The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride
Chapter 2007

Chapter 2007

Cicely had always thought that Seth's "a while" meant just a few days, but three days had passedsince her arrival, and there was no talk of going home.

Emiliana, busy with her latest acting role, hadn't been on set recently, but she was still keeping upwith her shifts at the restaurant.

Sometimes, during the lunch rush, she'd play a couple of tunes on the piano, filling in for Cicely.Cicely would treat her to lunch in return.

Today, upon entering the restaurant at midday, Cicely noticed the waitstaff looked unusually grim.Knowing Cicely had been getting along with Emiliana, they approached her with hushed voices:"Cicely, Emiliana's been with the manager for a while now. Looks like she might be getting theboot."

Cicely frowned, confused. "What happened?"

The waiters shook their heads. "Not sure, but Emiliana seemed off from the moment she walked in.She missed a few notes while playing, and some patrons complained. Our clientele is prettyparticular, and a mistake here and there is forgiven, but repeated complaints? The manager waslivid."d2

Another server, who had been at the same get-together a few days earlier, joined the conversationwith a worried look. "I heard that Emiliana's role got snatched by someone else."

Cicely's brows knitted together. It was clear to everyone that Emiliana had pinned all her hopes onthis role.

"Weren't the roles already cast? Did some bigwig step in?"

The servers exchanged glances, a mix of anger and sympathy in their eyes. "In showbiz, what'sabnormal has become the norm. Now, anyone can act, and if they're terrible, it's because somewomen have sugar daddies backing them. Poor Emiliana, even a minor role in the background isn'tsafe. With all the money those people have, why not fight for the lead roles? Just bad luck."

Cicely's expression darkened. "What's the name of Emiliana's production, and her character?"

"Don’t you remember? We talked about it at the party – 'Era of Elegance,' a period drama.Emiliana's character is named Sue, a clever maid close to the female lead's strategist. Though aservant, her intelligence is unmatched, and she meets a tragic end at the hands of the villain. It's thekind of role that wins audience's hearts and leaves them grieving."

Era of Elegance? Sue?

"I see." Cicely murmured thoughtfully, then headed towards the dressing room.

Upon opening the door, she found Emiliana sitting on the floor, leaning against the locker, lost inthought.

Hearing Cicely enter, Emiliana quickly stood up. "You're here."

Cicely walked straight up to her, stopping only inches away. She lifted Emiliana's chin, examiningher face closely.

Emiliana, caught off guard by her sudden move, stammered, "Cicely, you—"

"Have you been crying?"

At Cicely's question, Emiliana pursed her lips tightly, barely holding back her tears.

"This face is still marketable. How about I become your provider?"

Emiliana's expression froze in surprise. "What?"

Cicely withdrew her hand and tossed her bag onto a nearby chair. "If it's really about money, I canget that role for you."

Emiliana was even more shocked.

Cicely smiled slightly, "Don't want to be with me? Then how about you consider me your 'fairygodmother'?"

Emiliana was still stunned. "Ci... Cicely? What are you talking about?"

"I'm saying I'm loaded. If this role truly hinges on financial backing, I might just sponsor you."

Emiliana paused, her eyes widening in astonishment. "You... no... that's not possible!"

"What's not possible? You think I can't do it?"

Emiliana shook her head. "Even if you could, it's not right. I can't repay you. I don't dare to take ontoo much. I live within my means and I don't want to be in debt. Being in debt feels terrible,especially when it's such a large amount."

"No investment, no return. In this business, financial intervention is the norm. Without backing,you're just waiting to be pushed out. Are you really going to let go of a role you worked so hard toget?

“Emiliana, no one's going to pity you. Roles aren't irreplaceable – if not you, then someone else. Butmiss this chance, and it won't come back. You won't replace another me. Each choice is a crossroads inlife; ambition is necessary."

Just like there wouldn't be another Seth. She wanted to secure her place by his side. Every stepshe took was aimed at that turning point. People always need to have ambitions, just like her now,getting what she desired.

Emiliana's eyes filled with tears. "Cicely, I love acting, but I'm starting to despise this industry."

Her voice broke with emotion, tears streaming down her face.

"This production was obviously aiming for the awards next year. How could they allow suchinterference? Cicely, you get what I'm saying? The investors aren't short of cash, unless... unlessit's the investors themselves who want this. You can't fight a production's backers with your ownmoney, it's not right, and I'm not worth it."

Cicely understood. The person replacing Emiliana wasn't just anyone; it was the investors behindthe show.

She frowned, asking, "Do you know who the investors are?"

Emiliana shook her head. "Not a clue. The promos only mention C&P Entertainment, a companyI've never heard of before. Must be a new media firm."

Cicely's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "A new company?"

Emiliana nodded. "Yeah."

*

The two had agreed to have dinner together at home.

For the past few days, Seth had been cooking dinner. The dishes were simple but enough for boththeir appetites.

Today, Cicely got home early and headed straight for the kitchen. She swung open the fridge,scrutinized the contents, and, after a bit of picking and choosing, gathered an assortment ofingredients.

She then pulled out her phone, scrolled through a few recipes, and methodically began prepping thefood. Once everything was ready, Cicely placed the pan on the gas stove, crossed her arms, andstood watching over it, motionless.

After what seemed like an eternity, she sidled over to the microwave, slipped on some oven mitts,then finally reached out to turn on the burner.

When the flames leapt up, she took two pale-faced steps back, but then, holding her breath andbracing herself, she moved closer and sprinkled in some salt.

Without much regard for the proper order, she dumped in all the seasonings followed by thevegetables.

After all, it was all going to be stir-fried together; when they went in didn't really matter – or so Cicelythought.

She wasn't a gourmet chef; if the food was edible and went down the hatch, she'd consider it aresounding success.

The moment Seth opened the door, a smoky haze and an inexplicable mishmash of cooking smellsgreeted him in the apartment. He frowned, changed his shoes, and walked in to replace three barelyrecognizable dishes on the dining table, with a soup so clear that only a few sprigs of parsley werevisible.

Raising an eyebrow, he looked towards the kitchen, only to hear a voice from behind, "You'reback?"

Turning around, there was Cicely, fresh from a shower, in her pajamas, toweling her hair, standingat the dining room entrance.

Seth went around opening every window in the apartment he could replace. "You're banned from thekitchen." One of these days, he was sure, the place would go up in flames along with her culinaryexperiments.

"Here I am, slaving away to make you dinner, and you're complaining before you even taste it?"

Seth looked at her, "You think I shouldn't?"

"Not going to eat?" Cicely wrapped her hair in the towel, securing it on top of her head, and lazilyleaned against the table, watching him.

Shedding his jacket, Seth sat down and noticed the rice was actually fluffy and fragrant. Rice waseasy. Just follow the smart cooker's instructions, measure the water as the internet says, and it's ano-brainer.

As Cicely watched him pick up his fork, she couldn't help but smirk from across the table.

Seth took a bite and his expression froze momentarily. He managed to swallow and Cicely watched,amused, but kept silent.

Halfway through the meal, Seth looked up, "Aren't you eating?"

Cicely glanced at the dishes on the table, her eyes betraying unmistakable disdain. "They don't lookappetizing, so they probably don't taste great either."

He stopped eating and looked at her. "And you let me eat this?"

Cicely quirked an eyebrow, picking up her fork. "If you're feeling lonely, I can keep you company."

Seth's fork paused mid-air, hovering over Cicely's. "Is this your way of throwing a tantrum?"