"So, you want to fake your death." Max said, giving a contemplating look at Valerie and she nodded.
"That's right." She said, "So, can you do it?"
They both stared at each other without saying a word, each thinking of what they would do if the other didn't do what they wanted.
"Alright." Maximus agreed. "So, I guess this seals our deal. Tell me what you plan to do."
Valerie gave out a little sigh, staring at him and wondering why everything was going so easily. Really, wasn't this a trap? He hated her yet he was going along with what she wanted. It was a bit suspicious.
In any case, it was a good thing for her. She lowered her head and then raised it, looking confident.
"I want the world to think I'm dead. At least, for a week or two. I want to put my uncle off his feet for a while and then when they're elated that I'm gone, I'll show up and ruin their perfect mood." She said and folded her arms. "Their happiness will be short-lived."
"Smart. But how do you plan to fool everyone that you died in the yacht if you don't go in it?" He asked.
"And who said I'm not going to be in it?"
Max frowned and caught her hand, staring with cold eyes.
"Do you think you're a god of something? Do you think you can walk out of an explosion, unharmed, just because you wish it?"
Valerie winced in pain, squinting her eyes. What was his deal? Did he not know that she could escape by diving into the water? And other than that... She hadn't explained it all to him so there was no need to be agitated.
"Maximus, let go of my hand." She said, and Max snapped out of his angry state and let go of her hand. She rubbed it and looked at him. "I was going to ask you to get two sets of diving suits but you suddenly flared. Do you have a problem with my plan?"
Max went silent and looked at his hand, clenched it, and looked up. He lost himself for a moment.
"Tell me everything." He said, and Valerie nodded.
She told him how she planned to dive into the sea thirty minutes before the explosion. She, as well as the skipper would have gone pretty far so the explosion wouldn't have any impact on them.
"What about that little assistant of yours?" He asked and she answered,
"I'll send her away just before my escape, and I'll tell her everything so she won't get involved." Valerie explained but Max suddenly frowned as he asked,
"So, you plan to be alone with the skipper on the yacht?" Valerie, unaware of Max's thoughts, nodded and said,
"Yes. We'll be the only ones onboard."
"Valerie, are you trying to do something behind my back?" He suddenly asked and a confused Valerie tilted her head.
"What do you mean?"
"What do you plan to do with the skipper, alone on the yacht? Who the hell is he?" Max's voice, which was next to a growl, made Valerie realize what he was talking about and she grinned mockingly.
"Oh my, you must have some sort of misunderstanding." She said, got up from her chair, and walked towards him. "Well, me and the skipper, " she got behind him and placed her hand on the top of his chair. "We're going to talk about our future cooperation. And do you know why? It's because the skipper wants me to be his wife, if not a slave, torment me in our marriage, and make me suffer. Now, does that sound familiar?"
Max was silent. Then, a laugh escaped his lips and he said,
"You want to make me a skipper too, huh? And how confident are you that I can sail the yacht perfectly?" He asked and she shrugged her shoulders.
"Well, if you can't, this is your opportunity to speak up."
Her nonchalance got him smiling, and he said,
"You're one lucky missy. I don't mind being the skipper, as long as it's not some asshole you're trying to pick up."
'Maybe you're the asshole yourself.' Valerie thought and walked away from his back. "We can talk about the rest in the yacht, can't we? There, I'll go through the contract, so please get it ready by tomorrow evening."
Max caught her hand and she looked back at him.
"Are you trying to boss me around?"
"I don't see any reason why I shouldn't." She said and placed her hand on his. "You can do whatever you want with me and while I let that happen, you should also let me do whatever I want with you. Your resources, your power, your influence... I will use everything to my benefit and in return... You can use my body as you wish. Is that not what we agreed on?"
Max's lips curled up in a smirk. He liked this. Nothing would please him more than having Valerie dance in his palms. She could use his influence and power however she wanted, he didn't care. As long as she was within his reach, within his grasp, and under his control.
Both sought to control the other while being controlled as it was.
"Do you have a yacht yet? Do you want me to prepare that?" Max asked as he made his way to the door.
"Don't worry. I already bought one. The news should already be circulating that I'll be in the harbor tomorrow, enjoying my time on my yacht while living flamboyantly." Valerie explained. "I'll send the coordinates to you so get the diving suits in there."
"Gosh, can you not be so bossy from time to time?" He asked but Valerie remained silent. "You should respond when someone is talking to you." He said with a cold tone and Valerie flinched, rubbing her arm.
"Of course." She answered and silently gritted her teeth. The pressure from his glare... It wasn't that she didn't feel it, she just chose to ignore it because she felt if she gave in to the pressure, she would end up getting scared and be unable to use him as much as she wanted.
"Max," she called just before he walked out and said, "No one must see your face."
Max stayed silent for a second and scoffed.
"Do I look like a fool to you?"
With that, he made his way out of there and she sighed.
"You're not a fool but you're crazy. I can't tell what you're thinking."