TEST DRIVE: A Night of Forbidden Desire

“Huh?”

Ignoring Vonda’s bewildered expression, Max became even more animated. As evidence, Max did not just turn his gaze to Vonda this time. He even turned his seat around. It was almost as if he suddenly sat cross-legged behind the steering wheel.

“Seriously! I just can’t wrap my head around how you can date a guy like that. No matter where you look, he’s not attractive in the slightest. Looks? No. Money? No. Attitude? No. So tell me, apart from your expired brain, what’s the reason you could possibly be dating him? Because the only reason I can think of for you to date him… is because your brain is malfunctioning.”

Max’s lengthy words were met with only two blinking eyes from Vonda. Understandable considering that when Vonda tried to speak, Max started berating her again with his rants.

“I guess I can understand that you sometimes have problems with your brain.”

Vonda truly found herself unable to say anything anymore. Only her eyes widened in response to each word Max threw at her.

“But at least… try buying a fish. They say Japanese people are smart because they eat a lot of fish. Who knows, maybe the fish meat could make you a bit smarter.”

“H-hold on a moment.” Vonda reached out her hand, trying to interrupt Max. “Why are you suddenly ranting incoherently like this?”

Max’s eyes squinted wide. He leaned his face towards Vonda, causing her to shrink back. It was as if he felt guilty, though he did not know why.

“I’m ranting incoherently?”

Max’s index finger moved and tapped Vonda’s forehead, making her gasp in disbelief.

“Your brain is incoherent. How can you even date a guy like that? Like Oceana has run out of quality guys. Even if it’s lacking, just save your salary. Take a short vacation and look for a potential partner abroad.”

Vonda smirked while rubbing her forehead that Max had just tapped. She said, “Forget about you, Max. I often think the same way.”

“See? Regardless of your higher position in the office than his, it’s still the same. From his mentality and attitude, he doesn’t show even the slightest sign of being a reliable household leader. You know, the first thing is his attitude as a guy. If his mental state is as weak as a cracker, he won’t be able to transform into someone strong.”

“Ah.”

“Many office-working women have husbands who don’t work in offices. Sometimes their salary is even lower than their wives’, but… their households still run smoothly. Why? It’s because of the husband’s good mentality. You know? No matter how much a woman earns, she can’t match the charisma of a responsible man. So, if a guy doesn’t have this mentality, he’s truly worthless. He’s called a potential household leader. As if your head isn’t right already, you’re looking for a potential household leader who’s even more off.”

“Yes, Max. Yes.”

“That’s why I’m really amazed. Even though your brain might be a bit off, at least you could find a guy better than Andrew. He’s not good in any way.”

Vonda pursed her lips and quickly replied, “Actually, I’m not really into Andrew like that. Um… I did have my heart broken when we broke up. Besides, who wouldn’t be shocked when they break up in a live stream, but…”

Max’s forehead creased. “But?”

“Well, you see? His family is really nice. So sometimes, I think I might regret letting him go.”

“Ugh!”

For some reason, Vonda suddenly burst into laughter at Max’s spontaneous mocking of herself.

“Hahaha! His younger brother is nice, his older brother is nice, and his parents are nice too. I thought, when else can you get such a good family?”

Max snorted. “Well, finding a partner should also involve looking at their family. But if the guy has problems to the level of godly proportion like this? You really shouldn’t hold onto him. Don’t worry. There are plenty of good guys with good families out there. Just give to charity more, so that God will take pity on you. God wouldn’t let a guy with no brains for a girl who’s already brainless. God wouldn’t want to see the offspring of humanity heading towards destruction.”

“You, really.”

Vonda exchanged her laughter for an amused frown. Somehow, despite Max’s incessant scolding about Andrew, she found it funny.

“Like you’re annoyed. I’m already pretty chill.”

If Vonda paid attention, Max’s face actually looked quite annoyed at that moment. Whether Max was aware of it or not, he muttered as if he were venting all his frustration. It was as if he were the one in Vonda’s position.

“I’m not saying this for no reason, but seriously! I hate girls who are smart in their studies but dumb about guys. So irritating. It’s just logical.” Max inhaled once and then exhaled rapidly. “Is it even okay for kids and grandchildren to be raised by a father like him?”

“Hahaha!”

Vonda could not help but laugh out loud again due to Max’s complaints. However, she realized that what Max said was true.

“Yes, Max. Yes. I know I’m really dumb to the point of dating that guy. Don’t worry. I won’t even think about getting back with him.”

“No! No! No! It’s not about not thinking about getting back with him, but you should get a local amnesia instead.”

“Hahaha!” Vonda hugged her stomach, feeling even more tickled. “Alright, alright. I’ll get a local amnesia for Andrew. Oops!” Vonda covered her mouth and her expression changed as if she were confused. “Who’s Andrew again? Oh! Who were we talking about?”

Max instantly grinned. His hand reached out and landed on Vonda’s head. He patted it repeatedly while saying, “Good girl. Don’t try to find a trashy guy like that again, okay?”

Vonda nodded and quickly replied, “I’m ready to comply!”

Vonda’s response made Max smile, he let out a long breath and felt relieved. For a moment, he just stared at Vonda whose eyes seemed to disappear as she smiled so broadly.

A moment later, Max said, “I think the guy is gone now.”

Vonda looked in the direction of Max’s gaze. To the point where Andrew disappeared. There seemed to be no chance that the guy would reappear. Neither his image nor himself.

“Why?” Vonda asked as she saw Max getting up from his seat, not showing any signs that he was about to start driving. “Where are you going?” she asked as she saw Max reach out towards the door handle, as if he was about to pull the key lever there.

“Well, I’m going back, of course.”

Vonda was confused. “Huh? Weren’t you supposed to ride with me?”

“Ugh! Did you really think my car was actually broken down?” Max asked teasingly. “Even if it was, couldn’t I just order a taxi?”

Vonda blinked her eyes.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

That’s exactly what I was thinking earlier.

“Alright, I’m going back. Drive safely.”

Vonda had not had a chance to say anything when Max finally left. He walked casually to his own car.

Considering waiting for a moment, Vonda found Max signaling her. Asking her to go first, and that’s what Vonda did.

Vonda changed seats and quickly started the car’s engine. She drove off after honking a farewell to Max.

*

On a calm Saturday night, Vonda was enjoying a peaceful restful time in her apartment. Armed with a bowl of vanilla-flavored corn puffs and her favorite movie that she had watched multiple times, Vonda prepared to indulge her mind.

The movie of choice for Vonda that night was a romantic comedy from 2011. Starring Anna Faris and Chris Evans, the movie was titled “What’s Your Number.”

“Humming hum hum. I’m definitely going to watch it over and over until I’m satisfied. Because, you know, when else can I see Captain America in just his underwear?”

Vonda giggled with amusement as that thought flickered in her mind. Adjusting her position in front of the television, she began to enjoy the film.

Starting from the scene where the character Ally woke up in the morning and sneaked out of bed while her bedmate was still asleep. Hurriedly fixing her appearance, making herself look a bit more presentable for the assumption: Wow! You still look so pretty even when you’ve just woken up.

But in reality, the sleep crust and drool had been cleaned off. Replaced by a swipe of mascara and the scent of toothpaste.

“Hahaha!”

Vonda laughed. She was reminded of something that was the complete opposite of the scene in the movie. Something involving a personal experience, it seemed.

“There was a time like that, you know. Instead of getting all dressed up to greet the guy who’s about to wake up, she actually left before the guy woke up. Hahaha!”

While laughing, Vonda then turned to her phone that had beeped. She wiped her hand briefly with a tissue, then reached for the device.

“Max?” Vonda grinned. “I just remembered, oh, his message just came in.”

Vonda’s mouth was still chewing when she opened the message. She read it immediately.

Max:

Do you have plans tomorrow?

“Ugh.” Vonda made a small noise as she read the message. “No greetings or anything? So straight to the point.”

Vonda:

I don’t think I have any plans. Why?

Vonda put her phone aside for a moment. She looked back at the movie. Exactly when the character Collin appeared with a red apple in his hand. It made Vonda turn her head around, trying to find an impossible angle to see.

“Oh no! How come the lamppost is right there, perfectly blocking the view of Chris Evans’ ultimate weapon? Now I can’t see it.”

Right at that moment, a message from Max popped up again.

Max:

Join me tomorrow. I’ll pick you up at ten. Don’t oversleep just because it’s Sunday.

For a moment, Vonda just stared. Ignoring the movie that kept playing, she focused on Max’s message.

“Huh? Join you tomorrow? Don’t oversleep?”

Vonda blinked her eyes. Worried that her eyesight might suddenly be faulty. Maybe she had misread it, but…

“What’s up with this guy? He contacts me out of the blue and it’s so unclear like this?”

Vonda:

What do you mean? Join you where?

It did not take long for Max’s reply to come in.

Max:

I want to take you out for a free lunch tomorrow.

Max’s brief response made Vonda squint her eyes. It did not make her happy, rather the opposite.

“I’m kind of suspicious. Why does he suddenly want to take me out for a free lunch? Hmm… it’s worth questioning.”

Vonda:

Free lunch? What do you mean? Where?

Now Vonda was completely unfocused on her movie. Nor on the delicious corn puffs. She was more interested in Max’s intentions and purpose.

Max:

Oh dear. Relax. You won’t come to any harm having a free meal with me. Just be ready tomorrow. I’ll pick you up.

Vonda’s lower lip curled as she read Max’s response. However, she chose not to argue anymore. Vonda chose to continue watching the movie and enjoying the corn puffs instead of pondering Max’s intentions. So, she replied to Max’s message briefly.

Vonda:

Okay.

A few minutes later, a pleasant thought emerged in Vonda’s mind. A smile spread across her face.

“Well, it’s a kind of expense-saving, right? Why reject a free meal? It’s called being frugal even before marriage.”

*