The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

The car pulled to a curb and Yasmine spoke with a detached indifference before swinging the door open and stepping out.

She glanced at the nearby diner, a sardonic smile creeping over her lips. The place was one of P City’s top-tier spots, not the kind of joint a college kid with no family to speak of could afford – hell, even folks from a decent background wouldn’t waltz in there without a second thought.

Talking about splashing the cash.

Boyd followed, stepping out of the car’s other side.

Yasmine was on the edge of the pavement, the rush of traffic buzzing by. Boyd, with a furrowed brow, strode over to her and guided her across to the safety of the sidewalk.

Yasmine brushed off his hand, “I’ll say it again – I’m not feeling great, I’m not going to the hospital, and I certainly don’t need you hovering over me every second. You go meet whoever you’re meeting. I’m heading home.”d2

She pulled out her phone to order a ride.

Boyd, with pursed lips, snatched the phone from her grasp. Yasmine looked at her empty hand, her usually impassive face darkening with irritation. “Boyd, there’s a limit, you know. My temper’s been good lately, but don’t mistake that for weakness.”

Instead of responding, Boyd opened the car door and nudged her back in.

“Can’t bear the thought of leaving you here to fend for yourself. Does that make me heartless and cold? I don’t think so.”

Her smile was syrupy sweet, “Heartless and cold? Those words don’t even begin to do you justice.”

Boyd slid back into the car and shut the door behind him. “Drive.”

Rubbing at her temples, Yasmine continued, “So you’re playing the soothing boyfriend now, only to deal with Serana later? Doesn’t that wear you out?”

“You and she are never on the same scale for me,” Boyd said. “Making you feel better doesn’t mean I have to deal with her. And like I said, she’s not your concern.”

Yasmine gave a half-hearted smile, watching the road ahead, “If you don’t listen to me and end up taking me to the hospital anyway, you might as well fire your driver and sell the car.”

She noticed the driver stiffen – clearly, he wasn’t deaf.

Boyd turned to look at her, his hand briefly checking her forehead for fever before letting it drop. “You sure you don’t need the hospital?”

She gave him a withering glance and remained silent. The look in her eyes said it all – she was looking at him like he was an idiot.

Boyd pressed his lips together, then took her hand gently, “Home.”

“My place,” Yasmine corrected.

He didn’t speak, just gave a meaningful look to the driver, who understood immediately.

On the ride back, Yasmine, leaning against the seat with her eyes closed, seemed genuinely uncomfortable.

As expected, Serana’s call came through. Boyd answered honestly, saying that

Yasmine wasn’t feeling well – and Yasmine didn’t even bat an eyelash.

Was Boyd honest? Painfully so. Not just with her, but with everyone. It seemed ‘lies’ were not in his vocabulary. But then again, she couldn’t fault someone for being too sincere.

Half-asleep, she felt the car stop and was just straightening up when Boyd

scooped her out of the seat.

Seeing they were at Boyd’s apartment, she frowned, “So my words are just

bullshit to you now?”

He gave her a disapproving glance.

Yasmine knew he disapproved of her choice of words, but at the moment, she

couldn’t be bothered to come up with something more elegant that carried the

punch she intended.

need here.

bother

in the apartment, Boyd set her on the couch. “Rest

up for you.”

but she didn’t protest. Just like she

good as nothing

cooking stint, she took a quick shower. Emerging, she caught

scent of chicken

room, Boyd motioned for her to sit

for her. The table was set with light appetizers –

refreshingly appetizing.

didn’t play coy, digging in as soon as she sat down. Boyd took

her, also with a bowl of soup. After a few

and her eyes flickered. “That

meal when

lips, “This is fine by

back to

after they had finished, Boyd asked if she

gave a noncommittal hum.

Yasmine called in sick

caretaker, stayed

was his makeshift office, papers strewn across the

Yasmine half-watched some TV

noon, Serana called to check in on them

which Boyd

her forehead in her hand, listlessly watching a TV

stumbled upon halfway through.

to hide, so she couldn’t help but overhear. At

though women discussing their love lives were

Boyd to have any

neither did she want to watch them

were guiltless.

Boyd gave her a glance, “What do you want to

for lunch?”

“I don’t know.”

was still some time, so Boyd didn’t press her

not long after, the doorbell to

the sound. The

switched to commercials.

up to

It was Serana.

you

smile, “I heard Yasmine wasn’t feeling well. Thought I’d

to check on

twitched. Nobody knew better than Serana

Yasmine needed. It

salt in

with a bag of groceries, clearly planning to stay for lunch.

at Yasmine, asking where she

replied, her voice light as

ever so slightly, but she maintained a smile,

something light

“I can handle it. You don’t need

her head, “Let me do it. You guys did stand me up last

up for it with a lunch

sarcastic laugh from

for their consent, Serana headed straight

guys, I bought quite a lot of groceries today. Mind if I invite someone