TEST DRIVE: A Night of Forbidden Desire

“Dududu dududu dududu. Nice to meet you, where you been? I could show you incredible things. Magic, madness, heaven, sin. Saw you there and I thought. Oh, my God, look at face. You look like my next mistake. Love’s a game, wanna play?”

Don’t imagine Taylor Swift holding a solo concert in the courtyard of Greatech building that morning. Just don’t! Seriously, don’t even go there, because the one singing “Blank Space” was Vonda.

She appeared radiant, her hair shining under the morning sun. Ironically, Vonda did not just disturb the morning ambiance with her tone-deaf singing; she also managed to ruin the view with her awkward movements, strutting as if she were a model on a catwalk.

Sarah quickly covered one side of her face with her palm and hurried ahead of Vonda, who was still walking in.

“Sorry, I’m not Sarah. I swear I don’t know this crazy person,” Sarah said, taking the initiative to distance herself from Vonda.

Vonda immediately stopped singing and called out, “Sarah!”

However, Sarah did not stop; she actually picked up her pace. This, in turn, urged Vonda to run after her. Finally, they caught each other just in front of the elevator.

Phew!

Perfect timing. Vonda grabbed Sarah’s hand and pulled it down.

“You’re really something, you know that?” Vonda scolded.

“What’s wrong with you?” Sarah retorted. “Seriously, Vonda. Do you know how sad Taylor Swift would be if she heard you sing her song like that? She might regret ever writing it.”

The stifled giggles of the employees who overheard their strange conversation in the morning filled the elevator. Vonda frowned.

“Friends have no manners, do you?” she grumbled as the elevator doors opened.

Waiting patiently, both Vonda and Sarah entered the lift. It was not too crowded, considering it was still very early in the morning.

“I don’t lack manners,” Sarah defended herself. “You lack common sense. Instead of feeding the less fortunate with a charity like eating porridge, you decide to treat them to a humiliating concert.”

Vonda glanced around once more, finding a few giggles still held back by some of the employees. Before long, she lightly tapped Sarah’s forehead.

“You’re really something, Sarah. As my best friend, you should be happy to see me this way.”

“Your happiness is my misfortune.”

“Ugh!” Vonda exclaimed.

However, something suddenly crossed Sarah’s mind as the lift continued its ascent. She turned her face to look at Vonda, who was now pouting with her arms crossed.

Sarah realized something. Vonda did seem happy that morning. Unlike a week ago when she always appeared anxious and scared. It troubled Sarah.

“By the way,” Sarah whispered, “why are you so happy?”

Vonda turned to look at her, putting on her poker face, and replied, “Like you care. Besides, I’m not happy anymore because of you.”

“Come on, don’t be such an old spinster throwing tantrums,” Sarah said.

Vonda glared.

“Oops! Sorry!” Sarah covered her mouth with three fingers, trying not to laugh.

While others might have thought that Vonda was upset about being called an old spinster by Sarah, the two girls were actually thinking the opposite.

Oh, right. Vonda has already, you know… Sarah’s inner voice giggled.

In her mind, Vonda chimed in. Yeah, like I’d still be a virgin after having done that three times. I’d be in the Guinness World Records if I were!

Sarah eventually burst into laughter. She wanted to continue teasing her friend, but unfortunately, the elevator had already arrived at Vonda’s floor. She stepped out after playfully pinching Sarah’s stomach, causing her friend to groan and curse before the elevator doors closed again.

However, just two steps outside the lift, Vonda’s happy aura returned. It was the moment she reached up to touch her long bangs that framed part of her forehead and extended behind her ears. So soft. As she smiled and walked towards her office, Vonda pondered that the salon was indeed the best place to lift her spirits.

Moreover, when she thought about it, there were many reasons for her to smile that Monday morning. Apart from the tender touches her hair received from the salon’s magical hands, Vonda had driven to the office in her own car. Yay! And let’s not forget the pair of sharp-heeled shoes she was wearing, seven centimeters high, which also contributed to her happiness. Oh yeah, no need to wonder. Those shoes were the result of her and Riley’s shopping spree yesterday after the salon.

Vonda entered her office, half-humming to herself. However, as she was about to close the door, she suddenly felt a push on her back, making her rush inside while the door quickly closed. She turned to find Max, who had come out of nowhere, surprising her.

“Max,” Vonda blinked. “I mean, good morning, Sir.”

Max waved a hand in front of his face. “No need for formalities. I have something to ask you.”

Vonda blinked again. “What do you want to ask?”

It took a lot of effort for Max to contain himself. He did not want to exert too much energy and end up screaming at that moment.

“How far are you and my mother?”

Vonda was momentarily stunned by Max’s question. She stared at the handsome guy with his thick black eyebrows without expression.

Unlike Vonda, Max was struggling to remain calm amid the pounding of his heart as he awaited her response.

Vonda sighed for a moment. “What do you mean, my relationship with your mother?” she asked in a flat tone. “What are you trying to say?”

Max was confused about how to phrase it, but eventually he explained what he meant.

“Are you and my mother close?”

This time, Vonda furrowed her brow, tilting her head to one side.

“Close?” Vonda repeated the word. “I don’t know, are we close or not? But we were happy together yesterday.” She briefly rolled her eyes, as if reminiscing about their shopping spree the day before. “Yeah, that’s it. We had lunch, went to the salon, and then went shopping.”

Max stayed silent, observing Vonda, who seemed enthusiastic about recounting their time together.

“Oh! Look!” Vonda said, propping herself against the wall as she lifted one foot. “These are the shoes your mother picked for me. They suit me, don’t they?”

That did not help Max at all; it only made him more hysterical. “Why are you so close with my mother like this, Von?”

“Huh?” Vonda was puzzled by Max’s panicked expression. “Am I not allowed to be close with your mother?”

“Oh my God.”

Max seemed like he wanted to squeeze Vonda.

Oh no! Which part of Vonda do I want to squeeze?

Max tried to control his breath, attempting to remain calm in this situation.

Dealing with these two crazy women required patience, Max. Otherwise, you might go crazy too. Imagine how the staff at the mental hospital must feel.

“Vonda Raveena Scott.”

Perhaps for the first time, Max pronounced Vonda’s full name with that intonation, which made her fall silent. It seemed to urge her to patiently wait for Max to continue speaking.

“You’re not really my girlfriend, right?” Max continued. “So why do you have to get close to my mother? You don’t need to try to win her heart.”

Win Riley’s heart? Oh, clearly that was not Vonda’s intention and goal. If Max wanted to know, Vonda actually wanted to distance herself from Riley from the very beginning.

“You’re speaking carelessly,” Vonda said, taking a deep breath. “You don’t know how I felt when I woke up and suddenly met your mother, do you?”

This time, Max waited for Vonda to continue.

“I was shocked, and it felt like I wanted to run away to Antarctica. Especially when Mom called me her future daughter-in-law. Do you think I wanted that?” Vonda pouted. “Honestly, I didn’t want to, but…”

“But?” Max urged.

“But what can I do, Max? Mom is so kind. We just met, but it already feels like I’m her own daughter. We went to the salon together, something I’ve never experienced in my life. Not to mention she helped me pick out new shoes. It would be strange if I’m not close to her while she’s like that with me.”

“Oh my God!” Max growled, dramatically closing his eyes and slapping his forehead.

“Besides, even if we’re not really getting married, it doesn’t mean I can’t be close to your mother, right?”

When Max opened his eyes, there was an indescribable look in them.

“Are you saying you don’t want to share Mom with me a little?” Vonda asked. “I’ve been kind, you know? Saving you from an arranged marriage you didn’t like. For something so important, don’t I deserve even a little appreciation? I’m the girl who helped you out!”

Max was perplexed. “But you also have a mother.”

“True, but my mother is not here,” Vonda said. “Besides, Max, think about this. Wouldn’t it be weird if your girlfriend doesn’t want to get close to your mother?”

Max blinked, pondering Vonda’s question. Now, the change in his facial expression made him grin.

“Weird, right? Weird, right?” Vonda’s grin widened as Max’s forehead furrows increased. “Of course, it’s weird. Your family might start questioning the authenticity of our relationship, and they will doubt it.”

Hmm? Actually, what Vonda said was true.

“That’s why, Max. Just consider it as me being a little generous to raise the level of my assistance. Not just pretending to be your girlfriend. But also, to convince your parents that we are genuinely dating. When else would you meet a girl with such a social soul as mine?”

Max scratched his head. He felt that every word Vonda said was making him more confused. It was like he was now facing a seller of counterfeit goods by the roadside, an expert in manipulating potential buyers’ minds.

Vonda smiled, ignoring Max’s still uncertain face. She patted his shoulder gently a few times.

“Enough, Max. Relax. I being close to Mom won’t make the world end any sooner.”

Max widened his eyes. “It might not make the world end sooner, but it feels like my world is ending sooner.”

Vonda grinned. “Relax. Just relax.”

While Max was still confused by the situation, Vonda moved towards her desk just as a message came in, causing her phone to vibrate. Vonda quickly read the message.

Riley:

Vonda, do you know what? Edmund seems to want to take me on a honeymoon again. This must be because of my new hair.

From where he stood, Max could see Vonda smiling as she typed something on her phone. He felt uncomfortable. On one hand, Vonda immediately replied to the message.

Vonda:

Wow, that sounds great. But you can’t be happy alone, right? Where’s my share?

Vonda placed her work bag on the table and slowly sat in her chair, preparing to read Riley’s next message.

Riley:

The reward is the prayers and blessings for your and Max’s happiness in marriage. A mother’s prayer is more powerful than anything, Von. Amen.

Vonda jumped from her seat. “What?!”

*Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.