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.

in her eyes. "We're so

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

not wanting to be left out, yelled," Yay, Mommy! You won!" and

congratulations and pleasantries, we all headed out to eat and celebrate at a popular Italian restaurant. Over

always knew you had it in you," Mom said, patting

I gave birth to him, and she flew over to see him and take care of me for the first three months. Although angry, I didn't tell her about his conception; just the

always looked forward to her visits and this

because she thought he had the beauty of a

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 agree less with mother. My son was handsome, and it saddens me sometimes that when I looked at

on yourself, I chide bringing my thoughts back before they wandered

end of the day,

booked in, as the house

me off at home, and I invited

years, Dwayne," I said as

his cot after his nanny left,

"Anytime, Ari," he murmured.

sipped our coffee, time blurred, and our conversations flowed effortlessly. We

glad we made it through," Dwayne

I agreed. "It wasn't easy,

expression turned serious. "What are

my response. But before I could answer, a small

"Mama?"

to see Maverick standing