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

A symbol of what's past

(ARIELLE'S POV)

He flashed a charming smile my way, and I felt my heart skip. Can he stop with the annoying boyish charms already? Rebecca and Stephen returned the greeting, taking their seats respectively. I followed suit, trying to compose myself.

"Today's session will be the last we're having, as you all know," Jared began, his eyes scanning the room. "But before we get into today's teaching, let's go over the ones we have learned all this while."

And we delved right into it. A few minutes and a brief review of our past lessons later, Rebecca let out an exaggerated sigh.

"I have to admit, I've learned so much in such a short time," she muttered, her tone genuine.

Jared grinned, throwing me a quick, knowing glance that I pretended not to notice.

Stephen, on the other hand, rolled his eyes and hissed at Rebecca. "Are you trying to say that all the wisdom I have shared in the past was a waste? I've imparted you with endless knowledge but you always let it go through one ear and out the other," he taunted. Rebecca's face scrunched up. "You're obviously not on the same level as Mr Smith's, hence your teachings barely stayed a second in my head."

I couldn't help the chuckle that left my lips as I watched their growing exchange.

To be fair, I was satisfied with the classes in the past few days as well. They were insightful. More importantly, I wouldn't admit it out loud, but I was a little reluctant to give up the tenuous peace we'd established in recent days, between me and Jared.

Even with his declaration to win me back looming in the background, Jared had managed to tone down his theatrics-apart from the flower debacle, of course.

Sofia? Silent. His mother or Nana? Missing in action. Miss fiancée? Never came to me once.

Ashley even mentioned that her uncle's business had smoothly recovered.

These peaceful days felt like a rare gift, and I wasn't sure how much longer they'd last, well, especially with Maverick's Open House coming up soon.

our last lesson and last session are over." He

guard by the intensity

he possibly want to say now? A pang of unease rippled through me as I darted a glance at Stephen and Rebecca, silently praying he

his lips curved into

he began to speak, and the words that followed weren't anything like I'd expected. They weren't grand

he began, his voice steady, "I need to say this, and I want you to know it comes from the heart. I've truly enjoyed

I've come to see so much more, so much potential, and I'm not

been hit by some oral drought. I couldn't

the confusion in my eyes because his smile grew gentler, almost as if to reassure me that

mean it, Arielle. Think about

has a history and like a restaurant, people-evolve too. Sometimes we lose pieces of ourselves,

and grow stronger. So,

up no matter

myself to ascertain that I had not been plunged

added, leaning back in his chair with a small sigh, "I won't interfere in your business anymore unless you ask me to.

genuine, so open, it left me speechless. I wanted to

finally," he said, drawing my attention back to reality. He reached for a package behind him that I didn't even realize he had come

you something," he continued, laying the package on the table. "It's my way of

Stephen, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, sprang to their feet and leaned in, their curiosity as obvious as

faintly as he began unwrapping the package, each layer peeled away with care. His movements

first time, I saw a hint of nervousness in him,

difficult to identify-a picture frame, holding a three-dimensional sculpture. At first glance, it seemed like an abstract piece of modern art, but as I narrowed my eyes,

Knives.

a gasp left her lips, "Wait-those handles! Is this... the German utensils? The Erik von Stein set?" She turned to me, her