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?”

*

Damon’s words too well, word

pursued, right? If you really like her, you go for it. Be shameless. Everyone’s been there. Didn’t Cicely chase you?

the day,

the coffee table

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

nodded, “Good, you’re

Was that not just

offer me a peanut to go with

the living room. Seth tilted his head slightly, the glasses on his

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

want something from him? Even Danielle, wasn’t it because he had carved out

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

backlog of documents wasn’t small, and Seth, out of habit from long hours of work, would

still pissed off. This was no way

food at home, no

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

gaze lifting to meet Kane’s, the calm

breath, astounded. Was this really the

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

his eyes fixed on Kane’s

a look and rolled his eyes, turning his back to him so Seth couldn’t

as Seth seemed about to give up, Kane suddenly spoke

which had just waned, snapped back

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

clenched his teeth, “Money-grubber,

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

sharp breath, stepped back, and stared at Seth with wide eyes. “Really? Was that necessary?!” Just making a phone

phone in Kane’s hand, and asked indifferently,

raised an eyebrow, feeling rather impressed with himself, and boasted, “Who do you think I am? Is there a

“Wait for

“What?”

headed upstairs without a

his eyes drawn to the bottles of liquor

peanuts, Kane was going to

TV and started sipping, thoroughly engrossed. Before long, Seth’s voice

to look back. His throat suddenly

head, and he coughed so hard his face turned red and his neck

Seth, a laugh trying to break through, but he ended up coughing out

*

after hanging up the phone, instructed the kitchen to whip up

of Chardonnay, and Kane

as clear

the cushion. Watching him sketch a house

the chimney’s position, the shape of the roof,

focus. Cicely watched him quietly, occasionally

impossible

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

Hugo nodded.

door, Kane was still nursing a sore

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

didn’t mention there would be two

state only allowed him to roll

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

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