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,

enough. Women are meant to be pursued, right? If you really like her, you go for it. Be

day, you just haven’t pursued anyone,

his gaze contained, silent for a moment before reaching for the glass on the coffee

at his drink, “Man, I’ve been

nodded, “Good, you’re driving anyway. Get

was speechless. Was that not just

even offer me a peanut to go with my drink, and now I can’t even wet my

head slightly, the glasses on

a cold front, he could chill to the bone. But no matter his demeanor, that face, that figure, and that influence – they were all

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

was Cicely, who had once pursued him without a second thought – just for him as a

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

himself, Kane was still pissed

food at home, no

out a derisive laugh, his face screaming ‘bullshit’, “I just texted Cicely. She hasn’t

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

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

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

visibly tensing, his

and rolled his eyes,

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

which had just waned, snapped

place, and this guy’s got no grub, not even a bowl of peanuts to go with a drink. What I mean?

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

put away his phone and turned around, a towering figure stood behind him, one more step and they’d

took in a sharp breath, stepped back, and stared at Seth with wide eyes. “Really?

looking at the phone in Kane’s hand, and asked

“Who do you think I

lips, “Wait for me a

“What?”

upstairs

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

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

turned on the TV and started sipping, thoroughly engrossed.

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

The spicy burn rushed to his head, and

trembling finger pointed at Seth, a laugh trying to

*

after hanging up the phone, instructed the kitchen to

and Kane could have anything he

were as

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

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

Cicely watched him quietly, occasionally lifting her

it was impossible to escape

attention, patting Hugo on the

Hugo nodded.

still nursing

suit, immaculate, with a wine-red pocket square tucked into

Cicely’s brow twitched unexpectedly.

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

didn’t

only allowed him to roll his eyes. Putting

bottles of Chardonnay seem a

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