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.

—

stayed away

the cafeteria had become the latest campus gossip. Seeing Yasmine walking to and from school alone

the woman at the center of it all, Serana, drew plenty of attention too. At first, she also stayed away from school. When she reappeared, she went directly

science building, Yasmine

“Yes. I heard about your cafeteria showdown with Boyd. Maybe we should sit down somewhere to

talk here,” Yasmine cut her off

but her expression remained neutral. She was used to

me, and if he weren’t exceptional, you wouldn’t be with him. But Boyd likes you, not me. And there’s no

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

you, being smart, surely understand that better

don’t trust me, at least trust him. Ask

This was probably the most Serana had ever

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

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 thing for him and still insists on taking care of you, letting

promising not to mess with our relationship? Accusing me of being unfair, heartless, and

snort, “And why, pray tell, do you think I broke up

brow as she looked at her, but in front of Yasmine, no matter what

hand, smiling at her, “Isn’t it

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

stepping closer to Serana and leaning in to look her in

Serana’s face stiffened.

“Looks like you came here to take your frustration out

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 keep him on your radar? Isn’t that a bit

nonchalant words. Everything she said to Yasmine might as well

to speak but couldn’t utter a word. What was the

was nothing she could do, tears welling up in her

an eyebrow. “Tears don’t get you

book on her

Serana suddenly grabbed her, her voice breaking

caught off guard, nearly stumbled but regained her composure to find Serana looking at her with tearful eyes. “What will

are, all teary-eyed, begging me to let you stay by his side? Serana, are you out of your mind? If you want to be with him,

you don’t want that. He cares about your feelings, and you threaten

You need to face reality. Aren’t you in a relationship? Or do you plan on being with him even after marrying

“I won’t get married.”

to twitch on Yasmine’s forehead. “Lunatic.” At her

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

the pain of hitting someone, she would have turned back and slapped that madwoman hard. Pulling out her phone, she called Boyd for the first time in a week. The call connected quickly, “If you didn’t reach

to your

a pause on the line,

mind. I told you that dating you is just

laid down the gauntlet and hung

his office, his assistant looked puzzled, “Mr. Boyd, the meeting is

“Cancel it!”