The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Chapter 2093

Seth watched Cicely enter the villa next door before he himself stepped into his own. The living room was silent and empty as he scanned it indifferently and made his way to the dining area.

He tidied up the table and headed into the kitchen.

Seth felt like he might be sick. He'd even push the dishes Cicely had used to the back of the pile, and sometimes he felt like he didn't even want to wash them. Her fingerprints were on them; they had once held her warmth. Now, every little thing of hers, he wanted to preserve.

*

Kane was someone who probably loved to watch the drama the most, especially Seth's. Charlie, standing at the door, couldn't help but feel a tad resigned. "Mr. Ziems, isn't your company keeping you busy?" Charlie asked with a slight edge of helplessness.

Kane raised an eyebrow and gave Charlie a lazy once over with a click of his tongue. "You underestimate the bond of brotherhood, my friend. Of course, my buddy’s matters are more important than the company."d2

Charlie chuckled dryly, well aware of their history. The pair had their skirmishes countless times, and now Kane probably came looking for ammunition, eager to see Seth in disarray.

"Mr. Diaz is in his bedroom," Charlie informed.

Kane frowned, "And Cicely?"

"She went back home."

"The dumbass has locked himself in his room again?" Kane's brows nearly jumped off his forehead, "So what exactly did Cicely do when she was here?"

Charlie simply stated, "Mr. Diaz made her lunch, and they had it together."

"Seth cooking lunch with that condition of his?!"

"Yes."

Kane blinked. Damn, it was like oil meeting water – completely unexpected. Cicely really was something else.

Watching Kane's expression as if he'd been struck by lightning, Charlie added, "Mr. Diaz is doing much better now, he ate, he did the dishes, and he's been looking at some files I took up earlier."

Kane, now curious, arched an eyebrow, "Any idea how things are progressing between them? Did they...you know?"

Charlie glanced at Kane's thumbs twiddling together and quickly looked away, "I wouldn't know. I don't pry."

Kane dropped the flirtatious look from his eyes and glanced at Charlie disinterestedly. Playing the innocent virgin, huh?

*

Upstairs in the villa, Seth's bedroom door was predictably closed. Kane knocked. "Hey bro, had your fill?"

What kind of messed-up dialogue was this?

"Buzz off." Soon after, Seth's deep, muffled voice sounded through the door.

Hmm? Kane immediately raised his eyebrows, well, Cicely was indeed impressive. Her coming over for a meal could turn an almost hopeless bastard back into a sane human being. Now at least Seth

could make a sound.

"Be a bit more friendly, bro, especially to your buddies. If it wasn’t for us, do you think Cicely would’ve shown up?"

Silence from Seth’s end.

Leaning against the hallway wall, Kane let out a long sigh, "Hungry for dinner? How about I set something up? We’re men, no need to be so dramatic over a woman. Just like Damon said, it's a simple thing. Damon’s been brainwashing Cicely all day for you."

The door was suddenly yanked open, and Seth, with an aura of gloom, stood in the doorway.

"Damn." Kane jumped aside, eyeing Seth warily. "It wasn't brainwashing, just telling it like it is."

Seth glared at him darkly.

Kane licked his lips, tentatively offering, "Drink?"

*

Kane coughed, "I remember Damon's words too well, word for word."

"And there's more, but I think remembering Damon's words is enough. Women are meant to be pursued, right? If you really like her, you go for it. Be shameless. Everyone's been there. Didn't Cicely chase you? The Ellis family heiress, P City's little princess – if she could do it, why can't you?"

"Man, at the end of the day, you just haven't pursued anyone, have you?"

Seth sat back on the couch, his gaze contained, silent for a moment before reaching for the glass on the coffee table and taking a sip. He looked over at Kane, who had just picked up his own glass.

"Done?"

Kane paused, looking at his drink, "Man, I've been talking myself hoarse, haven't even had a sip."

Seth nodded, "Good, you're driving anyway. Get lost."

Kane was speechless. Was that not just cruel?

"I've been chatting your ear off, and you can't even offer me a peanut to go with my drink, and now I can't even wet my whistle?"

The late afternoon sun filtered into the living room. Seth tilted his head slightly, the glasses on his nose catching the light, accentuating his sharp eyes – a blend of cold and calculated cunning.

He’s a sly fox, always appearing indifferent and cultured. With a smile, he could dazzle; with a cold front, he could chill to the bone. But no matter his demeanor, that face, that figure, and that influence – they were all assets that women adored.

However, think about it, of all the women who pined for him, which one didn't want something from him? Even Danielle, wasn't it because he had carved out a space for himself in the entertainment industry?

But then again, there was Cicely, who had once pursued him without a second thought – just for him as a person.

The backlog of documents wasn't small, and Seth, out of habit from long hours of work, would don his glasses. Now, he had the look of a debonair rogue.

No matter how he presented himself, Kane was still pissed off. This was no way to treat a friend!

"No food at home, no peanuts."

Kane let out a derisive laugh, his face screaming 'bullshit', "I just texted Cicely. She hasn't had dinner yet. What do you say, should I invite her over for some grub?"

Seth's eyes narrowed in an instant, his gaze lifting to meet Kane’s, the calm composure replaced by a trace of tension.

"Son of a gun." Kane muttered under his breath, astounded. Was this really the same man he knew?

Despite the internal mix of disdain and disbelief, Kane still fished out his smartphone from his pocket. Kane hit the dial and called Cicely directly.

Seth straightened up from the couch, visibly tensing, his eyes fixed on Kane's phone pressed against his ear.

Kane gave him a look and rolled his eyes, turning his back to him so Seth couldn't eavesdrop.

The phone took an eternity to be answered, and just as Seth seemed about to give up, Kane suddenly spoke up, "Wow, you're a tough one to reach."

Seth's attention, which had just waned, snapped back to Kane.

Kane glanced over his shoulder, then stood up and walked to the side. "What are you doing? Perfect, I'm right next door at your place, and this guy's got no grub, not even a bowl of peanuts to go with a drink. What I mean? Do I really have to spell it out? I'm coming over to mooch a meal, okay? Fine, ten bottles of Chardonnay. You're making a killing, aren't you?"

After hanging up, Kane clenched his teeth, "Money-grubber, isn't she?"

As Kane put away his phone and turned around, a towering figure stood behind him, one more step and they'd practically be in a "bromance."

He took in a sharp breath, stepped back, and stared at Seth with wide eyes. "Really? Was that necessary?!" Just making a phone call and Seth was sneaking up to listen in.

Seth ignored Kane’s reaction, looking at the phone in Kane’s hand, and asked indifferently, “What did she say?”

Kane raised an eyebrow, feeling rather impressed with himself, and boasted, “Who do you think I am? Is there a meal I can't mooch?”

Seth pursed his lips, “Wait for me a minute.”

“What?”

Seth headed upstairs without a word.

Kane shrugged, his eyes drawn to the bottles of liquor on the coffee table. He moved over to it.

Seth's liquor was always top-notch. Even without peanuts, Kane was going to enjoy a couple of glasses.

Kane turned on the TV and started sipping, thoroughly engrossed. Before long, Seth's voice came from behind. "Let's go."

Kane hastily downed the contents of the crystal glass and stood up, turning to look back. His throat suddenly tightened, and the strong liquor he'd just swallowed nearly sprayed out.

But in the end, Kane choked. The spicy burn rushed to his head, and he coughed so hard his face turned red and his neck swelled.

His trembling finger pointed at Seth, a laugh trying to break through, but he ended up coughing out tears instead.

*

Cicely, after hanging up the phone, instructed the kitchen to whip up a few extra dishes.

Ten bottles of Chardonnay, and Kane could have anything he wanted.

Kane’s intentions were as clear as daylight.

She sat with Hugo in the corner of the living room, drawing on the cushion. Watching him sketch a house on paper, while still childlike, it was easy to see it was Cicely's Mansion.

He remembered every detail of the exterior design: the chimney's position, the shape of the roof, even the window panes and their arrangement.

Hugo drew with focus. Cicely watched him quietly, occasionally lifting her gaze to Hugo.

With his serious demeanor, it was impossible to escape the shadow of Seth.

After what seemed like an eternity, the doorbell rang. Cicely shifted her attention, patting Hugo on the head, "It's okay, keep drawing, Mommy will get the door."

Hugo nodded.

Opening the door, Kane was still nursing a sore throat from coughing.

Seth stood tall and straight, locking eyes with her the moment the door swung open. Seth was in a crisp suit, immaculate, with a wine-red pocket square tucked into his chest pocket, hair obviously meticulously groomed. The cool aura emanating from Seth mixed with a faint but distinct scent of shower gel.

Cicely's brow twitched unexpectedly.

Kane, still muffling his coughs, tried to stifle a laugh, but tears welling up in his eyes.

Cicely turned her gaze on Kane, "You didn’t mention there would be two of you."

Kane's current state only allowed him to roll his eyes. Putting on airs, was she?

Cicely frowned slightly, "If it's for two, ten bottles of Chardonnay seem a bit stingy. Maybe you should try a different place."

As she spoke, she stepped back to close the door, but someone's hand caught the door frame. She paused, her eyes moving from the defined hand to Seth's face. "What now?"

Seth's eyes locked onto her, his voice hoarse with a hint of caution, "I'll buy twenty."

Cicely's brows twitched. She fell silent for a few seconds, then released the door and walked back inside. "Close the door behind you."

The tension in Seth's eyes instantly dissipated, replaced by a surge of joy, like waves driven by a strong wind, rolling out from the depths of his eyes. He pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Hugo had heard the commotion and was standing by the couch, looking up at him with wide eyes.

Cicely went over and stroked his head. "Hugo, honey, say hello."

Seth tensed up again.

Obediently, Hugo piped up, "Hello, uncle." This is from NôvelDrama.Org.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Seth's face, but then Hugo added, "Didn't Daddy bring me a present?"

Seth was taken aback, followed by a wave of bewilderment. His son was asking for a gift. He turned to Cicely, his gaze seeking and even more uncertain.

Cicely's expression was unreadable, showing no displeasure at Hugo calling him 'Daddy'. But the silent plea for help was thoroughly ignored.

Kane looked baffled; was that 'uncle' for him? He hadn't responded; how impolite was that?

The door closed. The two grown men stood at the entrance, simultaneously pulling out their phones.

Kane looked at Hugo and said, "Kid, I didn't hear you before, say it again, and I will send you two gifts."

Hugo, ever so sweet, asked, "Why two?"

Kane, full of bravado, declared, "One for each 'uncle' you say."

Hugo gasped in delight, his shiny eyes full of stars. "Uncle, you are so cool and handsome, thank you for the big red packet. I am so lucky to have such an awesome uncle. Mommy, isn't what I said right?"

Cicely cracked a smile, "Right." Then she looked at Kane, "Fourty thousand, I'll thank you on behalf of Hugo."

Kane was speechless. His gaze fell on the little guy barely reaching his knees, this was a three- year-old?

Well then!

The kid didn't just have Seth's face; it seemed like he had his brains too.

Gritting his teeth, Kane transferred fourty grand to Cicely's account.

At the moment, Seth was texting Charlie, [Go get me all the toys from the mall.]

Charlie, well aware that Mr. Diaz had the habit of popping next door for a free meal, couldn't help but roll his eyes at the message. [Mr. Diaz, this isn't going to cut it. Mr. Hugo would surely prefer gifts you've picked out yourself. How about we save this for the next time? And, you know, it'd be a perfect excuse for another 'casual' dinner.]

Seth read the message, conveniently ignoring the part where Charlie teased him about the 'casual' dinners. Then Seth pocketed his phone.

Seth then turned to Hugo with a raspy voice, "Daddy forgot, buddy. I'll make it up to you next time."

Cicely threw him a glance.

Hugo pondered for a moment, a touch of disappointment flickering across his young face.

Seth felt a pang of guilt and was about to say "I'll go buy something right now," when Hugo's tender voice chimed in. "Okay then."

Seth paused, gripping his phone tighter. A thought flashed through Seth’s mind. After all these years, it was probably time to give Charlie a raise.