TEST DRIVE: A Night of Forbidden Desire

Vonda took a slow deep breath while her mind kept replaying Sarah’s words from their lunch conversation. Trying not to dwell on that, her brain instead initiated something entirely different.

Me? Raped that guy? No way!

Vonda pursed her lips, cursing herself slightly as she adjusted her position in the office chair. The memories continued to resurface.

He’s a guy, just a guy. His name is Maxwell Hernandez, Von. He’s your boss now. Get on his bad side, and you’ll regret it.

But wait… Why does his name have Hernandez too? It reminds me of Mr. Lucas Hernandez’ name.

Vonda shook her head once. Shortly after, a slight feeling of nausea crept over her as she entertained that possibility.

No way! There’s no way someone like him could be related to Mr. Lucas Hernandez. They’re worlds apart, like the North Pole and the South Pole.

Her body shivered, a slight chill running down her spine, as if there was a ghost passing behind her. Especially when the conversation with Sarah echoed in her mind again.

~

“Let me ask you. Who initiated the intimate encounter first? You or him?”

“Well, it was me, Sar.”

“And how did he respond when you approached him? Did he reject or accept?”

“Well, he rejected it right away, actually.”

“There you have it! Then, what happened next, after you were rejected?”

“Well, I… I climbed onto his lap and-”

“Stop! No need to continue. My brain is still too functional to imagine the crazy things you did next in the car.”

“Well, it’s just like that.”

“So, by now, you should realize that even if any form of assault happened, it means you assaulted him, not the other way around. It’s not like a girl can be assaulted and then take the initiative to be on top. Seriously, think about it. It seems like you’re the one who raped him.”

“Well, that’s true. Usually, the victim is always underneath, right, Sarah? Where do you find a girl being raped but taking the initiative to be on top? Ehm… really. It seems like I am the one who raped him.”

“Because of that, Von. Even though it’s unlikely he’d report you to the police, it would still be embarrassing if people found out. Do you want your name to be in the news with a headline like this: ‘Shocking! This girl raped a guy on the roadside.’ The third fact will leave you astonished.”

“Huh?”

“You don’t want that, do you? So, just pray that he won’t bring up that night again.”

“You’re just scaring me, Sarah.”

“Well, it’s logical, right?”

~

Vonda swallowed hard. Sarah’s last question was still occupying her mind. Despite how logical Sarah’s words were, Vonda could still think for herself.

No guy would ever report being raped by a girl on the roadside, right? Come on. It may be embarrassing if it’s investigated by the police, but wouldn’t it also disturb his pride as a guy?

Vonda shook her head, trying to convince herself for the umpteenth time that everything would be alright. Just as she was lost in her thoughts, the door to Max’s office suddenly swung open with force.

Brak!

“Oh, my goodness!”

Vonda jumped in her seat, instinctively clutching her left chest, which was now pounding rapidly. A perfect mix of surprise at the loud noise and the appearance of a guy standing before her. Strangely, her initial shock quickly turned into tension that permeated her entire body as Max approached her. Then he spoke with a heavy voice that sounded loaded with emotions.

“I demand accountability from you.”

Vonda paled. She hoped that she misheard or that Max was just playing around, but no guy could play around with such a serious expression.

Oh my God! Sarah was just talking about it, and now it’s actually happening?

Trying to calm herself, even though it seemed impossible, Vonda asked with a trembling voice, “W-what?”

In her vision, Vonda could see the stern look on Max’s face as he leaned closer to her. Both of his hands pressed against the table, his body leaning toward Vonda, bringing their faces inches apart. The seriousness emanating from Max’s eyes made Vonda feel a mix of warmth and chills.

Gulp!

“I repeat,” Max emphasized. “You must take responsibility for what you did to me that night.”

Vonda’s breath felt like it stopped. Max’s words left no room for any positive interpretation in her mind.

“You must take responsibility.”

This time, Vonda’s eyes widened, her mouth agape. Fear gripped her entire body, and there was no mistaking it.

Oh God. This could ruin my life. I could be shamed forever. Being accused of assaulting a guy? It’s probably unheard of in Oceana.

Meanwhile, Max maintained the intensity of his gaze on Vonda, not even blinking. He seemed determined to show the seriousness of his words. Vonda could feel her body turning cold, like that of a murder victim’s mutilated corpse. Her life seemed to be torn apart as she envisioned the grim possibilities ahead.

“D-Do you want to report me to the police?” Vonda asked, her voice trembling. It was as if her tongue could barely form the question.

Max blinked. Trying to stay serious, a faint furrow appeared on his forehead, slightly confused by Vonda’s question.

“The police?”

Vonda took a deep breath. “Isn’t it too much if you report me to the police because of our accident on the roadside that night?”

Max blinked again, this time adding another crease to his forehead.

Is this girl crazy? What is she talking about? Is she drunk again?

Considering the situation, Max leaned closer, trying to detect any hint of alcohol. However, there was none. Besides, who would get drunk during working hours?

On the other hand, Vonda felt terrified as Max got closer to her. She saw it as an unavoidable prosecution, a demand for retribution without any possibility of a peaceful resolution.

“I know I was wrong. I did force you to… to…” Vonda cleared her throat repeatedly. “… to sleep with me in the car. But… it didn’t harm you at all, did it? Does it have to be reported as rape?”

What?!

Max felt his jaw drop and choked on his own breath. He could hardly believe what he was hearing.

Didn’t harm me at all?

His eyes widened, and he growled, “You say it didn’t harm me at all? Didn’t harm me at all?”

Gasp!

Vonda pushed herself back until she was firmly pressed against the back of the chair, unable to retreat any further. Panic gripped her.

You’re done, Von.

“Do you think just because I’m a guy, your actions that night didn’t harm me at all?” Max pressed Vonda. “Didn’t harm me at all? Didn’t harm me?”

Gasp!

Vonda was paralyzed with fear as Max’s eyes bore into hers. She could not utter a word. Her mind was racing, and she felt trapped.

You’re done, Von.

Vonda’s lips trembled in response to Max’s question, and her eyes were ablaze. She wanted to defend herself, but her conscience acknowledged the mistake she had made, leaving her feeling terrified.

How much does hiring a lawyer cost? Would they take a treat for lunch?

“Hold on a second,” Vonda said, taking a deep breath. “Besides… it can’t really be called rape.”

Max’s face hardened.

“Really…” Vonda blinked. “Do you think a guy who was raped… could still be conscious enough to put on a condom?”

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“It clearly wasn’t rape,” Vonda continued, trying to muster some courage. “It was consensual.”

“Consensual?” Max asked, sounding horrified.

Vonda nodded stiffly.

“Yes.” She lifted her chin, trying to appear brave. “Consensual.”

“Fine!” Max said. “So, you don’t want to take responsibility?!”

This time, it was Vonda’s turn to widen her eyes, while Max’s face turned redder. Numerous thoughts raced through his mind.

Mom.

Olivia.

Vonda.

Arranged marriage.

Future wife.

Argh!

It made Max incredibly dizzy.

If I can’t bring Vonda to meet Mom; that means I’ll have to marry Olivia for real. I can’t take that risk. Besides, I’m just bringing Vonda home, right? At least, it will be done with Olivia. With Vonda? I can slowly come up with other excuses.

Maybe, it won’t work. She’ll find out about the affair. There are many other reasons to end a relationship. The important thing is to save myself from an unwanted arranged marriage.

As a result, Max had no intention of backing down.

“Are you going to take responsibility or should I report you to the police, huh?!”

Oh, my goodness, Max. There’s no way you would report Vonda to the police with a rape accusation, right? But judging from Vonda’s words earlier, why does she seem afraid that I’ll report her to the police? How is that possible?

Ignoring that, Max tried to focus his gaze on Vonda. Not letting the girl’s eyes shift away from his.

“Which one do you choose?”

Vonda swallowed hard. “W-well, we did it willingly.”

“Your willingness, huh?” threatened Max. “If you’re really sure we did it willingly, then you wouldn’t mind if I report this to the police, right?”

“Oh, my goodness,” Vonda stammered.

“You wouldn’t dare, would you?”

Vonda’s breath caught in her chest.

“Alright,” said Max. “So, there’s only one choice for you. You have to take responsibility for me.”

“Responsibility?” Vonda’s eyes blinked. “What kind of responsibility?” she asked fearfully. “Paying for the compensation of three packs of used condoms?”

“What!”

“Or paying for the compensation of your services?”

“Do you think I’m a gigolo?!”

Vonda nearly jumped out of her seat when she saw Max getting angry. His face turned so red that she thought smoke would soon come out of his head.

“S-so… what kind of responsibility should I take?”

Max took a deep breath once. Giving a few seconds of pause before asking.

“Don’t you know what guys usually do when a girl demands accountability?”

Vonda’s eyes widened, then blinked, and then widened again.

“I want you to meet my parents.”

This time, Vonda truly jumped out of her chair. Fear, dread, and a dark future loomed in her eyes.

Meeting a guy’s parents to be held accountable for her actions was never part of Vonda Raveena Scott’s life plan. Unfortunately, that might become a reality soon.

Flashes of the future flashed through Vonda’s mind. She would go to meet Max’s parents, apologize for her actions, and tarnish their son’s reputation. However, there was one thing more important than that: she might have to drain her savings to propose to Max.

“OH… MY… GOD….”

*