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

Father and son moment.

(ARIELLE'S POV)

As I watched Jared and Maverick walk ahead, Jared's suitcases rolling behind him, I decided that now was not the time to be overwhelmed. This was temporary. I had to brace up and tough if I wanted to scale through this. Maverick's chatter filled the hallway as he beamed up at Jared, clearly delighted by his father's presence.

"Traitor," I muttered under my breath. The moment his dad shows up, I might as well be invisible.

But just then, my mother appeared in the hallway, stopping dead in her tracks as she stared at Jared, sizing up the loads in his hands. Then her surprised face trailed past him to dwell on me, screaming "what's going on?" I tried to make a calming gesture, but she frowned. She was obviously not having it.

"Kitchen. Now," she ordered, before spinning around and stomping off.

I sighed and brushed past Jared and Maverick, trailing behind her. As I entered the kitchen, she was already pacing.

"Arielle, what is he doing here?" She demanded, pausing to face me squarely.

"I can explain, Mom," I said.

"Explain? Oh, please. Go ahead. This should be good."

I took a breath, silently praying she doesn't freak out from all I'm about to say.

"Jared says someone is sabotaging his company. To catch them, he needs to lie low and act vulnerable for a while. He asked if he could stay here."

My mom's expression contorted in disbelief. "And you believed him?"

"Not really, but let's say I don't have much choice. Your grandson begged me," I explained.

Her expression softened slightly, as I knew it would. "Ah, that boy," she murmured.

"Mom, I just need your support. This is temporary, and I'll set clear boundaries."

She sighed. "I can't say I'm happy about this, but fine. Someone has to protect you from yourself and from him."

A smile crossed my features. "Thank you -"

"Oh, save it. Go get ready for work and that little man of yours has to leave for school."

"Thank you, Mom. I love you! You're taking him, right?"

"I sure am," she said with an eye roll.

I laughed and patted her hair, before walking out of the kitchen.

On returning to the sitting room, I assumed a poker face, carefully masking my emotions. I had to appear serious, as I didn't want Jared to misinterpret my feelings about his presence in my home. I met him chatting with Maverick, their laughter filling the room.

"Maverick, go to Nana and finish up your preparation for school. You're running late," I ordered, my tone firm but gentle.

Maverick nodded, his eyes sparkling with excitement but they were not directed at me.

"Bye, Dad. We'll continue our men's discussion when I get back," he said, his small voice filled with forced importance.

a boyish knowing grin. "Looking forward to it, buddy," he

balance. I

Men's discussion

moment, I was tempted to ask Jared, but thought against

That, I was sure of. With that, I pushed the thought aside and

to talk," I said,

immediately, his gaze steady. "Of

you stay, alright, but not without conditions," I began, my eyes still

"I expected

First, you won't interfere with my personal

pause, like he was

no offering unsolicited

narrowed, his Jaws clenched. And for a moment, I

your choice," he

you won't question how I run the household," I continued, my tone permitting

rules,"

Maverick's well-being comes first," I emphasized, ensuring I added enough

me for

his face. "I mean it, Jared Smith. No using my child as a leverage or putting him

life, Arielle. Maverick's safety and happiness

was evident, and for a moment, I softened. But I pushed aside the feeling, reminding myself of why he was here in

to that," I said,

reached a

I think that'll be all

your stuff there while I figure out the room you'll be staying in when I'm

nodded. "Thank you so

I mumbled and walked

*********

should sleep. The room I assigned to him earlier was not a bedroom, more like a cloakroom,

sparkling with amusement. "Decided you can't handle him after all?"

not it. I just... what room should

me squirm, as if she could see right through

in the cloakroom," I argued, trying

not? It's better than giving him your bed," she said, her

"That's not

room with Maverick. They took a seat, on the couch a few meters away from us,

take Mavericks' attention away from me

"Not a

nodded, stealing glances

me, I'll be leaving on a trip again," Mom announced,

I frowned, surprised. "Already?"

two will have some space,"

over her. And then I tried to steal a glance at Jared to see if he heard us, because mum was a little too

did seem to have heard us because he appeared equally flustered, a faint blush crawling to

my gaze to

know," she said, grinning. She seemed to be