The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Seth watched Cicely enter the villa next door before he himself stepped into his own. The living room was silent and empty as he scanned it indifferently and made his way to the dining area.

He tidied up the table and headed into the kitchen.

Seth felt like he might be sick. He’d even push the dishes Cicely had used to the back of the pile, and sometimes he felt like he didn’t even want to wash them. Her fingerprints were on them; they had once held her warmth. Now, every little thing of hers, he wanted to preserve.

*

Kane was someone who probably loved to watch the drama the most, especially Seth’s. Charlie, standing at the door, couldn’t help but feel a tad resigned. “Mr. Ziems, isn’t your company keeping you busy?” Charlie asked with a slight edge of helplessness.

Kane raised an eyebrow and gave Charlie a lazy once over with a click of his tongue. “You underestimate the bond of brotherhood, my friend. Of course, my buddy’s matters are more important than the company.”d2

Charlie chuckled dryly, well aware of their history. The pair had their skirmishes countless times, and now Kane probably came looking for ammunition, eager to see Seth in disarray.

“Mr. Diaz is in his bedroom,” Charlie informed.

Kane frowned, “And Cicely?”

“She went back home.”

“The dumbass has locked himself in his room again?” Kane’s brows nearly jumped off his forehead, “So what exactly did Cicely do when she was here?”

Charlie simply stated, “Mr. Diaz made her lunch, and they had it together.”

“Seth cooking lunch with that condition of his?!”

“Yes.”

Kane blinked. Damn, it was like oil meeting water – completely unexpected. Cicely really was something else.

Watching Kane’s expression as if he’d been struck by lightning, Charlie added, “Mr. Diaz is doing much better now, he ate, he did the dishes, and he’s been looking at some files I took up earlier.”

Kane, now curious, arched an eyebrow, “Any idea how things are progressing between them? Did they…you know?”

Charlie glanced at Kane’s thumbs twiddling together and quickly looked away, “I wouldn’t know. I don’t pry.”

Kane dropped the flirtatious look from his eyes and glanced at Charlie disinterestedly. Playing the innocent virgin, huh?

*

Upstairs in the villa, Seth’s bedroom door was predictably closed. Kane knocked. “Hey bro, had your fill?”

What kind of messed-up dialogue was this?

“Buzz off.” Soon after, Seth’s deep, muffled voice sounded through the door.

Hmm? Kane immediately raised his eyebrows, well, Cicely was indeed impressive. Her coming over for a meal could turn an almost hopeless bastard back into a sane human being. Now at least Seth could make a sound.

“Be a bit more friendly, bro, especially to your buddies. If it wasn’t for us, do you think Cicely would’ve shown up?”

Silence from Seth’s end.

Leaning against the hallway wall, Kane let out a long sigh, “Hungry for dinner? How about I set something up? We’re men, no need to be so dramatic over a woman. Just like Damon said, it’s a simple thing. Damon’s been brainwashing Cicely all day for you.”

The door was suddenly yanked open, and Seth, with an aura of gloom, stood in the doorway.

“Damn.” Kane jumped aside, eyeing Seth warily. “It wasn’t brainwashing, just telling it like it is.”

Seth glared at him darkly.

Kane licked his lips, tentatively offering, “Drink?”

*

words

really like her, you go for it. Be shameless. Everyone’s been there. Didn’t Cicely chase you? The Ellis family heiress,

end of the day,

contained, silent for a moment before reaching for the glass on the coffee table and taking a sip. He looked over at Kane, who had just picked up his

looking at his drink, “Man, I’ve been talking myself hoarse, haven’t even had a

“Good, you’re driving

was speechless. Was

your ear off, and you can’t even offer me a peanut to go with my drink, and now I can’t even

sun filtered into the living room. Seth tilted his head slightly, the glasses on his nose catching the light,

a smile, he could dazzle; with a cold front, he could chill to the bone. But no matter his demeanor, that face, that figure, and that

one didn’t want something from him? Even Danielle, wasn’t it because he had carved out

him without a second

and Seth, out of habit from long hours of work,

how he presented himself, Kane was still pissed off. This was no

food at

let out a derisive laugh, his face screaming ‘bullshit’, “I just texted Cicely. She hasn’t had dinner yet. What do you say, should I invite

meet Kane’s, the calm composure replaced

muttered under his breath,

mix of disdain and disbelief, Kane still fished out his smartphone from his pocket. Kane hit the

from the couch, visibly tensing, his eyes fixed on Kane’s

look and rolled his eyes, turning his back to him so Seth

about

which had just waned, snapped back

I’m right next door at your place, and this guy’s got no grub, not even a bowl of peanuts to go with a drink. What I mean? Do I really have to spell it out?

up, Kane clenched his

his phone and turned around, a towering figure stood behind him, one more step and they’d practically be in

and stared at Seth with wide eyes. “Really? Was that

in

“Who do

his lips, “Wait for me a

“What?”

headed upstairs without a

eyes drawn to the bottles of liquor on the coffee

liquor was always top-notch. Even without peanuts, Kane was

started sipping, thoroughly engrossed. Before long, Seth’s

the crystal glass and stood up, turning to look back. His throat suddenly tightened, and the strong liquor he’d just

to his head, and he coughed so

trembling finger pointed at Seth, a laugh trying to break through, but

*

hanging up the phone, instructed the kitchen to whip up

Kane could have anything he

intentions were as clear

him sketch a house

exterior design: the chimney’s position, the shape of the roof, even the window panes and

with focus. Cicely watched him quietly, occasionally lifting her gaze

was impossible to escape the shadow of

the doorbell rang. Cicely shifted her attention, patting Hugo on the head, “It’s okay, keep drawing, Mommy will get the

Hugo nodded.

the door, Kane was still nursing a

tall and straight, locking eyes with her the moment the door swung open. Seth was in a crisp suit, immaculate, with a wine-red pocket square tucked into his chest pocket, hair

Cicely’s brow twitched unexpectedly.

a laugh, but tears welling

turned her gaze on Kane, “You didn’t mention there would be two of

him to roll his eyes. Putting on airs, was

slightly, “If it’s for two, ten bottles of Chardonnay seem a bit stingy.

caught the door frame. She paused, her eyes moving from the defined hand to Seth’s face. “What