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 too well, word for

is enough. Women are meant to be pursued, right? If you really like her, you go for it. Be shameless. Everyone’s been there. Didn’t Cicely chase you? The Ellis family heiress, P City’s little princess – if

at the end of the day, you just haven’t

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

“Man, I’ve been talking myself hoarse, haven’t even had a

you’re driving anyway. Get

Was

your ear off, and you can’t even offer me a peanut

on his nose catching the light, accentuating his sharp eyes – a blend of

cultured. With a smile, he could dazzle; with a cold front, he could chill to the bone. But no matter his

about it, of all the women who pined for him, which one didn’t want something from him? Even Danielle, wasn’t it because he had carved out a space for himself in

there was Cicely, who had once pursued him without a second thought

habit from long hours of work, would don his glasses. Now, he had the

presented himself, Kane was still pissed off.

at home, no

Cicely. She hasn’t had dinner yet. What do you say, should

instant, his gaze lifting to meet Kane’s, the calm composure

Kane muttered under his breath, astounded. Was this really the same man

Kane still fished out his smartphone from his pocket. Kane hit the dial and called

the couch, visibly tensing, his eyes fixed on Kane’s phone pressed against

his eyes,

just as Seth seemed about to give up, Kane suddenly spoke up, “Wow, you’re a

attention, which had just waned,

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

clenched his teeth, “Money-grubber, isn’t

phone and turned around, a towering figure stood behind him, one more step

with wide eyes. “Really? Was that necessary?!” Just making a phone call and Seth

looking at the phone in Kane’s hand, and asked indifferently, “What did

with himself, and boasted, “Who do you

his lips, “Wait for me a

“What?”

headed upstairs

drawn to the bottles of liquor on the coffee table.

Even without peanuts, Kane

on the TV and started sipping, thoroughly engrossed. Before

look back. His throat

end, Kane choked. The spicy burn rushed to his head, and he coughed so

laugh trying to

*

phone, instructed the kitchen

and Kane could

as clear

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

the shape of the roof, even

him quietly, occasionally lifting

impossible to escape the

her attention, patting Hugo on the head, “It’s okay, keep drawing, Mommy will

Hugo nodded.

door, Kane was still nursing a sore

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 obviously meticulously

Cicely’s brow twitched unexpectedly.

muffling his coughs, tried to stifle a laugh, but

didn’t

to roll his eyes. Putting

Chardonnay seem

she stepped back to close the door, but someone’s hand caught the door frame. She paused,