TEST DRIVE: A Night of Forbidden Desire

Of all the possible responses a girl could have when asked, “Are you his girlfriend?” Vonda opted for the lowest tier response: silence.

What could Vonda have possibly responded with anyway? Just a few minutes ago, she was ecstatic to find Max meeting with a woman, and now she was the one facing that woman.

No kidding! The moment they faced each other, Vonda was immediately cornered by the most effective and potent question that made her body go stiff.

Olivia turned her attention back to Max, who had stood up to join them.

“So, it’s true. You’re the girl Riley mentioned earlier. Yes. The girl is you. You’re Max’s girlfriend.”

Max closed his eyes dramatically.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

Oh, my goodness, Mom. Why did you reveal it to Via like that?

“You’re the one named Vonda, right?” Olivia turned to Vonda, this time even asking a trivial question, given the nameplate on the desk.

Unable to deny it, Vonda nodded.

Olivia seemed to assess Vonda, looking her up and down, and then back up again. Max groaned.

“So, are you really Max’s girlfriend?” Olivia asked as she stepped away from her spot.

Max reached out, trying to hold Olivia’s hand. “Via, please. This is the office. Don’t cause a scene here. Let’s talk about this later, I promise I’ll explain everything.”

Olivia’s steps halted. She briefly looked at Max’s hand holding her wrist, then her gaze met Max’s.

“I don’t want to cause a scene either, Max. But … seriously. You should have thought about this before ignoring my messages and rejecting all my calls. Just so you know, I don’t believe in ‘later, I promise I’ll explain everything.'”

On the other hand, even though Vonda understood the one being accused this time was Max, it still made her feel uneasy.

Oh dear, this is getting serious. I never dreamed I’d be involved in a lover’s quarrel like this.

Vonda’s eyes glared at Max.

What a shameless guy. He already has a girlfriend, yet he still dares to ask me to meet his parents? He truly lacks manners.

Max took a deep breath.

“Okay, sorry. But you know I’ve been busy with work here. I’ve only been here for a few days, Via.”

“Lies!”

That single statement interrupted the conversation between Max and Olivia, making both look towards the source of the voice. It was none other than Vonda.

Max gave her a furious look.

What is this girl doing?

Ignoring the warning in his eyes, Vonda continued speaking.

“Mr. Hernandez hasn’t been that busy this week. He’s only checking some backlog work.”

Damn it!

Olivia squinted her eyes at Max.

“Oh. Did you hear that? Even your own girl is saying this.”

“Oh God,” Max whispered.

“I’m sorry, Miss. I’m not his girlfriend,” Vonda interjected.

“Not?” Olivia asked incredulously. “Isn’t that what I heard when Riley mentioned our arranged marriage being canceled?”

“Wow!” Max mumbled.

“Arranged marriage?” Vonda’s eyes widened. “You and Max have an arranged marriage?”

Olivia smiled bitterly. “Yes. I’m Olivia Jade Rawnie. We’ve already been betrothed.”

“Goodness,” Vonda whispered in horror, looking at Max, who appeared embarrassed.

Max took a step closer to Vonda, concerned when he noticed that the tray in her hand was trembling, as if her grip suddenly weakened.

“Vonda, listen. I can explain everything,” Max said, his gaze unwaveringly fixed on her.

Ignoring all office decorum, Vonda asked with a sharp tone, “What else is there to explain? Can’t you see that I’ve already been accused of ruining your arranged marriage?”

Max cleared his throat, trying to find the right words. He took the tray from Vonda’s hand and placed it on the table, preventing it from falling.

“Wait, Von. You’ve misunderstood the situation,” Max said cautiously.

“How did I misunderstand?” Vonda asked sharply.

“It’s not like you caused our arranged marriage to be canceled,” Max shook his head. He tried to calm her down. “It’s not like that.”

“But the fact remains that I’m the reason why your arranged marriage was called off,” Olivia argued.

Max turned to Olivia, who suddenly interjected. But before he could respond to Olivia, Vonda spoke first.

“I’m sorry, Miss Rawnie. I really have no relationship with him.”

Olivia snorted. “Don’t lie. I heard it from Max’s mom. She said that Max is dating a girl named Vonda.”

“Oh my God. I haven’t even been dating him, Miss,” Vonda said.

“So, you mean his mom lied to me?”

“It’s not his mom who lied to you, but Max,” Vonda replied.

“How could it be a lie? Weren’t you both together at Lucas’s wedding party?”

“Oh no.”

“Why? Can’t deny it, right? Come on, be honest.”

While the two girls exchanged words, Max, standing between them, glanced briefly at the door, making sure it was closed. At least that gave him some relief, knowing that no one from outside would overhear their heated argument.

Argh!

Max gripped his hair.

I wonder how some guys can even think about having two wives. I haven’t even married, and the two girls are already like MMA fighters. Oh God. Please, help me.

“Via,” Max whispered, using one hand to hold Olivia’s hand while trying to restrain Vonda’s hand with the other. “Vonda.”

Both Vonda and Olivia looked at Max and responded with the same question.

“What?!”

“What?!”

Gah!

Max cleared his throat.

“Don’t be emotional, both of you,” Max said. “Let’s discuss this issue with a clear head.”

Just from their facial expressions, Max already suspected that no one had a clear head in a situation like this. Neither Vonda nor Olivia looked like they were in a good mood.

“I know our situation is difficult, but it doesn’t mean you two have to fight like this. Regardless, I don’t want you both to fight because of me.”

Vonda glared at him, as did Olivia.

At the same time, Vonda and Olivia looked at each other and spoke in unison, surprisingly in agreement.

“Just for you!”

“Just for you!”

Max was taken aback.

“Eh?”

*