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

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

end of the day, you just

his gaze 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

his drink, “Man, I’ve been

“Good, you’re driving anyway. Get

Was

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

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

a cold front, he could chill to the bone. But no matter his demeanor,

something from him? Even Danielle, wasn’t it because he had carved out a space for himself

who had once pursued him without a second thought – just for

habit from long hours of work, would don

Kane was still pissed off. This was

at home, no

Cicely. She hasn’t had dinner yet. What

in an instant, his gaze lifting to meet Kane’s, the calm composure replaced by a

his breath, astounded. Was this really the same man he

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

straightened up from the couch, visibly tensing, his eyes

a look and rolled his eyes, turning

Seth seemed about to give up, Kane suddenly spoke up, “Wow,

just waned, snapped back

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? I’m coming over to mooch a meal, okay? Fine, ten bottles of

hanging up, Kane clenched his teeth,

towering figure stood behind him, one

“Really? Was that necessary?!” Just making a phone call and Seth was sneaking up to

phone in Kane’s

rather impressed with himself, and boasted, “Who

pursed his lips, “Wait for me a

“What?”

headed upstairs without a

his eyes drawn to the bottles of liquor on the coffee table. He moved over to

Even without peanuts, Kane was going to enjoy a couple of

started sipping, thoroughly engrossed. Before long,

glass and stood up, turning to look back. His throat suddenly tightened, and the

rushed to his head, and he coughed so hard his

Seth, a laugh trying to

*

instructed the kitchen to whip

of Chardonnay, and Kane could

intentions were as clear as

living room, drawing on the cushion. Watching him sketch a house on paper, while still childlike,

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

Cicely watched him quietly, occasionally lifting her

his serious demeanor, it was impossible to escape the shadow

Cicely shifted her attention, patting Hugo on the head, “It’s okay,

Hugo nodded.

door, Kane was still nursing a sore throat

wine-red pocket square tucked into his chest pocket, hair obviously meticulously

Cicely’s brow twitched unexpectedly.

his coughs, tried to stifle a laugh, but tears welling up

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

to roll his eyes.

of Chardonnay seem a bit stingy. Maybe

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