MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE
Dinner invitation

(JARED'S POV)

With that thought, I turned the laptop off, pushing it aside. Glancing at the wall clock, I pushed the chair back and rose, deciding it was time to start prepping for dinner.

But just then, my phone rang, disrupting my intention. It was my mother calling, and I sighed before picking it up, praying she wouldn't get started on when I was going back home. After much pressure and questioning about my whereabouts, I opened up to her where I was, and since then, she wouldn't stop asking when I was returning home whenever we spoke. "Hello, Mom," I answered.

"Jared, when are you going to stop playing this 'Househusband' game?" My mother asked, her teasing.

I groaned inwardly. "Not again, Mom. Don't tell me that's why you called?"

"No, that's why," my mother said, her tone taking a low tempo. "I just wanted to talk to you about something."

I couldn't help but notice the change in her tone. "Is everything all right, Mom?" I asked, concerned.

"Yes, everything's fine. It's just that Sofia's mother has been calling me, bringing up how she saved my life all those years ago and how our family owes her family."

At that information, I instantly grew disinterested in the conversation. I didn't want to hear anything about Sofia or her family. Memories of my troubled past with Sofia threatened to surface, but I pushed them aside, focusing on the present. "Anything else, Mom? If not, I'm done with this conversation chat," I said trying to sound as cool as possible.

She sighed. "There is something else. Nana Jean learned about your son's kidnapping."

"Learned or you told her?" I interrupted, my time sharper than intended.

"Fine, I told her," she admitted. "And now she's worried about her great-grandson. We both are worried and want to see him. For the first time, at least.

"Mom, you know that's not too-a good idea. Arielle has barely warmed up to me being around our son, not to mention you and Nana Jean. And besides, even if it is going to happen, where'd they plan to see him?"

"A family dinner at the family mansion. Invite Arielle, and she should come with him," Mom suggested.

I paused, thinking it over for a moment. Arielle might be stubborn and adamant, but she always listened to Nana Jean. And so reluctantly, I agreed to talk to her about it.

Besides mother and Nana Jean wanting to meet with Maverick, I too would wish more than anything that he met with them, too. A change, at least, to let him know he has more family members besides me, his mother, and his maternal grandmother. "I'll ask her, Mom," and then I quickly added, "But don't get your hopes up. Arielle can be difficult and unpredictable."

"Alright."

Talk to you later, and say hi to Nana."

I hung up the phone, my mind already swirling with the possibilities of dinner invitation. A gathering of all the people that mattered to me, it was so tempting an idea. But I knew better than to get my hopes so high yet. Arielle was still cold and detached and I had a feeling convincing her was not going to be easy. But I was willing to give it a try.

Sighing again, I started to make my way to the kitchen, but my phone rang again. My mother's name appeared on the screen, and I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. What now?

"Hello?" I answered, trying not to sound irritated.

"I'm sorry I'm calling again, but I forgot to tell you something important," she said, her voice apologetic.

I sighed inwardly. What could be so important that she had to call me again? "What is it, Mom?" I asked, already feeling tired.

There was a pause before she spoke up, her voice lowered in a conspiratorial whisper. "I'm not supposed to tell you this but did you know that if you can't win your wife and son back, you'll lose the family inheritance."

My grip on the phone tightened at those words. What was safe talking about? "W... what do you mean?"

"Nana Jean won't choose an heir without a family. You know how much she values tradition and family. If you can't reconcile with Arielle and be a proper family, you'll be out of Nana's book."

Anger and frustration immediately flooded my system. Was this what all of these meant to them? Money and inheritance? Heaven knows I'm not trying to win my family back because of any inheritance, I wasn't even interested in it. Outside the family name and affluence, I have been able to name my own money and create a name for myself.

Already overwhelmed, I hung up on the phone before my Mom could go any further. I didn't want to hear anymore.

I placed my phone on mute, tossing

it aside before walking into the kitchen to begin preparation for dinner. I tried not to think about my conversation with my mother and focused solely on the task at hand. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of fresh vegetables and pasta as I began to chop and saute them in a pan.

Halfway through the cooking, I heard the sound of the front door opening, followed by the sound of Maverick and Arielle's voices. The little man called out to me the instant he got into the house. "Daddy!"

"I'm in the kitchen, man," I responded, smiling.

Soon, Maverick came skidding into the kitchen, his backpack still on his shoulders. I dried my hands in a towel before picking him up and twirling him around in a circle.

His giggles filled the air, taking away all the tension I felt earlier. This child of mine was a blessing, and I couldn't be more happy to be his father.

When I set him down, Maverick asked, "What's for dinner, Daddy?"

"We're having chicken Parmesan with pasta and veggies," I explained.

Maverick rubbed his belly playfully. "I'm starving! I can't wait."

I chuckled and ruffled his hair. "I bet you can't."

Just then, Arielle's voice sounded from the hallway, calling out to Maverick. "Maverick, come freshen up and change out of your school clothes."

I felt nostalgic at the sound of her voice and without being told, I knew she was intentionally avoiding coming to the kitchen because of me.

I gave a faint smile and patted Maverick on the back. "Go do as your mama said, Buddy."

He nodded and bundled off, leaving me alone in the kitchen once again. I got busy again with finishing up dinner after which I set the table.

Done with that, I went up to my room to freshen up as I was feeling sticky from the business in the kitchen. After I was done, I went back downstairs and Arielle and Maverick were already seated, waiting for me.

I walked into the dining room, where Arielle and Maverick were already seated, waiting for me.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting," I apologized, taking my seat.

Arielle mumbled under her breath, but Maverick smiled and said, "It's no problem, Daddy. We just got here."

I smiled back at him, feeling grateful for having such an understanding child. "Thanks, buddy."

We began eating afterward, and

dinner was consumed in silence,

save for Maverick's intermittent stories about his day at school. Arielle, on the other hand, seemed unusually stoic and quiet, and didn't want to push for a

vn ye

conversation.

After dinner, Arielle surprisingly spoke up, addressing Maverick. "Baby, go upstairs and get some ready for bed. I'll join you later, okay? I have to speak to Daddy privately," she said the last words sparing me a glance and I was surprised and curious about what she had to say to me that needed privacy.

Maverick nodded and obeyed, walking off and leaving us alone. I became wary, having a bad feeling about what it was she had to say, but I masked it and maintained a cool demeanor.

"So what do you want to talk about?" I asked, breaking the silence.

She fixed me a stern gaze, and my wariness grew even more. And then she leaned forward, her eyes not leaving mine.

"I want you to-" but the shrill voice of her phone ringing interrupted her sentence.

She glanced at her phone and picked it up, rising to her feet.

"Let's talk about this some other time."

And before I could protest, she already walked away.