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

A desperate pact

(JARED'S POV)

I turned around with the bottle of wine in my hands and found Tiana looking at me with knowing eyes. She'd caught me staring, and I had to avert my gaze quickly.

Much later in the day, the sailor turned the yacht around for the beach house. We didn't encounter the other yacht on the way back. I kept hoping we'd run into them at some point so I could see Arielle again. But that didn't happen, so I decided to call her The phone rang for a while without an answer until she finally picked up.

"Hello. Arielle?" I said tentatively.

"Hello, little brother," Dwayne's voice came through the speaker. I felt my blood boil with anger at the sound of his voice.

"Where's Arielle? Why are you answering her phone?" I demanded.

"Relax. She's having a swell time with the others. It's her birthday tomorrow so we're treating her to a nice time," he said. I could hear the smile in his voice. "Did you forget it was her birthday, little brother?"

Of course! I mentally face-palmed myself. I didn't exactly forget about Arielle's birthday. But I'd been so busy with work lately, coupled with the coincidence of Tiana's brother having the same birthday as Arielle. I figured it made sense that the two families asked for a meeting on the same day as well. Arielle had mentioned sometime in the past that the Harrisons were one of her biggest sponsors. It all made sense that she'd be on their yacht but nothing explained why Dwayne was there with her.

I shook off the surprise. "Give the phone to Arielle," I said. But the line clicked as Dwayne ended the call.

The bastard! I cursed under my breath. I tried dialing the number a couple of times, but it went straight to voicemail.

I was overwhelmed with frustration and it took all the restraint in me to keep from thrashing around inside the room. I sat on my bed, deep in thought. I had to get to Arielle as soon as possible. We had to have some serious conversations. The housekeeper had said the yacht belonged to the Harrisons...

I instantly remembered I had contact with the Monarch's son, Matt Harrison. I had a business deal with him once and vowed never to again. He was some greedy, money-thirsty man who squandered a lot more than he made, and wouldn't hesitate to do anything to make more. If he was still as covetous and materialistic as I remembered him to be, then getting on with my plan wouldn't be a problem.

for his number hoping I still had it. Luckily, after typing the first few letters of

and while I waited for the phone to ring, I put a possible explanation for my mom and the Langleys together

on the first ring, a gruff and annoying voice seeped through, making me grit

surprise? Jared Smith, the one and only, calling my phone. You still have my number,

But then, my need to see Arielle overwhelmed me, so I stifled the urge. I took a deep breath and let my anger evaporate before speaking

Matt," I said

like this would come, Jared. What's up, Dude?" He inquired, the tone of amusement still in his voice and

rolled my eyes, irritation clamping hard on my guts. "You know me by now; I didn't call to

help, you mean?" He said

to the surface. He was having fun teasing me, and it was really getting to me. I clenched my jaw, trying to

then. You know I'm always willing

thinks there's something in it for him. But I

conversation.

to get me into your

he didn't attempt to mask

your family rented out, but I need to get on board the one your family is in; it's important," I grumbled, displeased by the fact

Langleys. I needed some cash, and they

the outrageous cost of renting the yacht. "Come on, don't fault me. Not all of us are multi-billionaires," he said in

because most of us chose to be money-wise and not live unnecessary extravagant

me to rub my financial mistakes in

you do

can help you. But, you know I don't do anything for free," he said expectantly, and I knew instantly that he