Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Mia was deeply engrossed in her legal textbooks, a slight frown on her face. "I've just got to put up with it, unless he wants to start sleeping in a separate room," she muttered under her breath. Andre's voice echoed in her mind, "He'd feel so wronged if that happened."

With a decisive snap, Mia shut the book. "Well, let him feel wronged," she thought. "If any of my classmates find out I'm married to Andre, my peaceful days in this grad school prep class would be history. They'd definitely sniff out where I study and find ways to enroll their kids, trying to get chummy with me. That would completely throw me off my game this year."

Molly, her best friend, couldn't help but chuckle in admiration. "Mia, you're so sharp to think of all that."

Mia was still lost in thought when Andre appeared, cradling their son. "Molly, let's leave Mia to her studies. She needs to focus."

Molly had barely left when Henry started bawling, "Mama."

Sure enough, Henry got scolded again, this time for interrupting his mom's study session.

Eventually, Henry was taken outside to cry, since his tears in the living room would still distract Mia.

The Cedillo family was all in, fully supporting Mia's studies. Naomi reassured her, "Mia, just concentrate on your studies. I've got the kids covered. You won't have to lift a finger."

Hansen, ever the proud dad, declared, "Mia, focus on your exam prep. With me around, you've got all the backup you need."

Even before Mia took her exams, Hansen was already bragging to anyone who'd listen-cousins, aunts, family friends-they all heard about his pride. "My daughter-in-law, the younger Mrs. Cedillo, is gearing up for her grad exams. We're so proud of her." Later, Mia had a quiet chat with her father-in-law. "Dad, could you not brag about it? It'd be so embarrassing if I don't pass this year."

Hansen waved her concerns away. "Even if you don't make it, you're still the best in my book. But I have to brag. They should know my daughter-in-law isn't just a housewife. My Mia's got ambition, she's still hitting the books."

A warm feeling spread through Mia. "Thanks, Dad."

"Ah, you silly girl," Hansen's tenderness lasted all of three seconds before he switched gears. "Mia, I'm really craving some lobster."

Mia sighed, "...I'll bring you some after school tomorrow."

At the prep course, Mia kept her distance, a habit she shared with her siblings. Leo, her brother, maintained a professional distance at work, making friends slowly, and Molly was the same.

Knowing Mia was at the prep course, Leo managed to find some time and arranged with Anya to drop by after work.

Standing at the entrance, Anya clung to Leo's hand, peeking into the classroom where Mia sat, deeply absorbed in her work.

"Hey, hey!"

"Auntie."

Hearing their voices, Mia looked up and lit up with excitement. "Hey there, my favorite nephew, Anya, what are you two doing here?"

"Move along, taking advantage there," Leo teased, steering Mia toward the break room.

It was a first for Anya to see Mia at the prep class, despite their frequent meetups at home.

"Chad wanted to swing by and see how you were doing, so we came together," Anya explained.

Leo, watching Mia absorbed in her studies, remarked, "I swear it's like seeing you in your senior year again. How's it coming along? Keeping up with everything?"

Mia shrugged, "It's okay. The

foundation class is slow enough to follow.fi don't get something, catch up with online lectures at

home. But I still fumble with Some of the questions."

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"Does my uncle know?" Leo asked.

"Yeah, he keeps telling me not to worry," Mia replied.

Leo advised, "Make sure you keep up with the news every day."

Mia nodded. "My big brother-your dad-said the same. He told me to ask him if I'm stuck on political stuff; Cooper also said not to stress about politics until the end."

"Right, with the mayor himself to help, politics should be the least of your worries. Just relax, you've got this," Leo reassured her.

Anya watched her boyfriend, knowing this was Chad's way of comforting his aunt.

Then Mia lightened the mood with a playful question. "Has your girlfriend been giving your son smooches at home?"

Caught off guard, Anya's eyes went wide!

Mia casually answered, "Of course, all the time."

Leo's gaze shifted to Anya, who quickly scooted away from her boyfriend.

"We should head out," Leo decided, taking Anya's hand.

Anya, not wanting to leave, suggested, "Chad, why don't you go ahead? I have plans to shop with a friend."

Leo offered to drop her off, but Anya insisted her friend would pick her up, hinting at a distance from Leo's place.

As Leo glanced at Mia, who seemed thoroughly entertained by this little drama, Anya's predicament became a rare treat in Mia's otherwise studious routine.

Was Anya in trouble with Leo, Mia wondered, her eyes gleaming with curiosity and mischief.

Leo, determined not to let it slide, scooped Anya up in a princess carry, ignoring her protests for independence.

Setting her back down, Anya clung to Mia, seeking refuge.

Mia teased, "Need me to save you?"

Leo playfully warned Mia, "I bet your husband doesn't know about your high school crush on that pop star, or how you dropped over a grand just to snag tickets for his concert up close!"

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Mia had indeed been a fan, and not just of any celebrity, but a pop star at that. The kicker was that she'd actually shelled out money for it! Given her naturally frugal nature, the number of people she'd willingly splurge on was few and far between. Yet, she had splurged big time just to grab those tickets.

If her husband found out...

Mia quickly released Anya's hand from her shoulder, "Take care, darling. Auntie's got some studying to do."