The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1883

Boyd's expression was one of pure distaste. "I reckon Bryson isn't strapped for cash to buy some scallions."

"There's something different about growing them yourself. Besides, they grow fast. I can harvest them at least twice in a month."

"I noticed the director has a pot on his office windowsill. You're awfully young to have such quirky tastes."

Yasmine ignored him.

Two hours later, they both wrapped up their tasks.

After that, Boyd, who was usually a ghost around the place, seemed to be popping up everywhere. He was often spotted fiddling around in the garden.d2

Occasionally, Yasmine's figure would appear at the opposite flower bed, but her appearances were few and far between.

Boyd's lilies received no care from Yasmine, not even a passing glance. Yet Boyd found himself watching those scallions grow with an odd sense of unease.

After half a month, Yasmine snipped the scallions and took them to the cafeteria, which meant two whole days of scallion cuisine on the menu.

Boyd wasn't fond of them.

Watching Yasmine shovel them into her mouth, Boyd couldn't mask his aversion. "I always thought you didn't care for strong flavors."

Yasmine, poised and unhurried, continued to eat, "That's just your assumption. Though you're not wrong, I generally don't like intense flavors. But I find this quite nice. Nothing in this world is absolute, you know. Tastes, habits—they can change. You never know when something will just change."

At her words, Boyd reluctantly took another bite.

Yasmine offered a small smile, "If you don't like it, that is totally fine. No point in forcing yourself."

"Maybe I'll come to like it if I get used to it."

She gave him a fleeting look, her smile light, "Pointless."

Boyd kept his eyes on her, "But it's all for the sake of liking them."

Silence fell between them.

"Those lilies need special care, especially since it's not the ideal planting season."

Yasmine nodded nonchalantly, "I know. I'm not that naive."

Perhaps Boyd had his own stubborn streak, "A little extra effort might do the trick."

Yasmine finished her last bite, glanced at the lingering gaze beside her, and with a half-smile, stood up with her tray. "You should eat more."

Boyd watched her leave, unaccustomed to hearing such things from her.

Not long after Yasmine's departure, Serana slid into the seat across from him with her tray. She offered Boyd a bread roll, "Want to eat a bit more?"

Boyd looked at his empty bowl and accepted the bread. "Who are you avoiding?"

Serana nibbled on her vegetables and mumbled a vague, "Hmm. you know, Yasmine doesn't like me much."

Boyd took a bite of the roll, "She's just got a foul temper."

Serana ate in small bites, "Anyway, I'm kind of scared of her. I thought she ruined the lilies last time. Even though nothing was said, I feel like it was because of me that she ended up so humiliated."

"It's over now."

Boyd, not the most well-versed in comforting others, felt a twinge of guilt himself for having wronged her.

As for Yasmine, holding grudges was not her style—she neither had the patience nor the inclination to waste time on such meaningless things.

Yet Serana shook her head softly, still uncertain, "Is it really over?"

Boyd looked at her, "What else could there be?"

Serana shook her head again, "I don't know. I just feel like Yasmine was really angry back then. She's usually so cool, but I've never seen her explode like that. If it's truly okay now, that would be great."

Her words stayed with Boyd, unsettling him. He couldn't put his finger on what was wrong, but his unease grew.

Serana's perceptiveness was spot-on. Half a month later, the day after Yasmine's birthday, everything clicked.

The second batch of scallions made its way to the cafeteria, and there was another unavoidable round of scallion dishes for lunch. Only this time, there were a few extra dishes.

After the meal, everyone received a slice of exquisite cake. The cafeteria buzzed with chatter, and Ava was there too.

Yasmine held her cake while Boyd sat beside her, his face contorted as if he were eating onions.

Few girls disliked sweets. Yasmine was no exception.

Ava sat beside her, her expression distant, not uttering a word to Yasmine.

"Happy Birthday."

Yasmine paused and turned to Boyd. "What?"

Boyd chuckled, "Today's your actual birthday, right?"

Ava looked on in surprise.

Boyd handed Yasmine a clear glass jar. "I can't give you anything fancy right now, and probably won't for a few years. So, write down whatever you wish for and put it in this jar. When I can stand on my own two feet, I'll make them all come true without conditions."

Yasmine held the empty jar, momentarily lost in thought.

"Can I only put wishes in on my birthday, or any time?"

Boyd looked resigned, "Whenever you want, for anything you want."

Yasmine raised an eyebrow and hugged the jar. "Well, I'd better think hard. Mansions, sports cars... looks like I won't need to lift a finger for the rest of my life."

Ava chuckled nervously beside them, her tone treading lightly, "You know, this kind of talk usually leads to marriage, right?"

Yasmine and Boyd froze, then turned to her in unison. "Marriage?"