The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

A shiver of ice threaded its way through Cicely’s being, chilling her to the core. She rose from his embrace, her freshly dried hair cascading over her shoulders. Her natural, uncolored locks made her complexion appear even more luminous. “What are you getting at?”

Seth stared at her with an inscrutable gaze, his dark eyes betraying none of their secrets.

“I want to be with you, in every way possible. We should live under the same roof, sleep in the same bed, and Hugo should call me Dad and you Mom. We should be a family, officially. So…”

He paused, then continued, “Can we get married? Will you marry me? Can I marry you?”

Cicely blinked, momentarily lost for words. Her mind was a whirl of kitchen knives, blood, and emergency rooms.

“I don’t want to wait anymore.” Seth’s tone was even. “So is it true that if I pay back Issac’s life, you’ll agree to marry me?”d2

Cicely stared at him for a long time, wanting to scoff, but her lips merely twitched. “Am I going to marry a dead man?”

Seth pressed his lips together, “Let’s have the wedding first.”

“Have the wedding and then have me play the grieving widow? I’m telling you, Seth, that’s not happening. If you die, I’ll move on with Hugo and remarry immediately.”

A shadow crossed Seth’s brow, a chill creeping into his gaze. “Try remarrying, and see what happens.”

“What does it matter to you if you’re dead?”

Seth let out a cold laugh, “If you dare remarry, I’d turn the underworld upside down just to come back and find you.”

Cicely caught her breath, instinctively inhaling sharply. “You’re insane.” Anger turned her face ashen, her breathing uneven.

Seth simply pulled her close, guiding her to sit on his lap. “So, did you just agree to marry me?”

Cicely furrowed her brows, “Are you dreaming?”

“Weren’t you talking about remarrying?”

Cicely hesitated, “Were you serious just now?”

Seth’s voice was husky as he kissed her cheek, “Yeah, I want to marry you.”

Cicely looked down, her delicate face tense, “I was talking about Issac!”

Seth didn’t reply, burying his face in the crook of her neck with a soft “hmm.”

Pushing his hands away, Cicely drew back. “That’s enough.”

Seth watched her impassively, his voice deepening, “Enough of what?”

“I said it’s enough.” she reiterated coldly. “You win, okay? I can’t stand to see you hurt or dead. The thought of you in surgery had me scared to death. Is marriage what you want? Fine, I’ll marry you.”

“Damon says the most important thing in life is to be comfortable. Grandpa says the dead will never be as important as the living. Everyone thinks I’m being melodramatic, tossing and turning until I nearly lose you to know fear. They all live so freely and clearly, each one convinced that you love me more than anyone else, dropping hints left and right to make me let go.

“Yes, they’re right. I’m being ridiculously sentimental. I’m holding on to my righteousness too tightly.”

Seth listened quietly, his hand soothingly stroking her back, his expression calm. “Though I dislike others meddling in our affairs, and even less so that you were persuaded by them to be with me, I’m still grateful. As long as there’s a reason for you to be with me, no matter who says it or what they say, I’ll accept it.”

Cicely clenched her fist.

Seth looked up at her, “When you said you still loved me, I was happy, but that was all. You loved me three years ago, yet you still left me. Now, I just want you with me. I don’t expect your love; my love for you is enough. But if your love for me is a reason for you to stay, that’s all I could ever ask for.”

She closed her eyes as her lashes trembled slightly. He’d said too much. More than once, he expressed his determination to be with her.

Before, he would never speak of it, but now, he feared she wouldn’t understand. Some of the words were so honest that one would love them and hate them.

She said she loved him, and to him, it was just a pleasant thought. If he only said pretty words, it wouldn’t be him, and she wouldn’t believe it.

Honesty often grates.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.

Cicely continued, “I’m new at this, not as enlightened as they are. Right or wrong, stubborn or obsessive, it’s fair for them to point things out. But it’s not like I have to agree with everything they say.

“It’s not about forgiveness. I don’t pity you, nor am I compromising because you’re relentless. I don’t have time for convoluted thoughts. I simply want to. I want to make my life better. I still love you, and I won’t fall for another man. I can’t share a bed with another man, let alone… you know. I don’t want to live like a widow at such a young age. You’re rich, powerful, capable, and you love me to death. By being with you, I have everything to gain.”

“Get married?” Cicely echoed, then nodded. “If you take good care of me, provide for me, and can handle my tantrums and mood swings, then I’ll marry you.”

Seth’s caressing hand paused. Cicely looked at him, “What? Can’t do it?”

His eyes darkened, “That’s it?”

“That’s what?”

“Keeping you happy, affording you, and handling your mood swings.”

Cicely raised an eyebrow, “Not enough?”

He pulled her close, his voice muffled against her neck. “Ask for more. Demand more. Otherwise, I won’t feel secure.”

“I’ll think of more later. If you’re insecure, then don’t marry me. Let go. I want to sleep.”

Cicely reached out to push him, only to be held tighter. Seth’s low, husky, dulcet voice coming from the crook of her neck. “I will.”

“Oh, are you still bringing up Issac?”

“Yeah.”

“Good. Then I won’t marry you.”

He hugged her tighter, “I won’t mention him.”

Cicely’s gaze softened, “Let go, I’m tired.”

Seth hesitated, then held her gaze without letting go, “You napped this afternoon.”

“So?”

“You’ve been abstinent for two months. Do you need me to take care of you?”

Cicely stiffened, her face flushing a sudden red as she pushed him away and scrambled onto the bed. “I don’t need it!”

“It’s been two months…”

“I’ve been fine for three years. Get out, Seth. You’re still injured, you must be out of your mind.”

Seth turned and followed her, “I can find other ways to help you.”

Cicely burrowed under the covers, her voice muffled but tinged with irritation. “If you say that again, get off the bed.”

*

The next day, while Cicely was still nestled in the cocoon of sleep, the news of her impending marriage to Seth had swept across the internet like wildfire.

Ever since Seth had parked himself at her place, she rarely had the chance to make Hugo’s breakfast. It wasn’t that she was shirking her duties, but with Aunt Lana and Seth falling over each other to tend to Hugo, sparks flied, and she figured she might as well bow out. It meant more freedom for her.

When she awoke, Seth was nowhere to be seen. She stretched languidly, propped herself up against the headboard, and lazily reached for her smartphone on the nightstand.

When she skimmed through the news, her drowsy gaze sharpened at the sight of headlines blaring about her marriage to Seth.

She headed downstairs for a bite. Seth must have timed her descent perfectly, because the moment she appeared at the top of the stairs, there he was, waiting. “Take a seat in the dining room. Breakfast will be ready in two.”

Sitting down, Cicely leaned on the table, watching Seth bring out breakfast from the kitchen. “Everyone online is talking about us getting married. Did you do this?”

“To ward off any hopeful contenders.” Seth slid into the seat beside her, cracking an egg and peeling it for her. “You don’t like it?”

She shook her head as she picked up her utensils, “Not at all.”

Seth fed her the egg, bite by bite, until it was gone. Then she spoke up again. “Let’s just get the marriage license sorted, no need for a wedding.”

Seth’s gaze darkened slightly, and he reached for a napkin, meticulously wiping his fingers. Silence settled over the dining room.

Cicely had finished her breakfast and set down her fork that Seth stood to clear the plates. Suddenly, she said, “Being together is what matters, right? It’s just a formality. It’s not that important.”

Seth paused with the dishes in hand, waiting for her to finish. “They’re the same wedding planners you hired back in the day, you know. They didn’t think you found weddings unimportant then.”

Cicely hesitated, not expecting him to move so fast, to have already contacted the wedding planners. “Back then, I was young and full of vanity. I wanted a wedding that was grand and exquisite to announce to the world I was marrying you. Now, I think…”

“Cicely,” Seth cut her off, “no woman doesn’t want a wedding.”

She smiled, “Chloe didn’t have one, did she?”

Damon would let her

adored Chloe. He’d rushed back for their engagement party, so of course, he wouldn’t

knows we’re getting married. We don’t need a ceremony.” Cicely was firm, her heart set against

“I’ve already started planning.”

tone left no room

a long while before finally

turned and walked back into the kitchen, his dejected figure stirring a bitterness in Cicely’s heart, along with a twinge

kitchen and wrapped her arms around his waist

tensed, his gaze fixed

it, I’ll move into our place.” Her concessions, an obvious attempt to soothe him, were clear. “Did you wear out the bed set I

found a clean towel, dried his hands, and turned

“I’ll shop for

his presence, her eyes soft and

*

to get their marriage license. The entrance to the registry office was swarming with

to protect Seth and Cicely, but

Diaz, congratulations

will

media be invited to the

face devoid of joy even though he’d just remarried Ms. Cicely and gotten what he wanted. In contrast, Cicely’s face was alight with a subtle, happy

well wishes, but a ceremony isn’t necessary for a

but back then, you didn’t have a ceremony,

didn’t waver, “The wedding isn’t what’s important. What matters

turned to the silent Seth, finally realizing that he was

the absence of a wedding spread far and wide.

forward to Ms. Cicely’s wedding, expecting unparalleled luxury, a feast for the eyes, but it fell

bride, and a handsome groom, just the thought

was back on the cards, but the princess is saying no

her wedding dress.

The conversation dwindled.

what had happened back then were hazy, but it

*

didn’t want to

visit Chloe. To bump into Damon, who should have been busy with business affairs,

Years of navigating the high seas of corporate strategy had honed his ability to exert an overwhelming force whenever he spoke, especially

with Damon once, and his response was characteristically blunt. “Cicely’s the type who’s been coddled and praised her whole life. If you’re all sweetness and light

than laying out the stark choices: no way back, move forward

bolt. Even married, she didn’t think he would let

is your choice

weddings?” Cicely snapped, seizing the rare opportunity to take a

my business any of your concern?” Damon’s voice

lips and shot him a defiant look. “So could you maybe also stay out of

I enjoy meddling in

what? My wedding

apple that’s about to fall from my tree desperately needs to be picked. You hold a wedding, and

want to offload that rotten apple

but apparently priceless to you. Are you sure

words, especially when he

“Keep planning the wedding.”

protested, “I don’t

get rid of that thing, and you’re going to want it whether you

are you going to do? Chain me to the

her dismissively, “Want to try

lump in her throat. Then she watched, stupefied,

the wedding.

Cicely was speechless.

at Cicely. It was a sleek, black

She was stunned.

life might as well have been saved by me. You like to play with life and death, huh? Well, if you don’t hold that wedding, I’ll be displeased. If he can’t do it, he can just give his life back to me. Saves me the trouble of looking at such a disappointing friend in the

felt lightheaded, “Is that really

expression was

aware of

the pistol on the

*

her why she suddenly agreed to a wedding. Cicely’s mood was erratic as she absentmindedly scrolled through her phone. “Curious about what kind of surprise Damon has in store.” Each

doesn’t need to be over the top. No need to go abroad.

“Okay.”

*

clean bill of health,

of the arrangements were to Cicely’s liking from three years

from eight to midnight, though no one spoke of how it

room at the hotel, flopping onto the bed to continue sleeping. She showed no signs of a

in a bathrobe, and sat in front of the vanity mirror, stifling a yawn. The makeup artists hesitantly approached to do

frowned, stood up, clutching her robe, and

dress hasn’t

wedding, yet hadn’t expected that everything would

the dress. Maybe she was never meant

of memories, including the regrets that felt even more poignant today, it

longer. Mr. Diaz wouldn’t have planned such an elaborate wedding to mess up the dress.

Cicely grew increasingly restless

ran out, there was a knock at

must be the dress.” They hurried

sorry for the

dress. There’s only Ms. Cicely and Mr. Diaz’s wedding in this hotel today. You

makeup artist was frantic; time was running

“Alright, thank you.”

overheard the conversation and thought the man’s voice sounded vaguely familiar,

Her heart clenched.

without regard for his own life, grievously injured yet still looking for a wedding dress for her, and his apology as he lay bloodied, regretting his absence from her wedding, resurfaced in

had promised

her eyes tightly, pushing down those memories. It couldn’t be.

never show up at her

dress bag, beaming as if she were the bride. “Mrs. Diaz, the wedding dress is here,

her eyes, her expression neutral, and walked into

hands delicately cradling the wedding gown like a precious relic. They knew that the dress chosen for Mrs. Diaz’s wedding would be extraordinary,

with silver thread, the train

most beautiful bride the world has ever seen,” one of the stylists murmured, awe

dress is a

gonna blow

but now it seemed to lack the same joy. It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate the compliments; every woman did. But the slight tinge of regret was like a tiny hole through which chilled winds sometimes gusted, dispersing

she took a deep breath,

everyone has regrets.” She

your love, a man who cherishes you more than life itself. You are, and will be, happy. Let the past be the past, along with its regrets. The ones who love you wish for your

exhaled a long breath and turned to

voice trailed off as her eyes fixed on the wedding dress being held aloft by two assistants. Her emotions fluctuated wildly from surprise to anger, to

did it have to be this dress? Did he think it best to cling to the standards of the past, or did he believe

for her, was nothing

the makeup artist stuttered, taken

believe Seth would make such an arrangement, for their shared memories were

But this was…

as a bowstring. After a long moment, she suddenly burst out of the room, clad only in her robe, flinging

artist chased after

artist’s voice, she

the dress?” Her voice broke, heat

him.”

“What did he look like?” In those beautiful, anxious eyes

spirit, but she described the stranger as best as she could. “He was quite handsome, expressionless, probably not much of a talker. Tall, with a straight posture, wearing a

world buzzing, her legs nearly

A white suit…

dominance on her face as she slowly covered her mouth with trembling hands, her

be him? Was Issac

“Cicely…”

in a soft green sheath dress, her makeup light and refined, her figure delicate and graceful, her hair softly

she ran to Cicely and embraced her, burying her head in Cicely’s chest, sobbing in a way that shook her poised image. “I hate you. Are you crazy?

by the woman’s outburst but managed

Cicely whispered

looked up, her eyes red and accusatory. “You

smiled slightly. “Congratulations, you’ve become a renowned international

had grown. Just seven days earlier, at the International Pine Forest

been too ashamed to face you if you hadn’t

Emiliana overseas. He provided the learning and

an opportunity slip by. Now,