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.

elevator to the eighteenth floor, quickly grabbed two sets of clothes, and

was puzzled, “Ms.

me to dine with her, then stargaze and

Charlie was speechless.

you have other things to attend to, you can go ahead. I won’t let Ms.

…

rushed from the office back to the sixteenth

the nines, his handsome face now devoid of its usual warm

few days ago to one of

he asked, his voice as chilly as his

raised an

head on the couch, Seth

“Not yet.”

“It’s getting late.”

she gets sleepy, she can crash

fixed his eyes on Chloe,

close friend, and

at her deeply, his voice a cool whisper, “When it comes to you, he doesn’t really care too much about

Chloe did, Damon would undoubtedly take her side without a second

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

Seth suddenly fell silent.

his answer in his silence,

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

“It’s Damon’s

for a

*

way to the guest room with practiced ease. Soon after, he emerged, carefully carrying the sleeping woman in

she recorded the

frosted over, that veneer of grace and kindness he wore in public was

chuckled, “Of course

further words, carrying her out of the apartment with a deliberate yet

after the door had shut automatically did Chloe pocket her phone, staring at the door for a

Seth who turned the

transformed from an eighteen-story building to a towering thirty-six-story landmark,

cornered the market in the entertainment industry within

of. But what about the ones she didn’t? For a man of such cunning and intellect,

about what the endgame would be between him

*

carefully laid Cicely onto the bed, arranging her tousled hair and

have to mock Chloe for using her own and

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apartment’s security code, a combination of their

Was it superficial?

nearly imperceptible smirk played on his lips as he gently

No.

guessed that code correctly – the satisfaction, pride,

it been since he’d

made it a point to see her every day, standing outside

single day without seeing her, ensuring she was right there, under his

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

warm breath faintly brushing her cheek. She

delicate tip of her nose. He hesitated, his gaze drifting to her slightly parted lips. The hand entwined in her hair tightened a

with careful tenderness. The warmth radiating from Cicely, mixed with her scent, was like the most potent love potion, anesthetizing all his

mouth, sweeping across her territory

eyes and realization dawned that this was not a dream, she hesitated for a

and he gently pecked

“I’m sorry.”

could feel his restraint. She didn’t move, just stared back at him with wide,

was shaken by her calm, unrippled gaze. “Sorry.” He wrapped his arms tighter around

gaze fixed on the ceiling, lost in thought.Books Chapters