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

“How’s college life?”

a different place to hit

zipped his lips, deciding he was done with the conversation. Since his father had brought his mother and him to live with her, he had never seen anything

hard to admit you

years, but he never seemed

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

deeply, feeling a tightness in

tossed it into the trash can, and

watching the car drive away, reminded of the day she left the orphanage

Just as natural as her strangeness to him

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

asked the first question that his son had

“How’s college life?”

stomach, didn’t eat the meal much, and only

“It’s okay.”

was a much better response than the

thrilled with the answer. “Anything you’re unhappy

paused, “…

Derek glanced at her.

and Derek sat down in front of her.

celebrity gossip show, not playing dumb. “It’s nothing big, just ended up

Derek’s eyes shifted, “…Boyd?”

was getting cozy with a director at

long time, “And that’s not

don’t.” Yasmine changed the channel,

to himself. ” It seemed like it really wasn’t a big deal—still not

sure it’s not one of

after pondering for a moment, she turned

“And then what?”

was puzzled, “What do

are

rolled his eyes, exasperated, “There could be an unexpected romance, and next thing

taken aback, “Is this a rocket launch or what? How

her, shock written all over his face, “Did you…

seconds, then turned her attention back to

“You…”