The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1896

Serana glanced at Boyd, her mind a blank slate as to what to say next. However, nothing was inappropriate about Yasmine's actions afterwards. They munched on slices of cake and sipped on coffee, making small talk about how each other had been lately.

Aside from her initial sharp words, Yasmine's demeanor was so faultlessly normal you couldn't pick a bone with it. If there was anything to comment on, it was that her phone never seemed to leave her hand for long.

But the more she played it cool, the more both Serana and Boyd felt something was off.

"Do you come here often?" Boyd asked casually as Yasmine's plate became crumb-free.

Yasmine gave a half-smile. "Yeah."

"It is a nice place," he admitted.d2

Taking a sip of her coffee, Yasmine leaned back in her chair. "Yeah."

Boyd pursed his lips, and silence fell like a curtain.

Serana looked on, worry creasing her forehead. For years, Boyd had always been the one looking down on others, never the one to seek out chit-chat.

Serana could tell he was trying to find common ground, to say something – anything – to ease the tension with Yasmine.

Even though Yasmine was sitting there with them, who could really say where her thoughts were?

The misunderstanding that had started over a jar of flowers seemed resolved, and they were interacting like before. But was there real forgiveness from Yasmine? Not likely.

There they were, sitting across from each other, yet it felt like miles between them. Serana was curious – could Yasmine ever truly like someone?

What would she be like? What lengths would she go to? She'd love to see that.

But who would be the one to break through?

Yasmine's phone rang, but she ignored it, standing up instead. "You guys carry on. I've got something else to attend to. I'll head out first."

She answered the phone as she pulled out her chair.

Boyd stood, reaching to catch Yasmine's wrist. Phone to her ear, Yasmine looked at him. "Something else?"

Boyd stared for a moment. "Where are you off to?"

"Home."

Derek's figure appeared beside them. He eyed the hand Boyd had on Yasmine. "You want something?"

Boyd's grip tightened unintentionally.

Yasmine pulled her hand back, phone down. "Should be clear now."

--

Serana watched through the glass as Yasmine's car pulled away, and only then did she breathe a sigh of relief. "She's still the same."

Boyd didn't respond.

Inside the car, Yasmine's expression remained unreadable.

Derek glanced her way more times than necessary within five minutes.

"Do you need glasses?" Yasmine casually commented.

With a constipated look, Derek focused on the road. "You got nothing to say? No contact for two months and suddenly you're sharing desserts and coffee? What's going on in your head?"

Yasmine traced her finger across her phone’s screen, engrossed in Candy Crush. "Their treat."

Derek's twitch was barely perceptible. "All this for a free meal?"

Four stars on the level, "Am I that cheap in your mind?"

"Then what's your reason?"

"Just feeling annoyed."

Derek nodded, a classic Yasmine response. "Those were just kid's squabbles from when we were ten. Holding onto that, or keeping score with them, it's pointless."

Impatient, Yasmine cut him off. "Do you want me to jump out and end it?"

Derek gripped the steering wheel tighter. "Can't do that."

Yasmine still went to school, not avoiding Boyd. She didn't care, but he wouldn't allow distance. His watchful eyes seemed to follow her more closely than ever. Any guy that approached her would be "taken care of" by Boyd before she even noticed.

Eventually, everyone got the impression that they were an item. Rumors reached Yasmine, and she found the idea absurd.

In a relationship with Boyd?

At lunch in the cafeteria, ignoring Serana sitting across from her, Yasmine addressed Boyd directly, "Rumor has it we're dating?"

Serana blinked, turning to the ever-composed Boyd, and silently shoveled food into her mouth.

Boyd's eyes flickered. "You're a bit slow on the uptake, aren't you?"

Yasmine paused. "When did this start?"

Silence.

More silence.

Yasmine turned to Serana, "Clearly, there's some misunderstanding. Don't overthink it." She wasn't about to deal with a surprise rival.

Serana opened her mouth to speak, but Boyd set down his fork.