Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Nick's threat worked like a charm. At the afternoon reunion, no guy dared come near her, let alone make a move. Instead, it was the girls who buzzed around Anya, peppering her with questions about her relationship with Nick.

Anya kept mum. She wouldn't spill a single detail about Nick-his love life, his family, his personality. When someone tried to get Nick's contact info through her, Anya gently but firmly put her foot down, though her tone was soft and far from aggressive. "Don't even think

about chasing Nick. You can't compete with me."

She had her sights set on Nick, too, so there was no way she'd leave an opening for anyone else.

Soon, it became common knowledge among her classmates that Anya was tight with the Cedillo family. There were whispers that she might even become the future Mrs. Cedillo.

After one gathering, while the others waited for their rides, Nick's car was already there, right on time at the hotel entrance.

"Hop in," he said.

Anya pouted, her eyes twinkling like a galaxy as she looked at her Mustang. "Nick"

Nick, momentarily flustered by her charm, did something he'd never done before he got out of the car, walked around to the passenger side, and opened the door for Anya. He held her hand, helped her into the seat, then shut the door for her. In a daze, Anya found herself sitting in the passenger seat.

She was the first one picked up. After saying goodbye to her classmates, Nick hit the gas and they were off.

When Nick tried to leave a second time, Anya insisted they go buy gifts for every member of the Cedillo family. "My parents prepared their gifts with love, and I want to give mine with the same sentiment."

So, Nick stayed.

The third time he was about to leave, Anya said, "Nick, my mom's hosting a party, and there's this aunt who keeps trying to convince her to marry me off to her son."

Nick got anxious. "Anya, between all your suitors and marriage proposals, just how many bad love interests do you have at home?"

Anya, adorably clueless, analyzed, "Well, because of the Calder Corporation's reputation, many people have ulterior motives with me. They want to climb the social ladder through my parents. And since I'm an only child, the corporation will eventually be mine. So everyone's chasing me, wanting to marry me. Marry me, and they get both a beauty and a business."

Nick looked at her with mixed emotions. His Anya might act naive, but she was indeed smart. She might not talk about it, but she knew all the impure intentions of the adults around her.

Nick returned to the car, pulled out a notebook and pen, and handed a sheet of paper to Anya. "I want you to make a list of all the guys who are after you."

going to do

down, don't worry

Anya sulked but complied.

the living room rug, she took the pen and began to write earnestly.

crossed, a slight smile playing on her

tea, it was Nick

he smartly avoided any threatening comments. Instead, he simply introduced himself to the others. Afterward, he instructed Anya, "Call me when you're done, and I'll pick you

the good relations between the Gordon and Cedillo families, and a union

to mention, "Anya's off studying in Havenbrook, and we're not around. The Cedillos have been kind enough to look after her." With that statement,

status would personally drive someone from the Gordon family. Yet Nick Cedillo

from the way he interacted with Anya, it sounded almost like he was her boyfriend. Could it be that Anya and Nick were already

but none

dares to chase me, their family's company will go bankrupt." After that, nobody dared broach the subject of

no one wanted to compete with the Cedillos for someone's

drive back, Anya was giddy. "Nick, today was the first day nobody tried

you ever say that chasing Anya would

and candid. "I said it the day of Anya's class

eyebrow, smiled, then nodded.

hometown ended with him clearing all unwanted suitors, then

...

to the Cedillo family, and even Nick felt

trunk were brought into the living room, gifts for

must be from

always

Anya ever becomes a mom, she'll definitely be

Nick remained silent.

the evening, everyone

being fussed over by his parents in the afternoon, he was