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.

sweetie!" My Mom exclaimed, tears brimming in her eyes. "We're

girl!" Ashley added, handing me

to be left out, yelled," Yay, Mommy! You won!"

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

it in you," Mom said, patting my

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 first three months. Although

well, and Maverick always looked forward to

beautiful 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 one has the right to

that I had to trim regularly to avoid getting in his eyes way, deep blue eyes, almond-shaped eyes housing long dark lashes, full warm lips, a firmly pointed nose, and a proud well, curved chin, I couldn't

zoning off again, get a grip on yourself, I chide bringing my thoughts back before they wandered to

the end of the day, Ashley

the house I stayed in wasnot spacious enough too accommodate

at home,

for being present all these years, Dwayne," I said as we sipped the coffee

was fast asleep in his cot after

"Anytime, Ari," he murmured.

and our conversations flowed effortlessly. We reminisced about our time in

we made it through," Dwayne said,

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

turned serious. "What are your plans

my response. But before I could answer,

"Mama?"

turned to see Maverick standing at the doorway, looking