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.

the car, Yasmine’s

times than necessary within

you need glasses?”

No contact for

her finger across her phone’s screen, engrossed

“All this for a free

level, “Am

“Then what’s your reason?”

“Just feeling annoyed.”

squabbles from when we were ten. Holding onto that, or keeping

want me to jump out and

the steering wheel tighter. “Can’t

watchful eyes seemed to follow her more closely than ever. Any guy that approached her would be “taken care of” by Boyd before she even

impression that they were an item. Rumors reached Yasmine,

a relationship with

across from her, Yasmine addressed Boyd directly,

ever-composed Boyd, and silently

bit slow on

“When did

Silence.

More silence.

Don’t overthink it.”

to speak, but

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

Boyd’s expression darkened.

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

until Boyd inhaled deeply and spoke, “Were

frowned. “Escape? Why would

what I

for a moment, then nodded. “Years ago, suddenly getting 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 say I’ve had it too easy,

“Who’s your love rival?”

temple and exhaled,

and I

“Your thing with her is none of my business. As for the rumors, we know

voice cut through the

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

for a moment, 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

his eyes never leaving hers, “So, all of that

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 seemed absurd to me, so the idea

“Why?” he pressed.

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 be asking too

knitted together, clearly displeased by Yasmine’s

your guilt towards me as a way to make amends, and don’t confuse

disarming, silencing any retort

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