MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE

(ARIELLE'S POV)

I sat across from Mom at the dinning table. We'd just put Maverick to bed and decided to stay up a little longer just to catch up on each other's days while we shared a bowl of fresh fruit salad.

"It's getting so overwhelming doing this on my own, mum. I mean, with things like today happening, I'm so afraid for my baby. What if he decides to show up again?" I asked in despair, avoiding the sound of his name like a plague. But my mother caught on regardless. "I tell you, that evil heartbreaker has the heavens to thank that I didn't do more than I did to him today! Oh, how I'd have loved to dent his face even deeper," my mother scoffed in disgust.

"Well, I'm glad you didn't. I wouldn't want the police taking my mother away for assault," I teased.

"Oh please. They'd agree with me that he deserves whatever he gets from me by the time I'm done explaining to them all that he did to you," she maintained.

"What if he asks about his father? He's growing older, mum. That question is inevitable and it's one I fear I'm not ready to answer," I confessed, retreating back into my despair.

My mother gently put her spoon back down on the saucer and placed her hand on mine. "When the time is right we'll take care of that, Arielle. Maverick has you and that's worth more than a million fathers. Besides, you're not alone sweetie. Momma's here with you," she spoke so reassuringly, allaying all my fears as she drew small circles on the back of my hand.

"Thank you. I'm glad you're always there for me and Maverick. Just like you were today. I mean, fancy how lucky we were to have you arrive on time," I teased her with a knowing smile.

"Alright. You got me. It's not everyday I get to have two babies to look after, you know," she said, touching my chin fondly.

"But I'm not a baby, mum," I whined in playful protest.

"Nonsense. You'll always be my baby," she finished off with a wide smile before resuming with her apple.

We settled into a comfortable silence for a while, before my phone rang into the air. I had it facedown on the table so I was mildly irritated at the idea of taking any call at all so late in the day- until I read the caller ID. Dwayne.

I realized it was a video call only after I'd swiped the receive icon. Dwayne's face appeared on the screen, his expression calm and composed, the faintest hint of a smile appearing at his lips as he looked at me.

Even through the phone, the intensity of his gaze made it hard to stay focused. His extra tanned skin didn't help either.

"Hey Ari," he finally cooed in his rich baritone.

I cleared my throat. "Hey."

From across the room, my mom grabbed an apple, mouthing, 'I'll leave you two alone,' with an exaggerated wink before she slipped out.

I playfully rolled my eyes then turned back to the call.

"How's everything?" Dwayne asked, still in his head chef's uniform, a few stains hinting at how packed his day had been. It looked like he'd carved out a moment just to call me.

I paused, thinking about how to sum up the last few days. "Busy. Work's chaotic, and Maverick's still adjusting to school. You know, the usual juggling act."

Dwayne nodded, his eyes softening. "How's he handling it? Must be a lot for a kid his age."

"Yeah... he's trying. But I think it's a bit overwhelming for him," I admitted, feeling a little more at ease sharing that with him.

"He'll find his rhythm. Kids are resilient like that," Dwayne said with quiet confidence.

Hearing him say that, so sure and calm, I almost felt like I was.... reporting to someone checking in with me after a long day? It was a strange sensation, one that crept up on me so suddenly that I had to shake it off before it settled foo deep. This wasn't that, I reminded myself. Dwayne was just... Dwayne.

"Thanks," I said quietly, forcing myself back to the present. "How about you? Everything's fine?"

"Nah, I've had worse days," he replied, a trace of warmth in his smile. "It'd be better if I had my ostrich beside me."

"Stop it Dwayne," I muttered, glancing away as heat crept up my neck. I hoped my blush wasn't as obvious on the screen.

A flicker of something deeper crossed his face as he leaned closer to the camera. "So... how was your day, really? You seemed a little stressed. I'm sure it's not easy for you either."

I smiled, how could he read me so well? "It's been a lot, but I'll manage. I always do."Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

"Good girl. Nothing you can't handle. But just in case, if anyone gives you trouble, I'm only a call away."

Trouble-the word immediately triggered a thought of my ex-husband and Mr. Stone's nephew, both of whom stirred feelings I was in no rush to revisit.

I chuckled softly, shaking off the thought. "Thanks, but I really don't have any issues I can't handle on my own," I said, meaning it. This part of my life wasn't something I wanted to drag Dwayne into. "Besides, I think your paycheck might take a hit if you had to keep flying over to rescue me, big Chef?" I blinked.

He raised an eyebrow, "It really hurts ma'am. I'm just out here trying to please a lady, and now she's talking business."

I laughed, feeling the tension slip away. "Well, I'm the boss now. Can't argue with me."

"Guess not," he replied, his tone lowering just slightly as he leaned in, eyes steady on mine. "But don't think being the boss means you can get away with everything. I've got my ways of handling things when you

don't tell me the whole truth Ari.”

His voice had that quiet intensity that sent a shiver down my spine...not threatening, just firm, like he knew exactly how to take control when needed. It made my breath catch for a second, the air between us shifting.

I managed a small smile, but the warmth in my cheeks betrayed me. "I'm not lying," I said softly, almost instinctively, like I was answering to him.

Gosh I'd blushed way too many times than intended over the course of the phone call and I didn't know what to think of it. I knew at once that the call ended before I made a joke out of myself.

"Oh, shit," I cursed. "I forgot I had something in the oven. Can we continue this some other time?" I asked, hoping he would buy my poor attempt at a lie.

Dwayne's lips curved in a knowing smile as if he'd seen right through me. "Of course ostrich. Just call if you need me."

I ended the call, feeling a rush of

confusion flood my mind. What is going on with me-and with him? Today had already been chaotic enough, and I couldn't let this throw me off balance. Dwayne's a good friend, that's it. We're adults, exchanging polite greetings, nothing more.

Forget about it Arielle, I said to myself. Dwayne had no idea what complexities made up my life; after all, he wasn't here to know anything, right?