Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Andre glanced at the main culprit. "Sent him to his grandma's."

Leo, realizing he was being dodged, plopped down in front of Andre. "Uncle, I apologize. Can you please give me back my McLaren?"

Leaning back in his chair, Andre eyed his suddenly remorseful nephew. "No way. You've made my son cry a few times. You're banned from touching any car in the garage for months."

Leo had somehow forgotten how crafty his uncle could be when it came to discipline; he'd even dared to scare his little cousin.

"Uncle, I'm sorry. Can we switch the punishment? That car is just too flashy. Even Anya wouldn't get in it this morning," Leo pleaded.

Andre replied, "That's the lesson for not thinking about the consequences. You won't get the car. Either you go without, or you drive that pink one."

"Uncle... I'm your blood nephew."

"If you weren't, you wouldn't even be here now."

Failing to get his car back, Leo left, half-heartedly focusing on his work while figuring out how to solve his transportation issues. He could buy a new car, but his uncle could just as easily restrict access to those too. Unless he used his own money, his uncle wouldn't interfere.

Sitting back, Leo lamented, "Should've achieved financial independence sooner."

At lunch, Anya and Mia sat opposite each other, usually spending an hour over their meals, chatting and eating. Today, each was absorbed in their phones, Anya chatting with her dad and Mia discussing photo samples with a photographer. Once they finished, both put down their phones.

Mia told Anya, "Warn Leo for me tonight. If he makes my son cry again, he'll answer to me. Also, remind him. He'll have a son one day! He should think about his future son. I won't be lenient just because of you."

Anya puffed her cheeks, "Okay." She too thought Chad was overdoing it; how could he make such a cute baby cry?

Then she asked, "Aunt Mia, what did you mean by the last part?"

Mia simply said, "Leo will understand."

returned

a taxi. Once inside, Anya directed the driver,

Leo frowned, "Why there?"

"I'm

you're buying a car? It'll end up being me driving it anyway." After saying that, Leo fell silent, turning to Anya with a smile.

Leo wouldn't accept a car as a gift, she concocted a reason to have it in her name, secretly asking her

the driver's seat. "We're not going to the

Leo. I want

said, raising his voice slightly,

were without a car. But that car was clearly a punishment from his uncle

buy him a car, Leo felt a mix of emotions. As a man, he couldn't let a woman, especially not his girlfriend, take care of him

telling you, no amount of sweet talk will work

chimed in, "Young man, your girlfriend is just trying to be considerate. She

simply replying, "What kind of man would I be

But you gotta understand

took the textbooks from Anya's lap and gently held her wrist. "Alright, no need to be upset. I'll earn what I want." Later, Anya decided against buying the car, following Leo's advice. In the car, she relayed Mia's

she meant by

apple bobbed as he swallowed, silent

chatty driver quickly offered,

to the driver,

your boyfriend's future kids are also your kids. She won't be lenient if someone bullies your child, not even for

her mouth agape as she turned to Leo. But Leo remained calm, as

at them through the rearview mirror,

her cheeks flushed,

the driver stayed silent for the rest of