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."

...

in her hands, her lips curling

for more gift cards. The newlyweds had to visit all their relatives over the year. First thing in the morning, Andre took Mia on their

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

bring gifts for our son. That's way more than Christmas

see herself with

if we

tricking me!" Mia nodded, then realized she was

said, "Too

me!"

are no absolute secrets in the world, but

Mia was tempted again.

it out loud. 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 a

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

came back with even more

Molly went to help.

huddled on the floor, opening gift cards, all

cards, "Five hundred, eight hundred, plus

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

them aside

Naomi appeared in the living room, she said, "Mia,

still counting the money."

by his wife. He laughed and told

counting the money, 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 how

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 hundred grand.

handed her a pen, "Yours, darling, is for