Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Maja worried her little sister would lose sleep over her, so she pretended to be pregnant just to keep her mind at ease. Still, a part of her couldn't help but dread the possibility—what if her sister and Conner really did end up together?

After all, they clearly liked each other. It was just Maja stuck awkwardly in the middle, unable to move forward or back.

She kept replaying the moment she got shot. Two groups had shown up at once- what were Conner's people really doing there? Did they come to finish her off? Get rid of her, and Conner and her sister could be together without anyone in the way.

Or maybe they came to save her. But why would they? Was it about that stash she was holding onto? Maja doubted Conner would risk anything just for her sister's sake.

And then there was the Dark Web. She'd been ready to die, thinking the Dark Web might avenge her. But Kon-what an idiot. She must've been blind to ever trust him as a partner. Andre's men played him like a fool, and he still thought he was pulling the strings. Now, even she was being hunted by the Dark Web.

Time slipped by, and before she knew it, night had fallen. Dean still hadn't come home.

Outside, the wind picked up, thick and muggy, like a summer storm was about to crack the sky open.

The windows rattled and groaned in the gusts. Maja frowned, got up, and stepped outside to see if she could spot Dean.

Some of Dean's herbs were still drying out in the yard. The air smelled heavy and wet—a downpour was coming, no doubt. Since Dean had saved her once, she figured she owed him this much. She decided to meddle, just this once.

She gathered every last rack of herbs and carried them inside.

By eight, rain pounded down, swallowing the whole village.

Dean hurried home, medicine kit on his back and his hat pulled low, sprinting through the storm. The herbs couldn't get soaked. He didn't pause, even when he slipped and fell in the mud. He got up, wiped his hands, and kept running.

When he finally made it back, he saw the racks empty in the yard and rushed inside.

Four big baskets of herbs sat neatly on the floor. Maja was by the fireplace, feeding fresh wood into the fire.

"You take a spill out there?" Maja glanced at his muddy clothes.

Dean looked down and smiled, a bit embarrassed. "Guess I wanted to feel like a kid again."

He set his hat aside, water dripping from his sleeves. After washing his hands, he joined her by the fire. "Thanks for bringing in my herbs."

“No need to thank me,” she replied, her voice cool but not unkind. "You saved my life. This is nothing."

Dean rubbed his hands together near the flames. "So, what did you eat for dinner?"

Maja hesitated. "I wasn't hungry."

Dean gave her a look. "Or... you just don't know how to cook?"

Half an hour later, Maja sat at the table with a steaming bowl of rice porridge, some toasted bread, and a little plate of pickled veggies. They ate quietly, the storm a soft backdrop.

After a while, Maja spoke up. "Now that you're back, I'll leave tomorrow."

Dean shook his head. "You should wait a bit. It's rainy season-roads are all like this. There's nowhere you can go until the weather clears."

"I just want to leave," Maja said softly.

Dean looked at her, gentle but firm. "And where would you go?"

Maja fell silent. She didn't have an answer.noveldrama

He leaned back. "I pulled you out of trouble. How about you help me out while the rain lasts-call it even."

She eyed him. "What kind of help?"

He tipped his chin toward the baskets of herbs. "Just help me dry them and turn them over every day."

Maja just sighed.

Dean grinned, then, and for the first time, asked, "What's your name?"

"Maja."

He nodded. "Spring. That's what it means, right? I love spring where you're from —fields full of wildflowers, everything lush and green. Best time of year."