The Unwilling CEO's Love Game

Preston knew his dad had taken a hit, and he'd taken a plane to come back home.

Yasmine didn't try to stop her son from visiting Zachary. After all, the kid had grown up and had a mind of his own. Besides, when they had parted ways, they agreed that everything would revolve around what the child wanted.

After visiting Zachary, Preston stormed back to his mom, his face as dark as a thundercloud.

"What's up?" Yasmine asked casually as she brought in a bunch of flowers from the garden.

Seeing her arranging flowers so calmly, Preston couldn't hide his frustration. "He's got some siren hanging off his arm, and you're just going to let it slide?"

"Preston, you need to think before you speak," Yasmine said, sitting down and snipping at the stems before placing them in a vase. "She's not that much older than you. You shouldn't talk about her that way."

"Are you really that magnanimous, or is it just an act?" Preston sat beside her, frowning deeply. "You're okay with some other woman prancing around him?"

"Your father and I are divorced. Do I need to spell out what that means again? We can both marry someone else, no strings attached," Yasmine said, her tone devoid of jealousy.

Preston rolled his eyes. "Fine, I'm nosing in where I shouldn't. But if he really brings home a stepmom, don't come crying to me."

"If that happens, it just means one more person to dote on you. Why would I cry?" Yasmine chuckled. "Calm down, firecracker. Now that you're back, spend some quality time with me. Oh, and your uncle and Jocelyn have made up."

"That was a given. I'm not surprised at all," Preston said, helping her with the flowers.

"Wow, I didn't expect you to be so supportive of them."

"And I know that you and dad are not really done either." Preston handed her a rose still glistening with dew.

Yasmine laughed as she accepted the flower. "You might be in for a disappointment then."

Preston snorted. "We'll see."

"What about you? Got any girl you're keen on?" Yasmine suddenly changed the subject.

Preston frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"It's perfectly normal for you to have a girl you fancy, especially at eighteen. You're allowed to pursue someone you like," Yasmine said. "But let me remind you, don't go breaking any hearts. I was young and naive when I fell for your dad, and look where that got me."

"You're getting off track," Preston said, clearly uninterested in the topic. "I'm not into dating."

Yasmine didn't buy it. "My son, as handsome as he is, must have a bevy of girls crushing on him. There's bound to be one who'll knock you off your feet, make you think of nobody else." Preston scowled. "Will you drop it?"

"I'm just guiding you rightly, telling you there's no need to sneak around about dating."

"Boring." Preston set down the flowers and walked away.

Yasmine watched her son, now towering at six feet, all grown up and felt a surge of pride.

She wondered what kind of girl might stand by his side in the future.

Despite her own youth, she couldn't help but daydream about a future daughter-in-law.

She pictured becoming best friends with her and having fun together.

During these days at home, aside from Soren who messaged Yasmine about Zachary's condition, Zachary hadn't even bothered to call once.

It was quite telling of his coldness-having found a new flame, he didn't even have the courtesy to check on his old one. Even though she didn't care, it would have been polite considering she'd given blood for him.

Hah, as if Zachary ever had feelings for her.

Preston didn't stay home for more than a couple of days before flying back. Before he left, Yasmine overheard him on a call that was clearly with a girl, given the way he spoke and the tone he used.

Yasmine didn't pry. Her child was grown, and not everything had to be shared with parents.

Having secrets was fine, too.

One day, Soren showed up at the estate and informed Yasmine, "Melvin's pulled off the rescue."

"That's great news. He's okay, right?" Yasmine knew dealing with the smuggler was no joke-saving someone from his clutches meant you'd likely come out worse for wear.

Soren hesitated before saying, "Melvin's fine, but..."

"But what?" Yasmine urged, "Spit it out. No beating around the bush."

"Do you remember Enoch?"

Yasmine thought hard. "That name rings a bell, but I can't place him."

"He used to run with us. Remember the time he accidentally killed that old man? Melvin told him to turn himself in, but he refused and ran off after a fight. Then he vanished."

With that prompt, Yasmine recalled there had been such an incident.

"So, what happened?"

"He had beef with the smuggler too. The day Melvin went for the rescue, Enoch happened to be there, going head-to-head with the smuggler. When Melvin was getting out with Castiel and that woman, the smuggler's guys took a shot at them from the shadows. Enoch took the bullet for them."

Yasmine's brow furrowed. "Did he...?"

"Not dead, but hasn't woken up either."

"And then?" Yasmine still didn't see the problem.

As long as he was alive, their family had the means to care for him until his last breath.

But still, she didn't understand what made Soren feel like this was a troublesome matter.

Soren continued, "Before he passed out, he asked Melvin to look after his sister."

Yasmine now understood the kind of trouble he meant.

"Is his sister young? Does she need looking after?" Yasmine couldn't help but be sarcastic.

Seeing her displeased expression, Soren knew what she was thinking. "Not young, but a little... simple." "Simple?" Yasmine was taken aback.

"Yeah. Melvin had someone look into it. Briseis, Enoch's sister, was held by the smuggler for half a year before she was saved back. When they got her back, she was... not all there. And her legs aren't so good," Soren said, clearly frustrated. "Now with Enoch out cold, someone does need to look after his sister."

After absorbing the tale, Yasmine felt a tug at her heartstrings. "I thought she was just a regular Jane needing a bit of TLC, but now I'm second-guessing the whole caretaking gig. Truth is, he does owe Enoch one. It's only right to look after Enoch's sister."

"So, what do you think Melvin should do? Keep her here or let her tag along to Yanova City?"

"Keep her here, of course," Yasmine answered without skipping a beat. "What's she gonna do in Yanova City? Melvin and Jocelyn have just patched things up. She'd only be a third wheel." Soren agreed.

"Tell Melvin he can take Euston's parents back with him. I'll handle the situation with Briseis," Yasmine said firmly. "I'm his sister. His debts are also mine to pay."

Soren knew well enough how much Yasmine doted on Melvin. Even if the siblings squabbled like cats and dogs every time they met, when push came to shove, neither would stand idly by. "By the way, will you go see him?" Soren ventured after a pause.

Yasmine blinked, "Who? Zachary?"

"Yeah."

"Why would I? He's got his own belle around. I'd just be sticking my nose where it's not wanted." Yasmine had clearly written Zachary off.

Seeing her determination, Soren dropped the subject. "Take care of yourself. I'll head out now."

"Bye."

Soren took a few steps, then turned back to look at Yasmine. "We've just weathered a storm, and there's a lot more mopping up to do. Might not be back for a while." Yasmine met his gaze steadily. "Yeah, I get it."

Soren's lips twitched, as if he wanted to say more, but he left it unsaid.

"Bye, then."

"Take care."

After Soren left, Yasmine stared out the front door.

She knew she had to act cold to Soren for his good.