TEST DRIVE: A Night of Forbidden Desire

Wait a minute. There seems to be something wrong with the scenario here. Max was sure of it. Normally, when there are two women fighting and being mediated by a handsome guy like himself, they would both insist on fighting for him. Right? Of course, that’s how it usually goes. But what was happening now?

Max glanced alternately at Vonda and Olivia, who chose to sit opposite each other while he sat in the long chair in between them. Max looked annoyed as he watched Vonda and Olivia both sipping their tea.

Damn it! Why am I the only one not getting any tea here?

However, compared to the tea matter, Max was wondering about what happened earlier.

What does she mean?

“So, in essence, Vonda. I …,” Olivia paused for a moment. “Maybe we don’t need to be formal here? After all, this is a personal matter.”

Vonda nodded.

“Uh, Via.” Max tried to join the conversation.

Olivia gave Max a sharp look. “Hold on, Max. This is a girl’s matter.”

Max took a deep breath.

“In short,” Olivia continued, shifting her attention back to Vonda, “I came here just to ask Max for some clarity. Whether he already has a girlfriend or not. Because if he does, then I don’t need to bother finding a guy who can help me. Not to be rude, but that way, our arranged marriage can be canceled.”

“Prruut!”

Tea sprayed from Vonda’s mouth. She hurriedly grabbed a tissue to clean up the mess.

“W-what?” Vonda stuttered.

Olivia placed her tea on the table and smiled. “If Max and you are dating, that means I’m free from this arranged marriage.”

Oh my God.

Olivia’s words made Vonda feel like she was in a comedy carousel with her head upside down. Olivia’s explanations lined up neatly in Vonda’s mind.

Arranged marriage. Cancellation.

Damn it!

Vonda finally realized it.

So, this girl didn’t come here to confront me for intruding in their relationship? Instead, she actually wants to confirm whether their arranged marriage can be canceled? Canceled because she thinks me and this crazy guy are dating? Impossible. That can’t be.

Vonda shook her head. “Max and I are not dating, Via. I’m not his girlfriend.”

“Eh?” Olivia looked innocently at Vonda. “Riley said Max has a girlfriend named Vonda.”

Max looked at Olivia, completely disbelieving what she said.

What else did Mom tell her?

“Oh … that’s not true, Via.”

Max turned to Vonda. The girl looked determined to refute Olivia’s statement.

“Not true?” Olivia blinked a few times. “Then you two should just make it come true.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just start dating each other. Problem solved, right?”

“Eh? That’s impossible!” Vonda shuddered. “I absolutely don’t want to date him.”

Olivia took a deep breath. “You have to date him. So that we won’t be arranged together again.”

“I don’t want to. You and Max should still be arranged together.”

“No, it can’t be like that. You two are already dating.”

“What really matters is that Max should be with you, Via.”

As Vonda and Olivia exchanged arguments, Max was busy looking around, turning his head left and right. He watched the two stubborn women going at it, and it was driving him crazy. He felt like he was about to explode.

“Argh!”

Max growled, causing Vonda and Olivia to stop in their tracks. Both looked at Max, confused.

“Are you both really going this far?” Max asked in frustration. “Can’t you see that your words are undermining my self-esteem? Am I so unattractive that neither of you wants to defend me?”

“We never agreed to this arranged marriage from the beginning, Max,” Olivia replied.

“Yeah, that’s true, Via. But … you don’t have to go so far to cancel it. Using this kind of drama. It’s like being embarrassed to be arranged with me,” Vonda responded.

Max let out a frustrated sigh. This time, he turned to look at Vonda.

“What about you, Von? Do you dare go against your own boss?”

“I just don’t want to be the reason for someone’s arranged marriage being canceled. Like I’m not pretty enough, and that’s why I’m snatching someone else’s man.”

Max winced. “Oh my God.”

“You’re not snatching anyone from anyone, Von,” Olivia said. “You don’t need to feel guilty.”

Vonda insisted, “I still don’t want to.”

“Besides, Max is handsome, right? Look at him. He’s good-looking.”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Max became annoyed. “Now you’re praising me when it’s too late, Via.”

But Olivia ignored Max’s frustration. “He’s tall. He has a good body. Handsome face. When else can you find a guy like him?”

“Why does it feel like you’re a salesperson offering a product?” Max retorted.

Olivia ignored Max’s comment. Her gaze was still fixed on Vonda. “Right?”

Vonda glanced at Max. Just briefly, as she realized something. Even without looking, she could sense the truth in Olivia’s words. Yes, Max was attractive as a man. But still … Vonda shook her head.

“However, I still won’t be Max’s girlfriend,” Vonda insisted. “I can’t be in a relationship with a guy like him.”

Oh, ho! A guy’s pride was hurt here.

“A guy like me?” Max asked, sounding offended. “What do you mean?”

Vonda frowned. “You’re a fierce and rough guy. I don’t like that kind of guy.”

“Eh? Max fierce? Rough?” Olivia asked, surprised.

“Slander!” Max retorted. “When have I ever been rough or fierce towards you? When have I ever acted aggressively towards you?”

Vonda raised her chin, pointing at Max. “You wouldn’t know because you’re a guy.”

“Oh, please. Tell me then,” Max challenged. “Don’t just make baseless accusations because you’re a woman.”

“I’m not making baseless accusations,” Vonda replied.

“So, what is it then?” Max pressed. “Show me the proof that I’ve been fierce or rough towards you. What’s your evidence?”

Vonda narrowed her eyes, crossed her arms in front of her chest, and without hesitation, she said, “The proof is that you made me unable to pee all day!”

Eh?

*