Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

The Calder family was tight-lipped about their secrets, and Leo was no exception. He kept everything under wraps, guarding them with the utmost discretion. Late at night, he hurried back to his place. Knowing he was safely home, Anya felt relieved. "Chad, take a bath and get some rest. You've got work tomorrow."

Leo quipped, "Don't you dare hit the sack early. Fire up that laptop and start prepping for your computer exam. If you don't put in the effort, you're gonna flop." Anya sighed, resigning herself. "I just can't get the hang of it."

Leo persisted, "If you're struggling, video call me every night. I'll walk you through it."

Anya pouted, murmuring under her breath, "I really don't want to study, but you keep pushing me..."

Mr. Calder chimed in, "I think it's great Leo wants you to learn. If you get stuck, I can help too."

Anya asked, "Dad, can you do a sum in a spreadsheet?"

Mr. Calder, clearly puzzled, replied, "...I think it's better if Leo helps, it'll also bring you two closer."

Anya quickly realized her father was out of his depth. "Never mind, you should just keep Mom company."

She headed back to her room, clutching her laptop, which had gathered dust during her travels, untouched for ages.

...

Mia and Molly hadn't seen Leo in a while, and he crossed their minds again. The next day, around noon, the sisters, with a little bundle in tow, went to visit him.

The heat outside was sweltering. Without giving Leo a heads up, they waited at his doorstep.

A short while later, Leo came downstairs to grab his delivery and was taken aback to see the little one, along with Mia instructing her son, "Come on, say 'ah ah' to your brother." Leo turned, surprised, "Whoa, what brings you here?"

He approached with his meal in hand, and Henry's eyes followed his brother's hands to his own face.

Mia said, "You haven't visited since you started working. We've missed you."

Leo reached out, and Henry eagerly flailed his little arms toward him.

"Still remember your brother?"

Henry ignored him, fixated on his hands.

Leo handed his meal to Mia, "Hold this for me."

He picked up Henry, looking at his chubby cheeks, "Come here, let me give you a kiss."

Henry turned his head, eyes drifting back to his mom's hands, "Ooh, moo~"

Suddenly, Leo planted a kiss on his face, and Henry turned back, looking at his brother like he was about to gobble him up, his little mouth quivering into a familiar cry. The hallway resonated with Henry's cries.

Molly eyed the meal, "You order takeout every day?"

Leo nodded, settling down with the three of them. With Henry in one arm, he opened the meal box with the other, and Henry's cries ceased at the aroma.

As Leo reached for utensils, Henry's little hands eagerly stretched out for the food. His mouth opened, drool gathering, eyes glued to the dish, "Mmm!" Mia held her son, "When do you have to head back to work?"

Leo replied, "Before two."

Molly nodded, "Plenty of time, let's have a little get-together. We've got a table at the Majestic Dining Enclave, Mia booked it in advance."

Suddenly, Leo's meal seemed less appetizing, though Henry was still all about the takeout.

On their way out, Leo bumped into his boss, "Vincent, you're here."

The portly man, in an ill-fitting shirt, glanced at Mia with the child and looked her over, "And this is..."

Leo replied, "My aunt, and her little one."

Oh, married then.

His gaze shifted to Molly, and Leo introduced, "My aunt-in-law. My uncle's on duty today, so she came to find me."

"What does your uncle do?"

"He's a cop."

Molly, half-jokingly twirling her car keys, asked, "Leo, does your work really check into everything? Even family jobs?" Her tone had a hint of annoyance. Leo nodded, "It's better to be thorough, responsible for both the staff and the company, right, Vincent?"

Leo smoothed things over for Vincent, who found it awkward to pry further, "Yeah, it's about being responsible for both sides. Haha. Where are you all headed?" Mia, holding her son, invited Vincent, "We're going to Majestic Dining Enclave for lunch. Want to join?"

Majestic Dining Enclave? That's pricey...

The manager glanced at Leo, knowing the invite was just polite, and declined, "Thanks, but no. You all go ahead. Leo, don't be late for work this afternoon." After waving goodbye, he headed to the elevator.

The group, with Henry still eyeing the takeout bag, left together.

Leo didn't bring the takeout to the car, which prompted another round of Henry's cries until they reached the Majestic Dining Enclave and the sight of new dishes finally distracted him.

At Majestic Dining Enclave, Mia asked, "What's up with your manager?" Normally, Leo would never call them his aunt and aunt-in-law, but today he did, and even mentioned his uncle was a cop. This piqued their curiosity.

Leo, aware of how some men operate, wasn't surprised, "He's got a thing for pretty faces, can't help himself. Our office barely has any women. They never stick around."

Molly asked, "Then why do you stay? With management like that, shouldn't you be bolting out of here?"

Leo replied, "...It's not him keeping me here. His character might be lacking, but the company's decent. At least it offers some stability."

Leo had his priorities sorted, other factors wouldn't derail his plans.

Plus, he had more downtime here to study.

Without Anya around, his life boiled down to two things: monotony and dullness.

As for his coworkers, he viewed them strictly as colleagues, never forming tight-knit friendships.

Among roommates, while others bonded over outings and meals, such interactions couldn't prevent the high turnover.

Some moved out, and new ones moved in.

He maintained an arm's-length relationship with others, never revealing too much of himself or his thoughts.

Vincent arrived at the office and paused at Leo's desk, taking in the neatly arranged items: a few stylish potted plants, a succulent off to the side, and a picture of his girlfriend... His desk was impeccably organized, highlighting Leo's meticulousness, leaving no room for complaints from colleagues.

This level of diligence was honed under his uncle's strict guidance.

"Vincent, you're early today," someone remarked.

Typically, executives, including Vincent, were networking outside, only stopping by the office when there was a lull in their schedules.

Vincent nodded, "Lee, who's close to Leo around here?"

The coworker shook his head, "Not sure, he clocks in and out right on time, never heard of him hanging with anyone. Why do you ask, Vincent?"

"Just curious," Vincent replied casually.

Lee lingered a bit longer, adding, "I've heard that lately, some of the women from other companies in the building have been asking about Leo."

This version captures the essence of the original story while infusing it with a more natural, conversational tone that resonates with a Western audience. The adjustments ensure relatability while maintaining the narrative's core.