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

The velvet Fork

(ARIELLE'S POV)

So this was it-The Velvet Fork, our rival restaurant.

"We're going deep undercover," Stephen declared, adjusting his fake mustache and patting down the ridiculous green wig perched on his head.

I sighed, already regretting agreeing to this. "Are you sure that disguise won't just make you more obvious?"

"Obvious? Ha! You're the obvious one!" Rebecca retorted, tilting her enormous sunhat so low it practically swallowed her face. Her oversized sunglasses weren't helping her blend in, either.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Neither of you can talk. We all look like a bad comedy sketch."

"Speak for yourself," Stephen said with mock indignation, twirling his fake mustache. "I'm a method actor. This is art."

I couldn't help but laugh, shaking my head at their antics. Once inside, I managed to steer us toward something resembling a logical plan. "Let's get a table, place an order, and observe their operations," I suggested, adjusting my own dark shades. Stephen straightened his wig. "Got it. Time to give an Oscar-worthy performance."

Rebecca smiled mischievously. "Time to put my spy skills into use and gather as much intel as we need."

We spotted an empty table of three and approached, taking our seats. Afterwards, we beckoned a waiter, and he handed us a menu.

As we skimmed through, our eyes widened in unison. I quickly forced a neutral expression when the waiter asked, "Is something wrong?"

"Oh, no, not at all," I said with a too-bright smile, handing back the menu. "Your design is... impressive."

He smiled, his face relaxing. "Can I take your orders now?"

"Of course. I'll have grilled chicken and rice," I said.

"And I'll have the chicken parmesan," Stephen chimed.

"I will have the vegetarian quinoa bowl," Rebecca said.

The waiter scribbled the orders on his iPad before walking away. The moment he was out of earshot, Stephen, who was already fuming, spoke up.

"That menu is a ripoff! It's basically ours! Even the design!"

voice hushed but furious. "They didn't just copy the look; they stole your

gritted my teeth. They weren't wrong. "It's infuriating, but let's not make

critique mood, loudly commented. "Their chicken sauce is over-reduced by the way, and the

seemed to have overheard Rebecca as he looked in our direction. He finished tending to the customer he was

a problem?" He asked, eyeing us wearily. "I heard

not, I was referring to the restaurant we visited yesterday. Their sauce was nothing to write home about," Rebecca quickly chimed, forcing

and I

drawing a

I heard her clearly," he

to intervene again so things don't escalate and our covers are blown. But fortunately, the

with my

down the waiter politely. "Excuse me, but I believe this chicken isn't fully cooked. Could you please

dismissively. "Perhaps you're unfamiliar with

I've been to Japan and Spain. That's not a 'style'; that's a

a spoon and scooped up some rice. The texture was off, and the

take a sample to a lab. You know, for

keep a straight face as he added,

before things could escalate, I stood, carefully placing my napkin on the table. "Excuse me," I said, shooting Stephen and Rebecca a

coughed and rose from my seat. Rebecca and Stephen's concerned gaze

back," I reassured

restroom, grateful

staring

cool water from the faucet splashed over my hands, the steady rhythm helping to calm my racing nerves. With my emotions under control adjusted

about their food quality," a woman's voice said, low and

can just waltz back from Italy and outshine us," a man added, his tone dripping with

froze, every muscle tensing. Were they talking about my

going down soon," the

blood ran cold. Heart pounding, I stepped back as silently as possible, my mind reeling. Once I was sure they wouldn't notice me, I slipped out of the restroom, my legs moving on autopilot as I returned to our

looked up, alarmed. "What's

Sunging

to leave. Now," I said, my voice

for us?" His voice cracked as his wig shifted dangerously on his head. "Whoa, keep

curious and concerned. "Arielle,

mouthed, gesturing for them