The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Chapter 2119

"Sorry. I'm so sorry..." In a panic, she quickly withdrew her hand, her cheeks burning with a deep blush.

Azriel stood up in silence, and Phoebe quickly followed suit.

Just as she was about to dash back to her room, feeling completely out of her depth, Azriel suddenly grabbed her hand.

Turning in surprise, Phoebe looked at him. Azriel lowered his gaze again, silent for a few seconds before looking up at her.

"Azriel..."

"Last night, that man had a decent appearance and demeanor," Azriel spoke slowly. "He comes from a well-off family, quite popular at school, and has good character."d2

Phoebe's eyelashes fluttered, struggling to suppress the bitterness in her heart, "you investigated him? Last night?"

"He's into you," Azriel replied, not directly answering her question. "Of all the guys in school, he's one of the best."

The more she heard, the colder Phoebe's heart became. She laughed, with a hint of sadness in her voice. "So what? If I bring him to you as my boyfriend for your approval, you wouldn't have a problem with that, right?"

"He's good," Azriel said, but then he shook his head slightly, his grip on her wrist tightening suddenly, his calm and indifferent eyes becoming fierce. "But I won't agree."

Suddenly, he pulled her close, spinning her around and pressing her down onto the couch. Azriel bent one knee beside her, propping his hand next to her ear, leaning over her. "I've thought it over and over."

He stared at the surprised and flustered Phoebe, his voice low, and his warm breath infiltrating her skin as if seeking every possible entrance. "Since you've agreed to let me have a say, does that mean as long as I don't give the nod, you'll remain single? Maybe someone even better than him will come along for you, but I still won't agree to you two being together."

Phoebe felt like her heart was about to leap out of her chest, "Why?"

"Because I don't want to." Azriel gently brushed the hair from her cheek with his fingers, his knuckles lightly grazing her skin. "I don't want to see you with other men, not even getting close to them."

Under Phoebe's astonished gaze, he smirked, a shadow of a roguish smile on his handsome face.

"Why would I push you away when I'm interested? I've been overthinking it. I'm far from a saint, so why have I been trying to respect you to the utmost, and to let you have your freedom, when it only makes me unhappy?

"Phoebe, if I was just a bit harsher with you, you'd have no choice but to stay by my side for the rest of your life. The fact that I paid three hundred billion to buy out your relationship with the Alonso family is enough? Don;t you think so?"

Phoebe couldn't describe her feelings at the moment: anxious, shocked, delighted, and a sense of complexity that was difficult to articulate.

"Enough to be your servant for a lifetime?"

Azriel's eyes narrowed, his hand pinching her cheek, "What are you playing dumb for?"

"So you're interested in me? Like how you were with those women last night?"

"Are you curious about that?" Azriel looked at her with an ambiguous expression.

"Is that a problem?"

Azriel nodded, "Not in the slightest." With that, he abruptly straightened up, then swooped down to scoop her into his arms.

Phoebe gasped in fright, clinging to his shoulders, "What... what are you doing?"

He merely glanced at her, "Answering your question."

It wasn't until she was carried to the guest room bed and he followed, covering her, that she truly began to panic. "Azriel."

Her chin was grasped, Azriel leaning in close, "Last night, I was teased by Seth like that. Phoebe, you're not without blame for it."

"What?" Her nearly instinctive question was muffled back.

Phoebe's mind went blank, her ears ringing. Inexperienced, Phoebe was left with nothing but wide eyes and a heart that seemed to have stopped for an eternity before pounding violently again.

Her lips were ground and pressed, then his forceful presence pried open her teeth, still parted in surprise.

Warm touches, intermingling breaths...

In this moment, she was absolutely certain that she really liked this man. She didn't mind his touch, in fact, she liked it.

Deep down, she was relieved the game last night didn't continue.

Oakley was liked by many girls, attractive and clean-cut, and she couldn't fault him in any way, but if it weren't for the fear of implicating him, she wouldn't have resorted to comforting herself and forcing herself.

Oakley was good, but she didn't like him.

Her hands, initially instinctively pushing against Azriel's arm, gradually relaxed their grip, fingers curling to tightly clutch the sleeve of his robe.

After the initial shock, she relaxed her tensed body slightly, tilting her chin up, her lips timidly parting, daringly touching Azriel's.

Azriel paused, looking down at her. His dark eyes were laced with a profound and unsettling desire.

The girl averted her eyes in shyness, her cheeks flushed with rosy warmth, her lips a tender red, and her body exuded a unique, warm fragrance.

Azriel watched for a long moment, then suddenly chuckled softly.

Phoebe felt the embarrassment of being seen through, and for a moment, she could not look at him, but the man chuckled again and kissed her, not just on the lips this time. His hand slid up the loose sleeve of her robe, every touch sending shivers through her. The direction of the kiss became increasingly muddled.

Nervous, Phoebe dared not breathe. Azriel, however, did not stop because of her tension. In fact, he wickedly thought that her innocence and naivety, her lack of worldly experience, even if it was purely out of curiosity and a desire to explore the unknown, suited him perfectly.

While she was still pure and unaware, he could easily have her. Only by fully possessing her would he be at peace.

After he analyzed his own malicious nature, everything seemed so natural and inevitable to him, and he felt not even the slightest hint of guilt.

Since he couldn't bear to give her to someone else, he might as well spoil her himself. He hadn't planned to go too far today, but now, he hesitated no more.

Phoebe shivered as the chill of the air kissed her skin, and she huddled closer to the man beside her, a hand bracing against his strong shoulder. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes hazed with a mix of emotions as she gazed up at him. "Azriel. I'm scared."

Azriel pulled the blanket over them both, his voice a husky whisper colored with unspoken desires, "When will you not be scared, hmm?"

She bit her lip, pondering for a moment, then shook her head slightly.

"That settles it, then. Better to face your fears now than to be scared again next time," he said with a chuckle that even he couldn't suppress. It felt like a con, but a sweet one.

Eventually, Phoebe nodded, her grip on Azriel's hand firm yet shy, "Azriel, I like you. So I want to give you everything."

He bit back a groan and kissed her deeply.

*

School was missed that day.

When Phoebe woke up, the sunlight had turned golden with the late afternoon. She stared blankly at the sky outside the window, desperately recalling the events prior, afraid it might have been a dream.

After several mental replays and the lingering soreness in her body, she grabbed the blanket and covered her reddening cheeks. It had all been real. The possessiveness in Azriel's words earlier made her heart race now.

She glanced around the room, but Azriel was nowhere to be seen. A flicker of disappointment crossed her eyes before she steeled herself. Even if it was just a fleeting desire for him, she had no regrets. The man had been the object of her affection.

"Woke up?"

As she comforted herself, the door opened and Azriel's calm voice filled the room. She turned and saw him, dressed impeccably, exuding an undeniable presence.

He walked over and sat at the edge of the bed, meeting her gaze with a small smile. He ruffled her hair and kissed her softly on the lips. "Should I bring in something to eat?" he asked.

Phoebe shook her head slightly, still in a daze. "You went out?"

He simply nodded and proceeded to unwrap her from the blanket, quickly covering her with a bathrobe before she could react, then scooped her up and carried her out of the room. He set her down on the couch and handed her a glass of warm water. "Drink this first. The hotel will send up some food soon."

Azriel spoke gently, then sat down beside her.

After that passionate night, Phoebe couldn't help but feel a bit awkward. She obediently drank the water, and right on cue, the food arrived.

Azriel handed her the utensils and glanced at his watch. "You have thirty minutes to eat."

Phoebe was puzzled. "You can go ahead with your work. I can take care of myself."

He didn't respond but started eating as well.

Phoebe, accustomed to following Azriel's instructions, managed to finish her meal within the allotted half-hour. "Do you need me to do something?" she asked.

"Mhm," he replied, handing her several shopping bags, "Change into these."

She recognized the logo on one of the bags – it was her favorite brand of casual clothes.

She emerged from the bedroom, refreshed and youthful in simple jeans and a beige knit top – her usual style.

Azriel approved with a glance, then took her hand, leading her out.

Phoebe, gripping his hand back, decided not to worry about the unknown future. She was content and happy in the moment. "Ah, Azriel. Where's my phone?"

He didn't stop walking but his expression darkened slightly, "I have it. I'll give it to you later."

"Okay." She didn't understand but trusted him, "Where are we going now?"

*

Phoebe sat at the city hall's desk, pen in hand, filling out forms with a numb mind. It wasn't until Azriel slid the completed forms to the clerk that she stiffly turned to him, "Azriel. Are we getting married?"

He smiled, "What do you think?"

She recognized the words "Marriage Application" on the form. But still...

"Isn't this a bit fast?"

"Do you not want to?" Azriel asked.

She hastily shook her head, "But my ID is still at home."

The clerk chimed in with a smile, "Ms. Alonso, you can't fill out this form without your ID. Here it is."

The clerk handed her something, and sure enough, it was her ID.

Surprised, Phoebe gaped, "So, when you went out today, you went to the Alonso family to get my ID?" Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"Mhm, and I bought you some clothes."

Phoebe's cheeks reddened, her disbelief growing. "They just gave it to you?"

"They have their own motives, so naturally..." Azriel looked at her deeply, "they couldn't wait."

Phoebe realized her question was rather naive. She could imagine her father's face when Azriel had gone to collect it.

"Fill it out now."

"Right."

Watching her obediently fill out the form, Azriel smiled in satisfaction.

The stamp thudded down with finality. Phoebe stared at the fresh marriage certificate in her hand, feeling a wave of emotion. Was there anyone who had ever gotten married more quickly?

She had thought she'd gone from heaven to hell in a heartbeat, but life had surprised her again. Even though it felt rushed, she couldn't help but feel secretly thrilled.

She playfully tapped Azriel's arm. "Come on, give me my phone. I want to take a picture and share it with my friends."

He handed her the phone, and she sent the photo to her best friend, Angie.

Angie: [Holy smokes! What happened last night? You got married while I blinked?!]

Phoebe: [Hehe.]

Angie: [Send me your location. I'm coming over.]

*

Later, Phoebe shared the picture on her social network.

Classmate A: [Holy smokes! Congratulations.]

Classmate B: [Holy smokes! Congratulations.]

Classmate C: [Holy smokes! Congratulations.]

Phoebe beamed at the comments, then let Azriel guide her into the car, starting a new chapter in her unexpected journey.

As the car cruised along the open road for hours, Phoebe suddenly let out a puzzled "Huh," turning her head to look at the man behind the wheel.

"Where's that new friend I added yesterday? I'm sure I friended Oakley and the gang."

"You are my wife."

Azriel suddenly spoke in a deep voice, and it took Phoebe quite a while to respond."Huh?"

"You're a married woman now. You should keep a healthy distance from other men. No flirtations."

"But they're just friends."

"Those are friends who fancy you."

Phoebe felt a twinge of annoyance.

Seeing her reaction, Azriel let out a weary sigh and reached over to gently clasp her hand in his. "I get jealous, you know."

Phoebe pressed her lips together, fighting the urge to burst into laughter. "Then I'll be sure to be careful."

"Mhm." Azriel murmured in soft agreement, lifting her hand to his lips for a tender kiss. "Good girl."