Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Anya, feeling a bit helpless, admitted, "I didn't even realize there was something wrong with my laptop. I couldn't find many of the icons and didn't want to bother you, so I tried downloading some software myself, following online tutorials to fix it." But the more she downloaded, the slower her computer became. It wasn't even two years old, and she didn't use it for gaming or binge-watching series. Yet, here it was, barely functioning, with even the cursor lagging.

Mr. Calder instructed a servant, "Please make a pot of tea; it looks like we might be here a while."

The servant hurried off to fulfill the request.

Once Leo had everything adjusted, Anya tested it out and, to her delight, exclaimed, "Chad, it's perfect now!" She found herself looking up to the young man with admiration.

Mr. and Mrs. Calder found themselves inexplicably warming up to Leo.

Before leaving, Leo made sure to double-check Anya's computer from top to bottom, only leaving once he was satisfied it was fixed.

Anya followed him out, insisting on walking him to his car.

When they reached it, she opened the passenger side door and got in, out of habit.

Leo was taken aback, but he chuckled, "Chad, I can walk you to the door."

As they approached the main entrance, Leo looked at Anya, who was still inside the car, and she pointed ahead, "Just up to the crossroads there."

"If you keep escorting me, you'll end up taking me all the way to the Cedillo family," Leo joked.

Anya looked down, feeling a bit upset. Slowly, she reached for the door handle, opened the door, and got out.

Leo watched her every move, finding it hard to leave.

Standing at her front door, Anya waved at Leo.

Yet, he unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car. Anya looked up, puzzled

arms; Anya understood immediately

thick

to go," Anya said,

arm around Anya's waist and the other around the back of her head, giving her a secure hug,

leave; Leo felt the same. He cupped her face in his hands, bent down, and kissed her

her lips, blushing as if it

As long as he didn't let go, Anya couldn't step back. Gradually, he held her tighter until she slightly resisted his advance with

finish, Leo pulled

Anya's reddened lips, "Can't kiss anymore, it'd look

to female colleagues. If someone asks for your contact info out of

looked down, noting the time,

me. If you miss me, we can video call at night. Don't stay home alone; go

This time, her goodbye wave was more vigorous, almost

rearview mirror, he could just make out Anya still standing there, watching him until he could no longer see her. Then, he pulled over, changed

took out her phone, checked her reflection, and saw her lips, red and slightly swollen. Looking around sheepishly, relieved that the street was empty, she

even

...

evening settled, Mia, in the car, was multitasking between holding her baby, Henry, and chatting. Henry, however, was not cooperating, grabbing at his mom's clothes as if he wanted to tear them apart to sit up. "Sweetie, Mommy's just talking to your aunt,"

his mom's fingers flying over the phone

texted, "Is Leo's new profile picture one he

living room, under the sunlight. She

it. Thought he'd hand it down to his grandson, but Anya made him change it." Leo's choice of profile picture had always been a subject of teasing. "You really should change your profile picture. A sports car, and you already have four. Not planning on getting a fifth,

Leo's profile picture was no longer a subject