Will you really do it?

As Diana slowly opened her eyes, she found herself in a quaint cottage, her surroundings adorned with thoughtful decorations.

"Umm..."

Diana murmured, her head throbbing with a dull ache.

With a sleepy gaze, she took in the unfamiliar yet charming setting.

The seagulls' cry outside became more apparent, drawing her attention to the nearby sea. The waves crashed against the shore, visible from the cottage's windows. However, her awareness heightened as she noticed a man's dress laid out on the bed beside her.

'Where am I?'

She wondered aloud, her disorientation growing.

She touched her head, trying to make sense of the situation. Her eyes darted to her attire — shorts and a bra. A sudden realization struck her.

"What the hell? Who changed my dress?"

Diana's voice carried a mix of confusion and concern. As she recalled the events leading up to her current state, the memory of being kidnapped flooded back.

'Last night, I was kidnapped.'

She thought, her eyes widening in alarm.

She scanned the room for clues about her captor or her current location. Spotting a white shirt beside her, it became evident that it belonged to a man.

Diana hastily got up from bed, wearing an oversize shirt, and surveyed her surroundings with a sense of urgency.

As she dashed out of the bedroom, she entered another room and discovered evidence of someone having recently eaten.

Following her instincts, Diana made her way to the kitchen and grabbed a knife.

She stepped outside the cottage and was immediately greeted by a scene that left her shocked.

A multitude of people, girls, boys, and couples, were scattered around, seemingly enjoying themselves. The atmosphere was unexpectedly lively, contrasting sharply with the confusion in Diana's mind.

"What?"

She exclaimed under her breath, the knife concealed beneath the borrowed shirt.

Diana observed the carefree scene with a tense expression, unable to comprehend the sudden shift from her initial disoriented state. She touched her head, attempting to make sense of the situation.

Diana's urgent need to make a call heightened, but a noticeable absence of phones or mobile devices within the cottage left her frustrated.

As she looked at the lively scene outside, her attention abruptly fixated on a man approaching. Her brows narrowed in recognition, and a sense of disbelief overcame her.

It was Max.

He sported a pair of red shorts and carried a surfboard in his hand. Water droplets clung to his body as if he had just emerged from the sea. Diana's gaze lingered on him, and her eyes narrowed further as she observed the swarm of girls attempting to capture his attention.

Crossing her arms in a defensive stance, Diana awaited Max's approach. When he came near, a smirk adorned his face as he commented, "You're awakening. Are you feeling okay?"

Ignoring his question, Diana sighed and cut to the chase, "What am I doing here? And you were about to go on a mission; then, what is this?"

"Ah… Please don't bother. Actually, we come here to enjoy ourselves."

Max's nonchalant response caught Diana off guard, and shock painted her features as she questioned, "What?"

Max, maintaining his casual demeanor, clarified, "Yes, darling, now we are here to spend some time alone."

He casually placed his hand on her waist, further accentuating the unexpected turn of events.

The revelation left her in a state of disbelief as she sighed, "So it was you, Max."

A broad smile adorned Max's face, reveling in the unexpected success of his plan. Diana, however, wasn't ready to let the situation slide. With a raised brow, she demanded, "Who changed my dress?"

Max blinked, feigning innocence as he looked at Diana. The truth became apparent, and Diana's suspicions were confirmed.

"You?" she questioned, her frustration building.

In response to Diana's accusation, she pushed Max away, distancing herself.

"You are sick. Don't touch me," she admonished, her voice filled with a mix of anger and disappointment.

As Diana dashed toward the cottage, leaving Max questioning his actions, a lingering sense of confusion settled in the air.

"But what have I done?"

Max, still grappling with the unfolding situation, found himself momentarily distracted when a girl attempted to engage him in conversation.

"Excuse me," the girl said, seeking Max's attention.

Max, ever the charmer, slightly lowered his sunglasses and greeted her with a smile. Their conversation flowed, and the atmosphere appeared carefree.

Meanwhile, Diana, on her way back to the cottage, couldn't help but notice that Max hadn't called her name. She turned back, expecting to find Max looking for her, only to witness him engrossed in conversation with the other girl.

The smiles they exchanged heightened Diana's suspicion, and she halted, narrowing her eyes at the scene unfolding before her.

Max, seemingly oblivious to Diana's scrutiny, continued talking with the girl. However, as he met Diana's stern gaze, the smile on his face seemed to carry a hint of mischief. It became apparent that he was aware of Diana's watchful eyes, and a subtle tension lingered between them.

Diana, refusing to show any signs of emotional distress, moved her gaze away and continued walking toward the cottage. Max couldn't help but smile slightly as he caught Diana's fleeting gaze.

'Does it make you angry, Diana?'

Diana seethed with anger as she sat on the bed, contemplating the situation. The vibrant atmosphere outside the cottage only amplified her frustration.

She muttered to herself, "You are enjoying yourself here. Then why do you need me here?"

Determined to leave the scene, Diana stood up, her plan of departure coinciding with Max's entrance. As he walked in, Diana turned away, narrowing her eyes to avoid acknowledging him.

"What happened?"

Max inquired, halting behind Diana. Unfazed, she kept her gaze averted.

"Why are you here?" Diana questioned, her tone calm but laced with irritation.

"Are you done talking with her?" Diana asked, maintaining her composure.

Max, not providing a direct answer, approached her with a teasing smile.

Max continued to playfully probe, asking, "Why? Are you jealous?"

Diana, now facing Max, met his teasing gaze with a steely resolve.

Diana arched her brows, a slight smile playing on her lips.

"Why would I be jealous, Max? I have nothing to do with you."

Max, raising his brows in response, sighed dramatically.

"Oh, really," he replied with a hint of amusement.

"Then it's okay. I will go. It would be bad if I kept a pretty lady waiting for me."

Diana, her eyes narrowing, wasn't about to let Max off so easily.

"Before that, give back my passport. I have a lot of work."

Max turned away, rubbing his hair with a towel.

"I lost it," he admitted casually.

"Max, I need to go back," Diana insisted, walking toward him. But before she could make her case, Max threw the towel aside, grabbed her hair, and passionately kissed her lips.

Diana, caught off guard, initially resisted but soon found herself responding to the intensity of the moment. She touched his hand, allowing the connection to deepen, their desires intertwining in the charged atmosphere.

As the intense kiss between Max and Diana subsided, a lingering anger emanated from Diana's expression. Max, determined to mend the situation, gently held her hands and urged her to meet his gaze.

"Just give me a chance, Diana," he pleaded.

"I will slowly tell Francisco and won't get involved in any kind of bad deeds."

Diana, her eyes reflecting a mix of skepticism and surprise, hesitated.

"Are you…?"

She began to ask, but Max cut her off.

"Just believe me, Diana," Max insisted, a sincerity in his eyes that had not been there before. He tenderly touched his forehead to hers, a gesture of reassurance.

"Change your dress. We will go out," Max suggested.

Diana, still grappling with conflicting emotions, didn't argue with Max any further. She nodded in reluctant agreement and retreated into the cottage.