TEST DRIVE: A Night of Forbidden Desire

That night, Vonda did not look as sexy as she had during her first spontaneous encounter with Max. The knee-length off-white dress with a tight open shoulder that hugged her body was her choice then.

Instead of exuding a sexy impression, Vonda now presented herself differently. She seemed more reserved, though her natural beauty still shone through. At least that’s what Max’s eyes perceived.

Vonda chose a knee-length black dress. Again. Somehow it happened to match Max’s color choice.

The dress had short sleeves, cinched at the waist, and traced the contours of Vonda’s lower body with subtle elegance. It was remarkably simple, with minimal embellishment, yet it exuded an undeniable elegance. A single, not overly large ribbon adorned the back of Vonda’s dress, serving as a bow to modestly cover the open area there.

Yes, Max sighed in his thoughts. If I look closely, it’s understandable that she prefers dresses with open backs. Her back is really beautiful.

Max blinked. Just as Vonda, her hair elegantly styled in a simple updo, greeted him.

“Hi, Max.”

Max smiled. “Hi there.”

Max’s eyes widened. Vonda looked at him, a small wrinkle forming on her forehead.

“Um. You’ve probably been eating too much fatty food lately. Your voice sounds hoarse.”

“Huh?” Max blinked, then cleared his throat a little louder than usual. “Um! Y-yeah, I guess.”

“Would you like a drink?” Vonda offered.

But Max quickly shook his head. “No need. I’m fine. Let’s just go.”

Max declined the offer and Vonda did not insist. She pulled the doorknob, and the two of them walked down the hall to the elevator.

Oh, my goodness. Why do I feel so awkward suddenly?

Max took a deep breath, trying to dispel the warmth that had spread across his face. A natural reaction, embarrassment crept in as the fact sank in that his voice had become embarrassingly hoarse due to Vonda’s performance earlier that evening.

Embarrassing, but Max defended himself. Vonda did look beautiful, and it caused a slight disturbance in his mind.

Her appearance really did not reflect her somewhat eccentric personality.

Max and Vonda arrived at the wedding venue on time. It was held in an art gallery that had been transformed into a vibrant wedding reception hall. Bright lights adorned with blooming flowers of various colors created a stunning ambiance. As if they were the perfect welcome for all the guests.

Out of politeness, or perhaps because he had been taught by his parents, Max walked confidently over to the passenger side of the car. He opened the door just before Vonda could reach for the handle from inside. Vonda smiled as she noticed Max holding the door for her.

Yes, at least he knew the etiquette of dealing with women, even in the smallest gestures.

Max held the door open with one hand. His face slightly downcast, Max’s gaze followed as one of Vonda’s legs descended and touched the parking lot floor. Casting a clear silhouette against her slender calf. Making Max swallow hard.

Vonda stepped out of the car and glanced at Max’s hand, which was raised just above his head. It was then that Max’s joke was heard.

“If your head hits the roof of the car, I’m afraid your brain will get even more messed up.”

Instead of getting angry, Vonda burst into giggles. She briefly considered giving him a playful pinch-perhaps in the stomach or arm-but decided against it.

Her clothes would get wrinkled.

They passed the greeters. While Vonda signed her name in the guest book, Max looked around. He noticed that many guests had already filled the seats inside.

“Let’s go.”

Max turned to find Vonda standing next to him. He gave her a quick nod and they entered.

“Um, this is my high school girlfriend’s wedding. So, this event is supposed to be lively with my high school friends,” Vonda explained, glancing around the room. “Maybe they haven’t arrived yet? They’re still talking on the group chat about being on their way.”

Max glanced as Vonda put her phone back in her purse.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

“So?” Max asked. “Do we wait for your friends to get here first?”

Vonda narrowed her eyes. “Like they’re so important.”

Max grinned.

“Besides,” Vonda continued, mischief gleaming in her eyes. “How many tables do we have to visit here?”

Max chuckled. He looked around. Of course, he understood what Vonda was referring to – the food tables scattered around the place.

Looking back, Max’s eyes met Vonda’s. He caught a glimpse of her cleavage as she tilted her head to look at him.

“Are you ready?” Vonda challenged him in a playful tone, and Max gladly accepted the challenge.

It was obvious from his reaction a moment later.

“Who’s afraid?”

They shared a quick laugh and began their adventure. To begin, they decided to warm up at the fruit table. Various fruits were beautifully displayed, ready to be enjoyed. Watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple, papaya, and oranges were among the offerings, all looking fresh with small cubes of ice around them.

“Okay. This papaya is so sweet. Seriously.”

Max turned to Vonda and noticed that her cheeks were slightly puffed up from a piece of papaya she had just eaten.

Swallowing the piece of melon he had bitten into, Max looked at the small plate in Vonda’s hand. He noticed that she had taken more papaya than other fruits.

“Really?” Max asked, as if he needed more convincing, even though Vonda’s face had already answered the question clearly.

Vonda nodded. “Try it.”

With a small fork in her hand, Vonda lifted a piece of papaya toward Max. Within seconds, the fruit disappeared into Max’s mouth. His forehead furrowed as he chewed, and the taste buds on his tongue savored the sweetness emanating from the papaya.

“Isn’t that right?” Vonda smiled broadly. “It’s incredibly sweet.”

Max nodded. “Well, the melon is very refreshing too. Here, try it!”

This time it was Max who raised the fork and offered the fresh green melon. Vonda nodded as the piece of melon changed shape in her mouth and slid smoothly down her throat.

“This pineapple is a little tart, you know.”

Max remarked, shifting his attention to the pineapple. “Yeah, you’re right. Luckily the watermelon and oranges are sweet.”

“By the way,” Vonda half-whispered in Max’s ear, feeling lucky for the extra three inches her heels gave her so she could just tiptoe to reach his ear. “Don’t eat too much watermelon and oranges.”

Max, who had originally intended to take both kinds of fruit, pulled his hand back. “Why?”

As if to add drama to her statement, Vonda narrowed her eyes and even added a mysterious aura to her tone.

“Because watermelons and oranges have a lot of water in them. If you eat too much of them, your stomach will be full of water and won’t have room for other food.”

Max laughed and put his fruit plate on the table. “You’re absolutely right. Thanks for reminding me.”

Vonda put her fruit plate down as well. “What’s next?”

“Food bar!”

The next object they approached was the food bar. From taco, burger, pasta, mashed potato, salad, sereal pancake, waffle, nacho, sushi, and ice cream. They enjoyed every one of them.

After finishing the food bar, they moved to the main course table while continuing their conversation. At that moment, a greeting reached their ears.

“Vonda?”

*