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?"

blinking. "How could

memory wash over me, taking on a nostalgic tone. "You know, before meeting you, I never thought I'd ever have any connection to the upper

it off.

life wasn't a fairytale. Her dad had a string of illegitimate kids, and her mom was his third

to bask in her family's status before college, but after that, she cut ties, stopped using their money, and built her own career at a top-class company. Her relationship with her dad was neutral at best, but she remained close to her

and stepped outside for air. That's when I saw you-dressed to the nines but crying next to a trash

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 in designer

think you'd make a

"Priceless," I finished, grinning.

and super interesting," she said with a

it amazing how far we'd come? After that day, she'd skip class to try my

"Life's just incredible, Ari. It gives you the best people when you least expect it. We'll all get what we deserve in the

*********

I had overslept after binge-watching two full seasons of

finding its way into the house through

juggled between

making breakfast, packing Maverick's lunch, feeding the dogs. and

the

Maverick dressed

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

past her, beating her to get to the table first .He had his usual wide grin, as he plopped on his

ruffling his hair fondly before sliding a bowl of steaming hot

you good?" Ashley

roll, handing Maverick a spoon. "Remind

feigned an offended

trying to put the blame on

I retorted, sliding a plate of well garnished noodles in front of her, while I sat down to do justice to

like this, I can stomach the accusation," she said,

"Silly girl."

flurry of last-minute checks, we were miraculously ready to leave on time. Maverick's backpack was on, lunchbox stowed, and my nerves slightly less frazzled.

out onto the porch,

standing at the foot of the stairs. His usual stoic bodyguard vibe

almost... apologetic expression?