Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Hansen turned his head with a smirk, "I'm not that easy to win over." He strutted out of the airport, confidence in every step.

Back home, the preparations for New Year's were in full swing. Once the celebrations wrapped up, it was time for Donnie and Stephania's wedding. Anya, having wrapped up her exams, hadn't made it back home yet. She was busy with bridesmaid duties, or so she claimed.

Mr. and Mrs. Calder weren't entirely at ease with this. Ever since Anya started dating, it seemed like all she could think about was her boyfriend. Skipping the summer holidays was one thing, but missing out on the festive season too? That was another matter entirely.

Determined to reunite the family, the Calders decided to set out together. As they looked at their little one sprawled on the bed, Mr. Calder suggested, "Let's bring Ash along. Anya can't resist her little brother."

Mrs. Calder corrected him with a smile, "You mean 'carry him,' not 'bring him,' dear." With that, she scooped up their son and they headed out.

During her pregnancy, Mrs. Calder had put on some weight. She was working on shedding it, but the extra curves made her look even younger, and Mr. Calder was more smitten with her than ever. Their life once revolved around their cherished daughter Anya, and they never found it dull. When Anya left for Havenbrook University, they expected loneliness to set in. But surprise, surprise, they were back to the parenting grind once more.

The couple had found a new little "distraction" to keep things lively. Many whispered that Mrs. Calder's determination for another child was all because this one was a boy. Others couldn't help but envy her: "She's still youthful, blessed with a son and daughter, a husband who's always there, and a daughter who's both beautiful and well-behaved."

"Yeah, right! More like a spoiled princess with no manners. Whoever marries her is in for a lifetime of bad luck," grumbled those still smarting from past clashes with Anya.

Another woman joined in, "But I heard Anya's boyfriend is Leo from the Cedillo family. They even came back to visit James together recently."noveldrama

"Wait, who?" someone at the table asked.

Another woman nodded, "Yep, I've heard that too. He's Andre's nephew. My son and Anya are classmates. There was a time when one of Anya's admirers wanted to pick a fight with her boyfriend over some computer issue. Guess who turned up? Andre's nephew, Leo from the Cedillo family. I've heard Leo spoils Anya rotten. Whether from Havenbrook to here, she never travels alone; he's always driving her."

The gossipers fell silent, their earlier mockery forgotten.

As the chatter shifted, Mrs. Calder's phone buzzed with invitations for shopping trips. Showing it to her husband, she quipped, "Have you started some big project lately? Everyone seems keen to cozy up to me."

Mr. Calder, cradling their son, mused, "Have I?" He couldn't recall anything significant.

Upon reaching Havenbrook, the Calders first paid a visit to the Cedillo family. After checking into their hotel, they took a trip to the Waterlily Residential Area for a look around.

Meanwhile, Anya was on her way home, leaving Leo to face his future in-laws solo. He was in a whirlwind of cleaning. Clothes hanging on the balcony were swiftly whisked away, Anya's neatly tucked into her closet, and his own hastily stashed.

He made sure the bathroom mirror sparkled and even took out the trash, though it wasn't quite full. Leo was determined to make a good impression.