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."

you going to

write it down, don't

Anya sulked but complied.

took the pen and began to write earnestly. Nick

arms crossed, a slight smile playing on

afternoon tea, it was Nick who drove

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 and your aunt up." Anya obediently

Everyone knew of the good relations between the Gordon and Cedillo families, and a union between them seemed

for marriage and took the opportunity 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, the crowd's

someone from the

sounded almost like he was her boyfriend. Could it be that Anya and Nick

but

company will go bankrupt." After that, nobody dared broach

one wanted to compete with the Cedillos

the drive back, Anya was giddy. "Nick, today was the first day nobody tried to set me up with

asked, "Nick, when did you ever say that chasing Anya

said it the day of Anya's class

Calder raised an eyebrow, smiled, then nodded. She said no

him

...

couldn't be explained to the Cedillo family, and even Nick felt that his relationship with

car's trunk were brought into

be from Anya,"

was always so thoughtful with the

Anya ever becomes a mom, she'll

Nick remained silent.

evening, everyone returned to their

by his