The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride
Chapter 2031

"So, what do you want to do then?"

Seth's nonchalant retort caught Danielle off guard. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Nearby, the janitorial staff worked at lightning speed to make the unsightly hospital room spotless again.

Charlie returned with a fresh lunch from a nearby deli.

Seth stood by the bedside, watching Charlie set the meal in front of Danielle.

"Eat up."d2

Danielle bit her lip, her eyes reddening, but she didn't move.

Seth looked at her sternly. "I'm not a patient man. Either you stop eating forever, or I'll have the doctor amputate your legs and fit you with prosthetics so you can use the restroom on your own." Danielle seemed frightened, her eyes trembling, but eventually, she picked up the fork.

Charlie let out a sigh of relief when Danielle took a bite.

"Have you eaten?"

After a few bites, Danielle calmed down and seemed to realize her earlier tantrum was uncalled for. She looked up at Seth with a softer voice.

Seth gave her a brief glance. "Eat your food. Don't worry about me."

Danielle didn't dare to press him further.

Cicely changed into a new outfit and headed out, while Issac, thinking she was off to enjoy herself, opened the car door for her. But Cicely didn't move.

"I'll grab a cab later. You should head to the hospital and check on Danielle."

Issac stared at her silently.

"That woman is too proud to ask for help from the Ellis family. And now with her injuries, we have to make sure we're above reproach. If she needs anything, make sure she gets it." Issac was moved. "I'll send someone."

"Just you," Cicely insisted, already hailing a cab on her phone. As she did, a message popped up from Emiliana.

Emiliana: [Santino has an interview tonight, and he'll drop off the car over. He wants to add you as a contact. Should I give him your info?]

Cicely: [I'll add him.]

Emiliana promptly sent over Santino's contact, and Cicely sent a friend request. I

ssac was still there when she looked up.

"Why haven't you left?"

"I was going to arrange a new driver for you."

"No need. I don't want to wait, and the taxi is almost here."

Issac finally compromised but insisted on taking a picture of the taxi and its driver's ID before letting Cicely leave.

Shortly after getting in the cab, Cicely's phone notified her that Santino had accepted her friend request.

Santino: [Ms. Cicely, I'm on my way. Where should I drop off the car?]

Cicely: [Have you had lunch yet?]

Santino: [Not yet.]

Cicely found a compromise. She chose a bistro, and soon after she arrived, Santino did too.

Unlike other celebrities who prioritized style over comfort, Santino's down jacket and scarf gave him a more down-to-earth vibe. That is, until he removed the mask and sunglasses hiding his well-known face. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

Cicely waved it off. "I haven't been here long. I heard you have an evening gig. I hope you're not pressed for time."

Santino hung his jacket and settled in. "That's for later tonight."

Cicely smiled as the dishes began to arrive.

"Thanks for bringing my car back."

"Just on the way. No need for formalities, Ms. Cicely. Makes conversation difficult."

Cicely raised an eyebrow. "Fine by me."

"Are you out on your own again today?"

The question felt ironic to Cicely.

"Is that strange?"

Santino shook his head. "Most students and people with partners spend weekends with friends or glued to their significant others. Being out alone at your age seems a bit lonely too soon." Lonely.

Cicely paused. The word felt foreign to her.

She had never considered it a description for herself.

Now that it was mentioned, she couldn't deny its accuracy.

"I have no friends, and my boyfriend is too busy. Clinging to him now would be annoying."

Santino's gentle gaze lingered on Cicely for a moment.

"Ms. Cicely, so considerate and understanding. Far from the rumors."

"Considerate and understanding?"

"You'd rather drink alone to oblivion than trouble your boyfriend with your woes. On the weekend, you think not to bother him and even justify why you can't. Ms. Cicely, you're the ideal girlfriend, perhaps even a perfect wife in the future. But every man is busy. If it matters, they find a way to make up the time spent with you through more efficient work.

"If it's not you clinging, it could be someone else. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Your understanding nature makes you a taken-for-granted backdrop. Better to leave a scar on him than to pass without a trace. The more it hurts, the more you've won."

Cicely's gaze turned distant.

Better to leave a scar on him than to pass without a trace.

The more it hurts, the more she wins.

Savoring Santino's words, Cicely smiled.

"You've let acting delay your career as a relationship expert."

Santino chuckled. "Playing many roles gives one such insights."

Cicely remained noncommittal.

After all, actors portray life in all its facets.

"Where to next? I'm bored and you're alone, maybe we can entertain each other for a while."

Santino reached for a napkin, dabbing his mouth as he spoke.

Cicely took a sip of water. "I'm not bored."

Santino laughed softly. "Actually, I'm not familiar with P City. I had to use navigation to bring your car. Ms. Cicely, I think lunch doesn't suffice for your gratitude." Cicely fell silent.

Did every gentleman on the outside have a wild streak on the inside?

Standing up, she grabbed her coat from the rack. "Perfect, you can drive then."

Santino seemed quite pleased with the idea.

When they arrived at the bridal boutique, the attendant gave an extra glance upon seeing another man with Cicely, and quickly brought out the framed wedding photos.

"Please take a look. If there's no issue, we'll wrap them up for you."

There were two photos.

One was a solo shot of Cicely.

The other captured her standing next to Seth. In the picture, Seth was slightly turned, his arm wrapped around her waist, chin tucked in, looking down at her. The hint of a smile on the visible half of his face could pass as genuine.

Even if they were to pose for a typical wedding shoot, no photographer would suggest such a clichéd stance.

But the candid shot felt more meaningful than any posed wedding photos they might take in the future.

Their intimacy in the photo, that almost-smile, was heart-stirringly real because of its authenticity. "Great, wrap it up for me."

The staff directed them to a lounge area with freshly brewed coffee.

Santino was somewhat surprised Cicely had brought him to this kind of place.

Actually, he was completely taken aback.

"Just two wedding photos?"

Cicely sipped her coffee and smiled. "Just a couple of keepsakes from the dress fitting."

Santino nodded in understanding.

The lounge had other patrons, and as soon as Santino removed his mask and sunglasses, he was recognized.

It was a bride-to-be, still in her wedding gown, and a fan of Santino.

Covering her mouth excitedly, she asked, "What brings you here, Mr. Santino?"

Santino, a bit sheepish, replied, "Just helping a friend pick up some things. Congratulations, you look stunning."

Tears of joy welled up in the fan's eyes as she stammered, "I never dreamed I'd meet you one day. I'm so happy. Mr. Santino, could I possibly get a photo with you?"

Santino, smiling at her white dress, said gently, "Your fiancé might get jealous."

"Not at all. He votes for you every day with me. Look, even the engagement ring he proposed with is the same brand you endorse."

She lifted her hand, showing off the platinum diamond ring.

Meeting a superfan on her big day, Santino couldn't help but agree to take a photo with her.

The fan, overjoyed, glanced at Cicely sitting beside, her eyes crinkling with a smile, then turned back to Santino, "Mr. Santino, most of your fans just want you to be happy. No matter who you end up choosing, we support you. Wishing you all the best."

"Thank you," Santino said, shooting Cicely an amused look as their eyes met.

They both chuckled at the apparent misunderstanding.

The staff brought the wrapped frames over. They might be a bit heavy, so Santino took them casually.

As they prepared to leave, the fan called out, "Mr. Santino, may I share our picture on social media?"

"If that's what you'd like, go ahead."

"Thank you."

Exiting the bridal shop, Santino placed the framed photos in the trunk of the car.

"Any plans now?" he asked.

Cicely was engrossed in her phone, reading a message from Issac half an hour ago.

Danielle had thrown a tantrum over her daily care, causing chaos in her room and rejecting her lunch.

Seth had stepped in to calm her and stayed until she ate.

Issac had spent extra to hire two more robust nurses to assist Danielle with her needs, including trips to the bathroom.

The kicker was that Issac had dismissed the nurse Seth hired for Danielle that very noon.

Santino was right.

Men were busy, but they always made time for a woman.

If not for her, then for someone else.

Switching off her phone, Cicely tossed it into the car's glove compartment.

"No other plans, and I don't feel like going home."

Seeing her action, Santino started the car. "I have an interview tonight. I'm heading over to prep. If you're really that bored, you're welcome to hang out there."

Cicely slid down in her seat a bit. "Sounds good. Let's do that."

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