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.

voice softened, turning serious. "I was gonna

were just in the middle of the restaurant now, in the audience of hired cleaners. I nodded in response to their greetings and ignored Jared completely, as I made small talk with one

it, Jared. Let's keep our conversations strictly related to our course content

of hurt on his face as I turned

were already seated in the room. They both sprang up from their seats the moment

my head

his throat, his usual authoritative tone filling the room. "Alright, morning, class. We'll 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 previous

"Sure. Since we started, we've covered two main topics: financial

serious.

"Well, um... financial health involves understanding profit margins, cash flow, and making projections using financial metrics," he began. "And branding... well, it's about building a consistent image and identity for a business, especially through

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

I interjected smoothly, "In more detail, we've been focusing on understanding profit margins, analyzing cash flow, and making projections based on financial metrics, among other things." "Arielle?

valuable, so why don't we just get to it?" I replied, keeping

small, knowing smile, but the atmosphere shifted slightly. He leaned back, crossing his arms. "I'd hoped

don't see why we're singling out one person when

the room fell into an uncomfortable silence. It was clear neither of them wanted to get caught

then." He paused, clearly weighing his next words. "You know, Arielle... I think you've been running your business a bit inefficiently

at your financial books," he said. "What have

was doing from this point was out of pure malice, just

last email I sent you,"

smiled gratefully

triumph. I scrolled through my

the

but I wasn't about to let Jared get away with

report.

the

one look at this and I could tell where you spend a little too