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."

Anya returned to

up Anya in a taxi. Once inside, Anya directed

Leo frowned, "Why there?"

"I'm buying

fell silent, turning to Anya with a

she concocted a reason to have it in her name, secretly asking her dad for a few million

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

we are, Leo. I want

said, raising his voice slightly, then corrected the route with

daily commutes were without a car. But that car was

wanting to buy him a car, Leo felt a mix of emotions. As a man, he couldn't

amount of sweet talk will work on

in, "Young man, your girlfriend is just trying to be

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

conceded, "You've got a point. But you gotta understand how she

eyes 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 be upset. I'll earn what I want." Later, Anya decided against buying

do you know what she meant by the

as he swallowed, silent

quickly offered, "I

turned to the driver,

also your kids. She

epiphany, her mouth agape as she turned to Leo. But Leo remained calm, as if he'd known all along. "We're

through the rearview mirror,

her cheeks

driver stayed silent for the rest of