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

Fated to meet you.

(ARIELLE'S POV)

I had arrived in Italy and settled in, although the first week was a maze of orientation and waiting for students who had delays in arrival, to arrive. The academy provided accommodations, but I chose to stay outside campus due to my pregnant state. I got a decent apartment and spent the week touring the city, registering for antenatal in a hospital, and keeping in touch with Mom and Ashley.

But none of it filled the emptiness gnawing inside me. Late at night, when the city was quiet and my thoughts drifted back to Jared and the child I had lost, I felt the weight of it all. I tried hard to stay distracted, burying myself in activities so I wouldn't have to remember those painful memories.

Classes finally began, and during a break, I stepped out for some fresh air. As I made my way through the courtyard, my heart skipped a beat.

A familiar figure caught my eye-broad shoulders, tall frame, dark hair... My breath hitched. Jared?

But when he turned around, I immediately knew I was wrong when seeing that drowning emerald green eyes.

It was Dwayne.

I stumbled backward by the impact of the collision, shocked.

"D... Dwayne?" I called, eyes widened.

A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips as his eyes locked with mine. "Hi, Arielle." The light breeze tousled his hair, and there was something about his easy charm that made it hard to look away.

My surprise quickly morphed into suspicion. "What are you doing here?" I asked, taking a step backward.

"I know you're surprised-" he said, taking a step closer.

"Are you stalking me?" I asked, trying to process the unexpected encounter.

He sighed. "No, Arielle, I'm not stalking you."

I narrowed my eyes. "Then how are you here? At the same academy, in the same city?"

"I'm a student here, too."

My eyes dimmed. "What? How is that possible?"

and then he turned around and I did the same, realizing people were looking our way. "But not here, over

if I should trust him. But my curiosity got the better part of me. What was he in Italy, at the same place, and at the same time as me? I nodded.

small café just outside the campus, and once seated, I wasted no time.

enjoyed the tension between us. "You're not going to let me

arms. "No. I just want to know what's

this out of the way. I wasn't stalking you, Arielle. Our meetings were

"Coincidental? Maybe the previous encounters, but not

there because I stepped out to get some fresh air. I was admitted a few days ago for food poisoning after trying out a new dish," he gave out a small laugh, but I maintained my straight face. "And the mall?" He shrugged. "I was shopping for ingredients for my cooking class. Karaoke night? Just an evening to unwind, and I spotted you, so I

mute, studying his face for any sign of deception

asked the smile

shook my head. "Not

pulled out a small wallet, flipping it open to reveal a chef's badge. "I'm a chef too, Arielle. I'm here on a scholarship as it has always been

to me. It was his F******k page, filled

through, my

phone back, feeling a bit silly for being so

fated to meet," he said

this is more like a serial killer chasing after his victim to me okay? Don't underestimate a woman's vigilance in today's world." I crossed my arms, tilting my head as

into small laugh. "Then I guess I owe you an apology... for

and I found myself smiling too, feeling a genuine sense of ease for the first time

and we placed our orders. As we waited for our meal to arrive, I decided to

I mean, it's thousands of miles away

lit up. "The food, the culture, the passion - Italy has it all. And I

smiled; we had a lot in common. "Same here," and that statement was true. Despite using the scholarship as an avenue to get over Jared and the past, I have always wanted to visit Italy. I had even thought of convincing Jared that we visit during

three whole years?" Dwayne suddenly asked, as

paused, unsure of

I struck a chord," he quickly added. "I don't mean to pry, it's just that your Mom mentioned

"I'm divorced," I responded, and quickly added, "I don't

just as difficult to hide something from those piercing emerald eyes. Somehow, I felt like Dwayne saw right through me, like he could sense what had

with a suggestion. "We've still got some time before the break is over. How about

any friends here yet, and going back to the academy alone didn't sound appealing. "Okay, sure,"

Come on," he said and led

in different stages of their lives, were arranged in delicate displays. The vibrant colors and details of their