The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Chapter 2094

Cicely was never a stingy person. Kane might not be the most reliable guy around. But his gesture of buying ten bottles of Chardonnay from her was sincere enough. So it was natural for her to prepare this table full of delicious food.

Yeah, it was all about the Chardonnay.

Cicely guided Hugo to his chair, where the maid tied a bib around his neck and set out a non-slip fork and spoon in front of him.

Cicely was there just to tidy things up a bit, rolling up Hugo's sleeves for him. Cicely was much calmer and relaxed now than at the beginning when she wanted to hug Hugo all the time and was all nervous and overwhelmed.

Grandpa was well, Hugo's eyes were healed, and she was free, living here with improved conditions. Everything had settled down.

She was slowly reclaiming her own identity, the one she had three years ago, haughty, aloof, and heartless. No one could catch her eye.d2

Back then, everyone but Seth got that treatment. Now, it was the same for everyone.

Unchanged, yet changed.

Her radiant face had gained a touch of maturity and grace through those three years. The arrogance in her brow persisted, yet it now held a certain fully-formed allure.

Seth's gaze never left Cicely.

She picked up the fork and served Hugo some food. "Want mom to blow on it?"

Hugo shook his head, "I can do it. You eat, Mommy."

Cicely smiled gently, caressing his cheek. "Good boy."

Even Kane found this version of Cicely unsettling. She was so different from before. He thought, in these three years, Cicely had grown more than any of them.

The once haughty woman who needed assistance for every task, and couldn't lift a finger, was now caring for others.

Seth longed to sit next to Cicely, but ended up across from her. It was the safest distance to avoid irritating her and the perfect spot for discreet observation.

Kane, observing Seth's unusual timidity, shook his head. Love was a strange and wondrous thing. He bet that after dinner, Seth would be back in his room, wide awake with insomnia.

Sighing, Kane attempted to broach a subject with an elder's poise.

Cicely glanced at him, "Care for some peanuts?"

Kane, reading the hidden thorns in her amused eyes, opened his mouth in confusion. "Maybe a bit more wine?"

Cicely frowned, "No alcohol served."

"C'mon, it's a rare gathering. Besides…" Kane winked towards Seth, "a little drink might help with sleep."

Cicely set down her fork, and Kane hastily added, "I will buy two bottles of Lafite in exchange for any wine you have. Is that OK?"

Cicely looked toward the maid, "Do we have any cheap beer?"

The maid nodded, "Two cases in the storeroom."

"Bring one up."

Kane was speechless.

*

Kane was all about helping Seth sleep, but in the end, he was the one who ended up paralyzed on the couch clutching a bottle of wine.

Once Hugo finished his meal, Cicely had the maid take him upstairs. She glanced at Kane, mumbling nonsense on the sofa, a shadow crossing her expression. "Get him out of here before he ruins my carpet."

With that, she turned to head upstairs.

"Cicely."

She paused, her delicate hand resting on the banister.

Seth forced a smile, "Goodnight."

Sounds of the dining room being tidied up mixed with Kane's muffled chatter. After a moment, Cicely's voice floated down, soft and delicate. “Goodnight."

Seth's heart skipped a beat. He had never realized how enchanting those words could be.

Kane slurred, "Cicely, I swear that I've never seen him making such a fool of himself. Damn hilarious..."

As Cicely's figure vanished at the top of the stairs, Seth looked away from the man slumped on the couch, yanking him up by the collar and dragging him out of the villa.

"Ah. I'm choking... This is awful..."

Kane was eventually pushed into a car, Seth not even allowing him inside his home. Charlie was instructed to take Kane back.

"Mr. Diaz, any chance you'll be invited for dinner again soon?" Charlie couldn't resist asking as he turned the car around. It wasn't that he was particularly nosy, but he truly feared Mr. Diaz's demeanor from three years ago and just a few days ago.

When Mr. Diaz was happy, the entire company prospered. One man's happiness affected the well- being of thousands. Though it was Mr. Diaz's personal affair, it had far-reaching implications.

Seth glanced at him, saying slowly, "Do you want a raise?"

Charlie was taken aback, "Of course."

Seth nodded, "Then perform well."

Charlie thought to himself. “What did that mean?”

*

The next day at noon, the doorbell at Cicely's Mansion rang again. Cicely opened the door. There stood Seth, impeccably dressed, holding two toy boxes. "Good afternoon."

Cicely leaned against the doorway, tilting her head slightly, "What's this about?"

"I'm here to deliver Hugo's belated gifts."

Cicely looked at him, saying nothing.

"I didn't cook, so I thought I’d drop by for lunch."

"I will but twenty bottles of Lafite."

Cicely looked down, silent for a moment, then turned and walked back into the living room, leaving the door ajar.

*

The third day.

The fourth day.

The fifth...

Seth showed up at Cicely's Mansion at least once a day for a meal. The gifts for Hugo piled up in the storage room.

Yet, humans are greedy creatures.

Cicely let him mooch meals, let him see Hugo, and interacted with him with calm indifference. These things would have satisfied him in the past, but she never once mentioned their past, nor talked about the future or whether she would leave.

His heart was hanging in mid-air. And he didn't dare bring it up, because any mention of the past was absolutely taboo for her.

He felt that maintaining the status quo was better than reopening old wounds. But all that sensitivity and withholding disintegrated the day Lana came to Cicely's Mansion for dinner a week later.

It was Lana who opened the door to the villa for him that day. Her brow creased slightly at the sight of him. "Well, " she said, her tone laced with disbelief. "I didn't think even you would have the nerve to show up here after everything."

Seth tensed the moment he laid eyes on Lana, his body coiling with an uneasy anticipation. "What're you doing here?" he asked, voice tight.

Lana raised an eyebrow, her gaze playful yet piercing. "Packing up some things before I leave," she replied casually.

Seth's grip on the gift he brought tightened noticeably.

Stepping aside, Lana granted him entry.

Inside, Cicely emerged from the kitchen holding a plate decorated with animal-shaped fruits, obviously prepared for Hugo. Her expression remained neutral upon seeing Seth, as she walked over to the pillowed nook of the room.

Hugo was sprawled on the floor, his nose buried in a picture book. Once blind, now that he could see, he dedicated hours each day to devouring the pages of his books.

Cicely placed the plate beside him and handed him a pear. Hugo bit into it and then sat up, smiling. "So sweet, thanks, mom."

Cicely returned the smile with a gentle voice, "You're welcome, darling."

When Hugo noticed Seth, Hugo greeted him with the same cheerfulness as usual. "Dad" had become a natural part of Hugo's vocabulary. Seth's face, previously taut with tension, now forced a curve of a smile.

Hugo glanced between Cicely and Seth, sensing the odd atmosphere.

Cicely remained silent; she too was baffled. Why would Seth come to her home, uninvited, and then act so coldly toward their son? Was she being too kind to him lately?

Though anger simmered within her, she restrained any outward display, especially with her aunt in the room.

Dinner passed without Lana's departure being mentioned.

Lana was to stay the night.

After dinner, as Hugo yawned and the conversation dwindled, Lana gently touched his cheek. "Tired, sweetie?"

Rubbing his eyes, Hugo nodded in agreement.

"Let's get you bathed and into bed early then. We have to rise with the sun tomorrow," Lana suggested warmly.

Seth watched, his jaw clenching.

Obediently, Hugo slipped off the couch, shuffled into his little slippers, and toddled upstairs with Lana.

Cicely lounged in the corner of the sofa, looking disinterested and lazily content. "Was there something else?" she asked without looking at Seth.

Seth studied her weary face, his lips parting slightly as she yawned. His mouth remained tightly shut as he watched her for a moment longer. Then, he approached her.

Before Cicely could get a clear look at him, she was scooped up into his arms. Holding onto his shoulder, she murmured sleepily, "Seth."

Her tone attempted to sound stern, but it came out soft and without force.

Seth seemed to hear her clearly, though. "I'll carry you upstairs to rest."

Cicely didn't respond; she just leaned against him as he carried her to her room, laid her down, and removed her shoes. As soon as her head touched the pillow, she curled up and fell asleep, hugging a cushion.

Seth lingered by the bed, his voice husky. "Aren't you going to take a bath?"

Cicely hummed a response.

"It's uncomfortable to sleep without bathing," he insisted.

She furrowed her brow. "Can you just let me be?"

Seth was silent, watching her delicate profile for a moment longer before turning off the lights and leaving just a nightlight on.

As she drifted between consciousness, Cicely could feel Seth's presence drawing closer, his warmth enveloping her. She guessed what he wanted to do; it was evident he was yearning to kiss her. Yet, just inches away from her lips, he hesitated, breathing her in without making contact.

After what seemed like an eternity, Seth withdrew, and Cicely heard the soft click of the door closing. In the dim light, Cicely slowly opened her eyes and stared at the curtains that Seth had just drawn. She seemed to be thinking about something, then closed her eyes again.

Seth stood outside the mansion, gazing back at the closed door, Cicely's delicate scent still lingering in his nostrils, and his mind raced with the thought of Lana taking her away.

He had wanted to ask about it, almost did a hundred times. But he didn't know how to start, nor did he dare to hear the answer.

What would he do if she really decided to leave?

*

Cicely had gone to bed early the previous night, vaguely remembering she had planned to bathe but instead slept straight through until dawn. She woke with a scowl, tossing the covers aside and heading for the shower.

After freshening up, she descended the stairs to find the servants quietly tidying the living room. They looked surprised to see her awake so early. "Good morning, Miss," they greeted.

"Morning. Please change the bedding in my room," she instructed.

"Of course," they replied, and Cicely made her way to the kitchen.

Since living with Hugo, she'd taken to waking a little earlier each morning to prepare his breakfast personally. Today, with extra time, she decided to cook for him herself. She had once taken cooking classes for Seth's sake, although she was never truly cut out for culinary arts—plus, Seth had never wanted her in the kitchen.

Now, she could manage simple tasks like making porridge, toasting bread, and preparing a veggie omelet with salad dressing—even if her success rate with eggs wasn't perfect.

Half an hour later, Lana came downstairs with Hugo, both of them dressed and ready for the day. Hugo was decked out in a smart gray tracksuit with black sneakers and a white baseball cap, his face framed by a pair of glasses. He looked clean-cut and trendy, like a little fashion icon.

Seeing Hugo decked out like that, Cicely couldn't help but laugh. Lana had always treated kids as little playthings.

"Come on, time for breakfast."

"Okay." Hugo reached out his little hands to remove his sunglasses, scampering happily towards Cicely.

Just after nine, the trio stepped out of the house, with Cicely carrying Hugo at the forefront. As soon as they left the villa, Cicely's brow furrowed in an instant.

Hugo blinked, his gaze falling on the man leaning against the column by the doorway. Seth's head turned towards them, recognizing Cicely, his foot shifted slightly, and he eventually pushed himself up off the column he was supporting himself on.

Seth was always impeccably dressed in designer suits that seemed molded to his tall, lean figure, his handsome features carried an air of sophistication. Yet, Cicely felt an icy frost emanating from him; his cool, handsome face seemed a bit stiff, the skin around his eyes slightly reddened.

He turned to face her, his movements noticeably rigid. It seemed he wanted to approach her, but for some reason, he stopped where he was.

Cicely glanced at his elegantly long legs, ensconced in suit pants, her expression darkening slightly, her eyes narrowing. She remembered clearly; he was wearing the same clothes as last night.

"Something wrong?" Lana came out holding Hugo, raising an eyebrow at the sight of Seth.

A servant followed with a travel bag. Seeing this, Seth's hands by his sides clenched into tight fists, his voice hoarse and devoid of warmth, as if thick ice had formed in his throat. "Where are you going?"

"Don't tell me you've been here all night?" Cicely's face grew even more thunderous at her own words.

Her question surprised Lana too.

Stayed here all night? Was it because of what Lana had told him when she opened the door?

Lana’s brow knitted, unsure how to feel. This man not only kept news from Lana but also restricted her movements – just these two things had worn away any fondness Lana had for him, treating him as anything other than an enemy was already a sign of her magnanimity.

It was a spur-of-the-moment comment Lana had made last night; Lana hadn't expected him to take it so seriously, to the point of standing guard by Cicely’s door all night. The weather at the end of September was chilly enough at night.

Lana knew, whether it was his efforts to stop her from taking Cicely away three years ago or his preventing her return ever since, it all stemmed from one reason. Without extreme worry and insecurity, nobody would resort to such drastic measures.

"So, do I need to report to you wherever I go in the future?"

Seth swallowed, "No need."

He paused, his gaze fixed on Cicely’s delicate face, and after a moment, he slowly spoke, "Are you leaving?"

Cicely frowned, "What do you think? We're all up early to go for a walk?"

A flicker crossed Seth's eyes.Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

"Mommy." Hugo, who had been looking at Seth, suddenly piped up, "Daddy looks sad. Maybe he should come to the amusement park with us. Everyone's happy there."

Seth's eyes paused, "You are going to the amusement park?"

"Yeah, Grandma Lana's taking Mommy and me to the amusement park. I've never been there before."

"He's busy," Cicely cut in before Seth could respond, deciding for him. She didn't believe Seth was the type to step foot in an amusement park. Nor did she think someone who had stood through a chilly autumn night would have the energy for such a place.

Hugo didn't dare contradict Cicely, as it was clear she was angry.

Seth felt a sudden ease wash over him, but the hope Hugo had sparked was quickly dashed, leaving disappointment in its wake.

After speaking, Cicely strode past Seth with a cold face. As she walked by Seth, he lightly grasped her wrist. "Can I come too?"

Cicely smoothly withdrew her hand, her voice cold, "Don't ask me. What you do is none of my business."

Lana pursed her lips. Who had just said "he's busy"?

The three of them got into the car. Hugo was silent beside them.

The car was quiet. Cicely hadn't spoken since they got in. When the driver mentioned Seth's car was following behind, her expression seemed to grow colder.

Now the atmosphere was so tense it made Lana feel somewhat guilty. A single comment had caused all this trouble. And she did not realize that it would lead to such an extreme reaction from Seth.

Lana sighed softly and spoke, "Cicely, he thought I was going to take you away."