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

He wants a Daddy.

****Three years later****

"And the overall best graduating student and winner of this year's $100,000 scholarship grant is Arielle Meyers!"

I gasped at the announcement, unable to believe the event anchor's words. It was not only after the hall erupted in applause, and people were glancing at me that I realized that it was indeed my name that was called.

I stood up from my seat, my heart racing with excitement as I walked through the rows of seats, making my way up to the elevated podium.

As I reached the stage, I was met with a warm smile by the organizer, who handed me the award and shook my hand. "Congratulations, Arielle!"

I scanned the crowd, locking eyes with my mother and Ashley, who were grinning wildly. They had flown in the previous day to witness my graduation. I smiled back at them, my gaze shifting to my three-year-old son, Maverick, waving excitedly on the lap of his nanny. "Mommy's won!" I mouthed, waving at him.

As I returned my gaze to the stage, Dwayne was standing beside me smiling. He was called up by the organizers as the second runner-up. I smiled back, no one would have owned that spot better. "Congratulations, Arielle You deserved it!"

"Thanks," I responded, my eyes gleaming with happiness. "You deserve yours too."

He chuckled. "I couldn't have asked for a better friend. We make a great team, don't we?"

I flushed slightly, nodding in agreement. Over the years, our friendship had blossomed as he had been relentless in his pursuit of me.

Even though, after that day at the hospital, he had not directly told me he loved me or wanted me to be his girlfriend, I could tell from the lovey-dovey gestures men did for women that he liked me.

I, on my part, had been forcing myself to ignore him since I wanted to focus solely on my child. But still, he has become an integral part of my life, as well as my son's and I don't take it with levity.

As I walked down the stage with Dwayne, diploma and award in hand, I was accosted by congratulations from my mother, Ashley, and Maverick.

My Mom exclaimed, tears brimming in her eyes. "We're so proud

could do it, girl!" Ashley added, handing me a beautifully wrapped gift box. "You're such

Yay, Mommy! You won!" and flung his arms around my

all headed out to eat and celebrate at a popular Italian restaurant. Over the meal, my mom and

you had it in you," Mom said, patting my hand "You've worked so hard for all you have

getting on her lap. My mom found out about his existence after I gave birth to him, and she flew over to see him and take care of me for the

well, and Maverick always looked forward to her

grandchild," my mom said, letting him get comfortable. She liked to call him beautiful because she thought he had the beauty of a woman. "No

firmly pointed nose, and a proud well, curved chin, I couldn't agree less with mother. My son was handsome, and it saddens me sometimes that

grip on yourself, I chide

end of the

to the hotel they were booked in, as the house I stayed in wasnot spacious enough

at home,

being present all these years, Dwayne," I said as we

his cot after

"Anytime, Ari," he murmured.

we sipped our coffee, time blurred, and our conversations flowed effortlessly. We reminisced about our time in the academy, sharing laughter

so glad we made it through," Dwayne

too," I agreed. "It wasn't easy, but we did

"What are your plans now that we've graduated,

I could answer, a

"Mama?"

Maverick standing at