Valerie left Max to change and sat at the top of the yacht, enjoying the cool ocean breeze and putting herself on display for the reporters to see.
This way, there would be no doubt that she was on the yacht.
Five minutes later, she entered the cabin to find Max completely dressed in a black diving suit but he wasn't wearing the oxygen bag yet. Now, it was her turn to change and she couldn't send him out. She should've thought of this from the beginning.
"What are you waiting for?" Max asked, an amused grin on his lips. "Are you hoping for some privacy? I just showed you my body, didn't I?" He stepped closer to her and his breath itched on her ear. "And surely, you'll need my help getting into the diving suit. You shouldn't be picky."
She shut her eyes. Did she really have to change in front of him?
This was probably her life now, with him. He could humiliate her whenever he wanted, use her like a doll, and even hurt her... And she would get all of him in return.
Her eyes glowed with ambition. What a fair trade she got herself involved in. When revenge knocks on the door, pride and ego are immediately thrown out to let it in.
Be humble and take the hand that lends you the sharpest weapon. That was exactly what she was going to do.
She slowly started taking off her dress while shutting her mind to any possibility that Max might lay his hands on her in the process.
Fortunately, he didn't do anything but watch. Once she was fully bare, leaving only her underwear on, Max dropped his hand on her shoulder and said,
"Now, that wasn't so bad, was it?" He said and she responded.
"It wasn't."
Then, Max's eyes fell on the burnt mark on her back, a few inches above her waist.
"Turn around." He instructed and she did, without hesitation.
Maximus stared at the burnt scar with a frown. The shape of the scar looked like it was done by a coal stick from a fireplace.
He poked it, causing her to flinch lightly and he asked,
"Did you cry?"
"No."
"Hm, guess this much won't make you cry." He said and she picked up her equipment. "Well, who was it? Who dared to leave such a scar on my property?"
The word property was too much but she did not say anything about it and simply answered,
"Lucy. The bitch that wants to have everything to herself." She nonchalantly said and raised her head to look him in the eye. "I hate her."
"Don't worry, my dear, your enemy is my enemy now. Then, shall we begin with her?"
Valerie didn't know what he meant when he said they would start with her but her mind went to the possibility that their revenge plan would start with Lucy so she nodded.
They both got their oxygen bags on and opened the diving hatch underneath the yacht.
"This is your first time, right?" Max asked and she nodded. "Yet you look so composed."
"Should I be scared?" Valerie asked and he clicked his tongue.
"Maybe you should." He put his mask on and got into the water first.
Valerie followed after him and he grabbed her hand, leading her deeper into the water. The view was honestly nice. Very nice that if they were not in the process of getting away from a time bomb, she would've stayed underneath the sea much longer.
All the while, Max did not let go of her hand and led her according to the coordinates on his watch. An undersea GPS. A little mistake and she would be swept away by the sea and lost for good.
Thinking about that, his grip on her hand tightened and she, who was busy staring at the wild species in the sea, wondered what he was thinking now.
As soon as they got to the designated shore where Max's men were waiting, they got out of the water.
Max took off his mask and the first thing he asked was,
"Do you like fish?"
Valerie was confused, but at that moment, the yacht exploded. They were pretty far from the accident but the sound was very loud and the explosion shook the sea.
Suddenly, Max tugged her hand, causing her to shift her attention from the exploding yacht to him. He had this firm look like he wanted all the attention, yet she was focused on another thing.
"You should answer when you're being asked a question, Valerie."
She just couldn't understand him. Was he jealous of an exploding yacht now? Or did he just grow authoritatively because he wanted to monopolize her completely?
He was strange.
"I don't like fish." She simply said, lightly pushing his chest away, and started taking off the heavy equipment on her back with the help of Max's men.
Max watched her and sneered. She hated fish, huh?
He snatched the towel from his man and wrapped it around her shoulder.
"Why? Do you have allergies?" He asked and she glanced over her shoulder to look at him.
"No allergies. I just don't like it as a delicacy." She answered and clutched the towel. "Especially the smell. It's disgusting."
Max tilted his head. For someone who hated fish and its smell, she was doing pretty well admiring the fishes in the sea. Maybe it's because her nose was covered so she could never take in the smell of the fishes... But still...
"It's getting cold. Let's go." Valerie said, snapping him out of his thoughts and he responded,
"I see."
She looked at him, suspicious. What was he thinking of now? She sighed.
They got on the helicopter waiting for them and started leaving. They crossed the scene and Valerie got to see the scene Frankie was making. She practically fainted at the sight.
"I guess this is all your assistant amounts to." Max commented, staring down and she looked up from the scene, staring at him who sat majestically in front of her with his legs crossed and his eyes looking below.
He shifted his gaze to her and smirked.
"Why? Did I make you upset?"
Valerie shook her head. Why did it feel like she was taking care of a kid? She sighed.