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

off guard by the intensity in his eyes. Speak of

now? A pang of unease rippled through me as I darted a glance at Stephen and Rebecca, silently

seemed to catch on to my thoughts because his lips curved into an easy smile, and

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

from the heart. I've truly enjoyed our time together in this

to see you beyond that title-my wife. But spending time with you these past few days, without all the arguing and noise, I've come to see so much more, so much potential, and

mouth instantly felt dry, like it had been hit by some oral drought. I couldn't help but

in my eyes because his smile

mean it, Arielle.

you've come-how much you've built. Every successful business has a history and like a restaurant, people-evolve

and grow stronger. So,

up no matter

that I had not been plunged into one of my noon daydreams.

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

so genuine, so open, it left me speechless. I wanted to say something, anything, but the words caught

back to reality. He reached for a package behind him

way of supporting you, and your chef dreams, and also-to mark the end of

sprang to their feet and leaned

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

I saw a hint of nervousness in him, like he wasn't sure how I'd

layers upon layers of delicately wrapped gift papers, the item concealed was revealed. And Rebecca and Stephen exchanged confused looks, as it was indeed a little 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, recognition

Knives.

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