TEST DRIVE: A Night of Forbidden Desire

“Why are you here?”

“Well, why are you here too?”

“Did you follow me?”

“Hey! What if it’s actually you who followed me?”

The accusing questions were exchanged in a rapid back-and-forth, immediately drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

“Um… sorry. Do you two know each other?”

Sret!

Vonda and Max both turned to Howard Davis, the head of the human resources department. They stared at the middle-aged man, who blinked back in confusion, especially when they answered simultaneously.

“No.”

“Yes.”Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

Howard was taken aback by their different responses.

“Huh?”

Vonda and Max exchanged glances again. Just as Howard asked again, they looked at each other.

“Do you know each other or not?”

“Yes.”

“No.”

Once more, Howard was left bewildered as Vonda and Max changed their answers, still leading to different conclusions. This left everyone else in the room equally puzzled, exchanging looks with puzzled expressions.

Howard’s hand went up.

“Yes, no. No, yes. Which is it?” Howard repeated, mimicking Vonda and Max’s responses and pointing at both alternately. “Why are the answers different?” He furrowed his brow. “So which one is true?”

Similar questions filled the minds of everyone present. Consequently, they all found themselves staring at Vonda and Max with curious expressions. The pair of them swallowed their confusion, attempting to find a suitable and safe answer to the puzzling question. Max tried not to scratch his head, silently cursing.

Darn it! It’s my first day at work, and I’m already feeling like I’m on trial in front of everyone.

Vonda, on the other hand, felt like fleeing the room. How could she encounter the guy she had just slept with?

Ugh! I just wanted a peaceful life. How can I have peace when this guy is around?

Glek!

“Ahem!”

Max cleared his throat, his mind working fast, and he tried to smile, attempting to explain.

“Vonda and I met at Mr. Hernandez’s wedding party.”

Sret!

Vonda immediately turned her face away, her eyes locking onto Max with a look of fear.

Oh, God. How did this guy know my name?

“That’s why we’re a bit confused,” Max said, trying to appear nonchalant. “We sort of know each other, but not really.”

“Oh,” Howard nodded in understanding. “I see. Well… even if you do or don’t know each other, at least everything becomes easier. You and your boss already know each other.” Howard felt relieved. “You must have had a conversation that night.”

Wow! More than just a conversation, Sir.

Vonda swallowed her saliva, sneakily glancing at Max.

Actually, our conversation was brief, Sir.

Max took a deep breath, realizing Vonda was looking at him.

“So…” Howard clapped his hands once. “… I don’t need to go through the trouble of introducing the new boss and subordinate in the Development and Planning Department.” He showed a wide smile.

“What, Sir?”

“What, Sir?”

Vonda and Max’s simultaneous questions made Howard laugh. The middle-aged man then addressed the other employees.

“See! Earlier, their answers were not in sync, right? But now, after they found out they are the new boss and subordinate, they’re immediately in sync.”

Vonda blinked, slightly puzzled by Howard’s words. Although her mind had considered the dreadful possibility, she would not rush to believe it. Truly, Vonda could not trust her own thoughts right now.

That’s why, in the next moment, she gathered the courage to ask. Her mind might be mistaken about the possibility.

“Does that mean…?” Vonda looked at Max, who also seemed confused. “… Is this guy…?”

However, Vonda left her words hanging. Her heart could not bear to finish the sentence she dreaded. Although on the other hand, it seemed that Howard understood the meaning behind Vonda’s words. He nodded and spoke while looking at Max.

“Sir, Vonda Raveena Scott is your deputy.”

Max fell silent. It seemed like he was trying to digest the information he had just heard. Meanwhile, Howard turned to Vonda and spoke again.

“Vonda, this is Maxwell Hernandez. Your new department head.”

Darn it! How come my mind correctly predicted what would happen?

However, there was just one thing…

Max widened his eyes. Vonda did the same. This time, they were both startled by a single word.

“What?!”

*

Max took a step inside the room after Vonda opened the door for him. His head moved from side to side, slightly turning his body as he surveyed the surroundings. Seeing a neatly arranged set of sofas, Max shifted his focus to the desk on the opposite side of the room. His eyes fixated on the nameplate there, “Deputy Head.”

He exhaled once and this time, his gaze shifted to a door on the wall. The sign on it read, “Head.”

Max understood. Logically, they both were in different rooms.

No, Max shook his head. He and Vonda were indeed in the same room.

Uh-oh!

Max growled inwardly and turned around. Just as he locked eyes with Vonda, a question immediately pointed at him.

“How did you know my name?” Vonda stared intensely. “And why did you mention it to Mr. Davis?” Her forehead wrinkled with dread. “We haven’t been introduced. That night…”

“That night, we, uh… didn’t have time for introductions,” Max quickly finished Vonda’s sentence, blinking sheepishly. “Well, it was a bad attitude, but…”

“Who thinks about introductions when they’re, you know… busy?” Vonda asked, looking horrified.

Max froze. He raised his hand to rub his nape. Meanwhile, Vonda seemed to realize the words that slipped out of her mouth, quickly wiping her face for a moment, trying to refocus her mind instead of recalling that night.

“Are you spying on me?” Vonda asked after finding the core of the issue. Her face showed an expression of horror. “Why?”

Max took a deep breath. He was taken aback by Vonda, who suddenly folded her arms and asked.

“Are you already mesmerized by me? Is that why you wanted to find out about me?”

Max stared in bewilderment. “Huh?”

“Max,” Vonda whispered. “I’m begging you. Can we just forget about that night? Please. I don’t want to be the subject of office gossip, okay?”

Max could not help but let out a suppressed chuckle. “Wow! You’re really something, Miss.”

“What do you mean?” Vonda blinked, not understanding.

“Everywhere, the sentence you just said should’ve been said by a guy.”

Saying that, Max found Vonda’s puzzled expression, which prompted him to continue.

“I beg you. Can we just forget about that night? Please,” Max repeated Vonda’s words, showcasing his signature gesture-a combination of a pleading look and amusement at the same time.

“Oh, like that.”

Vonda nodded vaguely. Her mind affirmed Max’s words.

“Besides, Miss,” Max continued, “I’m not spying on you because I’m mesmerized by you.”

Vonda blushed slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“Instead, it’s because you left some things in my car.”

“Ah,” Vonda replied with a surprised expression. “Really?”

“Of course,” Max said. “There was a clutch inside with an invitation to Lucas’s wedding, right? I saw your name on the invitation. Vonda Raveena Scott.”

Vonda nodded in agreement.

“So, don’t worry. I don’t want to be the subject of office gossip on my first day either,” Max said, looking embarrassed. “Besides, that night…”

“We both got carried away, right?” Vonda continued Max’s paused words. “I got drunk and even insisted for… you know.”

“Intimacy with you,” Max added, this time continuing Vonda’s sentence. “Well, I just wanted to be a nice guy because you insisted.”

“What?” Vonda felt a bit unsteady on her feet and quickly leaned against the wall.

Max blinked briefly. “I’m right, aren’t I?” he asked innocently. “You were eager to have me…” Max’s hands rose and then moved in an abstract manner. “… do that to you.”

Vonda stared in disbelief. Her face looked truly shocked.

“Thank you so much, Max. I’ve never seen a guy so kind-hearted like you in this world.”

Max smiled. “You’re welcome, it’s not a bother at all.”

“What?!”

Vonda shrieked, and Max raised his hands in defense.

“I mean…” Max took a deep breath, adopting a cautious stance. “Next time, don’t get drunk again. Although it wasn’t too much trouble that night, please don’t repeat it.”

Vonda growled, clenching her fists. “I can assure you that I won’t get drunk again.”

“I’m glad to hear that, Miss.” Max breathed a sigh of relief. “Phew.”

Vonda snorted and moved to her desk, pulling out a chair and sitting down, only to find Max standing in front of her. Max’s hands pressed against the table with his body slightly leaning towards her.

“Just one more thing, Miss. I have a question.”

“What?” Vonda asked.

“Do you want to take your things with you?” Max inquired.

“Of course.”

Max’s face showed immeasurable relief.

“That’s great then. It’s just that, well… I’ve never had women’s underwear in my wardrobe before.”

Vonda widened her eyes.

“And it’s made of spiderweb fabric! Fishnet panty!” Max looked at Vonda helplessly. “Are you a spiderwoman?”

Vonda screamed, “No!”

*