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 into a

had to visit all their relatives over the year. First thing in the morning, Andre took Mia on their

and had no zippers. "That way, when people give me giftcards, I can pretend to

bring gifts for our son.

herself

gifts and money. But if we move to Maplewood Estates, I can cover for you. So, how about

Wait, you're tricking me!" Mia nodded, then realized she was being

"Too

tricked me!"

you take his money. But if you take it secretly from the old house, our father, brother, sister-in-law, and the nosy Molly and Leo will know. There are no absolute secrets in the world, but you need to learn to discern what can be

Mia was tempted again.

son's money. Perhaps Andre, the successful man, was too persuasive. Mia had forgotten she

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

with even more

Molly went to help.

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

the gift cards, "Five hundred, eight hundred, plus

jotted it all down, Leo said, "That's five grand

put them aside and kept

living room, she said,

still counting the money."

was also ignored by his wife. He laughed and told the kitchen to save some food for

Mia was looking at her full safe, caressing the gift cards, "Marriage is a money-maker. I feel like getting married again this year." Molly was intrigued, "I want to get married too." Then, they took the safe to the dining room, making plans about

card. Mia held the card with reverence, gave the envelope a

"Yours, darling, is for