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

way more times than necessary within five

need glasses?” Yasmine casually

road. “You got nothing to say? No contact for two months

finger across her phone’s screen, engrossed in Candy Crush. “Their

perceptible. “All this for a free

the level, “Am I that cheap in your

“Then what’s your reason?”

“Just feeling annoyed.”

a classic Yasmine response. “Those were just kid’s squabbles from when we were ten. Holding

Yasmine cut him off. “Do you want me

wheel tighter. “Can’t

follow her more closely than ever. Any guy that approached her would be

that they were an item. Rumors

relationship

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

turning to the ever-composed Boyd, and

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

“When did this

Silence.

More silence.

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

speak, but Boyd set down his

she abruptly

Boyd’s expression darkened.

two steps before being pulled toward the exit. They stopped at the basketball court next

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

“Escape?

what I

a ‘friend’ like Serana nearly did me in. Now, out of nowhere, I get a ‘boyfriend’ and a love rival? Boyd, are you trying to

“Who’s your love rival?”

exhaled,

Serana and

of my business. As for the rumors, we know what’s up. I

voice cut through the

on her with a penetrating intensity, “You sure you’re not just playing dumb with

leaned against the nearby railing, and let 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

of that has to happen for

the rumor, I

“Why?” he pressed.

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

together, clearly

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

Her confidence was disarming, silencing any retort before it could

just a big misunderstanding, it might have become a pathetic joke of unrequited feelings. However, the look in Boyd’s eyes that she had seen