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.”

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

“How’s college life?”

a different place to hit the books, what

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

to

years, but he never seemed to get a straight answer.

find something appealing, I’ll aspire to own it while investing time in pursuits that may seem childish and insignificant. With that effort, I could be researching stocks, making a big score, isn’t

tightness in

the trash can, and Derek held the

drive away, reminded of the

completely natural. Just as natural

Satisfaction was still too far away. It felt like a bottomless pit,

asked the first question that his son had asked her

“How’s college life?”

fill her stomach, didn’t eat the

“It’s okay.”

response than the one she

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

paused, “… It’s

Derek glanced at her.

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

switched from the finance channel to a celebrity gossip show, not playing dumb. “It’s nothing big, just ended up in the same class as someone I don’t particularly

Derek’s eyes shifted, “…Boyd?”

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

at her for a long time, “And that’s not a big

the channel, “It wasn’t easy getting my

thought to himself. ” It seemed like it really wasn’t a big

sure it’s not one of those childhood

curled up, arms wrapped around her knees, and after

“And then what?”

puzzled, “What do you

sweethearts are reunited,

rolled his eyes, exasperated, “There could be an unexpected

a rocket launch or what? How could it

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

turned her

“You…”