The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

But Boyd didn’t release her. “Is there no other way?” he asked.

“Right now, seeing you just annoys me. You’d better stay out of my sight for a while.”

Boyd’s frown deepened, his silence lingering. “How long is ‘a while’?”

“I’m not sure.” It could be days, or months. As time passed, he might realize there was no need to cling so tightly.

“Do you think that’s an answer?”

Yasmine chuckled. “To be honest, I’d be happy never to see you again. Can you accept that answer?”d2

He didn’t respond, his mouth a tight, sharp line.

Yasmine laughed softly at his expression. “Three months, then.”

Three more months until graduation. That answer seemed to weigh heavily on Boyd.

Three months, whether it was the symbolic end to their college life or just a simple cycle of 90 days, he couldn’t accept either. How many college days did one get in life, or sets of 90 days? Unless absolutely necessary, he didn’t want to waste a single day.

“You should know that as long as I know you exist in this world, as long as I can see you, touch you, I can’t keep my distance completely.”

Yasmine felt a vein throb in her temple. Were sweet words a natural instinct for men? To any other woman, those words would have been a downfall. The whole ‘to the ends of the earth’ or ‘faithful until the mountains crumble’ spiel was touching, sure. But pretty words had their place, and right now, she saw his persistence as nothing more than a nuisance.

“Boyd, don’t you think you’re being a bit presumptuous? You’re dissatisfied with whatever answer I give. How about you tell me what you want?”

After a long stare, Boyd finally said, “Yasmine, you know I can’t let you go. But you’re unhappy, you don’t want to see me, and I respect that. I hope it won’t be for too long. If you won’t make a statement, I won’t wait forever. I hope you can cool off over the next few days.”

Yasmine raised an eyebrow, seemingly in agreement, then glanced at her captured hand.

Boyd let go.

Derek, trailing behind Yasmine, had no idea whether her acquiescence was genuine. “Hey, you’re not just stringing him along to get rid of him, are you?”

“Why is breaking up so hard?”

Derek smirked. “Because he likes you. And honestly, with your temper, I doubt anyone but Boyd could put up with you.”

Yasmine shot him a look. “What’s wrong with my temper? Did I throw a fit or cause a scene?”

“That’s not what I’m saying. You should leave some room for negotiation. You’re so absolute. You don’t give others a choice.”

Yasmine scoffed. “By that logic, should a convicted murderer have the choice not to die?”

“There! You see?” Derek pointed excitedly at her. “You go straight for the death penalty. But Boyd’s not a murderer, is he?”

“Do people need to commit murder to get a death penalty?”

forehead speechlessly. “Fine!

—

indeed stayed away from

public breakup in the cafeteria had become the latest campus gossip. Seeing

too. At first, she also stayed away from school.

science building, Yasmine couldn’t help but laugh.

about your cafeteria showdown with Boyd.

can talk here,” Yasmine cut

neutral. She was used to

you wouldn’t be with him. But Boyd likes you, not me. And there’s no need to accuse him of confusing old friendships with love. If he truly liked me, I’d be happy, but if that were the

give you peace of mind. But that’s just one reason. I also wanted to move on from my

and you, being smart, surely understand that better than

with Boyd. And if you don’t trust me, at least trust him. Ask yourself why you chose

probably the most Serana had ever

them. Her eyes seemed to search for the right words, but finding a simple response to Serana’s lengthy speech proved difficult. “I don’t care if you have a thousand reasons for dating now. Do you think I have the time to understand them all? The fact that you have feelings for

yes, I chose him. But who says that means I have to trust him completely? Falling for him, I guess, isn’t his fault, but when he knows you’ve got a

me all this today really doesn’t mean a thing. Confessing your crush on Boyd and promising not to

why, pray tell, do

but in front of Yasmine, no

flipped through the book in her hand, smiling at

to you, I wanted you to know you can disregard my existence. What do I have to

in to look her in the eyes, then smiled. “Did Boyd stop caring about

Serana’s face stiffened.

colder. “Looks like you came here to take your frustration out on

with sarcasm. “But did you pick the wrong target? He ignores you, and you come to me, what’s the use? Do you really expect me to patch things up with him just to

Yasmine’s nonchalant words. Everything she said to Yasmine might as well have been gibberish. Her thoughts were stripped bare. Anything she said or did, in front of Yasmine, was practically

her lips quivering as she tried to speak but couldn’t utter a word.

tears welling up in her eyes before finally

“Tears don’t get

the rolled book on her shoulder

Serana suddenly grabbed her, her voice breaking with

off guard, nearly stumbled but regained her composure to find Serana looking at her with tearful eyes. “What will it take for you to stop doing this to Boyd? Tell me what will satisfy

our relationship, yet here you are, all

about your feelings, and you threaten him with a

to face reality. Aren’t you in a relationship? Or

“I won’t get married.”

forehead. “Lunatic.” At her

are like family. It’s impossible for us to be together. Why do you insist on driving me away

out her phone, she called Boyd for the first time in a week. The

thanks to your darling

was a pause on the

to give me a piece of her mind. I told you that dating you is just one disaster after another. I forced you to drive her away?

laid down the

he left his office, his assistant looked puzzled, “Mr.

“Cancel it!”