The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

The car pulled to a curb and Yasmine spoke with a detached indifference before

swinging the door open and stepping out.

She glanced at the nearby diner, a sardonic smile creeping over her lips. The

place was one of P City’s top-tier spots, not the kind of joint a college kid with no

family to speak of could afford – hell, even folks from a decent background

wouldn’t waltz in there without a second thought.

Talking about splashing the cash.

Boyd followed, stepping out of the car’s other side.

Yasmine was on the edge of the pavement, the rush of traffic buzzing by. Boyd,

with a furrowed brow, strode over to her and guided her across to the safety of

Enter title…

the sidewalk.

Yasmine brushed off his hand, “I’ll say it again – I’m not feeling great, I’m not

going to the hospital, and I certainly don’t need you hovering over me every

second. You go meet whoever you’re meeting. I’m heading home.”d2

She pulled out her phone to order a ride.

Boyd, with pursed lips, snatched the phone from her grasp. Yasmine looked at

her empty hand, her usually impassive face darkening with irritation. “Boyd,

there’s a limit, you know. My temper’s been good lately, but don’t mistake that

for weakness.”

Instead of responding, Boyd opened the car door and nudged her back in.

“Can’t bear the thought of leaving you here to fend for yourself. Does that make

me heartless and cold? I don’t think so.”

Her smile was syrupy sweet, “Heartless and cold? Those words don’t even

begin to do you justice.”

Boyd slid back into the car and shut the door behind him. “Drive.”

Rubbing at her temples, Yasmine continued, “So you’re playing the soothing

boyfriend now, only to deal with Serana later? Doesn’t that wear you out?”

“You and she are never on the same scale for me,” Boyd said. “Making you feel

better doesn’t mean I have to deal with her. And like I said, she’s not your

concern.”

Yasmine gave a half-hearted smile, watching the road ahead, “If you don’t listen

to me and end up taking me to the hospital anyway, you might as well fire your

driver and sell the car.”

She noticed the driver stiffen – clearly, he wasn’t deaf.

Boyd turned to look at her, his hand briefly checking her forehead for fever

before letting it drop. “You sure you don’t need the hospital?”

She gave him a withering glance and remained silent. The look in her eyes said

it all – she was looking at him like he was an idiot.

Boyd pressed his lips together, then took her hand gently, “Home.”

“My place,” Yasmine corrected.

He didn’t speak, just gave a meaningful look to the driver, who understood

immediately.

On the ride back, Yasmine, leaning against the seat with her eyes closed,

seemed genuinely uncomfortable.

As expected, Serana’s call came through. Boyd answered honestly, saying that

Yasmine wasn’t feeling well – and Yasmine didn’t even bat an eyelash.

Was Boyd honest? Painfully so. Not just with her, but with everyone. It seemed

‘lies’ were not in his vocabulary. But then again, she couldn’t fault someone for

being too sincere.

Half-asleep, she felt the car stop and was just straightening up when Boyd

scooped her out of the seat.

Seeing they were at Boyd’s apartment, she frowned, “So my words are just

bullshit to you now?”

He gave her a disapproving glance.

disapproved of her choice of words, but at

up with something more elegant that carried

punch she intended.

everything you need here. Aren’t

bother

set her on the couch. “Rest up. I’ll

up for you.”

wasn’t hungry, but she didn’t protest. Just like

as

a quick shower.

scent of chicken

dining room, Boyd motioned for her to sit

for her. The table was set with light appetizers – nothing fried, all

refreshingly appetizing.

play coy, digging in as soon as she sat down. Boyd

with a bowl of soup. After a few sips, she noticed he

well, and her eyes flickered. “That lazy, huh? You

yourself a proper meal when

lips, “This is

went back to

had finished, Boyd asked if she

gave a noncommittal hum.

day, Yasmine called in sick to school. Boyd, deciding to play

caretaker, stayed home

room was his makeshift office, papers

Yasmine half-watched

in on them and offered to

Boyd promptly

forehead in her hand, listlessly watching a TV show

stumbled upon halfway through.

hide, so she couldn’t help but

felt as though women discussing their love lives were

have any secret

neither did she want to watch

though they were guiltless. It

phone, Boyd gave her

for lunch?”

“I don’t know.”

time, so Boyd didn’t press her

after, the doorbell to the apartment

sleep, was jolted awake by the sound. The TV in front of her

switched to commercials.

got up to

It was Serana.

are you here?” he

Yasmine wasn’t

check on

twitched. Nobody knew better than Serana herself that

was the last thing Yasmine needed. It was almost like she’d

salt in the

with a bag of groceries, clearly planning to stay for lunch.

asking where she felt

sick,” Yasmine replied, her voice

shifted ever so slightly, but she maintained

something light for

“I can handle it. You don’t need to

shook her head, “Let me do it. You guys did stand me up last

it with a lunch isn’t too much to ask,

let out a sarcastic laugh from her perch on the

consent, Serana headed straight for the

lot of groceries today. Mind if

over?”

Boyd frowned, “Who?”

“A friend of mine.”

looking back, Serana opened the

off from them.

Yasmine wasn’t sure if it was because

fact that she insisted on

desire to invite a stranger into

watching his mood sour, smirked and tossed the

up and heading

on the same level as Serana? Well, it was

theory to the test.

empty living

doorbell rang again. Serana dashed out from the kitchen

answer it.

efficiency with paperwork

watching her

returned with her guest,

and stood up, giving Serana’s companion a

glance.

with a polite, shy smile that seemed a bit

stand, he quickly

cold look and

Boyd, could

“Sure.”

things easy for Serana, but Boyd

couldn’t win

her straight to the

wearing shoes, so he threw a cushion from his chair onto the

to

to afford Serana any respect,

feelings. She couldn’t bring herself to cause a scene

guests.

intimate interaction left

smile, “It’s a light broth. I added just

appetite. Yasmine, you

her lips, stepped on Boyd’s foot,

was frustrated but still had to be mindful of his