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.

boyish knowing grin. "Looking forward to

knocking me off balance. I

There's a Men's discussion

tempted to ask Jared, but thought against it. I didn't want to appear jealous or

to replace me in Maverick's life. That, I was

need to talk," I

steady. "Of course. What's on

but not without conditions," I began, my eyes

"I expected as

interfere with

a pause, like he was contemplating, but

questioning my choices, no

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

life, your

I run the household," I continued, my

home, your rules," Jared said

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

me for that,"

mean it, Jared Smith. No using my

Arielle. Maverick's safety and

softened. But I pushed aside the feeling, reminding myself of why

hold you to that," I said,

reached a

I think that'll be

keep your stuff there while I figure out the room you'll

you so

mumbled and walked

*********

had settled in, I found myself agonizing over where Jared should sleep. The room I assigned to him earlier was not a bedroom, more like a cloakroom, with barely enough space for his suitcases. "Mom, I need your help," I said, seeking her opinion as we sat on the couch

"Decided you can't handle him

my eyes, feeling heat rush to my cheeks. "That's not it. I just... what room should I assign him to?" I asked, exasperation crawling into

squirm, as if she could see

him in the cloakroom," I

It's better than giving him your bed," she said, her voice dripping a

my face. "That's not

seat, on the couch a few meters away from us,

he's going to take Mavericks' attention away from me completely?" I asked Mom,

"Not

nodded, stealing glances

on a trip again," Mom announced, her voice raised

I frowned, surprised. "Already?"

will have some

flushed with embarrassment, wondering what had come over her. And then I tried to steal a glance

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

hissed, returning my gaze to her. "There's nothing between

said, grinning. She seemed to be enjoying herself