The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 2043

Seth shot Cicely a frosty glance, "How come you're hanging out with him?"

Cicely replied as if it was the most natural thing in the world, "We're in the same class and part of the same club. Isn't it pretty normal for us to hang out?"

Seth turned and opened the passenger door. As Cicely bent to get in, Seth grabbed her arm. "What club are you talking about?"

"Uh, the coding and programming club."

Seth narrowed his dark eyes, "Still can't shake off this hobby, huh? It's been quite a while. How come the enthusiasm hasn't faded?"

Cicely smiled, her eyes curving, "I'm surprised myself that I've stuck with it for so long. Who knows? In a few years, you might be offering me a high salary to work for you. Let go. You're hurting me."d2

Seth released her arm with a snort and a chuckle, "I bet you haven't written that many lines of code. If a corporate spy got their hands on you for a little interrogation, I doubt it would take two minutes before you'd spill all my secrets."

The smile vanished from Cicely's eyes. Glaring at Seth, she retorted, "Underestimate me? I could last five minutes, at least."

"Heh," he couldn't help but laugh softly, his lips curling. "Get in the car."

Cicely huffed and slid into the seat.

As soon as the car started, Cicely began to recount her recent run-in with Ray. Seth hit the brakes, glanced at her, then eased off again.

"I'm fine. Joel was there too, didn't even get a chance to exchange words with him."

Seth's lips tightened slightly.

"Ray was at school today to drop out. I heard he's sold off several of his properties, too. Joel's worried he might do something drastic again, especially towards you..."

"Can't you speak without bringing up Joel?" Seth's voice was heavy with displeasure, cutting her off mid-sentence.

Cicely paused, "Of course, that's what I think too."

The car sped up, taking Cicely straight to her apartment.

*

With just a month until the wedding, July was shaping up to be the happiest month of Cicely's life. Her birthday, her marriage anniversary, and her wedding day were all coming up.

Her wedding dress had been custom-made by a designer Seth had flown in from France a couple of months ago. It was due to arrive any day now. The jewelry was specially ordered by Creighton from Belgium.

The wedding home was finished, decorated under Cicely's meticulous supervision, with every detail personally designed and arranged by her. After all, it was where she and Seth would spend their lives together.

Some custom furniture was still due to arrive, but that too would be sorted out in the next couple of days. Seth was so worried about her overdoing it, and he had carried her back from the wedding house several times.

He had scolded her in various ways. She had pleaded for mercy, and Seth had believed her, for a while. But she would dare to do it again next time.

The last time was just the day before when she received a call from the renovation company saying that the custom furniture had arrived and needed her direction for placement. She was about to leave when Seth pressed her to the bed, leaving her weak and unable to get up until the next day.

After the Seth’s threats in bed, she was scared out of her wits, swearing she wouldn't dare again. Now, recalling their shameless romp, she didn't even have the courage to face people outside. Cicely chewed Seth out a countless number of times alone in her room for being a brute.

Seth had Charlie take over the finishing touches on the renovation.

The third day before noon, Seth called Cicely to Diaz International.

Desperate to get out, Cicely got ready as quickly as she could, digging out summer clothes that would cover her up as much as possible.

Black slim pants, and a white ruffled silk blouse – she was wrapped up tight.

Just stepping out of the car downstairs, Seth's call came through. "Where are you?"

"Downstairs at the company."

"Wait there, I'll come down and take you to lunch."

"Okay."

Seth raised an eyebrow at Cicely's outfit today. He'd never seen her dressed like this before. She looked like a delicate girl who somehow managed to pull off the look of a professional woman.

"Aren't you hot?" he quipped, noting her long sleeves and pants, which seemed out of place in the summer heat.

Cicely shot him a glance, "Whose fault is that?"

Seth caught on instantly and chuckled lowly, wrapping his arm around her waist as they left the building.

The lunch venue showed he had put in some effort, and the food was decent.

"You didn't call me out just because you found this nice restaurant, did you?"

"No. I've got a surprise for you this afternoon."

Cicely raised an eyebrow, asking a somewhat silly question, "What kind of surprise?"

Seth just looked at her, saying nothing.

Cicely didn't press further. A surprise wouldn't be a surprise if it was revealed ahead of time.

After lunch, Cicely leisurely savored her cake, taking in the tastefully decorated restaurant. She was quite pleased until she noticed Seth checking his watch for the third time, deflating her mood. "Do you have urgent work?"

Looking up at her, Seth's gaze was calm and serious, "She's being discharged from the hospital today."

Cicely paused, remembering her father mentioning this the day before, which she had forgotten.

Swallowing the last bite of cake, she casually remarked, "Well, let’s go then."

Seth's eyes followed her hand as it rested on the fork beside her, his unfathomable dark eyes briefly betraying an indiscernible emotion. "Finished?"

"Yes."

Standing up, Seth said, "Then let's go."

Cicely took her time drinking some water, then slowly rose to her feet, flashing Seth a smile as she approached him. He took her hand, and they left together.

"Did you finalize the script you've prepared for her?"

"Mhm." Seth buckled her up with straightforward honesty, "It's C&P's big feature this year."

"But the script you picked for Emiliana wasn't from C&P, and she even won an award for that role. Big features aren't exclusive to C&P, you know."

Cicely turned to look at the man whose expression was a bit tense. Her smile deepened, "Remember our deal, okay? Once she's discharged, you promised her a role in a show, and then you're free of any entanglement."