The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1971

Queen of the Night wasn't a flower you could set your watch by - you knew it would unfurl under the cloak of darkness, but exactly when remained a mystery, which was why she didn't plan on heading home that evening.

Creighton was out of town, and after Cicely had packed her bag and made her way downstairs, she found Joel already waiting in the living room. A quick word to the housekeeper, and they were out the door together.

Curiosity tinged Cicely's voice as she asked, "Do you think the entire acre of flower will bloom tonight?"

"Yep, that's what the folks at the conservatory are saying," Joel replied.

"It's going to be quite a sight. Did you remember to bring the camera?" she asked offhandedly.

Joel chuckled and nodded, gesturing towards the trunk of the car, "Wouldn't miss it for the world."d2

Joel was a natural at keeping the conversation flowing, talking about everything from the cultivation of the rare bloom to the intricacies of photography as if he was a master of all trades.

Cicely leaned against the car door, half-listening, occasionally murmuring a response.

The botanical gardens sprawled over acres of land, and it took them about ninety minutes to reach the site, which was divided into sections with different plants cordoned off by wrought-iron fences.

Summer was in full swing, and the gardens were a riot of color as far as the eye could see.

To the north stood a series of vast, grey-white buildings housing greenhouses for the cultivation of precious plants and the research of new species.

These were the public areas of the gardens, open for visitors to marvel and photograph - a profitable event for the conservatory each year. There were already plenty of visitors wandering and snapping pictures, but Joel noticed Cicely's listlessness and didn't stop the car, driving straight ahead instead. Ten minutes later, they arrived at a secluded mountain spa resort.

"Queen of the Night usually bloom late into the night. You look like you might not last that long, and we've got time to kill. Why don't you go freshen up with a quick dip in the hot springs? I'll have lunch sent up to your room," Joel suggested.

Cicely settled onto a couch in the hotel lobby, feeling the fatigue of the long car ride. At Joel's suggestion, she hummed in agreement, then added, "What about you? What are your plans for lunch?"

Joel handed her a water bottle he'd just fetched from a cooler in the car and smiled, "Some classmates have planned a lunch meetup."

Raising an eyebrow, Cicely struggled with the stubborn bottle cap, wincing at the pain in her hand.

Joel took the bottle back, smoothly twisted off the cap, and handed it back to her. She took a sip and peered up at him, "You'd make a pretty great boyfriend, you know."

Joel was briefly taken aback, "What?"

Setting the bottle on the coffee table, Cicely elaborated, "Tall, wealthy, handsome, smart, and you're kind and considerate too. Some girl's going to be very lucky to have you."

"Let's order, folks. We don't know how long we'll be waiting for the blooms tonight. Make sure you get some rest later so you don't miss out," Joel chimed in, his voice carrying the authority of years as their class leader.

The group quickly turned to teasing, "Underestimate us? We live for the nightlife."

As Joel tallied up their orders, a few more people joined them, and the afternoon unfolded into a blend of food, laughter, and the anticipation of the night's floral spectacle.

Kane, Ollie, and Rose.

The surprise etched on their faces was evident when they saw Cicely saunter into the room, none more so than Kane himself. He blinked a couple of times before leaning in, scrutinizing Cicely with an intensity that lasted a good while. "Holy smokes, it really is you."

Cicely glanced back at him, propping her chin in her hand, a ripple of amusement crossing her features like a gentle wave upon a serene lake, exuding that elusive, whimsical charm that was unmistakably hers. "Kane, don't you think your reaction is a bit over the top?"

Kane's gaze lingered on her face for a moment longer before he straightened up and took the seat opposite her. "Well, it's not every day we see you gracing these social gatherings. And here you are, not cozying up with Seth, but out here flying solo. You flouncing around with that pretty face of yours, isn't Seth worried?"

At that, Cicely's lips curled into a half-smile. "And who could possibly do anything to me?"

After a moment's thought, Kane conceded, "Yeah, you're right. Just the reputation of the Ellis family's princess is enough to deter anyone from crossing the line. Indeed, you're the perfect match for him - low maintenance."