MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE

(ARIELLE'S POV)

"I'll be stepping out now, please ensure that nothing goes wrong in my absence," I said, as I took off my chef apron and hung it on the rail in the kitchen.

I had just finished teaching the chefs a new delicacy and was about to rush off because I had somewhere important to be.

"Don't worry, Arielle. Everything is in control," Rebecca said with a reassuring smile.

I nodded, "thank you," and walked out of the kitchen, heading to my office. Inside, I grabbed my bag, but as I made to leave, a thought struck me and I paused, retreating my steps to the restroom connected to my office.

I stared at myself in the mirror and realized that true to my instincts, some things in my look needed to be straightened. I immediately got to work, straightening my hair, reapplying my lipstick, and spraying perfume. The scent of lavender filled the air, calming my nerves. As I looked up at my now perfect self in the mirror, I nodded and walked out.

In the hallway, as I made for the exit, I bumped into Stephen. Oh, no, I cried inwardly. Now was not the time, I do not have the time to engage him.

"Hey," he greeted, his face lighting up with a smile as we drew closer.

"Oh, hi, Stephen," I replied hastily. "Um, have you been in the kitchen today?"

"No, not yet. Is there a problem?"

"Not really a problem, but you should. Rebecca needs your attention with something." And before he could say a word, I hurried past him, patting his shoulder.

"Go tend to Rebecca," I called out over my shoulder, not slowing down.

I could feel his gaze on my back, but I didn't look back. I had to get out of there before he delayed me further with his chit chat.

I quickened my pace, my heels making funny sounds on the floor as I made way to exit. But just as I stepped out, I bumped into Big Joe.

Oh shit, I cussed, wanting to take another route but he already spotted me and was approaching me now.

Lately, moving everywhere with him has become quite overwhelming, in contrast to how it was when he initially arrived. Now, I feel babied and would always look for a way to outsmart him and go anywhere I wanted to, without him. But I guess today was not my lucky day, he must have suspected I always take the back exit instead of the front, and decided to wait for me here.

As he got closer, I decided I was going to be more firm with my request to Dwayne to terminate his job, especially with this thing with Jared. It's going to be awkward, having him follow me every time I have to meet with Jared.

I'd not like I cared, but I just don't want Big Joe feeding the wrong information about my new relationship with Jared.

"Oh hey, Joe," I said, forcing a smile when he got to me.

He gave a slight nod, "Hi, Ma." And then he added, "going somewhere?"

I hesitated before nodding. "Kinda, but I don't need company because it's just across the road," I added, pointing to some unknown direction to drive home my point.

"That won't be a problem, let's go."

My eyes narrowed as I fixed him a calculative gaze. I can't outsmart him today, so I'm left with the option of speaking with him.

"Um, Joe, you do realize I'm an adult? I have to be somewhere, and I do not want you with me. I promise to be back on time, if you just let me."

"You know -" but I cut him short before he started one of those speeches about his duty and obligation to Dwayne.

"Please, just this one time. You can report to Dwayne if I don't keep to time," I said, pulling off every facial expression I knew.

Finally, his face softened. "Fine, I'll let you."

"Oh, really? Thank you," I said, and tapped his shoulder before brushing past him.

I resumed my journey, walking through the pedestrian lane until I got to the opposite street. I spotted the car where it was parked, and walked towards it. "You're late," Jared said, the moment I slid into the seat beside him.

Yeah, I was meeting with him and that was only because today is the day we pick up his grandmother at the airport.

"And Good morning to you, too, Mr Smith," I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes.

"Good morning, Arielle. How're you?"

"Save the pleasantries and let's leave already," I said, curtly.

He seemed hurt, but nodded, and turned the car on, as he careened it out of the street into the highway.

The rest of the drive to the airport was in silence, save for my brief responses to Jared's questions and side talks.

As we arrived at the airport and

made our way for the arrivals, Jared suddenly pulled me close, wrapping his hand around my waist. I froze momentarily, totally taken aback as I pinned him a look that screamed, "what are you doing?"

"Relax," he whispered, his breath on my ear, tickling. "If we're going to do this, then we have to make it look real."

Realizing there was a truth in his words, I nodded, trying to shake off the fog that had clouded my mind. I threw my face away, focusing on the arrivals board as we continued walking.

But as we walked, his familiar scent, warmth and presence messed up with my head, stirring up old memories. Memories of our past, and memories I wanted so bad to be in the past.

Realizing myself, I quickly shoved them aside. The sound of luggage carts rolling and passengers chattering filled the air helped me concentrate.

We soon arrived at the arrivals gate, and Jared's and I scanned the crowd with our eyes. Simultaneously, our eyes spotted and locked into a figure in the distance.

"There she is," he said, turning to me, a smile on his face.

I nodded, equally smiling. His grip on my waist tightened as we strode towards an elegant woman in her seventies. Her once shoulder length silver hair was now styled in a short chick bob, giving her features a defined look. "Jared, Arielle," She exclaimed, sweeping us both into a hug. It was a happy reunion, whatever tension between Jared and I momentarily forgotten as we both shared in the joy of having her back.

"Oh, dear. It's so wonderful to see you, two!" she exclaimed, pulling from the hug.

"The feeling is mutual, Nana," I responded, beaming at her.

"Oh, I can see that," She said, her sparkling eyes moving between Jared and I. "And I can see that you two are still the lovely couple I know. Oh my, I feel so proud to be the pioneer of this union." Jared and I subtly exchanged knowing glances, but still maintaining the smiles on our faces.

"Um, Grandma, let's head home now. Mother is dying to see you," Jared said.

"Of course, I can't wait to see her, too," Nana said.

Later, at the family mansion, We joined Jared's mother for dinner, with her playing along with us, as we all chatted like a normal family. I had met with Jared's mother aCòntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

before, when I'd expected

encounter to be awkward the dead

Surprisingly it wasn't.

She asked a few questions about my life in Italy, my new restaurant, greeted me warmly, and promised she'd visit for dinner soon-like an old friend. Life really was full of surprises. Or maybe it was just because we weren't in that typical mother in-law and daughter-in-law dynamic anymore. I chuckled softly and shook my head, deciding to leave it at that.

The dining room was filled with different kinds of delicious meals, and soft glows of the scented candles Nana brought from Greece made the whole atmosphere more relaxing. Nana Jean, sharp and soft, was full and bubbling with life as ever. Her mind was sharp and active, maybe too active.

"It's good to have you back," Jared's mother said, in-between meals. She adored her mother-in-law genuinely and they both had a healthy and close relationship. I envied it, being something I didn't enjoy when I was married to her son.

"Thank you, dear," Nana replied, flashing her an affectionate smile. "It's lovely to be home."

The conversation flowed easily, with Nana telling us stories of her travels. But midway, she suddenly dropped a bombshell.

"So, why haven't you two given me a great-grandchild yet?" she asked, her gaze moving between Jared and me.