Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Andre whispered into his wife's ear, "Sleepyhead, time to rise and shine. Gift card time!" With that, he gave her earlobe a quick peck. He couldn't quite grasp why he was so head over heels for her, but he was. The moment she heard the words "gift cards", she was up like a shot. "Are we talking big bucks here?" She asked, glancing at her husband.

Andre replied, "Well, they're handpicked by me, what do you think?"

She was not the kind to get spooked by a gun to her head but if gift cards coming her way, Mia's only ask was, "Throw 'em at me, the more the merrier.!"

She sat up, clutching the duvet, reaching out for the cards, "Hand them over."

Andre said, "Give me a kiss first."

Mia gave him a look. If it wasn't for the gift cards, she wouldn't kiss him. But for money, she could play along.

Hansen was also on the gift card mission, "We should give more to our daughter, and our son's wife, she's our daughter too. A bit for Leo, Bruce, and Andre should do. Don't forget."

The butler was busy jotting down names on each card, "Don't you worry, Mr. Hansen. All set."

A rare scene unfolded in the Cedillo family's living room that morning.

"Mia, here's a gift card from your dad. Merry Christmas! Give me a grandchild this year, will you?"

"Mia, this is from your brother and me. Merry Christmas! Be good with Andre."

"Mia, this is for you from me. Merry Christmas! We are all expecting your babies."

"Mia, this is from your husband."

...

looked at the gift cards in her hands, her lips curling

their relatives over the year. First thing in the morning,

no zippers. "That way, when people give me giftcards, I can pretend to refuse while they slip them

his wife, her greediness was endearing, "Have a kid, and they'll bring gifts for our son. That's way more than Christmas gift cards. And you get to

could already see herself with her

at the old house, they'll notice you taking our son's gifts and money. But if we move to Maplewood Estates, I

me!" Mia nodded, then realized

"Too late,

tricked me!"

no absolute secrets in the world, but you need to learn to discern what can be made public and what needs to be kept confidential. Come with me to Maplewood Estates, and I'll cover for you. I'll even

Mia was tempted again.

son's money. Perhaps Andre, the successful man, was

Coming home, Mia was all giggles. She dumped all the gift cards from her handbag onto the couch in the living room, "Molly, Leo, come help

run and came back with even more gift cards, "There's still

Molly went to help.

her three kids huddled on the floor, opening gift cards,

busy calculating the gift cards,

Leo said, "That's five grand

aside and

in the living room, she said, "Mia,

are still counting the money." Mia

also ignored by his wife. He laughed and

looking at her full safe, caressing the gift cards, "Marriage is a money-maker. I feel like getting married again this year." Molly

her husband's special gift card. Mia held the card with reverence, gave the envelope a kiss, and opened it. "Empty?" Mia

darling, is for you