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

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

day, you just haven’t pursued

the couch, 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

looking at his drink, “Man, I’ve been talking myself

you’re driving

was speechless. Was that not just

a peanut to go with my drink, and now I

tilted his head slightly, the glasses on his nose catching the

dazzle; with a cold front, he could chill to the bone.

didn’t want something from him? Even Danielle, wasn’t

there was Cicely, who had once pursued him without a

of work, would don his

he presented himself, Kane was still pissed

food at home,

his face screaming ‘bullshit’, “I just texted Cicely. She hasn’t had dinner yet. What do you say, should I invite her over for

lifting to meet Kane’s,

of a gun.” Kane muttered under his breath, astounded. Was this really the

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

his

and rolled 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 a tough one

had just waned, snapped back to

glanced over his shoulder, then stood up and walked to the side. “What are you doing? Perfect, 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

hanging up, Kane clenched his teeth,

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

eyes. “Really?

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

“Who do you

“Wait for me a

“What?”

upstairs

liquor on the coffee table. He moved over

without peanuts, Kane was

and started sipping, thoroughly engrossed. Before long, Seth’s voice came from behind. “Let’s

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

to his head, and he coughed so

trying to break through, but he

*

up the phone, instructed the kitchen to whip up a

Chardonnay, and Kane could

were as clear

cushion. Watching him sketch a house on paper, while still childlike,

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

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

was impossible to

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

Hugo nodded.

was still nursing

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 from Seth

Cicely’s brow twitched unexpectedly.

a laugh, but tears welling

didn’t

roll his eyes. Putting

ten bottles of Chardonnay seem a bit stingy. Maybe you should try

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