Mia was a whirlwind of activity, generously sharing her meticulously crafted notes with Molly and Anya. "Someday, when you two become moms, you'll find this gold. Soak it up now while it's on the house, 'cause once my little munchkin hits his first birthday, I'm starting a consultancy fee for parenting tips."

Molly arched an eyebrow. "Do you think I can't afford your sage advice?"

Mia shot back a screenshot of a generous bank transfer her husband had made a few days prior. "If you think you can swing it, by all means, I welcome your business."

Jade chimed in with a quick message: Got it saved.

Anya followed suit: Me too, all saved.

Leo teased Anya, "You're only eighteen. What's the rush?"

Anya blinked, her innocent face lighting up. "Right, I'm just eighteen, not even at the marrying age yet. Why am I in a hurry?" But then she impulsively deleted the photo. She paused, reconsidering. "But wait, Leo, what if I need this stuff later?"

She retrieved Mia's photo from the chat and saved it again.

Leo pointed out the obvious: "By the time you're a mom, your phone will be an antique."

Anya felt the weight of his logic, her naivety ensnaring her in a dilemma over a simple photo.

Leo ended up saving Mia's notes for her. "Let's eat, I saved them for you."

"Alright."

Leo always seemed to have a solution or decision ready whenever Anya was in a bind.

"I have to step out this afternoon," Leo said as he planned to drop Anya off at her place. "I'll..."

"Leo, where are you headed? I'll come with you," Anya, ever the tagalong, quickly interjected.

"I'm off to a tech conference. Pretty sure computer talk isn't your cup of tea."

can wait

he missed the

head home, I can drop you at Mia's. You can

and didn't push. "Okay, just don't

"Yeah, let's eat."

feeling the unusual quiet next to him. He glanced at Anya,

and ignoring the turnoff for

the

any personal info, not even your phone

palpable as she settled in her seat, bombarding him

questions, more silence. And keep this to yourself, not a word

"Can Auntie or Aunt

"Nobody," Leo said firmly.

to Leo; why was she always

is this like a secret between just

"What, you planning to blackmail me into doing

that moment, Anya's romantic notions deflated before the pragmatic

their details at the guesthouse before pulling

affirmation and led Anya into the living room,

brought your girlfriend today?"

just a sister,"

pretty,"

was the only

place, she clung to

made room on a couch for Anya, and Leo didn't hesitate to seat

here, can you

left Anya on the couch and joined the crowd, his fingers flying across the keyboard. Anya, feeling bored, accepted a glass of water offered to her

got a drink in the car. Don't

her morning juice, barely

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255