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."

...

cards in her hands, her lips curling into a

visit all their relatives over the year. First thing in the morning, Andre

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

wife, her greediness was endearing, "Have a kid, and they'll bring gifts for our

herself with

old house, they'll notice you taking our son's gifts and money. But if we move

tricking me!" Mia nodded, then realized she was

said, "Too late, you

me!" Mia

no absolute secrets

Mia was tempted again.

She was quietly planning how to take her son's money. Perhaps Andre, the successful man, was too persuasive. Mia had forgotten she didn't even have

was all giggles. She dumped all the gift cards from her handbag onto the couch in the living

another run and came back with even more

Molly went to help.

floor, opening gift cards, all excited. She

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

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

them aside and kept

living room, she said, "Mia, Molly, Leo,

still counting

and told 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 how to

dressing table, finally ready to open her husband's special gift card. Mia held the card with reverence, gave the envelope a kiss, and opened it. "Empty?" Mia looked at the blank check. She

"Yours, darling, is for you to write down