Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

“It started out as her mistake, but now, somehow, I'm the bad guy.”

Noah glanced over at his brooding boss and let out a quiet laugh. "So, what's the plan, sir? Should I ask Ms. Roberts if she knows any luxury gifts for Mrs. Williams?"

Andre shook his head. "Trying to win Mia over with expensive gifts every time just feels a bit... shallow."

If someone rarely received surprises, a present from her husband would mean the world. But his Mia? She had gotten so many gifts from him that her hands were practically full, and it still didn't do the trick.

Staring out the window at the bright sky, Andre mumbled, "Summer's here."

Noah blinked, not sure what he meant.

Andre grabbed his car keys and stood up. "Ice cream from the wholesale shop- my whole family loves it." Especially his little wildcat; that girl had a serious soft spot for sweets.

And with that, Andre was out the door.

Noah called after him, "Boss, you know, that's not exactly a fancy present."

Andre just grinned, looking totally content. "You really think Mia loves me for my money?"

Noah finally got it and broke into a grin of his own.

Andre made his way to the ice cream wholesaler Mia used to frequent. As soon as he walked in, he spotted the old owner dozing in a rocking chair.

"Hey, Uncle, had lunch yet?"

The old man blinked awake, saw Andre, and his eyes went wide. "Andre?!"

Andre laughed, leaning against the freezer. "Just here to stock up on some ice cream. The whole crew's waiting on me at home."

While Andre picked out treats, the shop owner pointed out a few, "Take whatever you want-Mia likes them all. Chocolate bars, cones, popsicles, these little shakers, red bean, those old-school ice pops... There's nothing she won't eat."

Andre loaded up on everything-his family was big, after all.

When he tried to pay, the shop owner waved him off, but Andre slipped some cash onto the counter anyway and headed out.

Since ice cream melts fast, he drove straight home to stash it in the freezer.

It was the middle of the day when Andre walked in, only to find the house oddly quiet.

With two big bags of ice cream in hand, he called out, "Sweetheart? Mia? Henry?" Over in the kitchen, mother and son were busy and didn't hear a thing.

Andre tried again, "Dad? Naomi?"

Still nothing. He set down the ice cream and went searching.

He spotted a housekeeper standing watch by the kitchen door, heard pots

clanking, and caught the sound of his son's little cough.

Andre, sharp as ever, guessed, "Let me guess, Ms. Mia's cooking again?" The housekeeper nodded.

Andre headed for the kitchen and, as he pushed open the door, caught the tail end of a mother-son pep talk.

"This time Mommy's new recipe is a surefire hit! If your dad tastes it, he'll be head over heels in love with meno way out," Mia announced, brimming with confidence

"Hmph, Henry, I'm telling you-if that stubborn dad of yours doesn't come down off his high horse after this, you'd better get used to being called just 'Henry' instead of 'Williams.""

Henry's eyes were glued to the spatula in his mom's hand-he'd been watching

forever and still hadn't managed to sneak a single taste.

"My son's about to change his last name?" Andre laughed as he walked in.

Mother and son turned around, matching adorable faces lighting up. "Honey~" "Daddy~"

After their greetings, Mia turned back to her culinary project.

Henry ran over and hugged his dad's leg, and Andre scooped him up so the little guy could finally get a good look at the chaos on the stove.

Mia stuck out her lower lip, still stirring the... well, whatever that was in the pot.

Andre glanced at a failed batch of noodles on the counter-each one looked more hopeless than the last. He peeked into the pot, feeling a little nervous for his stomach. noveldrama

"Is it done?" Mia checked the cooking video on her phone, then nodded. "Done."

She turned off the stove.

Andre eyed the noodles with the blackened bottom, bracing himself for dinner.