Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Anya was sprawled out on her bed, chatting away on the phone with her

boyfriend. Ash was right there too, lying nearby, soaking up every word like it was

the latest episode of her favorite show.

That afternoon, Leo and Chunky were both slammed with work. The black market

was buzzing-everyone wanted Chunky for side gigs, and he was so busy he

barely had time to catch his breath. In the sweltering summer heat, he ran around

until he was drenched. After two weeks of this, he'd dropped a noticeable amount

of weight.

Naomi tried twice to swing by her son's apartment, hoping to catch him at home,

but both times she went home disappointed. Bruce had no better luck-he struck

out after several attempts too.

Whenever they called, Leo sounded just as rushed as ever. "Don't worry, Mom,

Dad. I'm just a bit tied up right now. Once I get some free time, I'll come pick you

up and we'll grab dinner together." Same old line every time.

Their anxiety only grew, so they decided to just wait for him at the entrance to his

building. It was late-the stars were barely visible and the crowds had long since

gone-when Leo's car finally rolled up.

"Mom? Dad?" Leo spotted their license plate from a distance.

He parked and hopped out to greet them. When Bruce noticed Chunky with Leo,

clue which friend this

sensibly excused himself: "Leo, go catch up with your

I'll head home."

went to

so busy: "Between the renovations, buying equipment, and all

I just haven't had a

thinner her son looked, and her heart twisted with

kept piling food onto his plate. "Eat up, sweetheart.

this, she'd never let you

looked at Leo, torn between pride and concern. He kept

him with questions:

you'll call, okay?"

know, Dad. I

terms of paperwork?" Bruce asked, still looking

he could help with.

...

wandered around

his parents home and then

fired up his laptop,

in the early days, it's up to us to lay the groundwork for the new

he said.

through until

Leo finally

shower and

wiped out,

bothered to

flopped into bed and

like a light.

and

the latest gossip on

kid is

to tell us everything,

talks to Anya.

loop,"