The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Charlie bit back the rest of his words. He had hoped, seeing her in a good mood today, to use the opportunity to help ease the tension between her and Seth. Even the slightest improvement would have been a win, but clearly, there was none.

A few more words, and she might have jumped right out of the car.

He dropped her off at the apartment building, and Cicely pressed the button for the sixteenth floor in the elevator without a word.

Charlie’s head was pounding.

“What’s the matter? Can’t even pop by for a visit?”

Charlie remained silent.d2

Since he had called Chloe earlier in the car, the door was quickly opened after a few knocks. Cicely left Charlie standing on the other side, shutting the door in his face.

Inside, Chloe was nibbling on a fruit salad, dressed in a simple loungewear, her hair casually tied at the back, exuding a serene elegance.

“Feeling better?”

Cicely sat down next to her with a ‘hmmm’ and reached over to take a piece of fruit from Chloe’s arms and put it in her mouth, saying, “So, how are you planning to spend Thanksgiving?”

“I don’t know, probably head over to Grandma’s.”

Cicely pursed her lips, the sweetness of the fruit lingering in her mouth as she took another piece.

Chloe glanced at her with a faint smile, picking up another slice of fruit, “Don’t worry about it. Grandma loves company. It won’t be a hassle for you.”

Cicely paused mid-chew, a lump forming in her throat as she locked eyes with Chloe, her eyes misting over. “Do you know what I want to say?”

Chloe’s lips curled slightly, “How many things in this world could possibly leave you at a loss for words?”

Chloe continued toying with the fruit in the bowl, “I’ll pick up Hugo from the orphanage a day early, and he’ll spend Thanksgiving with us. If you think you can keep it from him, you’re welcome to join.”

Cicely nodded, “.Thanks.”

Chloe saw the unshed tears in the eyes of this stubborn woman, and the choked sob that seemed to hang in her voice was heart-wrenching.

Neither of them was the type to wear their hearts on their sleeves, nor to play the victim. But the more they held back, the more they pretended not to care, the more it tugged at the heartstrings.

Chloe could feel it. To Cicely, she was the only one to be trusted, and the sole rock to lean on. With such trust placed in her, Chloe naturally felt obligated to honor it.

She reached out, affectionately tipping Cicely’s chin, “Damon’s out of town for a few days, and I’m bored. Keep me company, will you?”

Cicely’s eyes flickered, glancing at Chloe’s abdomen, “Aren’t you a bit of a switch-hitter? Playing for both teams?”

Chloe’s brows knitted together, turning to face her seriously, “I find it strange.”

Cicely snagged another piece of fruit from the plate, “What’s strange?”

“How exactly do I come off in a way that makes most people think I’m flirting with women?”

“Cough. cough.” Even the poised Cicely choked on her fruit at Chloe’s question.

Chloe pressed her lips together, gently patting Cicely’s back. It took a moment for Cicely to recover, and with a glass of water from Chloe, she finally spoke, “Isn’t that obvious?”

Chloe, puzzled, “What?”

“You have a certain boldness in your features, you’re tall, and you are also the CEO of a company, with looks, money, and capability. What kind of person do you think young girls are into these days?”

Chloe rested her chin on her hand, pondering, “So, they swing both ways too?”

Cicely shook her head, “Can’t say for sure.”

…

Their conversation went on for a long time, and when Cicely finally emerged, Charlie was still waiting outside. Seeing her, his spirits visibly lifted, “Ms. Cicely.”

Cicely closed the door, heading to the elevator, “If I could, I’d put in a good word for you with Seth, maybe get you a raise.”

“Then, thank you in advance.”

Cicely didn’t respond.

rode the elevator to the eighteenth floor, quickly grabbed two sets of

puzzled, “Ms.

with her, then stargaze and discuss the philosophy

Charlie was speechless.

can go ahead.

…

the office back to the sixteenth

the man’s tall, elegant figure, dressed to the nines, his handsome face now devoid of its usual warm smile and carrying

ago to one of barely concealed irritation. His gaze, cold and stern, swept

asked, his voice as chilly as his

raised an

glimpse of a head on the couch, Seth visibly

“Not yet.”

“It’s getting late.”

gets sleepy, she can crash

fixed his eyes on

I possibly do to her? You’re Damon’s close friend, and I

his voice a cool whisper, “When it comes to

Chloe did, Damon would undoubtedly take her side without

Chloe was delighted, and it showed, “That’s the man I’ve found. And you? Are

Seth suddenly fell silent.

in his silence, her brows arching

moved to close the door, it was stopped, held ajar. “You can talk, but she needs

“It’s Damon’s and

for a second,

*

of the sixteenth-floor apartment swung open. The tall, broad-shouldered man made his way to the guest room with practiced ease. Soon after, he emerged, carefully carrying

Chloe casually sipped on a glass of milk, clutching her phone as she recorded the man’s midnight escapade. The evidence of his actions was now

were frosted over, that veneer of grace and kindness he wore in public was stripped away in her presence. “Does it matter?” he

chuckled, “Of

arms stirred slightly. Tightening his lips, he refrained from further words, carrying her out of the apartment

after the door had shut automatically did Chloe pocket her phone, staring at the door for a few seconds before shaking her head with a

turmoil, but it was Seth who turned

years, transformed from an eighteen-story building to a towering thirty-six-story landmark, rebounding from crippling debt to become one of the

the market in

what about the ones she didn’t? For a man of such cunning and intellect, would he really continue to fall

what the endgame would be between

*

tousled hair and tucking her

her

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their old apartment’s security code, a combination of their

Was it superficial?

on his lips as he gently caressed Cicely’s delicate

No.

the elation he felt when he first guessed

it been since he’d seen her?

see her every

seeing her, ensuring she

to remember how she’d feared he wouldn’t understand the depth of her love, the restraint and compromise she’d chosen, and how his image filled

faintly brushing her cheek. She seemed to carry a natural fragrance, reminiscent of three

so close within reach, Seth’s thin lips pressed gently against the delicate tip of her nose. He hesitated, his gaze drifting to her slightly parted lips. The hand entwined in her hair tightened a fraction before his last bit of restraint crumbled, and he kissed

warmth radiating from Cicely, mixed with her scent, was like the most

kisses deepened, invading her mouth, sweeping across her territory

lashes fluttered, the familiar yet distant sensation making her question the reality of it all. As she slowly opened her eyes and realization dawned that this was not a dream, she hesitated for a moment, wanting to push him away, yet found herself clutching

paused. His impassioned kisses slowed, and he gently pecked her nose, resting his forehead against

“I’m sorry.”

feel his restraint. She didn’t move, just stared back at

by her calm, unrippled gaze. “Sorry.” He wrapped his arms

gaze fixed on the ceiling, lost in