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.

Yasmine’s

times

you need glasses?” Yasmine casually

to say? No contact for two months and suddenly you’re sharing desserts

across her phone’s screen, engrossed in

twitch was barely perceptible. “All this for

“Am I that cheap in your

“Then what’s your reason?”

“Just feeling annoyed.”

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

him off. “Do you want

wheel

school, not avoiding Boyd. She didn’t care, but he wouldn’t allow distance. His watchful eyes seemed to follow her

impression that they were an item. Rumors reached

relationship

lunch in the cafeteria, ignoring Serana sitting across from her, Yasmine addressed Boyd directly, “Rumor has it

to the ever-composed Boyd, and silently shoveled food into her

flickered. “You’re a bit slow on the uptake, aren’t

paused. “When did

Silence.

More silence.

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

speak, but Boyd set

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

Boyd’s expression darkened.

pulled toward the exit. They stopped at the basketball court next to

them until Boyd inhaled deeply and spoke, “Were you trying to escape

frowned. “Escape? Why

know what

“Years ago, suddenly getting a ‘friend’ like Serana nearly did me in. Now, out of nowhere, I get a ‘boyfriend’ and a love rival?

“Who’s your love rival?”

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

Serana and

for the rumors, we know what’s up. I

cut through

fixed his gaze on her with a penetrating intensity, “You sure you’re not

out a laugh. “Me, playing dumb? What’s up? Are we, like, actually dating or something? How come I, the person involved, am the last to know? Have

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

after a moment of silence, “When I first heard the rumor, I

“Why?” he pressed.

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

knitted together, clearly displeased by

me remind you,” she continued, “don’t use your guilt towards me as a way to make amends, and don’t confuse those childhood bonds and the

Her confidence was disarming, silencing any

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