TEST DRIVE: A Night of Forbidden Desire

“Vonda, Sir.”

Vonda introduced herself as she shook hands with Max’s father, Edmund Hernandez. His appearance was fresh despite a few strands of white hair on top of his head. He smiled broadly and seemed pleased with Vonda’s polite introduction. Although Riley’s reaction was quite the opposite.

Riley made a face as he played with one of Rimbo’s legs, moving it as if Rimbo were scratching.

“Why call him ‘Sir’? He’s my husband, not a ‘Sir.'”

Edmund laughed, while Vonda touched her neck reflexively, feeling embarrassed and realizing she needed to correct her address.

“V-Vonda, Dad.”

“Ah, yes, yes,” Edmund nodded, lightening the mood with a question. “So, you’re the one who suggested Mom change her hair color?”

Vonda grinned after looking at Riley’s hair. “Makes Mom look even more beautiful, doesn’t it, Dad?”

“Of course,” Edmund replied. “You have a good eye. You know what suits Mom.”

Still holding Rimbo, Riley chimed in. “Vonda has a good eye, Dad. Proof is she picked Max. That’s clear evidence that Vonda makes good choices, isn’t it?”

“Ahem!” Max cleared his throat, not wanting to prolong a conversation that might embarrass him. He quickly changed the subject. “Shall we eat, Mom? What has you cooked?”

Vonda smiled as she watched Max’s face turn to embarrassment at Riley’s words. Fortunately, Vonda did not want to make the atmosphere any more awkward, so she joined in.

“Oh, right! That’s right. Mom said she would cook a lot when I came over, right?”

Riley nodded, releasing Rimbo and taking Vonda’s hand to lead her inside.

“Mom made dendeng batokok, just like she promised. Mom got the recipe from a Padang native. It’s guaranteed to be delicious.”

Max breathed a sigh of relief at the sight. He stopped and watched the scene.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Riley was so happy. Holding on to Vonda’s arm, they headed for the dining area. The same was true for Edmund. To liven up the atmosphere, seven cats trailed behind them, meowing, and making a ruckus.

It was really lively and made Max pause for a moment. Only when Vonda turned and waved at him did he join in.

Moments later, the four of them were seated at the table. The waiter arrived and served the appetizer, a Caprese salad. It consisted of slices of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil leaves drizzled with a touch of extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and black pepper. It was a truly refreshing appetizer, especially since the main course for dinner was the sirloin steak.

It was time to enjoy the delicious slices of grilled meat. Accompanied by smooth mashed potatoes with butter and milk, served with steak sauce. Grilled asparagus was also included to complete the meal.

A chocolate lava cake was served for dessert. A chocolate lava cake with a soft and melted center was indeed the perfect choice, especially as they began to engage in relaxed conversation.

Riley offered Vonda another piece of chocolate lava cake on her plate. She said at that moment.

“I really didn’t expect you two to actually work in the same office. Sharing a workspace, even in adjacent rooms. The boss and the deputy. Oh my!” Riley glanced at Vonda and Max alternately. “You two are really something. You haven’t even told Mom about this.”

Vonda chuckled and happily accepted the third piece of chocolate lava cake. Next to her, Max had to hold back his laughter.

Is she a food lover or just really hungry?

“You didn’t ask, did you?” Vonda said lightly. “If you had asked where I worked, well… I would have told her.”

“You…” Riley grumbled with a mock annoyed expression. “You’re so good at answering me.”

Edmund laughed. “Vonda is right. You should have asked in the first place,” he said, turning to Vonda. “So, did you two date before or after Max moved here?”

“Um.”

Vonda nearly choked on the piece of dumpling. Max quickly offered her a drink. At that moment, their eyes met, as if silently communicating to decide on the same answer. But a moment later it was Riley’s voice that was heard.

“They must have been together before Max moved here, Hon.”

Vonda and Max both looked at Riley. They blinked in unison with innocent expressions.

“Really?”

Riley smiled. “I think so. Did Max really come all the way out here and leave his car collection just to help Lucas?” he asked. “Even I, his biological mother, doubt that my son can be that good. It would be like the end of the world.”

“Ahem!”

Out of nowhere, Max suddenly coughed when he heard Riley’s words. This time it was Vonda who quickly handed Max a drink.

“Ah!” Edmund nodded and looked at his wife. “That’s true. He was very eager yesterday, saying he wanted to take care of his antique car company, right?”

“An antique car company?” Max raised an eyebrow. “That’s just seeing a market opportunity, Dad. The longer this goes on, the more antique car enthusiasts there will be in Oceana. I might as well start a spare parts business.”

“Still enthusiastic about cars, I see. Tsk tsk! Trying to change the subject,” Edmund teased. “So, what does that mean?”

Riley chuckled and looked at her husband. “Well, it means that it’s now proven that they’ve been together for a while. On the night of Lucas’ party, it was clear that I saw Vonda get into Max’s car. That’s another piece of evidence that they’ve been dating.”

Oh my. Vonda tried to smile, though it felt forced.

“So,” Riley continued, playing with the spoon in her hand, glancing briefly at Max and then at Vonda. “We can say that Max went out of his way to help Lucas only because of Vonda. So that he could see Vonda more often.”

Wow!

In his heart, Max was already applauding like a cheerleader at a basketball game. He marveled at his mother’s ability to draw conclusions out of thin air.

Mom is really amazing at drawing conclusions from nothing.

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