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.

you need here. Aren’t

bother

on the couch. “Rest up. I’ll

up for you.”

but she didn’t protest. Just

good as nothing to

she took a quick shower.

of

for her to sit while he

was set with light appetizers

refreshingly appetizing.

digging in as soon as she sat down.

a bowl of soup. After a few sips,

as well, and her eyes flickered. “That lazy,

a proper meal when you’re in

lips, “This is

to eating

asked if she

gave a noncommittal hum.

called in sick to

caretaker, stayed

makeshift office,

half-watched some

called to check in on them and offered to come

Boyd

hand, listlessly watching a

stumbled upon halfway through.

effort to hide, so she

as though women discussing their love lives were

She didn’t want Boyd to have

back, but neither did she want to watch them

as though they were guiltless. It was even more

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

for lunch?”

“I don’t know.”

some time, so

the doorbell

jolted awake by the sound. The TV in front

switched to commercials.

got up to answer

It was Serana.

are you here?”

“I heard Yasmine wasn’t feeling well.

check

better than

needed.

salt in the

bag of groceries, clearly planning to stay for lunch.

Yasmine, asking where she

sick,” Yasmine replied, her voice light

shifted ever so slightly, but she

something

can handle it. You

me do it. You guys did stand me up last night,

a lunch isn’t too much

out a sarcastic laugh from her

for their consent, Serana headed straight for the kitchen. “By

lot of groceries today. Mind