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?”

his forehead speechlessly. “Fine! Do as you

—

stayed

the latest campus gossip. Seeing Yasmine walking to and from school

too. At first, she

the entrance of the science building, Yasmine couldn’t help but laugh. “Got something to

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

Yasmine cut her off

paused, but her expression remained neutral. She was used to Yasmine’s

likes you, not me. And there’s no need to accuse him of

part of the reason I considered dating someone else was to give you peace of mind.

stone, and you, being smart, surely understand that better than I

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

the whole time. This was probably the most Serana

then gently touched the air with her book, 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 care if you have a thousand reasons for dating now. Do you think I

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 you harbor

telling me all this today really doesn’t mean a thing. Confessing your crush on Boyd and promising not to mess with our relationship? Accusing me of being unfair, heartless, and making a

pray tell, do you think

no matter what she did, she always

smiling at her, “Isn’t it all because of

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

to look her in the eyes, then

Serana’s face stiffened.

smirk grew colder. “Looks like you

to me, what’s the use? Do you really expect me to patch things up with him just to keep

might as well have been gibberish. Her thoughts were stripped bare. Anything she said or did, in front

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

could do, tears welling up in her

eyebrow. “Tears don’t get

she propped the rolled book on her shoulder and

Serana suddenly grabbed her, her

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

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

that. He cares about your

threat or not, he has made his choice. You need to face reality. Aren’t you in a relationship? Or do you plan on being with him even

“I won’t get married.”

to twitch on Yasmine’s forehead. “Lunatic.” At her wits’ end, she turned and strode

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

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

thanks to your darling

was a pause on the line, “What

told you that dating you is just one disaster after another.

down the gauntlet and

darkened. As he left his office, his assistant looked puzzled, “Mr. Boyd, the meeting is

“Cancel it!”