Mr billionaire's regret chasing his irresistible wife by Gabby Emmanuel

Can a man and a woman be merely friends?

(ARIELLE'S POV)

momentarily speechless.

I looked up to stare at the person I had bumped into. It turned out to be a young man, and in the fleeting moment I looked at his face, I couldn't help but notice how attractive he was. His eyes were a drowning emerald green, and his features, chiseled and rugged, left me I shook my head, snapping out of the spellbound. "I'm so sorry," I quickly began to apologize.

My eyes darted a short-distance away, and I saw a phone lying on the floor. "Is that your phone?" I asked, not waiting for an answer as I scurried towards it, picked it up, and handed it back to him. "Fortunately, no harm was done to the phone. I'm sorry again."

All this while, the young man had not uttered a word. And when he finally did, he had an amused smile on. "No need to apologize, really. I should be the one apologizing."

I shook my head, "No, I was the one who wasn't looking and bumped into you."

He chuckled softly, the sound low and warm. "Then let's call it even. I wasn't paying attention either."

I couldn't help but smile, caught off guard by how effortlessly charming he seemed. He extended his hand. "Dwayne, by the way."

Just as I reached out to shake his hand, Ashley's voice called out, cutting through the moment. "Arielle, where have you been? I told you I'd be right back after the call!"

I withdrew my hand quickly, giving Dwayne an apologetic look before turning to Ashley. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wander off."

Dwayne's gaze lingered on me, his smile not fading. "That was Jared Smith in that garden, right?"

Yeah, with his best friend. I held that sentence back but nodded, a bit surprised he recognized Jared, but that's not a rare thing since Jared is quite famous in New York city.

I hesitated, "Um, do you come here for him?"

He smiled, "No. I just had a feeling that you and me, we'd cross paths again."

His words struck me, but before I could respond, Ashley pulled me along. "Come on, we need to go."

!!

As I walked away, I cast a glance back at Dwayne. He stood there, watching me with a gentle yet unreadable expression.

Ashley gave me a curious look. "Who was that alluring fox?"

I couldn't help but smile at her choice of words-classic Ashley. Shaking my head, I replied, "Just a weirdo I bumped into."

She laughed, giving me a teasing nudge. "Really? Isn't it always the case that the hottest guys are the craziest? Total package."

I chuckled, rolling my eyes. "I don't know about all that."

Ashley raised an eyebrow, her playful grin returning. "So... do you still want to explore the garden?"

I thought of it, but the image of Jared and Sofia conversing flashed in my mind, and I quickly shook my head. I would rather not bump into them again. "No, I'm tired. I need to rest." "That's right. Let's head back inside," she said and led me back to my hospital room. We got inside, and she helped me into bed.

"Try to rest, okay?"

Sofia in the garden alone kept blocking

saying wouldn't leave me, and I didn't realize

okay, Arielle. You seem restless, should I

"I'm fine -"

the garden while I was answering

to brush it off. I

like -" Ashley made to say, but the door swung open, and the doctor Wade

are back to check on you like I promised, Mrs. Smith," Doctor Wade said, flashing me her

examination. She was done in no time and straightened up, signalling the

these results just came in from the lab from the series of

raced with anxiety. What was I expecting? This was a hospital, and they were bound to find out. I'm

Wade nodded,

godmother!" She wrapped her arms around me, and I managed to smile, trying

telling her sooner. Seeing her this happy made

smiling, said, "Congratulations, once again. I will

I surprised them, and me, by blurting, "Does

arms around me, stiffen. "No,

with my next words. "Can

"Why, if I may

our first pregnancy, and I want to break the news to him myself." I winced inwardly

smile returned to her face. "Alright, I wouldn't ruin the surprise for you. Congratulations once again," she said before

the right mindset to respond. She

sighed, "I

look? And you don't even look

no point keeping things from her. "I knew I was pregnant, Ashley. I have known

expression changed from excitement to shock, as her arms

to narrate how I discovered about the pregnancy on the eve of my wedding anniversary. Jared's call that night, to the caller turning out to be Sofia, down to how I have not been

of these from me. How many more secrets are you

sorry, Ashley. Believe me, I

have been hectic for you, and I can't blame you. Just promise you won't keep things from

promise. It's never gonna happen

Your little secretive ass

"Thank you."

acknowledgement, and then her expression turned serious. "On a serious note, I think you should inform Jared. You can't keep such

a life jacket, it seems impossible. I feel he will not react to the news the way I expect him to

doting on Sofia because she is pregnant. Realizing his own

think Jared's sudden nonchalance towards me is because of the pregnancy.

"I don't think -"

question?" I

looked surprised, but

you think a man and a woman can be together for