Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Leo couldn't wrap his head around her logic. "You're about to head home. Instead of spending time with your boyfriend, you're hanging out with that little chatterbox who does nothing but babble."

At this moment, the so-called chatterbox was sitting in their cozy suburban living room, which stretched over a few hundred square feet. He had been playing with a floating ball, pulling at rubber ducks, and sharing his toys with his sister, Anya, chattering away happily. "I'll come pick you up," Leo texted her.

Life has a funny way of twisting our plans. The meetings we anticipate often go awry, while the real, meaningful encounters happen out of the blue.

Andre left work early, his mind buzzing with upcoming tasks.

Leo's car was parked near Maplewood Estates. He called Anya, "Come out, I'm waiting at the door."

Andre spotted the familiar license plate from a distance, slowing down as he approached.

Unintentionally, Leo saw the approaching car in his rearview mirror, his palms starting to sweat.

Soon, Andre's car pulled up beside Leo's.

It had been over a month since the uncle and nephew had last seen each other. Andre had initially hoped to bump into him at his wife's school, but to no avail. Upon returning to the Cedillo residence, the house staff confirmed his nephew hadn't been home. Unexpectedly, today, he ran into him right outside his own door.

Andre's presence instantly made Leo feel a wave of intimidation, rendering him nervous.

Separated by just a car seat, Leo's door was blocked by Andre's passenger side door, trapping him inside. "Uncle, you're off work?"

"Found a job yet?" Andre's gaze was fixed ahead, his voice cold and detached.

Leo fell silent for a few seconds before nodding, "Assistant engineer, I thought="

Andre cut him off, his gaze still fixed forward, not sparing him a glance. "The path you choose, remember your words."

With a meek nod from Leo, Andre stepped on the gas, speeding past Leo's car. "The dark web is still looking for you."

With those final words, Andre's car distanced itself from Leo's, pulling up to the house where the security quickly opened the gate.

Just then, Anya, with her backpack in tow, spotted Andre. "Uncle?"

After calling out, she immediately rushed outside to Leo's car, thinking of Chad.

Mia, surprised to see her husband home early, asked, "What brought you back so soon?"

boy for his

instantly pretended to sleep in his

Andre: "..."

at her son, speechless. "Keep pretending, but it's happening tomorrow morning

the run, jumped into

started the car and turned around to leave, Anya asked nervously, "Did Uncle scold you again?"

her lip. "So, what did you and Uncle talk

job confirmed,

excitedly grabbed Leo's arm.

his excitement muted as if the desire to celebrate had diminished. "The salary barely covers the car payments and living expenses. I'm thinking of renting a

the car, Chad?" That way, Leo's burden would be much lighter, and they'd have some

not the freshman Anya anymore; you'll be a sophomore when school starts. Don't be silly,

pursed her lips, not understanding her

ask, she remained

the car, and then what? Walk you home

realized he was referring again to the topic of her leaving,

next week. Decide when you're leaving so I can

continued to

knew Anya was sulking again, but he was out

you want to

"Nothing."

you

sulk was tinged with a

face his girlfriend who was turned away from

just don't want to leave you,

"Why are you so obsessed with

feel like we're in a relationship, how can I

any softer, and I

red with

said, "Being with me isn't about you taking care of me like a mother. I'm older than you; it's my job to take care of you. Don't always think about sacrificing for me or moving out with me. I said I would pick you up from the Cedillo family, so just wait patiently. Communicating with an eighteen or nineteen-year-old girl is so hard." Anya: "Chad,

I'm still older. Since I'm older, you have to listen

her age,