Chapter 2035


    The dishes were all tailored to his taste.


    Cicely hadn’t nned on joining him for dinner, but as she stepped out, she was met with the


    inexplicable stares of her father and Seth in the living room.


    “Finished eating?”


    “Not yet.”


    Creighton chimed in, “You two aren’t fighting, are you?”


    Cicely took a deep breath, “Just came out to grab my water bottle.”d2


    She made her way over to the coffee table, bending down to pick up her bottle, then headed back to


    the dining room.


    Seth seemed to have anticipated her return to dine with him, and only when she sat down across


    from him did he nce up at her. “If you really wanted to pick a fight, the Ellis family estate isn’t as


    cozy as our apartment.”


    Cicely gripped her water bottle, her expression nonchnt. “There’s no fight. I''ll be staying here for


    the near future.”


    A flicker of emotion crossed Seth’s brow as he methodically chewed his meal, then set down his


    fork.


    “Did I not exin myself clearly today?”


    "I understand very well. Now that you''ve exined it, it''s even clearer." Cicely lifted her water bottle


    for a sip, “I said I’m not fighting with you. There’s no point in wasting time over the same person or


    issue.”


    Seth dabbed his mouth with a napkin, “So you’re telling me you’ve decided to move back here just


    on a whim?”


    “If you insist on a reason, I have some. I’m on holiday, but you’re busy. I needpany, but you’re


    short on time. In fact, on my way back today, I hadn’t nned on staying, but then I saw my dad and


    changed my mind. You don’t have time for me, but he could use somepany. Are these reasons


    enough to prove I’m not fighting with you?”


    Her face was impassive, her lips curled in an almost imperceptible smile.


    Upon hearing thest part, coupled with her subtle expression, it seemed as though an answer had


    been ced on the question she had left lingering since noon.


    Would he believe it? If not, she would prove it.


    Seth''s lips twitched in amusement. “If you want to stay, stay. It’s just a bit inconvenient here, that''s


    all.”


    “My own home, nothing''s inconvenient.”


    Seth casually took a sip from his water ss. “As you wish.”


    Cicely was surprised by his easy acquiescence, but the feeling was fleeting. Because even if he


    disagreed today, it wouldn’t matter.


    Later, Cicely came to understand why he mentioned inconvenience and made such an easy


    compromise.


    After dinner, Seth joined Cicely’s father and grandfather in the study. It was obvious to her what their


    conversation would be about—nothing but business matters.


    Cicely browsed her shopping app for little home decor items – mugs, thermoses, castle LEGO sets,


    and notebooks with pens. Not that she was studious, but she liked doodling when bored.


    The front door was knocked, the servant opened it to find Charlie, shrouded in ayer of frost,


    stepping inside. “Ms. Cicely, good evening.”


    Cicely nced at him, “How heartless, sending you out in such cold weather, in the middle of the


    night no less.”


    Charlie chuckled awkwardly.


    “He’s upstairs discussing matters. You can sit and wait for him.”


    “Well, no need, I just have an errand. Mr. Seth asked me to bring some clothes over. I’ll be on my


    way now.”


    Cicely finally looked up, turned around, and noticed a gray suitcase standing next to Charlie. Brody,


    seeing this, quickly directed the servant to carry the suitcase upstairs.


    Charlie didn''t linger, bidding farewell and departing.


    A servant brought up a ss of milk. After finishing her milk, Cicely headed upstairs.


    What could those men possibly have to talk about for so long without any sign ofing out? The


    servant had refilled their water several times.


    She found some clothes and went to the bathroom where the bath had already been drawn. It had


    been a while since she''d indulged in a good soak. Adjusting to the water temperature, she slid into


    the tub and let out a sigh of contentment.


    Outside the bathroom window was a view of the garden and a fountain, surrounded by rotating


    ground lights. It seemed they had been turned on especially for her return.


    In the past, out of boredom, she had asked her father to install the fountain and lights. Over the


    years, glimpsing at them had be a habit during her baths.


    She leaned over the edge of the bathtub, staring at that ce for a while. Then, she pressed down


    against the edge of the tub, twisted a hot towel, and ced it over her eyes.


    Jasmine essential oil dripped into the water, soothing her fatigue. With the towel over her eyes, she


    didn''t move again. She drifted in and out of sleep until she felt a sudden chill.


    The skin above the water felt the coolness, and she instinctively slid down a bit. As she reached to


    remove the towel from her eyes, her hand was caught mid-air, and she was lifted slightly.


    The towel fell away, and she looked up to see the man frowning at her from the side of the tub.


    Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    “nning to be the first to drown in a bathtub?”


    Indeed, she was startled, but it was by the man who had appeared silently in her bathroom. The


    warmth of the room had dissipated when he entered, making her feel cold.


    “If I did, guess who’d be to me.” Cicely tried to shake off his grip, but he let go first. Then he


    stood next to her and began to undress in a brazen manner.


    Cicely frowned, “What are you doing?”


    Seth continued without missing a beat, dropping his clothes into the hamper, “What else does one


    do in a bathroom? Swim?”


    Cicely paused, grabbed the towel beside the tub to cover herself, and stood up to step out. Before


    she could leave, she was scooped up into his arms. She clutched the towel to her chest and red


    up at him. “Seth! What are you trying to do?”


    Seth looked down at the woman in his arms, her face flushed from either anger or the warm bath,


    more radiant than usual. He smirked, nting a soft peck on her lips with a voice that was low and


    enticing. “Share a shower with me.”


    Cicely’s indignation deted embarrassingly, “You should be able to shower without drowning.”


    Seth chuckled softly. Compared to her quiet, gentle demeanor, always adorned with a prickly aura,


    he preferred her current bold, even if somewhat feisty, demeanor.


    Ignoring her thorny retort, he began to run his fingers through her wet hair. “I’ll wash your hair for


    you.”


    “No.”


    The warm spray of the shower interrupted Cicely''s protest.


    Seth hadn''t waited for her consent before turning on the shower. A surge of irritation rose in Cicely,


    but Seth’s hand covered her eyes. “Close your eyes.”


    It wasn''t that Cicelycked principles, but that this man had a hundred ways to extinguish her anger


    before it even took shape.


    She stood still, not moving an inch, as the towel she''d wrapped around herself was yanked away by


    him.


    Cicely felt awkward, her arms crossing in front of her, trying to cover up what modesty she could.


    Hethered shampoo into her hair with patience, massaging her scalp before pulling her close into


    his chest to rinse it clean with the handheld showerhead.


    With her head lowered and eyes closed, Cicely considered that her taste in men wasn''t entirely


    without merit. After all, there were more than a couple of reasons she''d fallen for this guy.


    As he applied conditioner to her hair, he nudged her toward the wall to wait while he took a quick


    shower himself.


    Watching him with a cool expression, Cicely asked, "Charlie brought you clothes. Are you nning


    to stay over?"


    "Is there any reason I shouldn''t?"


    "Compared to your apartment, it''s quite a trek from here to the office."


    "Hmm. You insist on staying here. I can''t exactly haul you back against your will."


    A flicker of anger tinged Cicely''s eyes.


    Seth''s lips curled into a smile as he drew closer to her. "It''s okay. Waking up half an hour earlier is


    nothingpared to spending a whole night alone. Much better."


    "You can''t sleep by yourself?"


    "Why should I?" Seth''s gaze drifted leisurely over her face and down the contours of her body.


    His eyes darkened imperceptibly, and he reached out to pull her into his embrace, the warm water


    from the shower cascading over her head.


    With her eyes closed to prevent water from flowing into them, Cicely''s mind was solely focused on


    his sinct and cryptic response, which left her puzzled. When she suddenly felt something


    insistent pressing against her and came to a hazy realization, Seth had already set the showerhead


    aside, his hand on her waist, his forehead against hers. "We should get out and dry your hair."


    Cicely''s voice tightened, "Let go. I can dry it myself."


    "So we''re not going out just yet."


    Before Cicely could react, Seth''s lips closed over hers abruptly. His leg nudged hers apart, and he


    moved with a familiarity that made it all too easy.


    Cicely bit her lip, afraid she''d scream out. She hit his shoulder twice, more in frustration than pain.


    "This is the Ellis household!"


    "I told you it wasn''t convenient, but you seemed not to mind. Though, you might need to keep it


    down in a bit."


    One of Cicely''s legs was wrapped around his waist, and as the room swayed around her, her vision


    blurred until she was on the brink of sleep.


    After turning off the hairdryer and slipping her into pajamas, Seth ced her in bed. She turned


    away from him, her soft hair spreading across the pillow.


    Seth circled to the other side of the bed, facing her. As she sensed his approach and thought to turn


    away, his long arm scooped her into his embrace. She barely had the strength to resist, knowing


    he''d only persist if she tried to escape.


    She was too exhausted to continue the tug-of-war.


    *


    The next day.


    When Cicely woke up, Seth was already gone. The patchy marks on her skin hadn''t faded, with new


    ones added fromst night.


    Seth was considerate, gentle, and protective—or so he seemed. Any pain in her wrist, and he''d


    tend to it. Yet now, with her body covered in marks, he seemed all too pleased.


    After freshening up and slipping into her loose loungewear, she headed downstairs. Still groggy and


    listless, she found Creighton and her grandfather had returned from their morning exercise and


    were already two chess games deep. Seeing Cicely, Creighton shook his head with a mix of


    affection and resignation. "You really should fix that habit of skipping breakfast."


    Cicely took the milk offered by the servant, sipped half of it, and slumped into the couch. "Sleeping


    in is the best part of a holiday."


    "Nonsense. Skipping breakfast is bad for your health, and too much sleep isn''t beneficial either.


    Breakfast is the most important meal. Why are you still here? Why didn''t you leave with Seth?!"


    Erik''s irritation left Cicely speechless for a moment.


    "He went to the office. Why would I leave with him?"


    "To the office, duh! Perfect timing with your holiday. You could learn a thing or two at thepany


    instead of ending up clueless. What? Didn''t Seth tell you?"


    Cicely frowned, her face showing clear reluctance. "No, he probably disagrees, that''s why he didn''t


    mention it."


    Creighton chuckled, "You''re quite good at passing the buck to him."


    "But he really didn''t tell me."


    Seeing that she genuinely didn''t know, Creighton dropped the subject. "I''m heading to the hospital


    with your grandfather to see Danielle. You want toe?"


    "No." Cicely curled her legs onto the couch, resting her elbow on the armrest, her posture a blend of


    elegance andzy indifference.


    "Then you''ll have lunch by yourself at home."


    She had just returned, and they were already leaving her to eat alone.


    The night before, Danielle''s name hade up several times at the dinner table, as if leaving her


    alone in the hospital while the rest of them sat at home around a table was incredibly inappropriate


    and heartless. After a guilt-ridden meal, they were set to visit the hospital the next day.


    Cicely scoffed silently. Anyone who dared say the Ellis family was harsh or unkind to Danielle would


    have a problem with her.


    Seth returned in time for dinner. His timing was impable.


    After eating, he headed upstairs first, while Cicely sat with Creighton and Erik in the living room


    before going up to her bedroom, where Seth was busy at her desk.


    Without a word, she went to the bathroom, and upon entering, she locked the door behind her. After


    a quick shower, she emerged to find Seth still working. She climbed into bed to y with her phone.


    Not long after, it seemed like Seth had finished his work. He stood up, saw her sitting on the bed,


    walked over, brushed her forehead with his hand, and leaned down to give her a gentle peck on the


    lips. "I''m going to shower. Don''t fall asleep yet. Wait for me, okay?"


    Cicely looked upzily, "How horny can you be? It''s been days on end. What are you up to?"


    Seth''s brow quirked with a hint of teasing, "What makes you think I won''t let you rest tonight?"


    Cicely mumbled, "Then what am I waiting for?"


    Seth chuckled, "Mrs. Diaz, there are plenty of things we have yet to talk about."


    Blushing, Cicely pushed him gently, "Then hurry up and shower."


    Instead of being pushed away by her, Seth''s body pressed down, kisses falling intensely,


    prating with unrestrained ferocity.


    Cicely found herself gasping for air. She lifted her hands and started pounding on his shoulders,


    letting out a soft whimper. It was only then that Seth eased up on her, just barely.


    "Are you trying to kiss me to death?" she managed to say between breaths.


    The words caught Seth off guard with their unintentional cuteness, and a low chuckle escaped him.


    "Kiss you to death? I wouldn''t dream of it. But you did misunderstand me just now, Mrs. Diaz," he


    said with a yful tone, "consider this a little bit of sweet punishment."