TEST DRIVE: A Night of Forbidden Desire

“I never expected Evan to give me new lingerie. I mean, it’s the middle of the month, out of the blue, he asks me to cosplay in a kimono. Maybe it’s because Lili spent the whole day with her grandparents, right? Well, that night she fell asleep really fast. And she didn’t wake up again. So, you can imagine how…”

“Stop!”

Vonda raised her hand and looked directly at Sarah.

“I really can’t imagine, and I don’t want to.”

Sarah, who had been chattering away, grinned mischievously. She held an iced tea straw in one hand and twirled it between her fingers. Her eyes narrowed playfully.

“Hehehe. Why? Afraid you’d want to imagine it?”

Vonda’s eyes widened.

“I want to cosplay too,” Sarah said giggling. “Hehehe.”

“You’re such a pervert,” Vonda retorted as she continued to eat her lunch. “Your mind is never far from things related to the bedroom and the bed.”

“Why not? I’m normal. Besides, activities in bed are meant to be enjoyed. And the reality is enjoyable indeed.”

Vonda’s eyes widened, finding it hard to believe that Sarah was being so open about it.

“Just because. After all, it’s called marriage, isn’t it? Husbands and wives are supposed to enjoy each other.”

Vonda shook her head, but that didn’t mean she disagreed with Sarah.

“Let me tell you a secret. Because I have experience,” Sarah continued with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, leaning toward Vonda and speaking in a low voice. “When we enjoy the relationship, we’re actually the ones who benefit.”

Vonda did not want to listen to Sarah’s words, but Sarah’s mysteriously seductive tone made her curious in spite of herself. Her eyes flicked over and found her friend’s meaningful smile.

“The more we enjoy it, the less likely the man is to let go. In the end, the ATM card moves into our wallets. Hahaha!”

Vonda thought there was something more serious going on than just the ATM card changing places earlier. Now that she saw Sarah laughing, she felt a little queasy. She pushed aside her salads plate.

“Hahaha! That was just a joke, Von. Well… it’s true, though.” Sarah shrugged playfully. “But trust me. Having sex with your husband is the happiest thing in the world. I mean, people always say it’s a wife’s duty to serve her husband, but… heh! It’s not really a duty. It’s more about our individual needs. I don’t see it as a duty when Evan implies it. Why not? Because I need to be spoiled by him too. Every husband spoils his wife, it’s not a duty at all. It’s not like duties are that pleasant. Duties, you know! Like those given by teachers and professors. Lots of them. Both may involve staying up late, but the sensations are completely different.”

Vonda’s hand, which had been stirring the peanut sauce for the gado-gado, stopped. She stared wearily at Sarah, who had seemed so enthusiastic about chatting that afternoon.

“I imagine you just had a long and enjoyable Saturday night, Sar. But… you don’t have to go that far. Don’t you know your chat buddy here isn’t married yet?”

Sarah laughed at the desperate look in Vonda’s eyes.

“Forget marriage, I haven’t even seen a potential candidate yet.”

“Well… just be patient, Von. Your soul mate will come. If not in this world, then in the afterlife.”

“Jeez!” Vonda replied irritably.

Ignoring Vonda’s annoyed expression, Sarah went back to her lunch. Her beaming face made Vonda want to pour her avocado juice over Sarah’s head. But…

Slowly, Vonda found herself smiling against her will. If there were two categories of women after marriage-happy and unhappy-she was sure Sarah was in the third category. Extremely happy.

For her friend’s happiness, Vonda was secretly grateful. In retrospect, no one would have expected her quirky friend to end up with her college dream boy. That made Vonda believes. The leftover rice that Sarah often had stuck to her lips after eating was indeed some kind of magic charm.

As Vonda decided to continue enjoying her lunch, her phone suddenly beeped. A new message had arrived.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

“From who?” Sarah asked, looking at Vonda. “Your potential suitor?”

Vonda scoffed. She opened the message and scowled.

OLD HIGH SCHOOL FRIEND:

Hey everyone!

For those of you who haven’t paid the contribution for Robby’s wedding gift, please transfer the amount as soon as possible.

Vonda’s chewing stopped abruptly as she read the message. She lifted her head.

“From the High School Alumni Association.”

“Oh.”

“There’s a wedding this Saturday,” Vonda continued. “I almost forgot I got an invitation. Oh my.”

Sarah pulled out her iced tea glass and sipped the less sweetened liquid. “So, what now?”

Vonda’s eyes turned to Sarah. “Will you come to the wedding? I can’t possibly go alone, can I?”

“Eh? I don’t feel like it. It’s your high school friend’s wedding, right? I don’t know anyone there. Besides, why would you go alone? They are your high school friends. And before you start giving me reasons why I should go with you,” Sarah added quickly, “I’m just going to say that I’ll be wearing a waitress costume from morning till night on Saturday. Why? Because my parent-in-laws are planning to take Lili to vacation.”

Vonda blinked. “How many costumes did Evan give you? Did he buy the whole store?”

Sarah grinned. Whether she took Vonda’s question seriously or just wanted to tease her more, she answered.

“There are five costumes. A kimono, a waitress, a bunny, a nurse, and a policeman. And you know? The costumes are so cute. Pretty, pinky, and very sexy.”

Seriously?

Vonda wanted to throw a one-kilogram avocado at Sarah’s head. She could not believe her question was actually getting an answer. But while Sarah giggled at Vonda’s blushing face, something occurred to Vonda. It prompted her to send a message to someone.

Vonda:

Since I’m feeling generous, how about I treat you to a free meal this Saturday?

Vonda smiled with satisfaction. The problem was solved.

*