(Arielle''s POV)


    I was genuinely touched by his kind words, and tears welled up in my eyes in gratitude. Before I could stop myself, I was up on my feet, hugging him." "Dwayne," I whispered, my voice trembling.


    His arms wrapped around me, holding me close. "You don''t have to thank me. These are what friends do for each other."


    I returned to my seat after we disengaged from the hug.


    "What are your ns now? How do you go about your return to the country?"


    I took a deep breath, thinking about the logistics. "I''ll call my mum and Ashley to inform them. It''s been years, so I''ll definitely need their help in settling down." "Alright, just let me know where Ie in," Dwayne said, his voice gentle. "I''ll make sure to be avable to help in any way I can."


    "Thank you so much."


    He nodded and beckoned the waiter toe take our order. And the evening went blissfully afterward.


    As we finished our meal, he nced at his watch. "Ready to go home, I''ll drive you?"


    "Yes, I''m ready," I replied.


    As we walked to the car, he suddenly stopped, and turned to me.


    "Before we leave, I have to get something for the little champ," he said, a sly grin spreading on his face. "I haven''t seen him in a week."


    I nodded, and he walked off.


    As he walked away, my heart swelled in gratitude and admiration. I loved the way he always had my son in mind, and prioritized him. Minutester, he returned with a bag I was sure was filled with kiddies goodies.


    "Let''s get you home," he said, opening the car door for me.


    I slid into the seat, feeling content.


    *********


    "That''s fine, I''ll send the samples and the location as soon as I get them from him," Ashley said on the phone.


    "Thank you so much. What would I have done without you and Mom?"


    "Oh,e on, we can''t wait to have you back," Ashley said, her voice warm. "We''re with you in this, all the way. And we won''t hesitate to help as much as we can." "Thank you, Ash."


    "You''re wee," she replied with a chuckle. "Even though you''ve said that for the umpteenth time."


    Iughed.


    "I have to run. Kiss the little one for me."


    "I will," I said, and the call ended.


    Ashley was helping me get the


    service of a realtor in New York for a house. I intended to buy one. If I was returning, I wanted to return to a house of my own. Also, I was trying to buy arge ce for my


    restaurant.


    A satisfied smile escaped my lips as I imagined what it would look and feel like, finally setting up a restaurant of my own as I had always dreamed.


    Just then, the doorbell rang, jolting


    me out of my fantasy. I nced at the clock and got to my feet; it was Dwayne, had invited him for dinner, but he was a few minutes early which was very likely of himo


    I made my way to the door, and pulled it open. He was standing behind it, a bottle of wine in hand, and a smile on his lips.


    "Hey."


    "Hey," I replied, stepping aside to let him in. "You''re early."


    "Sorry about that," he says, handing me the wine. "I couldn''t wait to see you and the little one."


    As if on cue, Maverick ran out of his


    room at the sound of Dwayne'',s voice, and can straight into his outstretched arms. I smiled as watched them exchange


    pleasantries, before turninger


    away to


    set the table.


    A few minutester, we were seated around the table, eating. But Maverick suddenly broke the silence.


    "Mum?"Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    "Yes, baby," I quickly responded, looking up from my te. I knew he always had something important to say or ask, whenever he called me in that manner. "Remember you promised to get me a Daddy," he said, looking up at me with expectant eyes.


    I froze, my fork hovering over my te. I hadpletely forgotten about the promise I made to him a few days back.


    Since the first time when he made a request for a Daddy, he had be really persistent about getting one because other kids in his kindergarten school all have Daddy''s.


    Thest time had been really intense, and I had been torn on what to do, and so I promised to get him a Daddy just to calm him down.


    Well that seemed to have been a huge mistake, because my son was now reminding me about my promise. Just like his toys, he thought a daddy could be bought randomly. An awkward silence descended in the room, as I still didn''t know what to say.


    slowly, I managed to nce at Dwayne, and there was a hint of understanding in his eyes, but I quickly averted my eyes, my face heating up.


    But he spoke up. "You know, I don''t mind being his Dad. You can tell him about his real Father when he''s older," he said thest words with a whisper.


    I turned to look at him sharply, his offer throwing me off guard.