MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE

(ARIELLE'S

POV)

After the awkward interview with Stephen Stone - which Rebecca and Ashley didn't stop teasing me for, I stepped out of the restaurant to get Maverick from school. If traffic and the weather were forgiving I'd make it just in time to redeem myself for picking him up late. I hurried out of the restaurant into the car, grateful to Big Joe as he held an umbrella over both our heads.

"Thank you," I nodded gratefully to him, once I was settled in the comfort of the car.

"Please move as fast as you can," I instructed, after letting out a tired sigh. "Of course."

Thankfully, the rain had let down into a soft drizzle by the time we arrived at Maverick's school. I was lucky to spot an ice cream van in the corner and I said a little prayer of thanksgiving at the universe's decision to gift me a chance to redeem myself with my baby. I didn't plan on letting him down on my first day picking him up from school.

Usually, my mother would fuss over doing it, since he resumed kindergarten, but I insisted today. Although, I wasn't convinced she'd hold up her end of the bargain.

Quickly, I got down from the car and ran into the school premises, hoping Laurene had sent a memo to the school authority to let them know I'd be picking up my son today, as I instructed. The smile on the security officer's face told me she did.

I walked up the short flight of steps into the main building of the kindergarten session, nodding awkwardly to parents who were taking their own kids home. Apparently, the rains had held everyone back from doing the school run on time.

I walked up to Maverick's classroom and let out a nervous sigh. His head turned in my direction as if on cue and the way his eyes lit up at my presence made me feel warm with joy.

"Mommy!" he screamed in delight, his tiny voice coming like music to my ears as I readied myself to pick him off the ground while he approached me with his arms wide open.

"My baby. Mommy's sorry for coming late," I cooed, placing soft kisses on his face.

"It's okay, mommy," he said through excited giggles. "I'm happy you're here now."

My heart melted like butter at the genuineness of his words and I had to work twice as hard not to cry. My baby was growing so fast.

"Hello, Ms. Meyers," the teaching assistant greeted with a smile.

I'd failed to notice her through the wholesome moment I was sharing with my son. "Hello. Sorry I'm late. Something came up at work," I found myself apologizing to her.

"It's fine. Maverick is a joy to have around," she replied with a smile.

I planted another kiss on my his cheek and picked up his bags from the teaching assistant as I gently guided him down to the floor and out of the building. "So how was school today, baby?" I asked.Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

"It was good. Bella kissed me on the cheek and she's so pretty," Maverick said with a smile, like he'd just said the most normal thing in the world.

"Okay. "I said, unsure how to react. I'm guessing Bella is his new friend.

....

"Someday, we're gonna get married and live in a giant castle!" Maverick announced excitedly.

"I see. Well, I hope Bella's parents are cool with you marrying and living with their daughter in a giant castle," I joked, shaking my head in amusement. "What do you say? We get some ice cream while we wait for them to make up their mind," I said, satisfied with the exaggerated wide-eyed look of surprise and excitement on Maverick's face.

"Yay!" he screamed happily, leading the way to the ice cream van.

"Woah. Slow down, big guy," I had to hold him back so we could cross the street properly.

"What flavors would you like, baby?" I asked once we got to the ice cream van.

"Chocolate and strawberry!"

"One chocolate and one strawberry ice cream coming right up," the man in the van announced with a friendly smile.

"Arielle?"

I nearly dismissed it as a figment of my memory. Maybe I was hearing his voice in my head because I'd seen him for the first time in a long time today. "Arielle."

I turned around to find Jared standing only a few steps away from me and my son.

"Jared? What are you doing here? Did you follow me here?" I asked, my mind doing overtime as I tried to process the scene before my eyes.

"You have a child, Arielle?" he asked, his voice thick with emotion.

"You need to get the hell away from me and my son before I call the police," I said, gently pulling Maverick behind me.

"Mommy. Who's he? Is he your friend?" Maverick asked curiously.

"No, he's not, baby. Just hold on. Mommy's got this," I said, whipping out my phone from my purse.

"Arielle? Why wouldn't you answer me? He called you mommy. Are you married?" Jared asked, his voice growing more insistent.

I had to suppress the urge to claw at

his face with my nails and dig out his tongue from his mouth. How dare he waltz into my life after booting me out and then demand to know if Maverick was his?

"Hello, mum?" I said into my phone once the call connected.

"Arielle. Honey, how are you?" she asked.

"I'm okay, mum. Please, I'm at Maverick's school and something just came up. Do you mind coming over right away?"

"Oh. Wouldn't that be lovely! I told you to let me pick him, but being your stubborn self, you insisted. I'm on my way." She said.

I ended the call, still disregarding Jared as I paid for the ice cream.

"Come here, baby. Let's go wait for

Grandma," I said to Maverick, leading him away from the van and as far away as we could her from Jared He remained silent as though he could read into the emotions flying in the air.

I'd explain someday, I promised myself.

"Arielle. Can you hear me? Would you slow down so we can talk?" Jared called behind me.

I increased my footsteps, now

regretting why I asked Big Joe to

stay back in the car. Considering his size and look I had thought it

wouldn't be nice to have him follow

me into a building that was filled with little kids lest they got

frightened.

But with what's happening now, I think my decision was not a good one after all. If he was here, he would have gotten Jared off my back without delay. Tch.

I spotted my mother walking up to the entrance of the school. "Hey, mum!" I called out.

"Grandma!" Maverick called out in delight.

"My baby," she picked Maverick up and held him close to her chest.

"Mrs. Meyers."

Both I and my mother looked up to find Jared standing in front of us. How did he get here so fast?

"It's nice to see you again," he said with a little smile.

My mother gently put Maverick down and closed the distance between them, her eyes never leaving his. Once she was close enough, she delivered a resounding slap on his cheek, leaving him flustered. "Don't you ever speak to me in your life. And stay the hell away from my family!" my mother roared angrily in his face.