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.”

with that. Over the years, he’d seen plenty of her

“How’s college life?”

to hit the

live with her, he

that hard to admit

must have asked her that question a hundred times over the years, but he

investing time in pursuits that may seem childish and insignificant. With that effort, I could be researching stocks, making a big score,

sighed deeply, feeling a tightness in his

She tossed it into the trash can, and Derek held the car door open

drive away, reminded

completely natural. Just as natural as

be enough, but reality told him it wasn’t. Satisfaction was still too far away. It felt

question

“How’s college life?”

her stomach, didn’t eat the meal much, and only managed to

“It’s okay.”

was a much better response than the one she gave

to Yasmine’s temperament, Bryson was thrilled with the answer. “Anything you’re unhappy

“…

Derek glanced at her.

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

not playing dumb. “It’s nothing big, just ended up in the

Derek’s eyes shifted, “…Boyd?”

watched the screen where the latest celebrity was getting cozy with a director at a hotel, and upon

that’s not a big deal? You sure you don’t want to switch

changed the channel, “It wasn’t

It seemed like it really wasn’t a big deal—still not

of those

after pondering for a moment, she turned to look

“And then what?”

“What do

sweethearts are reunited, what

eyes, exasperated, “There could be an

launch or what?

shock written all over his face, “Did

her attention

“You…”