Chapter 2044


    Seth whisked Cicely back to thepany without a moment''s hesitation.


    The whole ride there, her mind was a whirlwind of curiosity about who that person could possibly


    be. She mentally flipped through every face she remembered, but couldn''t match those eyes with


    any of them.


    "What''s on your mind?" Seth nced over at her several times during the drive, each time finding


    her lost in thought.


    She thought about it and couldn''t really think of who that person was, so she could only shake her


    head, "Nothing."


    Taking a deep breath, she expelled the frustration from her system, her eyebrows lifting yfully as


    she spoke, "So, any more surprises in store for me today? Don''t tell me Danielle getting discharged


    is your big reveal."


    Seth''s lips curled slightly, "You didn''t know she was getting discharged today?"d2


    Cicely pursed her lips, "Dad called mest night."


    "You think her discharge counts as a surprise?"


    Cicely rolled her eyes, "I''d rather she stayed there for the rest of her life if she wasn''t wearing you


    out with every passing day she spent in the hospital."


    "Then it''s not that."


    Knowing she''d get nothing out of him, Cicely switched gears to another question that had been


    nagging at her. "Actually, there''s a lunch at home because Danielle is getting discharged. Why did


    you insist on us grabbing a bite before heading over?"


    "Weren’t you satisfied with today''s lunch?"


    "It could’ve waited for another day."


    Their car slipped into thepany''s underground parking lot, darkness enveloping them, the sound


    of the tires rolling over speed bumps echoing emptily.


    "I’d hate to spoil your appetite; keeping your stomach happy seemed like the top priority."


    Cicely paused, a smile she couldn''t suppress ying at her lips, "Since when did you get so


    smooth?"


    "Just stating the facts."


    They rode the elevator straight up to the top floor office.


    As the door swung open, Cicely fixed her gaze on Seth, her eyes sparkling, filled with anticipation


    for the surprise Seth had promised.


    Seth, as cool as a cucumber, took his seat and began going through paperwork as Charlie came in


    to report on thepany''s project progress.


    Seth browsed through the documents with a calm demeanor, signing off on them after hearing


    Charlie’s update. Charlie handed over the signed documents, and Cicely hurried over, her


    eagerness palpable.


    Seth''s eyes hinted at amusement watching her. It had been a long time since he''d seen her this


    lively and spontaneous in his presence. It was a rare sight these days, but still deeply missed.


    "Where''s my surprise?" Cicely pressed.


    But no sooner had she asked than there was another knock on the door. Seth''s eyebrow quirked up


    as he called for the person to enter.


    Charlie walked in, only to be met with Cicely''s dark, stormy gaze. "Charlie, can''t your updates wait


    to be reported all at once? Do you really have toe in and out just to catch glimpses of Seth?"


    Corner of Charlie''s mouth twitched, a bit caught off guard as he nced toward Seth, who was busy


    pretending to be fascinated by his pen. "Ma''am, this work just came up unexpectedly, and I couldn’t


    dy."


    Cicely pursed her lips, leaned against Seth''s desk, arms crossed, and huffed to show her


    displeasure.


    Charlie cast a tentative look at Seth, feeling a tad nervous. Had he managed to ruffle thedy of the


    house?


    With a nod from Seth, Charlie ced thetest market research report on the desk – a hot-off-the-


    press issue. Seth flipped it open and nced through it.


    Charlie continued, "Mr. Diaz, there''s already a software of simr nature making rounds on the


    inte, boasting nearly three hundred thousand users. Our development is in the final stages, and


    to prevent thesepetitors from getting too savvy about our direction, I suggest we hold off on any


    further market research to keep our information close to the chest."


    Seth, looking satisfied with the report, responded, "Do you really think that the program I''ve spent a


    fortune and time to design could be so easily overtaken by those shortcut-seekers and copycats?


    We''ve got the patents. Let them take a shot at it. This research shows that our brand recognition


    and eptance are on the rise. Let them test the waters for us; it’s good publicity, after all."


    Charlie nodded in agreement.


    The room fell into a brief silence, broken only by Cicely''s cool stare. "Charlie, we''re not expecting


    any morest-minute documents in the next half-hour or so, right?"


    With an awkward chuckle and a couple of ''no, no''s, Charlie beat a hasty retreat from the office.


    Cicely stood up, eyes narrowed, "You''re not tricking me into apanying you to pick up Danielle


    from the hospital, are you?"


    "Tired?" Seth deflected, not directly answering her question.


    Furious, Cicely retorted, "I''m going to sleep. Don''t bother waking me if my ''surprises'' are not here!"


    With that, she stormed off to the office''s rest area, her face a mask of indignation.


    Ten seconds.


    Fifteen seconds.


    A thrilled shriek pierced the silence from the rest area, followed immediately by the door swinging


    open as Cicely burst out.


    Seth, lounging in his chair with a pleased expression, wasn''t surprised by her reaction; it was as if


    he had expected it all along.


    Cicely bounced up to him, pointing excitedly inside, "When did it get here?"


    "About two hours ago," Seth replied calmly, which meant it had arrived right around the time she


    had reached thepany''s lobby.


    "Why didn''t you tell me sooner?!" She dashed back into the rest room, a whirlwind of excitement,


    while Seth watched her, amused. Her curiosity was clearly piqued by the contents inside. He


    pushed back from his desk and followed her in.


    In the center of the rest room stood a dazzling pure white wedding dress, its surface almost entirely


    covered in delicate diamond sparkles. Despite the drawn curtains, even the faintest light made the


    gown shimmer with a rainbow of colors.


    Not a detail was spared, even the gloves were adorned. The dress, conservative in design with an


    off-the-shoulder cut and longce sleeves, exuded an air of top-tier elegance and charm. The train


    of the veil was so long it hardly fit in the room, cascading down, wide enough to cover her shoulders


    entirely.


    She suspected every detail of the dress bore Seth''s influence, designed with conservatism in mind.


    Still, it was utterly breathtaking.


    She had visited countless bridal shops before, but never had she found a dress that captivated her


    heart quite like this one.


    Cicely twirled in front of the mirror, her hands caressing the delicatece of the wedding gown she


    couldn''t seem to part with. "Do you think I''ll be the most beautiful bride in the world if I wear this?"


    she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she clung to the dress.


    Seth watched her, an amused smile curling his lips. "That''s a question for the Magic Mirror, love."


    Cicely''s brow furrowed in mock annoyance. "Oh, c''mon! Can''t you just say yes?"


    Approaching her with a rxed stride, Seth''s fingers grazed the edge of the veil. "Sure, you''re the


    most beautiful to me, but I prefer it when everyone agrees you''re the fairest of them all. A princess


    only gets one answer from the Magic Mirror."


    Well, the guy sure had a way with words.


    Delighted, Cicely whipped out her phone and started snapping pictures of the gown from every


    angle.


    Seth stepped back, "Aren''t you going to try it on?"


    "No way," Cicely shook her head. "If I try it on in front of you now, you won''t get the full effect on our


    wedding day."


    Her eyes danced with mirth as she looked at Seth. "Just you wait until the big day to see the magic


    happen."


    Seth pressed his lips together, a sign that his patience was being tested.


    "I''m gonna send these pics to Grandpa, Dad, and Issac."


    A shadow passed over Seth''s eyes, a hint of displeasure seeping through his gaze. "Do you have to


    share everything with Issac?"


    Cicely was busy typing out a message, replying without thinking, "Uh-huh."


    But then, sensing Seth''s mood, she looked up, her eyes still warm with smile. "Issac has always


    been there for me since we were kids. I didn''t have many friends, so naturally, he''s the one I talk to


    the most. He even bought sanitary pads and underwear for me during my first period. And I


    remember once I stained his shirt. I think he washed it himself."


    It seemed like a sudden recollection, and now, thinking back, she blushed a bit. Back then, boys


    were so concerned with keeping their image, getting embarrassed over the smallest things. They


    were especially offended by things like girls getting their periods, and the boys often made fun of


    girls for such things.


    But Issac never did.


    The more she thought about it, the more she realized how good Issac had been to her. He’s quietly


    standing by her side, always there when needed, without a singleint. Because of his silent


    presence, she took him for granted all these years, treating him like part of the background. But, he


    was as essential to her as her nose, her eyes, her limbs – any part of her body.


    Taken for granted, yet indispensable.


    Cicely''s expression grew more serene as she pondered what life without Issac would be like. What


    kind of Cicely would she be now?


    Her contemtion caused Seth''s face to darken further.


    "Cicely, what are you thinking about?"


    His voice was deep and brooding, snapping Cicely back to reality just as her phone vibrated in her


    hand. She looked down to find a message from Issac. [Beautiful. You''ll definitely be the world''s most


    beautiful bride.]


    Cicely''s lips curved into a gentle smile. See? That was the kind of answer that satisfied a girl.


    Upon seeing her reaction, Seth strode over and snatched the phone from her hand.


    He nced down at the message Issac had sent so promptly. "I didn''t realize he had it in him to say


    such things. Does that please you?" His jealousy wasn''t even trying to hide itself.


    "What girl doesn''t like to be called beautiful? Someone''s a bit too obvious with their jealousy, Mr.


    Diaz."


    "Jealous?" Seth scoffed, then he tossed the phone back to her. "Shouldn''t I be?"


    Cicely caught the phone, finding it amusing to see such a disy from him. "Of course, you should.


    Anyway, I might be out this afternoon for a bit, so you hold down the fort at the office, champ."


    She pecked him on the lips and turned to leave, only to be yanked back by her arm. "You didn''t


    mention having ns this afternoon. Where are you going, and what for?"


    Cicely thought for a moment. "Shopping."


    Seth''s brow furrowed. "Tell me what you need, and I''ll have someone buy it."


    "No need. Shopping is more meaningful when done personally."


    "I''ll have Charlie follow you."


    "Why suddenly assign Charlie to tail me? I''ll have Issac."


    Seth''s expression became even more strained.


    Cicely sighed, her fingers fiddling with the smooth fabric of Seth''s suit sleeve. "Issac and I have


    been like two peas in a pod since we were kids. He''s always been good to me. He’s handsome, fit,


    even-tempered, and capable."


    Seth abruptly brushed her hand away, but she justughed softly and caught his sleeve again. "So,


    if there was anything romantic between Issac and me, you wouldn’t have the change with me. If


    there was anything to develop, it would''ve happened long ago."


    Seth tried to pull away, but Cicely held on tight.


    "I''m married, Mr. Diaz. If you keep getting jealous, should we take out our marriage certificate and


    give it a good look to calm your current mood?"


    "The person who needs a good look is you."


    "Alright, alright. We''ll look at it together tonight at home." She patted his hand soothingly. "There,


    there. I''lle pick you up after work, and we''ll head home together."


    Seth just stared at her, and sighed.


    *


    As soon as Cicely left the office, she messaged Issac. [Going shopping.]


    [Got it.]


    Charlie, noticing Cicely''s departure, quickly got to his feet and greeted her. "Mrs. Diaz, it hasn''t been


    an hour yet."


    Cicely gave a nonchnt "Hm" in response. "I''m leaving it to you. It seems like you''re itching to


    spend more time with my husband. Didn''t want to keep you waiting."


    The secretaries nearby couldn''t help but stifle theirughter at the exchange. Charlie turned beet


    red. "Mrs. Diaz, it''s really just work."


    Cicely raised an eyebrow, giving him a knowing smile before heading for the elevator.


    Charlie, under the secretaries'' amused gazes, carried the freshly delivered paperwork into Seth''s


    office.


    Seth had just returned to his desk when he saw Charlie. He stopped in his tracks. "You, follow


    Cicely."


    *


    Stepping out of the office building, Cicely found Issac''s car already waiting for her. He quickly


    opened the door and stepped out to greet her. "Miss, which mall would you like to visit today?"


    Cicely paused at the door, looking up at him. "Where do you usually shop for clothes?"


    Issac paused, his expression subdued as he spoke, "If I''m really short on clothes, I''ll find the


    nearest small department store to buy some. It''s not the ce for you, Miss."


    Cicely frowned slightly, her gazending on Issac''s shoulder. She didn''t have much of an idea about


    men''s suits or brands. She saw him every day, decked out in a suit and leather shoes, impably


    neat and tidy. Yet, she had never considered that his clothes might actually be so cheap.


    Suddenly, she reached out and pinched the cor of Issac''s suit. Issac flinched, instinctively


    stepping back.


    "Don''t move." Cicely leaned in closer, examining it carefully. In terms of color, fabric, and


    craftsmanship, it was a far cry from any of Seth''s suits.


    "It''s certainly not suitable for me." Cicely let go of his cor and gracefully slid into the car. "Then


    we''ll head to the most upscale department store in P City."


    "Alright."


    *


    After parking the car in the underground lot, Cicely unbuckled her seatbelt. "Issac,e with me."


    "Okay."


    A warm feeling suddenly washed over Cicely. The words Issac used most often in her presence


    were "okay" and "yes." Regardless of whether her proposals were right or wrong, he was always


    like that


    They walked into the elevator, and Cicely pressed the button for the men’s designer floor.


    The women''s section was mostly popted by female shoppers, while couples dominated the


    men''s section.


    Cicely was now the bride-to-be who was the talk of P City, and in this luxurious ce, there was no


    one who wouldn''t recognize her. Whenever she approached a counter, the sales associates would


    surely offer their congrattions. "Ms. Cicely, are you shopping for Mr. Diaz?"


    Cicely just smiled faintly without answering. She casually perused the suits on disy, asionally


    pulling one out and having Issac, who was standing by the entrance, try it on for size.


    Issac stood ramrod straight, allowing Cicely to use him as a temporary mannequin.


    After visiting three or four brand stores and trying on no fewer than ten suits, Cicely finally spotted a


    white suit at another counter that caught her eye. After a quick measure-up on Issac, she turned to


    the nearby sales associate and said, "This one, get his size for him to try on."


    Issac nced at the white suit, his lips tightening slightly. Hesitating for a second, he still couldn''t


    help but speak up, "Mr. Diaz probably doesn''t like white."


    "Who cares about that?"


    She continued to pick out a shirt and tie, and then handed them to Issac to try on. She went back to


    browsing the other styles on disy.


    Just a few minutester, the fitting room door swung open, revealing Issac in a white suit. Wearing a


    ck shirt paired with a blue-gray diagonal striped tie, his white waistcoat peeked out from beneath


    his open suit jacket. The jacket was decorated with a row of carefully crafted ck buttons. His


    overall look was a bnce of refinement and elegance.


    His usual wear was always a modest ck suit. This color, which he had never tried before, turned


    out to suit him as well.


    Cicely was pleased. "This is the one. Wrap it up when we''re done here."


    "Miss, I think my size is one down from Mr. Diaz."


    "Who said I was buying for him?"


    Issac paused, mentally running through images of the Mr. Erik and Mr. Creighton, yet none seemed


    to fit. "Could this be for..."


    "Mm-hmm, hurry up and change. We need to get shoes next."


    "Miss," Issac felt uneasy, ncing down at the suit he was wearing, "I''m often working outside; this


    outfit doesn''t really suit my needs."


    "Who said anything about wearing it to work?" Cicelyughed lightly. "You think I''d have you drive


    around in a high-end white suit? That''s not my style."


    "Then this is for..."


    Cicely took a deep breath, "Did you really think I''d let you attend my wedding in something off the


    rack from a small department store?"


    Issac fell silent for a moment, "I''ll prepare something myself."


    "But I don''t trust your taste. You''ll be sitting with my family at the wedding. You need to uphold the


    image of Cicely. If you don''t want the suit, then don''t bothering to my wedding."


    Of course, Issac would attend Cicely''s wedding. It was a given, no question about it. However,


    Cicely''s words gave Issac pause, "Could I purchase it myself?"


    "That''s not an option."


    Silently, Issac turned and went back into the fitting room. Cicely smiled with satisfaction and paid the


    bill.


    After buying shoes, Issac found himself trailing behind Cicely, his arms filled with bags of his own


    belongings for the first time.


    Passing a café, Cicely stepped inside, ordering two cups of coffee without hesitation. Issac couldn''t


    feign ignorance any longer and took a seat opposite her.


    The tall, handsome man exuded an aura of difort. Cicely rested her chin on her hand,


    watching him, her voice soft, "Seeing that wedding dress today, I feel like I''m finally getting married,


    stepping into the next phase of life, and it all hit me hard. I thought about my life. Few people have


    been by my side, but they''re the most important to me."


    "I considered what Cicely would be like without you in my life, and I can''t imagine an answer." Cicely


    sipped her coffee, gazing out the window at the passersby. "Since I can remember, you''ve been


    there with me as a friend and a brother, supporting me unconditionally, right or wrong. Wherever I


    am, whenever I need you, you show up without fail. You never say much, always going along with


    me, and I took that for granted, then easily overlooked you."


    Cicely turned back, catching the unguarded disappointment in Issac''s eyes. She pressed her lips


    together, smiled gently. "But if you were absent from my wedding, I think I would be very lost. Apart


    from the groom running away, your absence would sadden me more than anyone else''s."


    Issac looked at her in surprise.


    Cicely straightened up, stirring her coffee. "It’s the most important moments of my life, and you


    won''t be absent, right?"


    Issac nodded, "Right. I''ll always be there."


    At first, Charlie didn''t understand why Mr. Diaz had suddenly asked him to follow his wife. Whenever


    she went out, Issac was always by her side, without fail. And today seemed no different. Adding him


    to the mix seemed redundant.


    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    Now, seeing Cicely personally shopping for clothes and shoes for Issac, even sitting in a café


    chatting leisurely, Charlie kind of got why Mr. Diaz had him tail along. The things she said, they were


    enough to set anyone''s heart racing. If he didn''t know she had a thing for Mr. Diaz, her words might


    as well have been a confession.


    *


    After Cicely stepped out of the café and rushed back to the office, there was still over an hour to


    wait for Seth to finish work – not counting his habitualte departures.


    Cicely had already sent Issac on his way, knowing she''d be in Seth''spany soon enough.


    Back in the office, Seth was hammering away at the keyboard, sifting through data. He nced up


    at her with a nonchnt lift of his brow.


    "Still caught up in work?" Cicely flopped down on the couch.


    Eyes still fixed on the monitor, Seth asked ndly, "Didn''t you go shopping? What''d you buy?"


    Cicely silently stuck her tongue out, weighing the truth. Telling this guy might just set him off, she


    thought. "Just browsed a bit, didn''t get much."


    Seth''s typing paused. "Browsing aimlessly, huh? Was there really a need to rush out like the ce


    was on fire?"


    Cicely felt guilty, "Who rushed out? I didn''t."


    Seth finished up his data entry, saved the file, and shut down theputer. "Should I dig, or will you


    come clean?"


    Cicely was getting annoyed by his pressing demeanor. "Do you seriously think I''d sell you out, or


    cheat on you? What could I possibly do that would make you want to check up on me?"


    Seth''s expression darkened, "If there''s nothing you could do, then why is there anything you can''t


    tell me?"


    "And what if you get all jealous and gobble me up?!"


    "So you admit there''s something you''ve done that would make me jealous, and you still act like


    this?"


    Cicely''s fire suddenly died down. She couldn’t outy this man. "So if I tell you, can you promise


    not to get mad?"


    Seth snorted augh, standing up and moving closer to her. "I can''t promise that, so you might as


    well keep it to yourself. As you thought, I might just gobble you up."


    "Eh?"


    Cicely had just begun to question when suddenly, she was swept off her feet and into his arms.


    Realizing what was happening, she kicked and struggled, "Hey, don''t! I haven''t said anything, what


    are you jealous for?"


    "It''s pretty obvious." He kicked open the door to the resting room and pressed her into the bed.


    "Seth, I think we should exercise some restraint. Save some excitement for the wedding night."


    "Excitement doesn''t need to wait."


    "But I''m not really looking forward to it."


    "Heh."


    With a chuckle, the man silenced her, and she had no more chances to speak. She was thoroughly


    at his mercy.


    Afterward, Cicely kicked him weakly a couple of times, her frustration evident but her efforts feeble.


    It wasn''t long before Charlie''s call came through, as if he had been peeping. Seth got up to take the


    call, something apparently requiring his attention. He told her to stay put and left the office.


    Even though Cicely was drained, waiting obediently was not in her nature. She crawled out of bed


    and decided to wander the office.


    Most employees were preparing to leave, so she ambled over to the engineering department. They


    were used to workingte and knew better than to mess with her.


    Seth might be out of her league, but that didn’t mean she couldn''t ruffle his employees’ feathers.


    As expected, the moment Cicely appeared, everyone sat up straight, and the sound of typing


    intensified. Cicely smirked and scanned the room. Noticing that Camden, who usually loitered


    around, wasn''t there, she headed for his office.


    "Camden didn''te to work today," a programmer informed her kindly, pitying their lot. They were


    suffering every day she visited. Poor Camden must''ve been through the wringer; sick and yet not


    daring to take a day off.


    Cicely was puzzled, "I didn''t hear about him taking a day off?"


    There were many things she wasn''t aware of.


    "Camden didn''t ask for leave today. He might be marked absent without leave."


    "Well, he''s been working really hard. I''ll have a word with Seth and ask him to cut Camden some


    ck."


    As she spoke, she pulled up a chair next to the programmer, "I''m in a bad mood. Create a warrior


    that looks like Seth for me. I need to take out some frustration."


    The coder looked at her and sighed silently.