The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

After dinner, Yasmine and Serana tidied up the dining area.

“Cleaning up” was a generous term, considering Serana was doing most of the

work.

Yasmine, who had grown up in an orphanage, may not have had the easiest

childhood, but she was never required to do chores like cooking, laundering, or

chopping wood. Once she left the orphanage, such tasks were even further from

her reality. Her hands were soft and beautiful, with slender, pale fingers.

Standing beside Serana at the sink, the most Yasmine would do was to wipe

down the already clean dishes. And she had this air about her, as if she had

done some monumental task that deserved high praise.

Enter title…

Serana wasn’t much of a talker. It seemed ever since Yasmine started dating

Boyd, Serana had become even quieter. The time they spent washing dishes

was particularly tough for her. The moment the last plate was dried, she let out a

sigh of relief and quickly said, “There’s nothing left to do now, Yasmine. You

should get on with your evening.”

Yasmine rinsed her hands under the faucet and watched Serana put away the

dishes. “I’ve always meant to say, you have a real knack for cooking and

cleaning,” she said.d2

Serana paused for a moment, then smiled at her. “I’m just curious about these

things, so I tend to pay more attention. Boyd isn’t too keen on eating out. If you

have the time, I could teach you a few of his favorite dishes.”

Yasmine chuckled and shook her head. “No time for that.”

After putting away the utensils, Serana turned and gave her a strained smile.

“They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. I’m sure Boyd would

be delighted if you cooked for him.”

“The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach?” Yasmine smirked, looking at

her. “Is that what you thought back then?”

Serana’s smile froze instantly. Her eyes locked with Yasmine’s for a few

seconds before she forced herself to look away, her grip tightening on the edge

of the countertop. “It seems like you’ve misunderstood something about us,”

Serana said softly.

Yasmine observed her for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter. “Why so

tense? Who did I misunderstand you with?” she teased.

Serana bit her lip, replying quietly, “Nothing…”

Noticing Serana’s trembling hand on the counter, Yasmine’s eyes sharpened.

“Thank you for the meal,” she said.

Serana didn’t reply, only managing a stiff smile.

Yasmine left the kitchen, thinking Serana’s smile was more unsettling than

comforting.

Boyd was lounging on the sofa, perusing the stack of books she’d brought over,

exuding a mature, reserved charm that struck a chord with her. She approached

and held out her hand. Puzzled, he took her hand and kissed it lightly.

Yasmine looked at him with faint disgust. “I wanted you to smell it, not kiss it.”

“It smells nice,” he said.

“I just washed dishes. So you like the scent of dish soap?”

Boyd pulled her down beside him, his brow furrowing with suspicion. “You?

Washing dishes?”

Yasmine pressed her lips together tighter, withdrawing her hand. “I did half the

work.”

Boyd chuckled and reached into the drawer under the coffee table, pulling out a

tube of hand cream. He squeezed a generous amount onto Yasmine’s hands

and began to massage it in.

The faint scent of flowers filled the air. Once her hands were soft and

Boyd kissed them

that again,”

an eyebrow, admiring her well-cared-for hands.

so nicely, I won’t make

laughed, shaking his head as he gently tugged

tonight?”

languid look. “Not going back until you finish my

Boyd paused, hand still on

pushed his hand away. “Of course.

about are off

deepened at her

shoulder. “No room for

the books on the coffee table. “What about starting next

Yasmine cut him off

“Five days from now.”

“No.”

“Three days.”

“No.”

books off

and headed for the

tomorrow night, no

the bed and

“Serana’s still here. Have

her hand. “She’ll

embrace. “Then we’ll talk after she leaves.

doing it under the watchful eyes of

wasn’t joking, Boyd

out of bed. “I’m

—

that Boyd wasn’t in the bedroom. She

and stepped out, intending to get

left yet, and Boyd was speaking with a detached tone

still have two years before graduation. You’re thinking about this

he said.

sounded anxious. “I think my major

was silent for a moment before

it’s up to you.”

sigh of relief.

caught the beginning of their conversation, but she had a

about what it entailed.

emerged from the bedroom, Serana stood up from the sofa,

a moment.

and handed Yasmine a glass of water. “It’s at the

temperature.”

glass, watching Serana pick up

it in the trash. She took

the way Bryson’s wife,

home. She would cook a table of dishes that her

it was spotless, and always speak

she prepared the meal.

water glass, half-drunk, was

couple of trash bags and

better, I’d

finished the water

“Good thing you do know she’s

eyes at the doorway,

with a half-smile that wasn’t quite a

so be it. What’s

her up, placing her back on the bed in

maid after an afternoon’s

that amusing.”

you relieved she wasn’t upset, or that

didn’t make her upset?”

a moment. “Is there

Then why did

shook his head, “Since you’ve pointed out

consequences would probably

don’t want

him away and dived under

consequences are indeed severe.”

watched her for a while, a small smile curling his lips. “Is

just scrolling on her phone, looked up at him.

sleep in another room, or shall I go?” With that, she lifted the edge

the blanket.

and covered her again, his tone tinged

“I’ll take

diving back into

—

shower, Boyd found Yasmine already nestled

back to him, still as

covers, and was greeted by

fragrant scent.

he gazed

forehead, “I didn’t think you’d fall asleep so

kiss deepened, Yasmine dodged him.

severe consequences?”

Boyd paused, “So…”

“So let’s start with

arguments.”

but to compromise with regret,

at the well-defined muscles on his chest for

letting him hold her

morning, Boyd was gone. She got out of

up, opened the closet, and chose

Boyd’s apartment, her clothes had

sight to see. She pushed her clothes aside, making