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.

eighteenth floor, quickly grabbed two sets

“Ms. Cicely,

me to dine with her, then stargaze and discuss

Charlie was speechless.

to attend to, you can go

…

the office back to the sixteenth floor

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

from the genteel, courteous man of a few days ago to one of barely

asked, his

raised an

on the couch,

“Not yet.”

“It’s getting late.”

fine, if she gets sleepy, she can crash

eyes on

You’re Damon’s close friend, and I wouldn’t put

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

undoubtedly take her side without a

delighted, and it showed, “That’s the man I’ve

Seth suddenly fell silent.

read his answer in his silence, her

it was stopped, held ajar. “You

Damon’s and my

paused for a second,

*

way to the guest room with practiced

sipped on a glass of milk, clutching her phone as she recorded the man’s

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

“Of course

stirred slightly. Tightening his lips, he refrained from further words, carrying

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

in turmoil, but it was Seth who turned the tide, securing his spot at the helm of the

mere two years, transformed from an eighteen-story building to a towering thirty-six-story landmark, rebounding from crippling debt to

cornered the market

didn’t? For a man of such cunning and intellect, would he really continue to fall head over heels in

what the endgame

*

laid Cicely onto the bed, arranging her tousled hair and

using her own and Damon’s birthdays as

02072791227

old apartment’s security code,

Was it superficial?

his lips as he gently

No.

knew the elation he felt when he first guessed that code correctly – the satisfaction,

had it been since he’d seen her? Three

made it a point to see her every day, standing outside the hospital room, watching her

single day without seeing her, ensuring she was right

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

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

gently against the delicate tip of her nose. He hesitated, his gaze drifting to her slightly parted lips.

her scent, was like

kisses deepened, invading her mouth,

she slowly opened her eyes and realization dawned that this was not a dream, she hesitated for a moment, wanting

slowed, and he gently pecked her nose, resting his forehead against

“I’m sorry.”

feel his restraint. She didn’t move, just

her calm, unrippled gaze. “Sorry.” He wrapped

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