TEST DRIVE: A Night of Forbidden Desire

“Huh?” Vonda’s eyes widened, then she instinctively slapped Max again. “I can’t chew properly not because I’m enchanted, but because I’m scared! How can I eat when my dining companion has a scary face like him?”

The uncomfortable thud that briefly echoed in Max’s chest instantly turned to uproarious laughter.

“I know he is handsome. Everyone knows he’s handsome, and frankly, I adore his handsome face. But… that doesn’t mean I’m going to be enchanted by him. It doesn’t mean I want to sit at the same table with him. Even his look is sharper than chef’s meat cleaver. How can I eat when I might be the first to be sliced?”

Max tapped the steering wheel playfully, unable to contain the tickling in his stomach. Ignoring Vonda’s panicked face, he burst out laughing again.

“That much?”

“That much?” Vonda blinked. “Don’t you see the way he looks at people? It’s like there’s a laser that can dissect a living human body! Ugh!” She shuddered in horror. “You’re really heartless, inviting me to his house for dinner.”

“Hey-hey!” Max’s index finger pointed at her. “You could lose your job soon if I tell him everything you’ve just said, Von. Do you have enough savings to get you through that?”

“You.”

Max’s laughter, which had begun to die down, erupted again. He seemed so pleased to see Vonda’s panicked expression.

“Besides… Lucas isn’t that scary.”

Vonda’s eyes widened again, prompting Max to hastily interject, “Actually, he’s a little intimidating, to be honest.”

“Not just intimidating. I’ve never even seen him smile. Let alone laugh, he doesn’t even smile.”

“Uh-huh.”

Max only managed to clear his throat quietly as Vonda immediately started talking again. Just as the traffic light changed and Max accelerated the car.

“I hope I don’t get attacked by him during lunch.”

After that, Max could only chuckle. Finding it amusing to see Vonda’s frightened face, and considering the fact she had mentioned, Max was reminded of something he had overlooked.

Having initially thought that Vonda’s fear was just an exaggerated attitude, Max furrowed his brow. He realized his mistake.

When they both arrived at the Lucas residence, which was somewhat secluded from the hustle and bustle of the city, Vonda scooted a bit behind Max, trying to hide.

“I don’t want to be attacked at the door, Max.”

Vonda whispered to Max as he pressed the doorbell. Based on the information from the security guard, the couple was inside the house.

“By the way, why are you coming to his house all of a sudden, Max? And why did you bring me along again?”

After pressing the doorbell again, Max looked over his shoulder at Vonda, who tilted her head to see his face.

“Well, the thing is, I forgot to congratulate him on his wedding yesterday. So, um… instead of coming alone, I thought I’d bring you along,” Max replied with a hint of nervousness.

In Max’s mind, he recited mantras to make sure Vonda did not suspect that his reason for inviting her was clearly because of their fake relationship. He was worried that this would make Vonda even more uncomfortable.

Vonda’s eyes widened. “What? It’s been two weeks, Max. That’s so outdated.”

“I see.”

“And then? You came to congratulate her, but you didn’t bring a present?”

Max scratched his head. “Just like you said. It’s outdated. Even if I brought a honeymoon package, it doesn’t seem ethical. Their situation isn’t supportive, is it?”

“You should have bought lingerie.”

“I’m pretty sure I’d rather see a girl wearing lingerie than buy lingerie myself.”

Vonda laughed, but a moment later the sound died away as they heard the door open. A woman’s face appeared from behind it, smiling to greet their arrival. When their eyes met, she greeted them.

“Miss Scott.”

Vonda smiled in return. “Velia.” She blinked and shook her head briefly. “I mean, Mrs. CEO.”

Max burst out laughing.

*

Vonda’s body felt incredibly stiff. She brushed off her mistake in greeting her superior’s wife-Velia, who used to be her subordinate. Now she felt truly dizzy.

Vonda was in a situation that made her completely uncomfortable. Unfortunately, she might have been the only one who felt that way.

Max, sitting next to Vonda, obviously did not feel the same way. Look at him. He seemed so relaxed, enjoying every bite as he chimed in on the conversation at the dinner table.

“I never imagined that the girl you’re dating now is actually my employee, Max.”

Vonda nearly choked when she heard Lucas’ deep voice allude to her. Not out of arrogance, but really, right? Especially with those three pairs of eyes fixed on her. It was hard for Vonda to even chew.

Max looked at Vonda and looked uncomfortable to speak. “Well… yes.”

“If I may add, it seems serious this time. Auntie talks about it a lot.”

Max cursed in his heart.

What else did Mom talk about?

Vonda’s face turned incredibly red. She really could not say anything.

“Luc.”

The soft voice sounded like a drop of water in the desert to Vonda. Like a ray of hope, her savior from this embarrassing subject.

“That’s enough teasing. Can’t you see their faces are all flushed?”

Although Velia probably did not need to be so blunt.

“Ah.” Lucas studied their faces. Then he laughed. “You’re right, Ve. Their faces do look as red as the spicy shrimp you cooked.”

Huh?

Vonda stared, unblinking, even though the subject had changed. Somehow her eyes were hypnotized by the scene in front of her.

Velia served the spicy shrimp Lucas had mentioned on his plate. Lucas thanked her with a smile. At first glance, it was a routine interaction. But for some reason, Vonda got a different impression. Even in simple conversation, the couple seemed full of affection.

In reality, this lunch was not only filling Vonda’s stomach. Max noticed it too. As the car carried them back to the street, he asked Vonda.

“Why?”

Vonda did not turn her head. Her eyes remained fixed on the road as she answered his question.

“Is it true what they say? Finding the right person will make us happy.”

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