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

up Anya in a taxi. Once inside, Anya directed the driver, "To the car exhibition center,

Leo frowned, "Why there?"

giggled, "I'm

have a license, and 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. He swallowed hard, "Don't buy me a car." Anya pouted, "It's for me, in

it in her name, secretly asking

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

are, Leo. I want a

said,

without a car. But that

Leo felt a mix of emotions. As a man, he couldn't

telling you, no amount of sweet talk will work on me,"

"Young man, your girlfriend is just trying to be considerate. She hates to see you

simply replying, "What kind of man would I be if I let my woman buy

got a point. But

met. She hadn't said a 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

know what she meant by the last part? Aunt

as he swallowed, silent for

chatty driver quickly offered, "I

passengers turned to the driver, one curious, the

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

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

through the rearview mirror,

cheeks

stayed silent for