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

When business gets personal

(ARIELLE'S POV.)

The air around grew awkwardly thin and very silent.

Neither of us knew how best to react to the situation. I looked around the parking lot for no reason in particular, marking the time until it was okay for me to leave without looking any silly than I felt for walking up to their car to begin with. Tiana looked even more flustered

than I imagined I'd appeared before them. Jared's lips were drawn in a stiff line.

"Arielle.. we umm.. I.. Good morning," he managed to find his voice with a terrible stutter.

"I guess we'll just continue this conversation when you return," Tiana shrugged with a placating smile.

Jared ignored her comment and climbed down from the car. He had a stern face when he spoke up again. "I've just ordered you a ride, Tiana. Go back home."

I took the hint and excused myself from the side of the car. Jared fell into stride beside me as we walked across the parking lot to the entrance of my restaurant.

"...Hi," Jared tried to start a conversation. But I grunted an inaudible reply as I doubled my pace.

"Woah. Slow down," he said with a cheesy smile.

I only slowed down at the entrance to the restaurant and he caught up with me.

"What's up with you though? You're acting funny," he tried teasing.

I couldn't help myself. "I don't know... Am I in some sort of trouble now that your fiancée knows where you've been for the last couple of days?" I shot back, layering as much sarcasm into my words as I could manage.

I didn't need to look at him to know I'd hit a sore spot. His frown was practically visible without me turning around. But did I care? Not at this moment.

"I was gonna explain things

response to their greetings and ignored Jared completely, as I made small talk with one of

"I'm not interested in hearing it, Jared. Let's keep our conversations strictly related to our course content

his face as I turned

both sprang up from their

my head wrapped up in the course content. I took out

keep today's session brief. Yes, my time costs money, and I don't like to waste it." He gave me a quick, pointed glance, then turned to the others. "Anyone care to share what we've covered in

through his notes before answering. "Sure. Since we started, we've covered two main topics: financial health and strategy,

remained serious. "And what do those concepts

financial health involves understanding profit margins, cash flow, and making projections using financial

lips curled into a smirk, and he tilted his head. "Not bad. But you were clearly reading off your notes," he teased. "Try not to rely on them so much, Stephen. It's a good habit to develop remembering what you've learned."

analyzing cash flow, and making projections based on financial metrics, among other things." "Arielle? I didn't say you

deal? You're the one who said your time is valuable, so why don't we just get to it?" I

slightly. He leaned back, crossing his arms. "I'd

why we're singling out one person when everyone's here to

Stephen exchanged a glance, and the room fell into an uncomfortable silence. It was clear neither of them wanted

serious. "Alright, fair enough. Let's get back to it then." He paused, clearly weighing his next words. "You know, Arielle... I think you've been running

at your financial books," he said. "What have you done with your money

he was doing from this point was out

the last email

smiled gratefully

of triumph. I scrolled through my tablet

out the balance sheet

wasn't about to let Jared get away

report.

the

and I could tell where you