Mr Billionaire's Regret Chasing His Irresistible Wife (Jared and Arielle) novel Chapter 132

(ARIELLE’S POV)

"No way! You actually spent the night with him? Just because of his grandmother?" Ashley's voice rang with disbelief.

"Shh! We didn’t sleep together, Ash!" I felt the heat rise to my cheeks at the memory of last night. "We just… stayed in the same room, that’s all."

“Oh, sure," she teased. "So innocent. You know what that sounds like, right?"

I rubbed my temples, trying to sound less flustered. "Ashley, do you have something important to talk about? It’s a busy morning here, and I thought you’d be drowning in work too."

"Pff. I’m doing you a favor, breaking up your focus on all those orders. And if you even think about contacting him again, I’ll strangle you."

Her laughter was infectious, and I found myself smiling, despite everything.

"Right," she went on, her tone shifting slightly, "remember that time I mentioned the whole Italian mafia thing?"

I rolled my eyes. "Vaguely. You mean that fling you had with that ‘charming, dangerous man’? Marco, or…?"

"Keith," she corrected, a hint of nostalgia creeping into her voice. "And no, we’re not together anymore. But, well... I got some news, and you should probably know."

“Okay, go on,” I said, only half-listening as I checked the kitchen orders.

“There’s been a shake-up in leadership,” she said slowly. "The new boss... he's supposedly even worse than the last guy."

I paused, giving her my full attention. “That sounds serious, Ash. Why are you telling me this?”

"Because he's expanding part of their operations to New York."

My smile faded. "Are you sure about that? I mean, I don’t doubt you, but… why New York? Wasn’t he running things just fine in Italy?"

She hesitated, then added, “Look, my old man’s still connected to a few people from his old gang days. He told me to be careful. And considering your ties to Jared... well, I thought you should know. His family’s business has always had certain connections, and I worry about you and the little boy getting mixed up in anything dangerous.”

The whole thing felt surreal. Back when I was married to Jared, I’d never asked about the details of his family's business. And now that we were even divorced, did I really need to care about it?

“Thanks for looking out for me, Ash,” I said, my mind half a world away. “But I have security here. And as for Maverick, he’s perfectly safe. No one even knows his real background.”

“Still my girl,” she chuckled. “But really, how did you manage to keep Maverick’s identity under wraps all that time? Maybe Jared suspects?”

“I don’t care if he does. No matter what, Mave is my son, first and foremost.”

A pause, then she asked, “Seriously, Ari, what’s your plan? Are you really going to keep playing happy family just to keep his grandma content? I doubt Jared’s motives are that simple. And as for the ‘fragile grandmother’ excuse—last time I saw her, she looked like she could kick ten of my dad’s asses. I don’t buy that she’d just ‘break’ from hearing the truth.”

I sighed, searching for the right words. Part of me knew she was right. Jared likely had his own reasons for wanting me to play along. But I couldn’t bear to disappoint Nana Jean. And besides…

“Trust me, Ash. I’m not going back to Jared. I’ve had more than enough of his games. Whatever he’s up to, I’m just going to ignore it.”

Just as I hung up the phone, Emma, one of the newer waitresses, rushed into the kitchen looking flustered.

"Ma'am, there's someone here to see you," she said, a bit out of breath.

I wiped my hands on a towel and turned to face her. "Who is it? Someone we know?"

Emma shook her head, her brow furrowed. "I don't think so… she’s not a regular. I don’t recognize her."

"Her?" At that point, any thoughts of the visitor being Dwayne or Jared ebbed away.

"Yes, it’s a lady," she confirmed. "And, um… she specifically asked for you."

"I’m busy. Have one of the managers check in with her."

Emma hesitated, glancing over her shoulder. “Stephan is dealing with her. But…I really think you should come. She… she seems a bit… intense.”

This was something familiar. My mind immediately flashed to Sofia, but I dismissed the thought. She wouldn't dare return to the same place she was blacklisted and her engagement called off.

Sighing, I washed my hands and followed the waitress out of the kitchen. As we walked out, I scanned the dining area, searching for the mysterious visitor.

The restaurant was a beehive of activities, as it was noon, it was bustling with lunchtime crowd and orders.

We approached the bar, and that's when I saw her.

Sofia.

Of course. Not a surprise for me anymore.