The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Cicely’s eyelashes fluttered twice.

“I opened the door for him yesterday with the intent of leading him to believe that you and Hugo would come with me. He must be scared,” Lana admitted, taking a deep breath.

Cicely’s slender fingers trembled slightly, her gaze fixed on the rearview mirror where Seth’s car followed at a distance. So that stern face he wore last night was because of this. He lingered at the end, hesitant, probably wanting to ask if it was true.

He’s afraid she and Hugo would leave, so he stood guard at the door?

Cicely closed her eyes for a moment in thought.

The three tickets were purchased well in advance, yet Seth, tailing them, was stopped outside for lack of one. He faced a line snaking to the ticket window.d2

“Mommy, Daddy doesn’t have a ticket, what do we do?” Hugo’s voice was tinged with worry.

Cicely once thought she’d do everything she could to bond with Hugo, and to blend their lives seamlessly together. Cicely had spent time drawing and playing piano with him, catering to his whims, lavishing him with love, but it always felt like something was missing. Then Seth made it look easy. Hugo was a boy after all. Seth crashed at their place for dinner a few nights in a row, and Cicely couldn’t fathom how a man of few words managed to connect so warmly and steadily with a two-year-old.

Cicely felt a twinge of jealousy as she glanced at Seth and said indifferently, “He’ll figure it out.”

“Let’s wait for him here then.”

Cicely pressed her lips together, saying nothing.

Seth glanced their way. Hugo waved at him, and Cicely, holding Hugo, turned to leave.

Seth caught a couple who had just bought tickets. He glanced at the woman’s tickets, and with a domineering presence that radiated from him, said, “Ten times the price, sell me your tickets.”

The woman, startled by Seth’s deep, icy tone and handsome face, nodded dumbly, “Okay.”

Her boyfriend, coming to his senses, wrapped an arm around her, “I…”

“I’ll buy yours too,” Seth cut him off.

The boyfriend paused, and the woman quickly handed over the tickets to Seth. “Here you go.”

Seth took the tickets, transferring the money to them with his phone.

“Daddy’s awesome. Here he comes!” Hugo clapped his hands joyfully, his eyes sparkling as Seth approached.

Cicely didn’t run away but watched as Seth came closer with a look of urgency.

Hugo reached out to be lifted into his father’s arms. Seth scooped him up, and Cicely’s expression soured, but she let go. “Daddy, can we go there first?” Hugo pointed to a colorful building nearby, behind its glass walls, employees in cartoon costumes mingled with brightly dressed children, mostly girls.

“Sure,” Seth nodded.

It was a themed diner where parents cooked with their kids. Hugo chose omelette from the pictures, and they were handed three aprons of different sizes.

Based on the way these people were dressed, the staff was really a little curious as to whether or not they’d be successful at cooking the food. Yet, this family easily caught everyone’s eye.

“Omelette looks easy, but it’s tricky. Good luck, guys.”

Actually, Cicely couldn’t even separate an egg yolk. Watching her struggle, Hugo grew anxious. And Cicely’s patience also waned.

Seth, having prepared the other ingredients, saw Cicely about to give up and poured some mineral water into a pot, then gently nudged her hand. Cicely looked up. He squeezed the bottle, aimed at the yolk, and released it. The yolk slipped into the bottle.

“Wow!” Hugo’s eyes were wide with amazement. The stars seemed to hide in his gaze.

Cicely was surprised, too, but only for a moment.

Then Seth cracked more eggs, deftly separated the whites, and began to cook.

Cicely tried again, but her second attempt at flipping the omelette failed. Frustrated, she mixed in rice, making fried rice instead.

Hugo was silent as the nearby chuckle began. Cicely’s brow furrowed as she caught the gaze of a circle of young mothers, their smiles seeming to mock her.

kid looks so much like his

he can

“Too bad though.”

phrase

omelette was nearly finished, looking almost identical to the picture. Applause broke out when he completed his dish. Seth looked at Cicely, pushing

a stool, clapped happily but watched the

eyes on the omelette, and his little fingers stirring the air. Seeing

only thinking of mommy, and he’s not

take you to play with

daughter is beautiful

arms. Hugo looked

glanced down at Hugo, barely peeking

that Cicely had whipped up across the table

Cicely’s sleeve, pointing to the omelette, “Mom, try

then scooped up a bite with her fork and

eager eyes, “How

returned the favor,

his gaze dropping to food in front of

Seth’s action and focused even more on feeding Hugo his omelette

and Cicely ate the whole omelette. Seth, for

sipping coffee at the adjacent open-air café. Cicely approached her, “Is this your idea of fun? The food and coffee

at the amusement park all

pursed her lips, “The emphasis should be on

like you’ve got some

for a moment, “I think I’ve been to an amusement

at Seth,

her head, “No,

with a subtle arch of her

tired after a short walk,

and naturally, Cicely and Lana weren’t

one who tagged along. But there was Seth, in his suit and dress shoes, a bit out of place for

over, holding Seth’s jacket in his hands and stuffing it into Cicely. “Mom, hold onto Dad’s jacket for

refuse – not

area. “Go play by yourself, buddy. I’ll sit here and keep an eye on you,” Seth said, his voice a gentle rumble as he

they barely reached. Clutching a ball he’d fished out of a nearby pond, Hugo played for a bit before turning to Seth. “Dad, Mom’s really

looked at him, pausing for a beat, his voice always tinged

just like any other kid – I have a mom and a dad who both love me. From the moment I came into this world, your roles were set. No one gets to say you’re not my parents, and no one has that right. I belong to both of you. Mom says you both love me a lot, so I should

mind, previously foggy, was now pounding as if to the

a reason for that. But since Mom already said that, if I were distant

to his

to let someone she dislikes be around just because they love me. Even though you’re my dad, that’s just a title. Not all dads stay by their kids’

gaze froze, his hand slowly dropping. After a moment, Seth spoke softly, “Right, she’s not

as if weighed

the little head before patting it gently, causing Hugo to dip

up at Seth,

fell silent. Was this really

Seth still took Hugo to

who had played to his heart’s content, finally knew the

Lana followed, each clutching a coffee. The two women had done nothing but wander and rest all day, never missing a chance for a sit-down or a snack. Now they seemed drained

took a sip of her coffee, eyeing the father and son ahead, “Good thing he came. If I’d known an amusement park

hummed in agreement, “I’m definitely not doing this a

feat for

waved excitedly at them, and Cicely waved back with a smile. “Mom, I forgot to invite Anya to come this time. Next time, let’s bring

Cicely: “Sure.”

the side, clearly enjoying

on Seth’s shoulder, watching Cicely for a bit before burying his face in

head again, touching his own cheek, then looked at Seth, “Dad,

the words for a second before responding with his own deep, husky voice. “It’s the

too, you’re all sweaty. Let’s get you