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?”

*

remember Damon’s words too well,

her, you go for it. Be shameless. Everyone’s been there. Didn’t Cicely

day, you just

sat back on the couch, his gaze contained, silent for a moment before reaching for the glass on the coffee table and taking a sip. He

been

nodded, “Good, you’re driving

was speechless. Was that not just

even offer me a peanut to go

filtered into the living room. Seth tilted his head slightly, the glasses 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 demeanor, that face, that figure, and that influence – they were all assets

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 the entertainment

pursued him without a second thought – just for him as a

out of habit from long hours of

pissed off. This was

food at home, no

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

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

gun.” Kane muttered under his breath, astounded. Was

still fished out his smartphone from his pocket. Kane hit

his eyes fixed on Kane’s phone

a look and rolled his eyes, turning his back

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

which had just waned, snapped back to

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 Chardonnay. You’re

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

around, a towering figure stood behind him, one more step

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

Kane’s reaction, looking at the phone in Kane’s

rather impressed with himself, and boasted, “Who do you think

pursed his lips, “Wait for

“What?”

headed upstairs

liquor on the coffee table. He moved

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

turned on the TV and started sipping, thoroughly engrossed.

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

choked. The spicy burn rushed to his head,

to break through, but he

*

hanging up the phone, instructed the kitchen to whip up a few

and Kane could have anything

were as clear as

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

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

drew with focus. Cicely watched him quietly, occasionally lifting

serious demeanor, it was impossible to escape the

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

Hugo nodded.

was still nursing a

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 mixed with a faint but distinct scent of shower

Cicely’s brow twitched unexpectedly.

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

on Kane, “You didn’t

to roll his eyes. Putting on airs, was

“If it’s for two, ten bottles of Chardonnay seem a bit stingy. Maybe you should try a different

to close the door, but someone’s hand caught the door frame. She