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.

—

indeed stayed

gossip. Seeing Yasmine walking to and from school alone only fueled

center of it all, Serana, drew plenty of attention too. At first, she also stayed away from

the science building, Yasmine couldn’t help but laugh.

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

can talk here,” Yasmine cut her off without

paused, but her expression remained neutral. She

he weren’t exceptional, 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,

of the reason I considered dating someone else was to give you peace of mind. But that’s

kill two birds with one stone, and you, being smart, surely understand that better than I do. So, there’s no need to exaggerate

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

whole time. This was probably the most Serana had ever said to

motioning between 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

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 thing for him and still insists on taking care

a thing. Confessing your crush on Boyd and promising not to mess

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

in front of Yasmine, no matter what she did, she always seemed to come

book in her hand, smiling at

face, “Don’t you get it? By coming clean to you, I wanted you to know you can disregard my existence. What do I have to do for you to

closer to Serana and leaning in to look her in the

Serana’s face stiffened.

this, Yasmine’s smirk grew colder. “Looks like you came here to take your frustration

what’s the use? Do you really

dismissed by Yasmine’s nonchalant words. Everything she said to Yasmine might as well have

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

welling up in her eyes before finally

raised an eyebrow. “Tears don’t get

she propped the rolled book on her

suddenly grabbed her, her voice

composure to find Serana looking at her with tearful eyes. “What will it

Serana’s tearful voice and persistence. She took a deep breath and yanked her hand away. “You talk about not ruining our relationship, yet here you 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, talk to him. What’s the

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

choice. You need to face reality. Aren’t you in a relationship? Or do

“I won’t get married.”

“Lunatic.” At her wits’ end, she turned and strode

“Boyd and I are like family. It’s impossible for us to be together. Why do

slapped that madwoman hard. Pulling out her phone, she called Boyd for the first time in a week. The call connected quickly, “If

thanks to

on the

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

the gauntlet and hung

office, his assistant

“Cancel it!”