The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Serana glanced at Boyd, her mind a blank slate as to what to say next. However, nothing was inappropriate about Yasmine’s actions afterwards. They munched on slices of cake and sipped on coffee, making small talk about how each other had been lately.

Aside from her initial sharp words, Yasmine’s demeanor was so faultlessly normal you couldn’t pick a bone with it. If there was anything to comment on, it was that her phone never seemed to leave her hand for long.

But the more she played it cool, the more both Serana and Boyd felt something was off.

“Do you come here often?” Boyd asked casually as Yasmine’s plate became crumb-free.

Yasmine gave a half-smile. “Yeah.”

“It is a nice place,” he admitted.d2

Taking a sip of her coffee, Yasmine leaned back in her chair. “Yeah.”

Boyd pursed his lips, and silence fell like a curtain.

Serana looked on, worry creasing her forehead. For years, Boyd had always been the one looking down on others, never the one to seek out chit-chat.

Serana could tell he was trying to find common ground, to say something – anything – to ease the tension with Yasmine.

Even though Yasmine was sitting there with them, who could really say where her thoughts were?

The misunderstanding that had started over a jar of flowers seemed resolved, and they were interacting like before. But was there real forgiveness from Yasmine? Not likely.

There they were, sitting across from each other, yet it felt like miles between them. Serana was curious – could Yasmine ever truly like someone?

What would she be like? What lengths would she go to? She’d love to see that.

But who would be the one to break through?

Yasmine’s phone rang, but she ignored it, standing up instead. “You guys carry on. I’ve got something else to attend to. I’ll head out first.”

She answered the phone as she pulled out her chair.

Boyd stood, reaching to catch Yasmine’s wrist. Phone to her ear, Yasmine looked at him. “Something else?”

Boyd stared for a moment. “Where are you off to?”

“Home.”

Derek’s figure appeared beside them. He eyed the hand Boyd had on Yasmine. “You want something?”

Boyd’s grip tightened unintentionally.

Yasmine pulled her hand back, phone down. “Should be clear now.”

—

Serana watched through the glass as Yasmine’s car pulled away, and only then did she breathe a sigh of relief. “She’s still the same.”

Boyd didn’t respond.

car, Yasmine’s

her way more times

glasses?” Yasmine

got nothing to say? No contact for two months and suddenly you’re sharing desserts

across her phone’s screen, engrossed

twitch was barely perceptible. “All this for

on the level, “Am I

“Then what’s your reason?”

“Just feeling annoyed.”

from when we were ten. Holding onto that, or keeping score with them, it’s

off. “Do you want me to

gripped the steering wheel tighter. “Can’t

eyes seemed to follow her more closely than ever.

impression that they were an item. Rumors reached Yasmine, and

a relationship

cafeteria, ignoring Serana sitting across from her, Yasmine addressed Boyd

ever-composed Boyd, and silently shoveled

eyes flickered. “You’re a bit

“When did

Silence.

More silence.

Serana, “Clearly, there’s some misunderstanding. Don’t overthink

her mouth to speak,

stared into his eyes for two seconds. Almost as he stood up, she abruptly

Boyd’s expression darkened.

steps before being pulled toward the exit. They stopped at the basketball court next to the cafeteria, where Boyd finally

silence stretched between them until Boyd inhaled deeply and spoke, “Were you trying

frowned. “Escape?

know what I

‘friend’ like Serana nearly did me in. Now, out of nowhere, I get a ‘boyfriend’ and a love rival? Boyd, are you trying to say I’ve had it too easy, or that I didn’t die

“Who’s your love rival?”

tapped her temple and exhaled, “Alright, so I’m being paranoid,

Serana and I

with her is none of my business. As for the rumors, we know what’s up. I don’t mind, but if it bothers you, I can clear

voice cut through the air, sharper than

penetrating intensity, “You sure you’re not just playing dumb

playing dumb? What’s up? Are we, like, actually dating or something? How come I, the person involved, am the last to know? Have you been openly courting me, or poured out your heart in a confession, or have we held

closer, his eyes never leaving hers, “So, all of that has to happen for it to be considered real

brief furrow in Yasmine’s brow as she spoke after a moment of silence, “When I first heard the rumor, I found it ridiculous. Just the rumor

“Why?” he pressed.

particular reason. But if I had to give one, it’s probably because I’m too narrow-minded to fully let go of the past misunderstandings between us. After all, if it weren’t for your insistence on linking our childhoods together, I would’ve probably stayed completely cut off from you. I think I’ve been pretty generous by interacting with you and Serana up to this point. If I had to get involved with you in any other way, that would really

knitted together, clearly displeased

guilt towards me as a way to make amends, and don’t confuse those childhood bonds and the

was disarming, silencing any retort before it could be

a pathetic joke of unrequited feelings. However, the look in Boyd’s eyes that she had seen in the cafeteria left no doubt about