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

glasses?” Yasmine casually

to say? No contact for two months

her phone’s screen, engrossed in Candy

was barely perceptible. “All this for a free

stars on the level, “Am I

“Then what’s your reason?”

“Just feeling annoyed.”

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

“Do you want me to jump

the steering wheel

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

that they were an item.

a relationship

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

to the ever-composed Boyd, and silently shoveled

a bit slow on the uptake, aren’t

“When did

Silence.

More silence.

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

to speak, but

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

Boyd’s expression darkened.

exit. They stopped at the basketball court next to the cafeteria,

between them until Boyd inhaled deeply

“Escape?

know what

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

“Who’s your love rival?”

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

Serana and

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

penetrating intensity, “You sure you’re not

How come I, the person involved, am the last to know? Have you been

leaving hers, “So, all of that

was a 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 alone

“Why?” he pressed.

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.

knitted together, clearly displeased

amends, and

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

all of this was 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 in the cafeteria