The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 2035

The dishes were all tailored to his taste.

Cicely hadn’t planned on joining him for dinner, but as she stepped out, she was met with the inexplicable stares of her father and Seth in the living room.

“Finished eating?”

“Not yet.”

Creighton chimed in, “You two aren’t fighting, are you?”

Cicely took a deep breath, “Just came out to grab my water bottle.”d2

She made her way over to the coffee table, bending down to pick up her bottle, then headed back to the dining room.

Seth seemed to have anticipated her return to dine with him, and only when she sat down across from him did he glance up at her. “If you really wanted to pick a fight, the Ellis family estate isn’t as cozy as our apartment.”

Cicely gripped her water bottle, her expression nonchalant. “There’s no fight. I'll be staying here for the near future.”

A flicker of emotion crossed Seth’s brow as he methodically chewed his meal, then set down his fork.

“Did I not explain myself clearly today?”

"I understand very well. Now that you've explained it, it's even clearer." Cicely lifted her water bottle for a sip, “I said I’m not fighting with you. There’s no point in wasting time over the same person or issue.”

Seth dabbed his mouth with a napkin, “So you’re telling me you’ve decided to move back here just on a whim?”

“If you insist on a reason, I have some. I’m on holiday, but you’re busy. I need company, but you’re short on time. In fact, on my way back today, I hadn’t planned on staying, but then I saw my dad and changed my mind. You don’t have time for me, but he could use some company. Are these reasons enough to prove I’m not fighting with you?”

Her face was impassive, her lips curled in an almost imperceptible smile.

Upon hearing the last part, coupled with her subtle expression, it seemed as though an answer had been placed on the question she had left lingering since noon.

Would he believe it? If not, she would prove it.

Seth's lips twitched in amusement. “If you want to stay, stay. It’s just a bit inconvenient here, that's all.”

“My own home, nothing's inconvenient.”

Seth casually took a sip from his water glass. “As you wish.”

Cicely was surprised by his easy acquiescence, but the feeling was fleeting. Because even if he disagreed today, it wouldn’t matter.

Later, Cicely came to understand why he mentioned inconvenience and made such an easy compromise.

After dinner, Seth joined Cicely’s father and grandfather in the study. It was obvious to her what their conversation would be about—nothing but business matters.

Cicely browsed her shopping app for little home decor items – mugs, thermoses, castle LEGO sets, and notebooks with pens. Not that she was studious, but she liked doodling when bored.

The front door was knocked, the servant opened it to find Charlie, shrouded in a layer of frost, stepping inside. “Ms. Cicely, good evening.”

Cicely glanced at him, “How heartless, sending you out in such cold weather, in the middle of the night no less.”

Charlie chuckled awkwardly.

“He’s upstairs discussing matters. You can sit and wait for him.”

“Well, no need, I just have an errand. Mr. Seth asked me to bring some clothes over. I’ll be on my way now.”

Cicely finally looked up, turned around, and noticed a gray suitcase standing next to Charlie. Brody, seeing this, quickly directed the servant to carry the suitcase upstairs.

Charlie didn't linger, bidding farewell and departing.

A servant brought up a glass of milk. After finishing her milk, Cicely headed upstairs.

What could those men possibly have to talk about for so long without any sign of coming out? The servant had refilled their water several times.

She found some clothes and went to the bathroom where the bath had already been drawn. It had been a while since she'd indulged in a good soak. Adjusting to the water temperature, she slid into the tub and let out a sigh of contentment.

Outside the bathroom window was a view of the garden and a fountain, surrounded by rotating ground lights. It seemed they had been turned on especially for her return.

In the past, out of boredom, she had asked her father to install the fountain and lights. Over the years, glimpsing at them had become a habit during her baths.

She leaned over the edge of the bathtub, staring at that place for a while. Then, she pressed down against the edge of the tub, twisted a hot towel, and placed it over her eyes.

Jasmine essential oil dripped into the water, soothing her fatigue. With the towel over her eyes, she didn't move again. She drifted in and out of sleep until she felt a sudden chill.

The skin above the water felt the coolness, and she instinctively slid down a bit. As she reached to remove the towel from her eyes, her hand was caught mid-air, and she was lifted slightly.

The towel fell away, and she looked up to see the man frowning at her from the side of the tub.

“Planning to be the first to drown in a bathtub?”

Indeed, she was startled, but it was by the man who had appeared silently in her bathroom. The warmth of the room had dissipated when he entered, making her feel cold.

“If I did, guess who’d be to blame.” Cicely tried to shake off his grip, but he let go first. Then he stood next to her and began to undress in a brazen manner.

Cicely frowned, “What are you doing?”

Seth continued without missing a beat, dropping his clothes into the hamper, “What else does one do in a bathroom? Swim?”

Cicely paused, grabbed the towel beside the tub to cover herself, and stood up to step out. Before she could leave, she was scooped up into his arms. She clutched the towel to her chest and glared up at him. “Seth! What are you trying to do?”

Seth looked down at the woman in his arms, her face flushed from either anger or the warm bath, more radiant than usual. He smirked, planting a soft peck on her lips with a voice that was low and enticing. “Share a shower with me.”

Cicely’s indignation deflated embarrassingly, “You should be able to shower without drowning.”

Seth chuckled softly. Compared to her quiet, gentle demeanor, always adorned with a prickly aura, he preferred her current bold, even if somewhat feisty, demeanor.

Ignoring her thorny retort, he began to run his fingers through her wet hair. “I’ll wash your hair for you.”

“No.”

The warm spray of the shower interrupted Cicely's protest.

Seth hadn't waited for her consent before turning on the shower. A surge of irritation rose in Cicely, but Seth’s hand covered her eyes. “Close your eyes.”

It wasn't that Cicely lacked principles, but that this man had a hundred ways to extinguish her anger before it even took shape.

She stood still, not moving an inch, as the towel she'd wrapped around herself was yanked away by him.