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

We all get what we deserve.

(Arielle's POV)

After exchanging cheesy lines, we both grew shy, embarrassed by our emotional outburst. Then Ashley, ever the opportunist, brightened up. "I've got the perfect therapy for today's drama-a movie night!" she declared, practically glowing. "I can't Ash. I've got to finish this thing I'm working on," I nodded at my laptop screen.

But she ignored me and reached over and shut the laptop close. "Come on seriously? After such a tiring day? Work can wait! all work and no play they say...," she wriggled her wrist theatrically for me to fill in the blanks.

I rolled my eyes and sighed. "...Makes Jack even more broke than he was yesterday."

"You've got it all wrong, silly!" She smacked my shoulder playfully. "Now get up!" she sang, off-key, as she pulled me to my feet.

"Oh, come on, Ash. Do I really have to? I just want to work myself into exhaustion and crash," I whined as she tugged at my arm.

She gasped in mock horror. "Now that has to be the most joyless thing to do for the night. But not on my watch! You'll go pick us a movie in the living room while I go pop some corn and fix a couple other late night snacks," she declared with a playful wink. "You do know eating this late is bad, right? A second on your lips..." I hinted.

"Should earn you a kiss," she answered wrongly with a rebellious smirk on her face.

"We're even then. Don't take too long, or I'm picking the cheesiest Turkish telenovela I can find."

She scowled like I'd cursed her and disappeared into the kitchen. "At least we'd be watching something," she called over her shoulder.

I shook my head, smiling as I headed to the living room. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I noticed a notification-Dwayne had sent me a message, only to unsend it moments later. Whatever it was, I didn't have the energy to care.

Sinking into the sofa, I grabbed the remote and started browsing N*****x. One movie about brothers fighting over a bride caught my attention, but I canceled it as fast as I'd clicked it. Too close to home.

Ashley walked in with a bowl of popcorn and an extra tray holding a bowl of fruit salad and some freshly squeezed orange juice. She looked like a robot with extra arms, only that there were no extra arms. Just the determination of a devoted friend.

"You know, you could've asked for help," I said as she set everything down on the coffee table.

"Nonsense. I'm spoiling you tonight," she waved it off and settled down beside me on the sofa.

"By spoiling you mean an elaborate plan to give us both diabetes, huh?" I teased.

"What do you know... Friendship is sharing. In sickness and in health, my love," she replied with a playful smirk.

We both laughed, and I found myself asking, "Hey, Ash, do you remember the day we met?"

paused, blinking. "How could

taking on a nostalgic tone. "You know, before meeting you, I never thought I'd ever have

head, brushing it off. "Well,

wasn't a fairytale. Her dad had a string of illegitimate kids,

built her own career at a top-class company. Her relationship with her dad

my mentor and stepped outside for air. That's when I saw you-dressed to the nines but crying next to a trash can, smoking. Ashley tilted her

my mom sit at the main table, so I flipped the whole damn thing. Guess who kicked me out? My bloody dad. One day, I'm gonna strut in there, head-to-toe

said, 'Honestly, I think you'd make a bigger

"Priceless," I finished, grinning.

knew you were impossible and super interesting," she said

she'd skip class to try my wild

gives you the best people when you least expect it. We'll

*********

next morning was chaos central. Ashley and I had overslept after binge-watching two full seasons of a show the night

morning sunlight finding its way into the house through the window blinds seemed to taunt us, highlighting the chaos of

expertly juggled

the dogs. and getting myself ready

the other

getting Maverick dressed

be late!' Ashley called out, when she was preceding him

to get to the table first .He had his usual wide grin, as he plopped on his chair in the dinning. "Good morning,

fondly before sliding a bowl of steaming hot oatmeal

you good?" Ashley

said with a dramatic eye roll, handing Maverick a spoon.

feigned an offended

put the blame on

garnished noodles in front of her, while I sat down to

I can stomach the accusation," she said, flashing me a

"Silly girl."

backpack was on, lunchbox stowed, and my nerves slightly less frazzled. "Alright, let's hit

onto the porch,

Joe standing at the foot of the stairs. His usual stoic bodyguard vibe was missing, replaced

almost... apologetic expression?