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."

...

gift cards in her hands, her lips

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

handbag. It was roomy and had no zippers. "That way, when people give me giftcards, I

they'll bring gifts for our son. That's way more than Christmas gift cards. And you get to keep all the money and

see herself with

But if we move to Maplewood Estates, I can cover for you.

Mia nodded, then

said, "Too late, you

me!"

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 made public and what needs to be kept confidential. Come with me to Maplewood Estates, and I'll cover for you. I'll

Mia was tempted again.

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

the whole day collecting gift cards. Coming home, Mia was all giggles. She dumped all the gift cards from her

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

Molly went to help.

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

was busy calculating the gift cards,

Leo said, "That's five

them aside and

room, she said,

are still counting the money." Mia

his wife. He laughed and told the kitchen to save some food for

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

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 the blank check. She glared at her husband, "You gave Molly and Leo checks worth

a pen, "Yours, darling, is for you to write down