The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

He’d been looking for any excuse to talk to her, to ask how she’d fared over the years, but he could already predict Yasmine’s reaction and response—

“Don’t you think that’s kind of a dumb question now?”

Well, she was fine now, standing healthy and well in front of him. How could she not be doing well?

But if not that question, what could he ask that would be a good entry point into a conversation?

He drew a blank.

Deep down, he understood that when she had given the impression she was gone for good, it wasn’t to deceive everyone, it was just to deceive him. As she had said, she truly wanted to rid herself of him. For nine years, she managed to stay completely detached from the orphanage and everyone in it.d2

The day came to an end, and Yasmine finally stood up to leave.

Books tucked under one arm, her other hand holding a cellphone to her ear, she breezed past him, her voice as light and ripple-free as her stride. “Okay, heading out now. Mmm, I could go for a milkshake.”

Boyd, who was also about to leave, suddenly froze. It took a moment before he slowly turned his head, watching the figure at the classroom door.

That last bit about wanting a milkshake, with that lingering tone, somehow sounded like there was a hint of playing cute in it.

He met her at an age when she should have been the most delicate and cute, yet he had never seen or heard her act like that before.

Not even in his wildest dreams did Yasmine ever act like a spoiled child.

And now, although it was subtle, he could still detect it.

He didn’t want to admit this.

Her figure disappeared through the doorway without a hint of reluctance, and he stood up, his tall and lean silhouette conspicuous in his crisp white shirt. Under the watchful eyes of the female students, he strode out of the classroom.

By the door, he saw Yasmine casually dump her stack of books onto a young man’s arms and then take a paper cup from him, lowering her head to sip through the straw.

Derek watched her contented expression and laughed helplessly, “Every time I see that look on your face, I remember how much you used to despise it.”

Yasmine was unfazed, “I never said I liked it.”

Derek chuckled ruefully, “Then what’s this? Looking all satisfied with something you don’t like?”

“Who says satisfaction has to equate to liking something?”

Yasmine took another sip, and the two walked side by side toward the school gates, Derek taking a deep breath, “Only you could argue like this. There’s no winning against you.”

“An argument is still an argument, no matter how twisted.”

years, he’d seen plenty of her skewed logic, and somehow, she

“How’s college life?”

to

father had brought his mother and him to live with her, he had never seen anything that she truly liked. She seemed indifferent to everything. She

hard to admit you

a hundred times over the years, but he never

investing time in pursuits that may seem childish and insignificant. With that effort, I could be

sighed deeply, feeling a tightness in his chest. “Enjoyable

the school entrance, and Yasmine’s milkshake cup was empty. She tossed it into the trash can, and Derek held the car door

the school gates, watching the car drive away, reminded

natural. Just as natural as her strangeness

reality told him it wasn’t. Satisfaction was still too

dinner, Bryson cheerfully asked the first question that his son had

“How’s college life?”

milkshake to fill her stomach, didn’t eat the

“It’s okay.”

response than the

thrilled with the answer. “Anything you’re unhappy with? If there is, I’ll talk to the school about

paused, “…

Derek glanced at her.

in the living room, and Derek sat down in front of her. “Something up at

playing dumb. “It’s nothing big, just ended up in the

Derek’s eyes shifted, “…Boyd?”

where the latest celebrity was getting cozy with a director at a hotel, and upon hearing Derek’s guess, she nodded

time, “And that’s not a big deal? You sure you

the channel,

really wasn’t a big deal—still not as important as a

it’s not one of those childhood

wrapped around her knees, and after pondering for a

“And then what?”

do you mean,

the childhood sweethearts are reunited, what

be an unexpected romance, and next thing you

“Is this a rocket launch or what?

all over his

seconds, then turned her attention back to

“You…”