TEST DRIVE: A Night of Forbidden Desire

“Isn’t that right, Von?”

Vonda blinked twice. Her awkward smile suddenly froze into a terrifying expression. In Max’s eyes, that expression looked exactly like someone in desperate need of a bathroom break.

Max took a deep breath and prepared to protest. “Mom…”

“Yeah, you could say that, Mom.”

Huh?

Max turned to Vonda, who had interrupted him. She spoke as she closed her spoon and fork in the middle of her already empty plate.

“Because, how can I put it, Mom?” Vonda gave the middle-aged woman a teasing look. “We’re still young. Can we handle a long-distance relationship for a long time?”

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Riley and Edmund’s laughter erupted. It was both pleasant and torturous for the middle-aged couple, considering that they were no longer young. They were torn between wanting to keep laughing or risk choking on the red beans in the chicken stew. They finally gave in.

After dinner, while two housekeepers cleaned the dirty dishes, Riley energetically dragged Vonda along. Seeing this, Edmund, who had originally wanted to chat with Max-since his son had not been home in a while-abandoned his original intention. Instead, he followed Riley and Vonda, who seemed to be heading for a room.

“I made this for you, Von. That’s why I really wanted you to come over.”

“W-what?” Though confused, Vonda still followed Riley’s lead. “What did you prepare?”

Edmund’s voice could be heard behind them. “You better like it, Von. I was so tired from accompanying her to find this item all over the place.”

Looking back over her shoulder, Vonda questioned Edmund. “What item, Dad?”

Riley opened the bedroom door. “An item for my future daughter-in-law.”

Riley let Vonda and Edmund sit on the available sofa in the room. Meanwhile, she went over to the wardrobe. Opening a door, she pulled out a knee-length dress. She showed it to Vonda, who immediately felt overwhelmed.

This isn’t an heirloom dress, is it?

The feeling of panic was not unfounded. Vonda trembled as she stood and reached for the lilac dress. Simple in design, the dress looked incredibly elegant. With sleeves that reached her elbows, the dress flared at the bottom and tapered at the top. The combination of chiffon and brocade seemed perfect for a young woman like herself.

Please, God, don’t let this be a dress from Max’s great-great-grandmother.

Of course, the modern dress was not an heirloom, as Vonda had feared. Riley explained later.

“Do you remember Via? Olivia.”

Vonda nodded. “What about her, Mom?”

“Since her engagement to Max was called off, her younger sister wants to get engaged first,” Riley replied. “If I’m not mistaken, Edeline is getting engaged next month.”

Huh. Vonda still didn’t understand the connection with the dress.

“So, you’ll have to come to her engagement party.”

Finally, Vonda understood. “I a-attend?”

It was Edmund who answered Vonda’s hesitant question. His face was full of enthusiasm.

“Of course, you must come, Von.”

Riley nodded energetically. “So, I can introduce you to my friends.”

Vonda froze.

Introduce me to her friends?

As this question spun around in her head, Vonda could see the radiant joy on Riley and Edmund’s faces. Their eyes were sparkling. Unconsciously, Vonda clutched the dress in her hands.

*

It was almost ten when Max’s car pulled up next to Vonda’s apartment. Glancing around, Max could see that the atmosphere was still lively. That was not unusual, considering it was a Sunday night.

Max turned to Vonda, who was in the passenger seat. She was silent. Max’s brow furrowed, as if he had just realized that Vonda had barely spoken during the ride back.

“Vonda?”

Max called Vonda’s name quietly. Vonda turned and unbuckled her seatbelt, offering a smile.

“Thanks for tonight, Max,” Vonda said.

Max’s eyes met Vonda’s. He sensed that something was wrong with her.

“What’s wrong?” Max asked, unbuckling his seat belt and turning slightly to face her. “You seem a little different.” He studied Vonda more closely. “Did something happen at dinner? Did my parents say something to you?”

Vonda remained silent, but slowly bit her lower lip. Her action only increased Max’s curiosity.

“My mom must have said something that…”

Vonda’s lips tightened as she shook her head, causing Max to stop in mid-sentence. But her head shake did not ease Max’s concerns. In fact, it had the opposite effect.

Max became more alert to all possible scenarios. But he understood. He could not force Vonda to talk right away. He had to take it slow.

“And then?” Max asked carefully. “Why do you look so desperate?”

“I…”

Max sensed a change in Vonda’s voice. And before he could fully comprehend the situation, he suddenly saw a tear rolling down her cheek.

“Vonda?” Max’s eyes widened. “What’s wrong with you?”

Vonda quickly wiped away the tear. “I…” Her teary eyes met Max’s. “Thank you, Max.”

“W-what? Thank you?” Max asked panicked. “What are you thanking me for that you’re crying like that?”

Another tear rolled down her cheek. Oddly enough, Vonda let out a soft chuckle at that moment.

“I’m really happy tonight.”

Vonda’s words and expression left Max speechless. He stood still as he watched Vonda wipe away her tears again, her smile seeming different.

“Not because of the dinner or the dress I got, but…”

Once again Vonda could not finish her sentence. But Max seemed to understand.

“Because of my parents, right?” Max asked.

Vonda nodded twice. She could not say anything else. She tried to hold back her melancholy sobs.

Max smiled and moved slightly, stretching out his arms.

“Come here.”

Vonda chuckled through her tears and smile. But she accepted his offer of a hug. Max gently stroked Vonda’s back.

“I’m grateful too. For making my parents happy tonight.”

Without words, but by burying her face in Max’s chest, Vonda’s arms tightened around his body. She took a deep breath of his scent, wanting to imprint that masculine aroma on every nerve in her olfactory system. She planned to remember this sensation for an indefinite period of time, not knowing how long it would last.

*