MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE
Two bickering men

(ARIELLE'S POV)

After what felt like an eternity, dinner finally ended. I thanked Nana Jean and Jared's mother with my best polite smile, though I was practically vibrating with the urge to bolt.

As I rose from the table, Jared was already at my side, like a shadow that had been waiting for its cue.

"I'll walk you out," he said.

I nodded, not in the mood to refute. All I wanted was to be out of here as fast as possible. As we reached the front door, he turned to me, his eyes imploring.

"Arielle, can I come back home with you?" He asked, his eyes pleading.

I blinked. The hell? Why would he bring this up again? We had discussed it and reached an agreement!

I braced myself, assuming a cold expression. "No, Jared. We've spoken about this, and my stance is final," my voice was firm, but my heart wasn't. I didn't know why I felt a jab in my heart. Ugh, traitorous heart.

His face fell, but he nodded like someone accepting a death sentence. "I get it. But I have to say this-I'm worried about you. A lot happened today, and I don't think it's safe for you and Maverick to be alone."

I tried to brush it off, refusing to give in to any thought that will make me develop a second thought about my decision. "We'll be fine, Jared. We don't need protection."

"I know you don't want me back at your place and I totally understand, but at least let me drive you two home and ensure that you're safe. Please. It would give me the reassurance I need to know that you're both okay. After all, I kept you both out this late." Before I could formulate a polite way to shut him down, a voice interrupted from behind, one I recognized all too well.

"I'm happily volunteering to drive them home," Dwayne said, striding over with that infuriating smile of his.

Jared's head whipped around so fast I thought he might sprain something. His expression immediately darkened. "And who are you to do that?" he snapped, his jaw tight enough to crack walnuts.

Dwayne's eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, you know, just someone who cares about their safety. Same as you. And besides, what's wrong with me wanting to drive my kid brother's family home?" He said the last words, spreading his hands.

I felt my anger rising as the two grown men stood there, arguing over me like I was some kind of person prize to be won.

"That's enough!" I shouted. "Just shut up, both of you."

They stopped arguing, their eyes turning to me in surprise.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "I can get myself and my son home safely. Thank you, but I don't need any of you to drive us."

As if on cue, the sound of a car engine idling broke the tense silence. All three of us turned to see a small grey car pulling up to the house. Through the windshield, I could easily spot Ashley's silhouette behind the wheel. She brought the car to a smooth stop, her hand waving enthusiastically at me and Maverick.

I had texted her during dinner, explaining the situation, and bless her timing-she'd come through.

"That's my ride home," I said to both Dwayne and Jared, offering them very brief glances before I took Maverick's hand in mine.

"Let me sit with you in the car, then. Just to make sure," Jared blurted out.

I froze, blinking at him in disbelief. "Excuse me?"

"I'll sit with them," Dwayne chimed in smoothly, as if the suggestion were entirely reasonable. "I'll go with you both, Arielle."

"Oh come on, man! Can you get any more ridiculous than you already are? It's clearly a small car. It can take only three besides the driver. Why must you be such a child?" Jared turned to whine at Dwayne.

"Why do you get to go and not me? It's you who's being a child, little brother. Technically, there's so much I can do to protect them. But what can you do? You can't even protect yourself," Dwayne said flatly.

Jared's jaw ticked. "You want to test that theory? Let's go right now." He raised his fists like he was auditioning for an amateur MMA match.

"Will you two stop bickering like toddlers?" I snapped, exasperated. "My son is right here, and you're squaring up for a brawl like we're on a playground."

"He started it," Dwayne shrugged.

"Hey! You started it with your nonsense talk!"

Jared fired back.

"Enough!" I barked. "Fine, since you're both so concerned about my safety, we'll all go together. Happy?" I didn't wait for a response and turned on my heel. "Come on, baby. Let's go." "Wait, surely you don't want this guy in the same car as you and Maverick," Jared protested, trailing after me.

"Relax, little brother," Dwayne said with a wink. "You talk too much."

"Hey wait up!" Jared called out and broke into a run.

"Hey," Ashley said as we got to the car. Her eyes were lit up with amusement.

"Hi, Ashley!" Maverick beamed in excitement.

"What's up, little man?" Ashley leaned over for a fist bump.

I sighed in relief. "Thanks for coming, Ash." I glanced over my shoulder at the two buffoons following me. "And no, I don't want to talk about it."

"Got it." Her knowing smile told me she'd already guessed.

As Maverick and I climbed into the backseat, chaos ensued.

"I'm sitting here," Dwayne announced, elbowing past Jared to claim the seat beside Maverick.

"Oh, no, you're not!" Jared growled, trying to wedge himself in.

Dwayne, clearly stronger, slid in and smirked triumphantly. "Hey, champ," he said, ruffling Maverick's hair.

Jared huffed, scowling at me as if I could magically fix this circus. With no other option, he slumped into the passenger seat, muttering under his breath. "Everyone settled?" Ashley asked cheerfully as she started the car.

"Barely," I muttered, shooting a warning glance at both two men.

"Maverick, are you okay, back there, buddy?" Jared suddenly turned to ask moments after the car moved.

"What'd you think I'll hurt him? Relax, man. You talk too much," Dwayne waved him off with a roll of his eyes.

I took Maverick's hand in mine and made a gesture with my head for him not to speak at all.

"Are you calling me talkative then?" Jared turned to face Dwayne.

"I mean you've said more words than anyone else in this car," Dwayne looked at me for support.

"I'll get your bloody tongue for that!" Jared hissed and reached over the seat to hit Dwayne.

"Stop it, you two!" Ashley yelled at the top of her lungs. "Geez! Why won't you both just stop bickering like five year olds?"

"This time he started it," Jared looked at Dwayne accusingly.

"And I want you both to stop it," I cut back tersely.

"And Jared, don't ever cuss in front of my baby," I warned.

"Mummy, what's...?" Maverick

started, his voice hesitating. I could see him struggling, trying to stop himself from revealing that he knew Uncle Dwayne far better than he knew his own father. The poor kid didn't even understand why he had to keep that quiet.

"Not now, baby. When we get home," I cut him off gently, though the weariness in my voice was hard to hide. I was already drained from alt the chaos with Jared and Dwayne, and the last thing I needed was more confusion on Maverick's part.

The house finally came into view and I heard a sigh of relief, grateful for a reprieve from the whole fiasco that had made up my evening.

Ashley brought the car to a stop in the garage and I unbuckled my seatbelt before turning to help Maverick with his. My hand grazed Dwayne's as he had also reached over to do the same thing. "It's fine," I nodded to him.

He raised his hands in surrender but didn't move far.

Then, as if the evening couldn't get worse, Dwayne grinned at Maverick. "So, how's Milo doing, buddy?"

Maverick's eyes lit up with

excitement as he began to speak.

"Oh he's been a good boy. He likes to

go for a walk every other time! Oh and he loves to play fetch. Thank you forgetting him for me..," he was still narrating when I nudged his arm for him to stop. I impulsively punched Dwayne in the arm. I knew he was only keen on starting trouble.

Jared's eyes narrowed in suspicion as he looked from Dwayne to me.

"Arielle, why does this man know about Milo? Why's he talking to our son like they're old buddies?" Jared demanded, his nose flaring in anger.

I stared at him for a while before deciding I wasn't ready for any more drama. I had gotten home safely after all, so they could as well be on their respective ways.

"I'm done with this," I sighed and lifted Maverick into my arms to leave.

"Hey, Arielle. You're not gonna answer me?" Jared demanded.

"Goodnight, you two. Come on, Ashley," I nodded and began walking away.

"Hey, ostrich.. I mean Arielle," Dwayne corrected himself after I shot him an angry glare. "I'm sorry."

"Yeah, sure," I waved him off dismissively without turning around. I got to the front door and shuffled for the keys in my purse.

Once we got inside, I set Maverick down and Ashley helped take him upstairs to get him ready for bed.

I looked out of the door at the two men standing on my porch. Dwayne began walking up to the door and Jared pushed past him.

"Get out of my way, silly," he said as he moved twice as fast. "Hey, Arielle. I'm sorry. Please let me in."

I didn't let him climb up to the porch before slamming the door violently in his face.