TEST DRIVE: A Night of Forbidden Desire

If yesterday it was Vonda who felt awkward and unsure of how to act after their romantic encounter, today it was the opposite. Max was the one experiencing all of these feelings.

Actually, Max could already predict that he would be in an awkward position after yesterday’s lunch incident. His head suddenly felt dizzy as he thought about what attitude he should have when he met Vonda this morning.

What should I say to Vonda? She must feel so uncomfortable about what happened yesterday. And to make matters worse, Sarah was there to witness it. Ugh! This just gets more complicated.

These were some of the fleeting thoughts that had crossed Max’s mind since earlier. Personally, he was not hoping for much this time. He would take it gracefully if Vonda did not want to come home with him.

After all, what girl would not be scared in Vonda’s shoes? They’re not even official yet and she’s being invited to his house.

Max was one hundred percent sure that Vonda must have been scared by Riley’s invitation yesterday. Something that actually made Max realize something.

When has Mom ever sent out a normal invitation?

Max’s heart raced as he approached the office. He prepared himself.

I’ll talk to her. If she doesn’t like it, she can refuse Mom’s invitation. Besides, she doesn’t have to feel uncomfortable or anything.

Max opened the door and let it close on its own. He walked in and glanced at Vonda who was getting up from her seat.

This was clearly bad timing. Vonda was on her way to the pantry, not wanting to greet Max’s arrival.

“Good morning, Max.”

Vonda quickly composed herself, adopting a casual demeanor that made Max sigh with relief.

“Uh.”

Max was relieved by Vonda’s attitude. Although… not completely relieved.

“Would you like some coffee?” Vonda approached Max. “I’m going to the pantry for a drink.”

“Coffee? Oh,” Max nodded quietly. “Sure. Not too sweet, though.”

“Okay. Wait a minute. I’ll bring it in.”

Vonda left while Max immediately went into his room. He put his bag on the table and sat down. He checked a note with the list of tasks he had to do that day. At first glance, there were no heavy schedules waiting for him. Something for which Max was very grateful. At least his mental load would not increase.

Ten minutes passed and there was a knock at Max’s door. Vonda entered, carrying a tray with a cup of black coffee and a jar of chocolate chip cookies.

“I brought some snacks, too,” Vonda said as she placed the jar of snacks on Max’s desk, next to the coffee she had already placed. “Enjoy. And don’t forget that five-star rating, Sir.”

Vonda’s words made Max laugh spontaneously. He, who had intended to take the first sip right away, put the coffee cup back on the coaster. He did not want to risk spilling coffee on his clothes from laughing.

Vonda smiled playfully. “In that case, enjoy your coffee and snacks. I’m going back to my table.”

Seeing Vonda about to leave, Max suddenly got up from his seat and hurried to intercept her.

“Wait, Von.”

Vonda stopped and turned to find Max approaching her. Holding the tray to her chest, Vonda asked, “Yes?”

“Uh.” Max cleared his throat, rubbed his left temple briefly, and looked into her eyes. “Are you okay?”

“Yes?” Vonda blinked once in confusion. “What do you mean?”

A grin appeared on Max’s face. He smiled awkwardly. “I guess I asked the wrong question.”

“What do you mean? Why am I confused now?”

“I mean …” Max took a quick breath. “… about yesterday. At lunch with Mom and Sarah.”

Vonda’s eyes moved abstractly. Her expression seemed pensive. “What about lunch yesterday?”

“You must have felt really uncomfortable, especially with Sarah there.”

“Oh. It’s okay. I’m fine.”

But of course, Max did not think it was okay.

“Sarah must have asked you all kinds of questions about yesterday,” Max said with a hint of guilt.

Vonda nodded weakly, not denying Max’s words at all. “Yes, but don’t worry about her. You don’t have to worry. She understands our situation. So, you don’t have to think about anything strange.”

Worried about Sarah? Well, Max was not sure. According to him, that was not what was bothering him.

“Well, regardless… I guess I still have to apologize,” Max continued. “I’m sorry for my mom’s behavior. I know you have to understand what my mom’s personality is like. Sometimes Mom can be over the top like that. But she shouldn’t have gone too far in front of your friend.”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Judging by the look on Max’s face as he spoke, Vonda realized that he meant what he was saying. His words were not just casual or polite talk. More than that, there was a sense of discomfort in Max’s tone.

“Why apologize?” Vonda smiled and shook her head once. “I’m fine, really. Besides, you don’t have to worry about Sarah. Trust me. Sarah’s life is even more over the top than your mom’s.”

Max fell silent and Vonda quickly corrected her statement.

“Well… I’m not saying your mom is over the top. It’s just…”

“No-no.” Max shook his head, cutting Vonda off. “My mom can be over the top sometimes. As her biological child, I’ve been aware of that aspect of her for a long time.”

“Well, but the bottom line is, you don’t have to apologize.”

As if Max’s words were meaningless to Vonda, she actually said the opposite, and of course it wasn’t a lie.

“Instead of saying your mom is over the top, I think it’s more like boundless enthusiasm,” Vonda said.

Max stared, blinked once, and looked at Vonda as if she were a rare object in the world.

“Boundless enthusiasm?”

Vonda nodded and chuckled. “Well, any parent will do that when it comes to their child’s boyfriend or girlfriend. Besides, your mother’s enthusiasm is a blessing to me. So, I don’t have to worry about dinner next Sunday.”

Max grinned unconsciously. “You…”

Vonda’s chuckle faded, replaced by a genuine smile on her face. She shook her head.

“Not just for dinner. Your mother’s enthusiasm is truly a blessing. And I’m sure that your future wife will be happiest woman. After all, she’s getting a mother-in-law like your mom.”

Max blinked. “Huh?”

“Okay, I have to return the tray now.”

Without waiting, Vonda left Max’s office immediately. But she did not go straight to the pantry. Instead, she reflexively leaned against the door of Max’s room. Hugging the tray, Sarah’s words echoed in her mind.

“If you think you can control everything, go ahead. But if you feel things are getting out of control, end it.”

Vonda closed her eyes. She was grateful for the tray, which she had embraced without resistance. Not for anything else, but that strange fluttering made her worry that Max might hear it. She might be embarrassed.

It’s all because of Sarah. Talking about me getting emotional. Now I feel uncomfortable looking at him.

Vonda took a deep breath and calmed herself.

“Just calm down. Max and I are only helping each other. I’m not really losing anything,” Vonda decided. “I can still control everything.”

*

After repeatedly asking for Vonda’s decision, Max finally came to pick her up that Sunday night. He arrived around six o’clock and immediately went to Max’s parents’ house.

At first, they seemed relaxed with each other. However, everything changed as they passed through the apartment’s lobby. The reason was Rika, of course.

“There was a girl who said nothing going on. That’s what she said, but every Sunday night they go out together. Ah don’t forget about the plumber. It seems that there was a kind friend who fixed the sink. Uh … it’s nice to have a good friend like that.”

Vonda’s face and the tomato sauce-covered boiled shrimp looked indistinguishable. The same was true for Max. But at least Max was luckier because he did not live there.

“Rika sure talks like a leaky faucet.”

Max laughed as he drove. Instead of responding to Vonda’s comment, he changed the subject. He kept the conversation light during the drive.

Forty minutes passed unnoticed. Max’s car came to a stop right in front of the driveway. At that moment, the laughter and amused smiles that had resulted from their light conversation vanished. Replaced by a nervousness that made Vonda’s heart race.

Damn it! Why am I so nervous?

Max unbuckled his seatbelt, looked at Vonda, and spoke up.

“You recited the protection spell, right? I’m afraid your soul will be shaken when you enter.”

A joke that immediately brought a smile to Vonda’s face. “Of course. I hope I’m still alive when I get back.”

They got out of the car. Walking side by side, they approached the door. Max casually rang the doorbell and opened the door.

“Mom? Dad?”

Max walked in, only realizing that Vonda was still standing at the threshold. So, he retraced his steps, shaking his head. He grabbed Vonda’s right hand.

“This is my house. Just come in.”

Vonda took a deep breath. “Oh, okay.”

At the right moment, footsteps were heard from inside. Vonda and Max both turned to see Riley approaching. But she was not alone. She was accompanied by a middle-aged man, a cat and six kittens.

“Finally, my future daughter-in-law is here.”

As Max held her hand, Vonda swallowed nervously. The nine pairs of eyes staring at her made Vonda even more nervous.

“Meow.”

A kitten approached Vonda and rubbed its furry body against her legs. Vonda, who was wearing a loose knee-length dress that night, felt ticklish.

Riley stepped forward, picked up the kitten, and said, “Rimbo really knows beautiful girls,” glancing at Max. “Looks like you got some competition, Max.”

Crash!

“I’m competing with a cat?” Max asked incredulously. He turned to Vonda. “Are you choosing me or the cat?”

Blinking, Vonda’s eyes looked innocent as she said, “Well… that cat is really cute.”

Laughter erupted. Only Max seemed to pout.

Seriously. I lost to a cat, huh?

*