MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE

(ARIELLE'S POV)

As I stepped out onto the deck after dinner, the cool evening breeze swept through my hair like a soothing caress. The sky was a beautiful sight to see at that time of the day, a hue of blue and white.

Beside me, Ashley and Maverick were deep in conversation, laughter spilling out between them as we walked. But soon, as usual, Ashley excused herself, shouting with a grin, "I've got to go scout some handsome guys for my next evaluation sheet! Margaux's waiting for me."

I couldn't help but chuckle. It was typical Ashley-always on the lookout for "research material," as she liked to call it. I also knew, unless the situation was really extreme, she wouldn't willingly spend more than 10 minutes with a kid. Maverick was an exception, of course. But she was still a good sport. She bent down and offered him her hand, her voice sweet as she said, "Alright, little man, let's get you to your grandma. I'm sure she's waiting to spoil you rotten."

Maverick grinned, his eyes twinkling. "Thanks, Ashley! And... uh, can I join in your muscle-hunting mission next time? I've got some serious game!" He puffed out his little chest as he said it, causing Ashley to give him a playful punch on the arm.

I couldn't help but laugh at their banter. "I'll be right here when you come back," I said, ruffling Maverick's hair affectionately. "Go have fun, baby."

"Bye, Mommy!" he called over his shoulder as he skipped off with Ashley. Then, in a quieter voice, he added, "But, Ashley, if you find any real muscle men, tell them I'm looking for some tips."

Ashley pretended to be shocked, raising an eyebrow. "You're not old enough for that stuff yet, young man. Maybe when you're at least five."

And then I watched them walk hand in hand towards the doorway, and couldn't help but smile. I tore my gaze away as my eyes darted around. I wasn't sure where Dwayne had wandered off to, but I know I don't have to worry about him. The moment alone gave me time to myself as I gazed out at the sea.

The stars were beginning to twinkle in the night sky, and the endless sound of Ocean tide made it all soothing and beautiful. I felt my worries slowly ebbing away with the tide. I inhaled deeply, accepting the salty air filling my lungs, and shut my eyes, letting the peacefulness of the moment wash over me.

Tomorrow marked a new year for me, a new age. It felt like the perfect time to reflect and enjoy a few minutes of solitude.

But just as the calm began to settle in, a presence crept up behind me.

I turned to see Sofia emerging from the doorway, a drink in hand. Instinctively, my body tensed, but I forced myself to remain calm, hoping she was just passing by, not out here because of me. But no such luck. She walked closer, and then stopped right in front of me. I sighed inwardly, already bracing for impact.

"Not now, not here, Sofia," I muttered under my breath.

"Hi," she said.

"Hi," I responded in a flat tone.

"Arielle," she began, her voice reeking of forced calmness. "I've been looking for you. Can I have a word?"

"Better not."

"You are so humorous." She laughed, seemingly not bothered by my cold attitude at all, "I brought you a peace treaty," she smiled, shoving the drink in front of me.

I eyed the yellow liquid with suspicion. I should know better than to accept anything from her. The cautious part of me screamed to refuse, but before I could speak, she took the glass, tipped it back, and sipped. Then, locking eyes with me, she smirked. "See? I mean no harm."

A small part of me eased at the sight, but I still didn't trust her. I didn't even bother to acknowledge her offer; instead, I simply looked at her coldly.

"Come on, Arielle, unless you are mad at me, then you should accept my peace offer."

"No," I said simply, shaking my head. "I don't have anything against you. I just don't enjoy alcohol. Sorry. I'll just take this."

I reached for the water on the table and took a symbolic sip.

"Well, whatever," she shrugged, the friendly smile not leaving her face.

I nodded. "So what is it you wanted to talk to me about?"

Her expression shifted, the sweetness fading. "About that?" she asked, her voice turning colder. "I wanted to talk to you about Jared."

Immediately, the hairs at the nape of my neck rose to their full height. "What about him?"

"Can you please leave him alone and stop disturbing him? You don't have to show up everywhere he is, you know?"

I almost laughed at the irony and absurdity of her request. Who's disturbing whom here? I thought. Don't be ridiculous. But I didn't want to argue, so I opted to play cool.

"Sofia, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I don't know what you're talking about. You have the wrong person."

She frowned, anger flashing in her eyes. "Don't play dumb, Arielle. I know you've been pursuing him, and you have to stop. Jared deserves to be happy, and Tiana is perfect for him. Can't you just let him be?"

Anger surged within me, but I fought

it down. "I believe," I said, my voice steady and clear, "if Jared had the same opinion as you, he wouldn't hesitate to let me know. So until then, you can stop playing mother hen. Last time I checked, he's no longer engaged to you, but to someone else. His life isn't your business anymore. I think it's time

for you to take a breather."

I watched her face turn red with fury, and for a moment, I thought she was going to explode. But then she seemed to regain control of herself, and a fake sweet smile spread across her face.

"You're just jealous, Arielle Meyers," she said, her voice reeking of malice. "Jealous that Jared is moving on with his life with someone younger, and you're still stuck in the past."

I felt a sting from her words, but I refused to let her get to me. I turned to walk away, tired of her drama.

"Sofia, I doubt I have time for your childish shenanigans," I said. "And oh," I added over my shoulder, "You and your peace treaty sucks.

As I walked towards my room, I

couldn't get a full grasp on my anger. The nerve of Sofia to confront me like that was unbelievable. That lady had indeed lost every ounce of shame in her. Oh, how I wished I had recalled to grab the wine glass and spill its content on her face. Maybe it

would make us even.

My mind was racing with thoughts of how I could have handled the situation better, how I can get Sofia off my trail forever. But as I turned a corner, my thoughts were interrupted by a collision with someone. I stumbled backward, my hands flailing wildly as I tried to regain my balance. It was then I saw it was Dwayne, his eyes wide with concern, his hands reaching to steady with me.

"Hey, watch where you're going, Ostrich," he said, his voice laced with concern.

A flush of embarrassment washed over me, and I stammered, "I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were coming."

"Are you okay?" He asked, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied me. "You seem a bit...off."

I nodded, forcing a smile into my face. "Yeah, I'm fine. You? Where have you been?" I tried to sound casual, but my mind was still reeling from the confrontation with Sofia.

Dwayne didn't look convinced, but he answered anyway, "I just met a weirdo and got a bad vibe. Something doesn't sit right with me, Ari. We should talk about it when you have time."

I nodded, the exhaustion from the encounter with Sofia starting to hit me. "I'll head to my room now, I'm really tired from dinner. If it's not urgent, let's talk tomorrow, okay?"

Dwayne seemed like he wanted to argue, but he let me be. "Okay, get some rest then." He patted my shoulder fondly, and I nodded, walking on.

As I entered my room, the familiar relief of solitude washed over me, but it was short-lived. The moment I crossed the threshold and stepped closer to the bed, another wave of discomfort hit me, sharp and sudden-much more intense than before.

It was like my skin was on fire. Heat flooded my body in a way that felt unbearable, seeping deep into my bones. My vision swayed, the room tilting with each step I took. My legs felt weak, like they might give out at any second, and I had to reach out for something to steady myself.

I fought to keep my mind clear, to push through the disorientation. I grabbed the edge of the nightstand, but nothing felt like it helped. A dryness coated my mouth, and a tightness spread across my chest. What the hell was happening?

This wasn't right. This wasn't just exhaustion or stress.

It was like...

Panic gripped me as I tried to piece together what was happening. The dizziness was overwhelming, and I could feel myself slipping.noveldrama

I could feel my body reacting to something, an undercurrent of heat-desire-that felt way too intense for the situation. My pulse quickened, the way a body reacts to a touch.

I tried my best to keep my mind clear and not let myself lose consciousness. Now even if I am a fool, I know what happened. I've been drugged.

The thought struck me like a slap to the face, but it made sense-too much sense. How?

I replayed the events in my head, desperately trying to connect the dots. The drink Sofia had brought me-no, I hadn't touched it. I hadn't been that stupid. I didn't drink it.

Would it be Dwayne? Could he have drugged me when we met, when we exchanged those few words? My mind raced, trying to piece everything together, but it just didn't fit. I clenched my teeth, trying to push away the panic rising in my chest. No. This didn't make sense. Dwayne wasn't like that. I trusted him-no way would he do something so underhanded. He wasn't that kind of person. My head spun as I tried to reason it out.

No drug would work that fast, not in the time it took us to have that brief exchange. It didn't add up.

I've been drugged earlier, I realized, the thought hitting me with cold clarity. The glass of water I drank from-where had it come from? Is it from my glass or Sofia swapped it? So the first glass of wine was just a smoke screen?

Fuck!

I should have known! I hadn't

expected Sofia to be this devious! Under so many eyes, she still had the audacity to do something like this? What on earth was going on in her head? The anger hit me in a flash but it was quickly swallowed by the strange, heated wave that was rushing through me, Sofia. She had been bolder than I expected, but why this? Why an aphrodisiac? She should've targeted Jared! I cursed inside.

Stay sober. Stay smart. I moved unsteadily toward the intercom, hands shaking as I pressed the button, forcing myself to sound clear when I reported the emergency to the ship's doctor. The phone slipped from my grasp for a second, but I managed to hold it together long enough to explain the situation. When I hung up, I could feel my body getting hotter, the room closing in on me. I leaned against the wall, trying to steady myself, but it was getting harder to focus. The heat surged again, and it was all I could do to keep my mind from clouding completely.

Then, I was vaguely aware of the sound of the bathroom door opening, and then a man's figure was standing in front of me...

"Dwayne?"