Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance
Chapter 504

Mia was a whirlwind of activity, generously sharing her meticulously crafted notes with Molly and Anya. "Someday, when you two become moms, you'll find this gold. Soak it up now while it's on the house, 'cause once my little munchkin hits his first birthday, I'm starting a consultancy fee for parenting tips."

Molly arched an eyebrow. "Do you think I can't afford your sage advice?"

Mia shot back a screenshot of a generous bank transfer her husband had made a few days prior. "If you think you can swing it, by all means, I welcome your business."

Jade chimed in with a quick message: Got it saved.

Anya followed suit: Me too, all saved.

Leo teased Anya, "You're only eighteen. What's the rush?"

Anya blinked, her innocent face lighting up. "Right, I'm just eighteen, not even at the marrying age yet. Why am I in a hurry?" But then she impulsively deleted the photo. She paused, reconsidering. "But wait, Leo, what if I need this stuff later?"

She retrieved Mia's photo from the chat and saved it again.

Leo pointed out the obvious: "By the time you're a mom, your phone will be an antique."

Anya felt the weight of his logic, her naivety ensnaring her in a dilemma over a simple photo.

Leo ended up saving Mia's notes for her. "Let's eat, I saved them for you."

"Alright."

Leo always seemed to have a solution or decision ready whenever Anya was in a bind.

"I have to step out this afternoon," Leo said as he planned to drop Anya off at her place. "I'll..."

"Leo, where are you headed? I'll come with you," Anya, ever the tagalong, quickly interjected.

"I'm off to a tech conference. Pretty sure computer talk isn't your cup of tea."

"No worries, I can wait in the car."

Leo hesitated. When had he missed the memo that Anya had become so clingy?

"That's gonna be a drag. It's a boys' club. If you don't want to head home, I can drop you at Mia's. You can hang out with little Henry."

Anya picked up on Leo's reluctance and didn't push. "Okay, just don't forget to pick me up later."

"Yeah, let's eat."

After school, Leo drove Anya toward Maplewood Estates, feeling the unusual quiet next to him. He glanced at Anya, "Still want to crash the tech conference?" "I'm curious," she admitted.

Without another word and ignoring the turnoff for Maplewood Estates, Leo accelerated straight past it.

"Leo, you missed the turn," Anya pointed out.

Leo replied, "Once we get to the conference, find a couch and park yourself there. And don't give out any personal info, not even your phone or laptop password, to anyone there." Anya's eyes widened with disbelief and excitement. "Leo, are you really taking me with you?"

Her excitement was palpable as she settled in her seat, bombarding him with questions. "Leo, what are you doing there? What's it all about?"

"Fewer questions, more silence. And keep this to yourself, not a word to the family."

Anya asked, "Can Auntie or Aunt know?"

"Nobody," Leo said firmly.

Anya's joy was a mystery to Leo; why was she always so cheerfully clueless?

"Leo, is this like a secret between just us?"

Leo, ever the straight shooter, asked, "What, you planning to blackmail me into doing your homework?"

In that moment, Anya's romantic notions deflated before the pragmatic Leo.

They arrived at a suburban villa, where Leo registered their details at the guesthouse before pulling Anya, who was gawking at everything, inside. "Leo, the conference is in a villa?"

He grunted in affirmation and led Anya into the living room, already bustling with attendees.

"Leo, brought your girlfriend today?" someone teased.

"She's not my girlfriend, just a sister," Leo corrected.

"Sister? She's pretty," another chimed in.

Anya looked around; indeed, she was the only woman among men.

Feeling out of place, she clung to Leo's hand.

People made room on a couch for Anya, and Leo didn't hesitate to seat her.

"Leo, since you're here, can you take a look at this computer?"

Leo left Anya on the couch and joined the crowd, his fingers flying across the keyboard. Anya, feeling bored, accepted a glass of water offered to her but didn't drink.

Leo caught the exchange and advised, "You've got a drink in the car. Don't waste it."

Taking the hint, Anya returned to the car and found her morning juice, barely touched. She came back and handed Leo his keys.

"Keep the keys. Sit tight until I'm done," Leo instructed.

Anya obeyed, and the teasing resumed around them.

"You should introduce us to your sister. Too bad I'm already hitched. Plenty of bachelors here, though-pick a brother-in-law for her."

Another joked, "Pick me, Leo. I can always get divorced, ha!"

Leo's gaze turned icy. "Anya's not actually my sister."

"Cousin?"

Leo closed his laptop, his look stern. "Not related at all."

Anya called out, "Leo-" with a hint of fear.

Leo softened slightly. "She's young, innocent. Some jokes are off-limits."

The mood shifted back to business, and the focus returned to the computer on the table.

Anya, nestled on the couch, couldn't help but feel drawn to her Leo, whose figure stood out even in the backlit room.

Was that jealousy she had sensed from him earlier?

Anya slumped back, her mood dipping. If only her aunt and uncle were here, it would be so much better.

As dusk settled over the sprawling estate, night had already wrapped its cloak around the world outside. Inside, Leo, blissfully unaware of the hours slipping by, was lost in his favorite pastimes. Even while engaged in conversation with guests, his gaze would occasionally drift back to the girl waiting patiently on the couch.

Anya, with the endearing charm of someone fighting off sleep, let out a yawn, her eyes watering as a result. She rubbed at them, a delicate hand brushing against her lashes.

Unfortunately, it seemed she had managed to poke herself in the eye with her own eyelash. She blinked rapidly, trying to alleviate the discomfort, rubbing her eye once again in a vain attempt to soothe the irritation. Eventually, the sting became too much for her to bear. With a twinge of distress, she called out, "Leo-" in a voice that effortlessly blended vulnerability with the expectation of comfort only a loved one could provide.