cabin..." he grumbled reluctantly.
• "Goodbye, Isa! See you later..." Aiden winked at Isabella and continued on his way.
• "I don't know who had the stupid idea to invite you to this gathering, but don't think that just because you're here, you're one of us. Enjoy it while you can, because when the cruise ends, you'll go back to the rat hole you came from." Valeria whispered with a look full of arrogance, then brushed past Isabella.
• Isabella stood still, unsure if attending this family gathering had been a good idea. Just the thought of having to go back to the shelter sent a shiver down her spine.
• No! It was impossible. She couldn't go back to what awaited her there. It was better to live on the streets.
• "Miss?" The employee who was accompanying her to the cabin called out, making her jump.
• "Don't worry. As I understand it, you are also a Sinclair, so enjoy it, get something out of this family, dress well, eat plenty, and have fun..." The young man smiled warmly, managing to calm Isabella's nerves a bit.
• ---
• The ship loomed large before Isabella, an imposing sight she had never encountered before. With her mouth slightly agape and a tinge of apprehension, she ascended the ramp towards the entrance.
• The opulence surrounding her was overwhelming as she caught glimpses of giant lounges, extravagant decor, and the shine of everything around her. Employees bustled everywhere, adding to the grandeur of the scene.
• Upon reaching her cabin, Isabella was left breathless once more. The room was equally impressive, almost the size of her old house.
• She wandered around, taking in the spacious living area at the entrance, a closet the size of a modest room, an expansive bed facing a wall-mounted TV that dominated the space, and a modern, oversized bathroom.
• It was all too much, an excess that left Isabella feeling overwhelmed. If this was the life her family lived—a life of abundance—while she struggled to survive, it seemed like a distant reality.
• The young employee caught Isabella's attention as she was absorbed in observing her cabin. He handed her the room key, a map of the cruise ship for navigation, and a brochure.
• "Here are all the activities scheduled for the cruise, and with the map, you won't get lost," he explained quickly. Isabella glanced at the list: yoga, a gym, recreational games, a pool, sports facilities, even a casino, and much more. "The restaurant is open almost twenty-four hours, with bar and room service available. You can order anything you like from the intercom next to your bed."
• "All these activities are optional, so you can participate as you wish or stay in your cabin," he added. "There's only one event that's mandatory for all guests, the Sinclair family included."
• "Which event is that?" Isabella inquired.
• "The dinner tonight. Everyone must be in the dining room at seven sharp for the welcome and announcements," he replied.
• "I understand, thank you," Isabella nodded nervously.
• To be among these people? If they were all like Valeria, Isabella dreaded what awaited her on this cruise.
• "Miss..."
• "Yes?"
• "I recommend visiting the boutique when it opens this afternoon. You'll find all the clothing you need for the trip, and it's complimentary for you," he smiled warmly before turning to leave.
• "Hey..." Isabella called after him. "What's your name?"
• "Julián," he replied with a slight bow.
• "Thank you very much, Julián," she said, somewhat relieved that the young man had been kind to her.
• Shortly after, the cruise ship set sail. Isabella looked out the porthole, feeling the strong beats of her heart. There was no turning back now; they would spend fifteen days before she could leave.
• After watching the boat sail away from the port for a while, full of nerves, Isabella could only do one thing: kneel down and pray.
• Just as her mother had taught her, she first thanked for the gift of life—for being saved from the men who had cornered her, for coming out unscathed from a possible accident, and for the opportunity to make this trip.
• Then, she asked for a peaceful cruise with no more problems; she asked for strength and protection.
• And finally, she asked for an opportunity so that somehow, when she left that boat, she would not have to return to the homeless shelter or live on the streets.