The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride novel Chapter 2095

Cicely's eyelashes fluttered twice.

"I opened the door for him yesterday with the intent of leading him to believe that you and Hugo would come with me. He must be scared," Lana admitted, taking a deep breath.

Cicely's slender fingers trembled slightly, her gaze fixed on the rearview mirror where Seth's car followed at a distance. So that stern face he wore last night was because of this. He lingered at the end, hesitant, probably wanting to ask if it was true.

He’s afraid she and Hugo would leave, so he stood guard at the door?

Cicely closed her eyes for a moment in thought.

The three tickets were purchased well in advance, yet Seth, tailing them, was stopped outside for lack of one. He faced a line snaking to the ticket window.d2

"Mommy, Daddy doesn't have a ticket, what do we do?" Hugo's voice was tinged with worry.

Cicely once thought she'd do everything she could to bond with Hugo, and to blend their lives seamlessly together. Cicely had spent time drawing and playing piano with him, catering to his whims, lavishing him with love, but it always felt like something was missing. Then Seth made it look easy. Hugo was a boy after all. Seth crashed at their place for dinner a few nights in a row, and Cicely couldn't fathom how a man of few words managed to connect so warmly and steadily with a two-year-old.

Cicely felt a twinge of jealousy as she glanced at Seth and said indifferently, "He'll figure it out."

"Let's wait for him here then."

Cicely pressed her lips together, saying nothing.

Seth glanced their way. Hugo waved at him, and Cicely, holding Hugo, turned to leave.

Seth caught a couple who had just bought tickets. He glanced at the woman's tickets, and with a domineering presence that radiated from him, said, "Ten times the price, sell me your tickets."

The woman, startled by Seth's deep, icy tone and handsome face, nodded dumbly, "Okay."

Her boyfriend, coming to his senses, wrapped an arm around her, "I..."

"I'll buy yours too," Seth cut him off.

The boyfriend paused, and the woman quickly handed over the tickets to Seth. "Here you go."

Seth took the tickets, transferring the money to them with his phone.

"Daddy's awesome. Here he comes!" Hugo clapped his hands joyfully, his eyes sparkling as Seth approached.

Cicely didn't run away but watched as Seth came closer with a look of urgency.

Hugo reached out to be lifted into his father's arms. Seth scooped him up, and Cicely's expression soured, but she let go. "Daddy, can we go there first?" Hugo pointed to a colorful building nearby, behind its glass walls, employees in cartoon costumes mingled with brightly dressed children, mostly girls.

"Sure," Seth nodded.

It was a themed diner where parents cooked with their kids. Hugo chose omelette from the pictures, and they were handed three aprons of different sizes.

Based on the way these people were dressed, the staff was really a little curious as to whether or not they'd be successful at cooking the food. Yet, this family easily caught everyone's eye.

"Omelette looks easy, but it's tricky. Good luck, guys."

Actually, Cicely couldn't even separate an egg yolk. Watching her struggle, Hugo grew anxious. And Cicely’s patience also waned.

Seth, having prepared the other ingredients, saw Cicely about to give up and poured some mineral water into a pot, then gently nudged her hand. Cicely looked up. He squeezed the bottle, aimed at the yolk, and released it. The yolk slipped into the bottle.

"Wow!" Hugo's eyes were wide with amazement. The stars seemed to hide in his gaze.

Cicely was surprised, too, but only for a moment.

Then Seth cracked more eggs, deftly separated the whites, and began to cook.

Cicely tried again, but her second attempt at flipping the omelette failed. Frustrated, she mixed in rice, making fried rice instead.

Hugo was silent as the nearby chuckle began. Cicely's brow furrowed as she caught the gaze of a circle of young mothers, their smiles seeming to mock her.

"The kid looks so much like his dad."

"The dad's handsome, and he can cook. I'm impressed."

"Too bad though."

Cicely raised an eyebrow. The phrase "too bad" indeed carried weight.

Seth's omelette was nearly finished, looking almost identical to the picture. Applause broke out when he completed his dish. Seth looked at Cicely, pushing the plate toward her. "Want to taste?"

Hugo, standing on a stool, clapped happily but watched the dish pass him by, straight to his mother.

Hugo pouted, his eyes on the omelette, and his little fingers stirring the air. Seeing the food passing in front of him, Hugo just felt upset.

"Daddy's only thinking of mommy, and he’s not happy."

"Poor thing, I will take you to play with the girls, okay?"

"My daughter is beautiful too."

Suddenly, several moms had little girls in their arms. Hugo looked lost. This wasn't what he intended.

Cicely glanced down at Hugo, barely peeking out, and offered a half-smile.

Hugo slid the plate of food that Cicely had whipped up across the table to Seth. "Dad, eat."

Then he tugged on Cicely's sleeve, pointing to the omelette, "Mom, try this."

Cicely paused for a second, then scooped up a bite with her fork and tasted it.

Hugo watched her with eager eyes, "How is it?"

"Mmm," Cicely nodded, "Delicious." She returned the favor, loading a forkful for Hugo.

Seth chuckled, his gaze dropping to food in front of him. He started eating. He had skipped breakfast that morning.

From the corner of her eye, Cicely caught Seth’s action and focused even more on feeding Hugo his omelette delight.

Together, Hugo and Cicely ate the whole omelette. Seth, for his part, polished off his portion solo.

When the trio stepped out, Lana was sipping coffee at the adjacent open-air café. Cicely approached her, "Is this your idea of fun? The food and coffee out here can't be better than other places, can they?"

Lana raised an eyebrow, "Isn't a day at the amusement park all about eating, drinking, and playing?"

Cicely pursed her lips, "The emphasis should be on playing."

"You sound like you've got some experience in this department."

Cicely thought for a moment, "I think I've been to an amusement park with someone before."

Lana glanced at Seth, "Him?"

Cicely shook her head, "No, not him."

Seth's expression darkened imperceptibly. Lana observed this change with a subtle arch of her brow, but said nothing.