Andre: "I'll pick you up after school."
"No need, Jade and I are going to hang out together." Mia responded.
Andre chuckled, "It's my first time playing chauffeur for someone and you shot me down."
Mia: "Well, get used to rejection. Over time, you'll get used to it ."
Eavesdropping on their conversation, Jade and Leo gave Mia a thumbs up, showing their admiration. They weren't fazed by Andre one bit.
Andre was in good spirits. He didn't force her. When he heard she had plans, he hung up the phone with a tinge of regret.
Mia bit her lip, staring at her phone as she leaned on the table.
Jade asked, "What's up?"
Mia: "I feel a little uneasy inside."
Jade, her face resting on her hand, comforted Mia, "Don't tell me you're falling for Andre."
Mia shook her head.
Then she asked, "Leo, your uncle hasn't been home these past few days. Do you know where he's at?"
Leo answered, "He's at Maplewood Estates."
Mia found the name Maplewood Estates familiar. She suddenly remembered Andre asking her, "Would you consider moving to Maplewood Estates?"
Jade then asked, "Maplewood Estates, why haven't I heard of it?"
Leo explained, "It's my uncle's private residence. Only his close associates can enter. Since he was 13, he's been living there alone. The Cedillo family's old house is just a temporary residence for him. His real home is Maplewood Estates."
He didn't notice Mia was already shell-shocked. He continued, "If Mia gets a chance to move to Maplewood Estates, she might become my uncle's wife."
Mia blinked rapidly, "Maplewood Estates is Andre's real home?"
Leo: "Yes, for you guys, home is where your parents are. For my uncle, Maplewood Estates is his home."
Mia nervously took a sip of water.
She must have heard him correctly that day.
In the evening when Andre returned home, Mia had just finished freshening up in the bathroom. She walked up to Andre and said, "Andre, I have a question to ask you~"
"Why are you not calling me 'honey' anymore?"
Mia pouted, "Didn't you say I was being hypocritical?"
Andre sat on the sofa, sipping his tea, "That was a misunderstanding. You can continue calling me 'honey'."
Mia covered her mouth, squatting next to Andre, she asked, "Did you really ask me to move to Maplewood Estates that day, or did I hear wrong?"
Andre looked at her, "Why bring this up all of a sudden?"
Mia rolled her eyes, "I heard Leo mention it, so I got curious."
Andre swallowed, "Didn't you already turn me down?"
Mia was surprised. So he really did mean Maplewood Estates that night!
"Andre…"
"Call me 'honey'." Andre requested.
Mia paused for a second, then started again, "Honey, why do you want me to move to Maplewood Estates?"
Andre slightly turned his head, looking down at Mia who was squatting beside him, "Do you want to know why?"
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