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?”

*

coughed, “I remember Damon’s words too

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 she could do it, why can’t

day, you just haven’t

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

been talking myself hoarse, haven’t

nodded, “Good, you’re driving

speechless. Was that

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

room. Seth tilted his head slightly, the glasses on his nose catching the light, accentuating his sharp eyes – a blend

indifferent and cultured. With a smile, he could dazzle; with a cold front, he could chill to

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

Cicely, who had once pursued him

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

pissed off. This was no way to treat

at home,

just texted Cicely. She hasn’t had dinner yet. What do you say, should I invite her over

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

breath, astounded. Was this really the

out his smartphone from his pocket. Kane hit

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

his eyes, turning his

an eternity to be answered, and just as Seth seemed about to give up, Kane suddenly spoke up, “Wow, you’re

which had just waned, snapped back

place, and this guy’s got no grub, not even a bowl of

hanging up, Kane clenched his teeth, “Money-grubber, isn’t

figure stood behind him, one more step

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

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

impressed with himself, and boasted, “Who do you think I am? Is there a

“Wait for me

“What?”

upstairs

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

Kane was going to

sipping, thoroughly engrossed. Before long,

crystal glass and stood up, turning to look back. His throat

spicy burn rushed to his head, and

pointed at Seth, a laugh trying to break through, but he ended

*

up the phone, instructed the kitchen to whip up

and Kane could have anything

were as

living room, drawing on the cushion. Watching him sketch a house on

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

watched him quietly,

serious demeanor, it was impossible to escape the shadow of

shifted her attention, patting

Hugo nodded.

the door, Kane was still nursing a sore

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 groomed. The cool aura emanating

Cicely’s brow twitched unexpectedly.

a laugh,

on Kane, “You didn’t

only allowed him to roll his eyes. Putting on

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

back to close the door, but someone’s hand caught the door frame. She paused, her eyes moving from the defined