The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Chapter 2081

Charlie bit back the rest of his words. He had hoped, seeing her in a good mood today, to use the opportunity to help ease the tension between her and Seth. Even the slightest improvement would have been a win, but clearly, there was none.

A few more words, and she might have jumped right out of the car.

He dropped her off at the apartment building, and Cicely pressed the button for the sixteenth floor in the elevator without a word.

Charlie's head was pounding.

"What's the matter? Can't even pop by for a visit?"

Charlie remained silent.d2

Since he had called Chloe earlier in the car, the door was quickly opened after a few knocks. Cicely left Charlie standing on the other side, shutting the door in his face.

Inside, Chloe was nibbling on a fruit salad, dressed in a simple loungewear, her hair casually tied at the back, exuding a serene elegance.

"Feeling better?"

Cicely sat down next to her with a 'hmmm' and reached over to take a piece of fruit from Chloe's arms and put it in her mouth, saying, "So, how are you planning to spend Thanksgiving?"

"I don't know, probably head over to Grandma's."

Cicely pursed her lips, the sweetness of the fruit lingering in her mouth as she took another piece.

Chloe glanced at her with a faint smile, picking up another slice of fruit, "Don't worry about it. Grandma loves company. It won't be a hassle for you."

Cicely paused mid-chew, a lump forming in her throat as she locked eyes with Chloe, her eyes misting over. "Do you know what I want to say?"

Chloe's lips curled slightly, "How many things in this world could possibly leave you at a loss for words?"

Chloe continued toying with the fruit in the bowl, "I'll pick up Hugo from the orphanage a day early, and he'll spend Thanksgiving with us. If you think you can keep it from him, you're welcome to join."

Cicely nodded, ".Thanks."

Chloe saw the unshed tears in the eyes of this stubborn woman, and the choked sob that seemed to hang in her voice was heart-wrenching.

Neither of them was the type to wear their hearts on their sleeves, nor to play the victim. But the more they held back, the more they pretended not to care, the more it tugged at the heartstrings.

Chloe could feel it. To Cicely, she was the only one to be trusted, and the sole rock to lean on. With such trust placed in her, Chloe naturally felt obligated to honor it.

She reached out, affectionately tipping Cicely's chin, "Damon's out of town for a few days, and I'm bored. Keep me company, will you?"

Cicely's eyes flickered, glancing at Chloe's abdomen, "Aren't you a bit of a switch-hitter? Playing for both teams?"

Chloe's brows knitted together, turning to face her seriously, "I find it strange."

Cicely snagged another piece of fruit from the plate, "What's strange?"

"How exactly do I come off in a way that makes most people think I'm flirting with women?"

"Cough. cough." Even the poised Cicely choked on her fruit at Chloe's question.

Chloe pressed her lips together, gently patting Cicely's back. It took a moment for Cicely to recover, and with a glass of water from Chloe, she finally spoke, "Isn't that obvious?"

Chloe, puzzled, "What?"

"You have a certain boldness in your features, you're tall, and you are also the CEO of a company, with looks, money, and capability. What kind of person do you think young girls are into these days?"

Chloe rested her chin on her hand, pondering, "So, they swing both ways too?"

Cicely shook her head, "Can't say for sure."

...

Their conversation went on for a long time, and when Cicely finally emerged, Charlie was still waiting outside. Seeing her, his spirits visibly lifted, "Ms. Cicely."

Cicely closed the door, heading to the elevator, "If I could, I'd put in a good word for you with Seth, maybe get you a raise."

"Then, thank you in advance."

Cicely didn't respond.

She rode the elevator to the eighteenth floor, quickly grabbed two sets of clothes, and returned downstairs.

Charlie was puzzled, "Ms. Cicely, is this..."

"Well, Ms. Summers has invited me to dine with her, then stargaze and discuss the philosophy of life."

Charlie was speechless.

"If you have other things to attend to, you can go ahead. I won't let Ms. Summers down, understand?" Property © NôvelDrama.Org.

...

Seth rushed from the office back to the sixteenth floor around 8 p.m.

Chloe opened the door to reveal the man's tall, elegant figure, dressed to the nines, his handsome face now devoid of its usual warm smile and carrying a frosty air.

His demeanor had shifted from the genteel, courteous man of a few days ago to one of barely concealed irritation. His gaze, cold and stern, swept past Chloe and into the apartment.

"Where is she?" he asked, his voice as chilly as his gaze.

Chloe raised an eyebrow, "Inside."

Spotting a glimpse of a head on the couch, Seth visibly relaxed. "Are you done chatting?"

"Not yet."

"It's getting late."

"That's fine, if she gets sleepy, she can crash here."

Seth fixed his eyes on Chloe, "Chloe."

"What could I possibly do to her? You're Damon's close friend, and I wouldn't put you in an awkward position."

Seth looked at her deeply, his voice a cool whisper, "When it comes to you, he doesn’t really care too much about friends."

No matter what Chloe did, Damon would undoubtedly take her side without a second thought.

Despite the absurdity, Chloe was delighted, and it showed, "That’s the man I've found. And you? Are you also that kind of guy?"

Seth suddenly fell silent.

Chloe read his answer in his silence, her brows arching playfully, "Goodnight."

As she moved to close the door, it was stopped, held ajar. "You can talk, but she needs to sleep upstairs tonight." Seth said.

Chloe, "It's Damon's and my birthday."

Seth paused for a second, "Superficial."

*

At ten o'clock that night, the door of the sixteenth-floor apartment swung open. The tall, broad- shouldered man made his way to the guest room with practiced ease. Soon after, he emerged, carefully carrying the sleeping woman in his arms.

In the living room, Chloe casually sipped on a glass of milk, clutching her phone as she recorded the man's midnight escapade. The evidence of his actions was now securely captured in her digital grasp.

Seth's dark eyes were frosted over, that veneer of grace and kindness he wore in public was stripped away in her presence. "Does it matter?" he asked.

Chloe chuckled, "Of course it does."

The woman in Seth's arms stirred slightly. Tightening his lips, he refrained from further words, carrying her out of the apartment with a deliberate yet gentle stride.

Only after the door had shut automatically did Chloe pocket her phone, staring at the door for a few seconds before shaking her head with a light laugh.

Three years ago, the Ellis family was in turmoil, but it was Seth who turned the tide, securing his spot at the helm of the empire.

Diaz International, in a mere two years, transformed from an eighteen-story building to a towering thirty-six-story landmark, rebounding from crippling debt to become one of the leading corporations in the country.

And C&P Entertainment, under his command, had cornered the market in the entertainment industry within a few short years.

These were the miracles she knew of. But what about the ones she didn't? For a man of such cunning and intellect, would he really continue to fall head over heels in love?

Chloe was genuinely curious about what the endgame would be between him and Cicely.

*

Seth carefully laid Cicely onto the bed, arranging her tousled hair and tucking her in before sitting by her side, quietly watching her.

What right did he have to mock Chloe for using her own and Damon's birthdays as password codes for their locks?

02072791227

It was their old apartment's security code, a combination of their birthdays.

Was it superficial?

A nearly imperceptible smirk played on his lips as he gently caressed Cicely's delicate cheek.

No.

No one knew the elation he felt when he first guessed that code correctly - the satisfaction, pride, and secret joy.

How long had it been since he'd seen her? Three years.

He made it a point to see her every day, standing outside the hospital room, watching her sleep.

Now, he couldn't bear a single day without seeing her, ensuring she was right there, under his watchful eyes.

It always hurt him to remember how she'd feared he wouldn't understand the depth of her love, the restraint and compromise she'd chosen, and how his image filled her heart and eyes.

"Cicely." he murmured softly, his forehead resting against hers, his warm breath faintly brushing her cheek. She seemed to carry a natural fragrance, reminiscent of three years ago.

With her warmth so close within reach, Seth's thin lips pressed gently against the delicate tip of her nose. He hesitated, his gaze drifting to her slightly parted lips. The hand entwined in her hair tightened a fraction before his last bit of restraint crumbled, and he kissed the lips he'd longed for so intensely.

He kissed her with careful tenderness. The warmth radiating from Cicely, mixed with her scent, was like the most potent love potion, anesthetizing all his reason and self-control.

The soft kisses deepened, invading her mouth, sweeping across her territory without restraint.

Cicely's lashes fluttered, the familiar yet distant sensation making her question the reality of it all. As she slowly opened her eyes and realization dawned that this was not a dream, she hesitated for a moment, wanting to push him away, yet found herself clutching the sheets beneath her.

Sensing her awakening, Seth paused. His impassioned kisses slowed, and he gently pecked her nose, resting his forehead against hers, his breath ragged and voice husky.

"I'm sorry."

Cicely could feel his restraint. She didn't move, just stared back at him with wide, tranquil eyes.

Seth was shaken by her calm, unrippled gaze. "Sorry." He wrapped his arms tighter around her neck, holding her closer.

Cicely let him embrace her, her gaze fixed on the ceiling, lost in thought.

After a while, Seth slowly released her, looking down at her.

Her expression was unchanged. "I'm pretty sure I fell asleep downstairs."

"Yeah, I carried you up," he replied simply.

Cicely closed her eyes again, saying nothing more.

That night, Seth slept beside her, holding her close, and she didn't refuse.

The next morning, Cicely woke early to find Seth already gone. Descending the stairs, she found him in the dining room.

"Why didn't you sleep in?" he asked, glancing at the maid who quickly set a fresh plate across from him.

Cicely frowned subtly as she took a seat. "I was hungry."

The maid, surprised, watched Ms. Cicely interact with Mr. Diaz in such a calm manner.

Seth offered her a faint smile. "What would you like?"

Cicely glanced at his breakfast. "I'll have what you're having."

The maid beamed, "I'll get right on it."

Seth pushed his cereal aside, sliding the milk towards her. "Drink this first."

Cicely took a few deliberate sips.

Seth's eyes remained fixed on her until the maid brought out the breakfast, then he looked away. They ate their meal in a surprisingly peaceful silence.

Although Seth had started his breakfast before her, they finished almost simultaneously.

"I'm off to the office," Seth announced, standing at the doorway, his gaze locked on Cicely.

"So?" she replied indifferently.

Seth drew her close to him. "Cicely..."

What was she thinking?

"Hmm?"

Seth hesitated. "Kiss me."

Cicely looked at him thoughtfully. "Is that really necessary?"

"Are you going to?"

After a moment of hesitation, Cicely rose on her toes and pecked the corner of his mouth. His eyes darkened, and the arm around her waist tightened, flipping her against the wall in one swift motion as his lips found hers again.

With her head tilted back, Cicely tried to resist, but Seth's assertiveness overcame her defenses. Her back pressed against the cool, hard wall.

Releasing her, Seth's fingers gently wiped her lips, his voice a tender rasp. "What do you want to do today?"

Cicely turned her head away. "Nothing planned. Maybe I'll go downstairs, chat with Chloe, and watch some shows or whatever."

The hand that had been poised at the corner of her lips hesitated, then withdrew, as his gaze roamed across her flushed cheeks, still warm from his kiss. "Hmm. Wait for me at home tonight. We'll have dinner together."

"I might not. Maybe I'll just join Chloe if I happen to be hungry when she's eating."

"Alright."

Seth didn't say anything else, straightened his back, turned, and walked out the door.

On the other side of that door, a storm of emotions roiled dark and deep within his eyes.

*

"Ms. Cicely arrived on the sixteenth floor shortly after you left. She and Ms. Summers went downstairs for a walk, stayed out until they had lunch at noon, and then at half past two, they went to the supermarket. They bought a lot of groceries and other household items, and they've been back at Ms. Summers' place since four. She hasn't come out."

Charlie was puzzled. Although he reported Ms. Cicely's whereabouts to Mr. Diaz every day, he had never been asked to provide such detailed timings as he had today.

After listening, Seth remained silent for a moment, then responded with a noncommittal "Hmm," offering no further reaction.