TEST DRIVE: A Night of Forbidden Desire

Vonda needed more time to assess the situation. A minute after being dumbfounded, she decided to wash her face briefly, fearing there might be some dirt in her eyes causing her to see things incorrectly.

After that, Vonda returned to the kitchen to make sure if her vision had changed or not. However, what happened was that she was faced with this question.

“What do you like to eat, Von? Honestly, I didn’t know you would come to Max’s apartment. So, I didn’t have time to go shopping. I hope you like salads and nuggets. Max said you eat anything.”

Vonda felt bewildered and half insane as she responded, “Well, Ma’am. I am a true omnivore.”

Riley looked at her with an amused expression. “Don’t call me ‘Ma’am’. It sounds too formal.”

“Really?” Vonda blinked her eyes.

“Max calls me Mom, so you should too.”

That statement successfully left Vonda dumbfounded once again. Her mouth half-opened and she felt like her senses hadn’t fully gathered yet. Maybe washing her face earlier was not enough?

Vonda tried once again to clear her mind. As her second step, she went to the refrigerator and poured a glass of cold water. She drank it quickly to quench her thirst, and then she thought that dehydration might be causing her hallucinations. However, a minute later, she heard that voice again.

“Vonda, can you please take out the empty water bottles? Max always forgets to do that.”

Strangely enough, Vonda reflexively replied, “Sure, Mom.”

Vonda froze at her own words while Riley smiled widely from across the kitchen.

“I will prepare our dinner now.”

Vonda nodded stiffly. After Riley left, she took out two empty mineral water bottles from the fridge. She crushed them before throwing them in the trash, both to prevent them from being misused and to vent her emotions.

Where’s Max? Why am I waking up not receiving a cold coffee and pizza, but instead being served by a future mother-in-law? Geez, that guy is seriously asking for trouble, isn’t he?

Vonda’s internal rant stopped when Riley re-entered the kitchen and picked up the next set of dishes. At that moment, she immediately felt uncomfortable and hurriedly grabbed another plate, taking it to the dining table.

“Wow, Max really knows how to find a future wife. Beautiful and willing to help me with work,” Riley remarked with a grin.

Vonda laughed nervously after hearing the comment as they finished setting up all the dishes on the table.

“By the way,” Vonda whispered, glancing around. “Where’s Max, Mom?”

Riley flashed a teasing gaze and approached Vonda, grabbing both her hands, making Vonda feel on guard.

“You didn’t meet just a moment ago… and you already searched for him,” Riley said with a playful smile. “Max is at the nearby supermarket. We ran out of water. He’s also going to the pharmacy.”

“The pharmacy?” Vonda asked. “Who needs medicine, Mom?”

Riley’s eyes looked innocent as she answered Vonda’s question. “Well, of course, Max needs medicine.”

*

~

“Mom, I beg you. Please listen to my explanation. I can tell you everything.”

“Oh. You want to explain every detail of how you deflowered Vonda?”

“Mom, please. That’s not what happened.”

“Then what actually happened, huh?”

“Actually… actually… actually…”

“What? Can’t answer, can you? Can’t you?”

“Mom.”

“Oh, my goodness, Max! I know you’re already an adult and if you’re so eager for Vonda, just marry her. Why make it complicated?”

“Mom. It’s not like that, but-”

“Look! You’re already an adult and established. You can marry whoever you want, it’s your right. I already said it. I’ll agree with your choice.”

“Yes, Mom. Yes, but-”

“What, huh? Do you want to make Vonda pregnant first before marrying her?”

“No, she won’t get pregnant, Mom. We use condoms. So-Ouch!”

“How dare you say that to me?”

“It slipped, Mom.”

“It slipped? Oh my God. Are you really the child I gave birth to? Maybe you got swapped at the hospital.”

“Mom, please.”

“Please, please, please. Just answer my question this time. How many times have you deflowered Vonda?”

“Just once, Mom. As if Vonda’s virginity is layered like a layer cake. Really, you-Ouch!”

“You’re really driving me crazy.”

“Mom, I’m sorry. I have no intention of driving you crazy. You don’t need to worry. This is between me and Vonda. We’re both adults. We’ll handle all of this.”

“Yes, you both have to handle it, which means you have to ask Vonda as soon as possible.”

“Ask what, Mom?”

“When is she ready to get married?”

“What?! What do you mean, Mom?”

“I mean when do you plan to get married? What other considerations do you have? You don’t have any responsibilities. Nothing to worry about.”

“V-Vonda, Mom. Vonda.”

“Oh, right. I can see that Vonda is an independent woman. If she has any responsibilities or other considerations, we need to discuss it soon.”

~

Max closed his eyes, and then a voice was heard.

“The total is nine dolars, Sir,” said the cashier, snapping Max out of the flashback.

Max quickly took out his wallet and handed a bill to the cashier, ten dollars.

“You can keep the dollar as a tip,” said Max.

The cashier smiled. “Thank you, Sir.”

“But, in return, please pray for my long life. It seems like my life is in danger right now.”

The cashier looked puzzled. “Hah?”

Max’s steps were sluggish. He felt weak because he had not had a chance to eat. He had not even had time to take a shower to freshen up.

Why did Mom have to come suddenly like this? And why did Vonda have to have a nightmare at the wrong time? It’s like the whole universe knows everything that happened. Oh God. Just because of one night’s incident, everything is falling apart one after another like this, Max grumbled to himself all the way home.

Fifteen minutes later, Max arrived at the apartment unit. He entered and went straight in. Right at the dining table, he found two women chatting in front of their covered plates. It was clear that they had not started the dinner yet.

“Max?”

Vonda’s voice immediately sounded when Max arrived there. Placing his groceries on an empty chair, he chose to sit in the chair next to Vonda.

A tough choice. But sitting next to Vonda was safer than sitting next to Mom right now.

“Ehm,” Max cleared his throat briefly.

From her seat, Vonda furrowed her eyebrows when she noticed something odd about Max at that moment. On reflex, she raised her hand and touched Max’s ear.Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

“Why is your ear so red like this?” Vonda asked. “Oh my God. It looks scratched-”

“Ouch!” Max winced, pulling his head away from Vonda’s hand that touched his earlobe. “Don’t touch it, Von. It hurts.”

Vonda withdrew her hand, her forehead wrinkling. “Why is your ear like that?”

“I don’t know,” Max replied curtly.

Max’s gaze shifted to Riley, who kept blinking repeatedly. Rolling her eyes nonchalantly. Then she reached for a glass of water and drank casually.

“It’s like someone suddenly became the angel of death and carried out a judgment.”

“Eh?”

Riley chuckled once. “Enough, Von. Don’t worry about it. It’s just a little scratch. Let’s eat instead.”

Vonda looked at Riley and Max alternately, looking puzzled. Somehow, she felt as if Riley was the cause of Max’s ear being scratched.

But, come on… Max being pinched? He’s already this big. It’s not possible.

Riley served rice on her plate and handed the spoon to Vonda, then to Max. Soon, the three of them began to enjoy an unexpected dinner together.

For the first few minutes, the atmosphere seemed silent. The only sounds were the clinking of cutlery against plates. Until Riley called out to Vonda.

“Vonda.”

Vonda looked up. “Yes, Mom?”

Horror-stricken, Max reflexively turned to the side, looking at Vonda with a horrified expression.

Since when did she call my mom with Mom too? Is she really the one who got swapped at the hospital, like Mom said earlier?

Riley wiped her lips slightly before continuing. “I know this isn’t the right time. Besides, we’re supposed to meet again tomorrow, right?”

Vonda turned her head, looking at Max and giving him a quizzical look.

What’s happening tomorrow?

However, Max just sighed in response, which clearly didn’t satisfy Vonda’s curiosity.

“I actually didn’t want to rush talking about this.”

“About what, Mom?”

Max tensed up. His eyes widened in a silent plea. “Mom, I beg you. At least not at the dining table.”

“Max, this is important. I need to talk to Vonda.”

Vonda looked back and forth between Riley and Max. She was puzzled as she reached for her glass of water and took a sip, right when Riley asked her next question.

“When will you be ready to get married?”

Spurt!

Water sprayed everywhere. Vonda was clearly shocked by the question, causing her to choke and cough. Max quickly grabbed some tissues and wiped Vonda’s messy mouth.

“Oh my God, Mom. See what you did? You should have picked the right moment to talk.”

Vonda held Max’s hand in front of her face, looking at him with a mixture of panic, fear, confusion, and… terror.

“W-what’s going on, Max?”

Max kept his mouth shut tightly.

Oh God. How on earth am I going to explain all this to Vonda?

Vonda waited, but Max remained silent. Eventually, Riley spoke up.

“Max wants to propose to you, Von.”

Vonda felt her body go weak. Her hand, which was holding Max’s, fell into her lap. She could not believe what Riley just said.

Vonda turned to Max, demanding an explanation from him. She looked blankly at him and asked.

“You want to propose to me, Max?”

Max froze, glancing at Riley and then back at Vonda.

Mom will definitely scold me again if I say no. Besides, she’ll question the truth of our relationship. But I’m sure Vonda will hit me if I say yes. She’ll also question the truth of my story about avoiding the arranged marriage with Olivia. So…

Max swallowed hard. Realizing he was under pressure from both sides.

Choose the lesser risk, Max! Choose the lesser risk. Take the lesser risk.

Max took that risk, reaching for Vonda’s hand. His gaze turned sharp and direct on her, and with firm conviction, he answered with a single word.

“Yes.”

*