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 expression remained

way more times

you need glasses?” Yasmine

say? No contact for

traced her finger across her phone’s screen,

perceptible. “All this

“Am

“Then what’s your reason?”

“Just feeling annoyed.”

“Those were just kid’s squabbles from when we were ten. Holding onto that, or keeping score with them,

you want me to

steering wheel tighter. “Can’t do

distance. His watchful eyes seemed to follow her more closely than ever. Any guy that approached her would be “taken care of” by

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

a relationship

across from her, Yasmine addressed Boyd directly, “Rumor has it

Boyd, and

bit slow on the

paused. “When did this

Silence.

More silence.

to Serana, “Clearly, there’s some misunderstanding. Don’t overthink it.” She wasn’t about to deal with a

speak, but Boyd set

Almost as he stood up, she abruptly stood up as well. “Feeling queasy all of a sudden. Enjoy your meal.

Boyd’s expression darkened.

hadn’t taken two steps before being pulled toward the exit. They stopped at the basketball court next

stretched between them until Boyd inhaled deeply and spoke,

“Escape? Why

know what I

nowhere, I get a ‘boyfriend’ and a love rival? Boyd, are you trying to

“Who’s your love rival?”

temple and exhaled, “Alright, so I’m being

Serana and I

thing with her is none of my business. As for the rumors, we know what’s up. I don’t mind, but

through the air,

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

a laugh. “Me, playing dumb? What’s up? Are we, like, actually dating or something? How come I,

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

after a moment of silence, “When I first heard the rumor, I found it ridiculous. Just

“Why?” he pressed.

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

knitted together, clearly displeased by

way to make amends, and don’t confuse those childhood bonds and the so-called love from us

honest. Her confidence was disarming, silencing any retort before it could

have become a pathetic joke of unrequited feelings. However, the look in