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 to her

Anya in a taxi. Once inside, Anya directed the driver,

Leo frowned, "Why there?"

giggled, "I'm buying a

turning to Anya with a smile. He swallowed hard, "Don't buy me a car." Anya pouted, "It's for me, in my name. But you'll have to drive

as a gift, she concocted a reason to have it in her

not going to the

we are, Leo. I

for you," Leo said, raising his voice slightly, then corrected

commutes were without a car. But that car

As a man, he couldn't let a

telling you, no amount of sweet talk

girlfriend is just trying to be

assumption, simply replying, "What kind of man would I

got a point. But you gotta

word, but her longing and care were evident, making Leo finally understand. He 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

know what she meant by the last part?

Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed, silent for a moment before replying, "I... don't

driver quickly

the driver,

your kids. She won't be

Leo. But Leo remained calm, as

at them through the rearview mirror, "Oh?

cheeks flushed,

the mix-up, the driver stayed