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."

...

the gift cards in her hands, her lips curling into a

their relatives over the year. First thing in the

zippers. "That way, when people give me giftcards, I can pretend to refuse while they slip

our son. That's way more than Christmas gift

could already see herself with

notice you taking our son's gifts and money. But if we move to Maplewood Estates, I can

me!" Mia nodded, then

said, "Too late,

tricked me!"

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 made public and what needs to be kept confidential. Come with me to Maplewood Estates,

Mia was tempted again.

planning how to take her son's money. Perhaps Andre, the successful man, was too persuasive. Mia had

Mia was all giggles. She dumped all the gift cards

made another run and came back with even more gift cards, "There's still some in

Molly went to help.

three kids huddled on the floor, opening gift cards, all excited. She chuckled and

busy calculating the gift cards, "Five

down, Leo

put them aside and kept

she said, "Mia, Molly,

still counting the money."

and told the kitchen to save some food for

I feel like getting married again this year." Molly was intrigued, "I want to get married too." Then, they took the

they got back to their room that night, Mia freshened up and sat at her 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

a pen, "Yours, darling, is for you