The Arranged Bride novel Chapter 15

Sophia's POV

The day was really fun for me. My best friends and shopping really took my mind off a lot of things. Ethan was also enjoying his time. He bonded really well with Char and especially Ryan.

I never knew that Ryan was so good with kids. While me and Char were shopping they kept each other company like some long lost friends. He even made him promise that he will visit soon.

We ended up watching movie as well. I was skeptical of Nick's reaction about being so late as Ethan was with us. But then , Ethan gave me those puppy eyes which I couldn't have resisted. So I gave in .

When we finally reached , Char was too tired to come out of the car . So I carried Ethan to his room while Ryan brought in my shopping bags.

He engulfed me in a warm embrace.

" Soph , remember that whenever you think you can't take anymore or you need anyone , we are always there." He said and kissed my forehead.

He never fails to make me feel good. He had always filled the space of a brother in my life and Nick accuses me of flirting with him!

I walked into my room and was about to enter the washroom when someone barged in. I turned to look at a fuming Nick.

" What took you so long ? " , He said in a tone that wasn't really demanding answers and I wasn't in for a fight.

" Nick , please . I don't have the energy to do this now. " , I said. I was really bored of all this. I didn't want him to spoil my mood.

" Of course you don't. How will you when you have spent all your energy on Ryan? Why didn't you marry him when you love his company, his hugs so much? " He spat and I was so mad at him.

" Oh my God Nick , you're such a hypocrite! Tell me why didn't you marry Christina when you love sucking her face off so much , huh ? " I said in exasperation. There was a change in his expression as if realisation had hit him hard.

" Soph-"

" No just shut up. If you're having such a huge problem over a small hug then how would you like it, if at every instance you find me kissing another man . Tell me ." By this time I was breathing heavily. I was so frustrated with him and I couldn't stop without letting everything out.

He clenched his jaw and I knew he was again going to hurl some harsh insults at me but he started moving towards me in a calm manner . Before he could do something I again spoke.

" No , don't. Stay away .You are the one who told me that this is your house I have no right here ,then why do you think you have right on my actions. I will go out with whoever I like , I will hug whoever I feel like and I will kiss who-" .

I was cut off when he placed his lips on mine but this time he was gentle with his actions. Holding me by the waist , he had his other hand on the nape of my neck and he softly kissed me . It was like he was trying to soothe me, showing me that he was sorry. After sometime, I started kissing him back. My arms circled his neck and reached his hair . I didn't realise when I was walked backwards until my back met the wall. Last time, the kiss felt punishing and I was too occupied to enjoy it but this time I felt something. It was like my sense had come to life. His lips tasted so good and the kiss felt passionate . It was as if he poured in all his emotions trying to be apologetic. When we finally broke the kiss , our foreheads were touching and we were breathing heavily.

I was having a hard time calculating his actions.

" I am sorry . I am extremely sorry." He whispered before leaving the room. His words , his expression seemed genuine.

After he left I changed my clothes and crawled into the bed. The kiss was occupying my thoughts. This time I had kissed him back. It was obviously my first official kiss with him!

I tossed and turned in my bed until I drifted off to deep slumber.

I opened my eyes to see Ethan intently staring at me. On seeing me , he widely smiled at me. I would kill to wake up to this kind sight every morning.

" Good Morning sweetheart." I pulled him to me.

" Good morning Mom" , he giggled.

We lay down like that for some minutes in a peaceful silence when he spoke.

" Mom , why don't you and Dad sleep in the same room ? " , Ethan asked.

I was at a loss of words.

" Honey , me and your Dad need time to adjust to each other . So we had decided to sleep separately." , I made up

" Does that mean you don't love Dad? Is he mean to you?" , He asked.

No , ofcourse not . Asking you to sleep on the floor . Does that count ?

" No baby , your Dad is not mean to me. It's our joint decision. It's just that we want to first know each other well . When we do , we will sleep in the same room . " I said but was unsure of my own words.

He nodded.

" Sweetheart, this sleeping thing stays between us three , ok ? I can make you understand this because you are a smart kid but others are not as smart as you. So it's our tiny miny secret , okay ?" I said. I didn't want Nick's or my parents to know this and get worried.

" Yes Mom." He said, proud of the fact that I called him smart. I mentally giggled at his antics.

" Mom , grandma says that family outings are the best way to bond with each other .So why don't we go out , just me , Dad and you ? He asked . He was thoughtful enough for a five year kid. But I wasn't sure if Nick would want to go and I was not going to ask him only to get insulted.

" Baby , I don't think that's a good idea . Dad maybe busy ." I tried convincing.

" I think that's a very nice idea. And no, I am not busy."I heard Nick say. I didn't turn around because if I did I would have surely blushed at the memory of our kiss.

" Really Dad ? " , Ethan asked.

" Why not ? " , Nick replied.

I was confused , really confused. When I thought that he couldn't have been more strange , he apologized - Mr. Jerk apologized! And now he was fine with a 'family outing'! Something is really wrong with him or maybe he wants to spend time with Ethan...

" But Dad , why were you listening to us ? We were talking and it's bad habit to listen like that ." Ethan said and I had an amused expression on my face. This kid was really something.

" Uhh sorry ?" Nick said or more like questioned. I was mentally grinning.

"Yes , should be." Ethan said while nodding seriously. At this I couldn't hold back my laughter .

" Oh my God ! Ethan are you really 5 or what ? " I asked him still laughing.

Ethan grinned and then joined me in laughing.

" If you're done laughing can we decide where to go?" Nick asked me embarassed .

Mentally preparing myself , I turned around.

" Are you sure it won't be a bother..." I trailed off because I was lost in staring at him. He was wearing a grey t-shirt which was giving a faint outline of his perfect muscular body. His hands were in his pants' pockets and his hair wasn't the usual perfect gelled one. It was messy which made him look even more sexy. I was gaping at him but I couldn't help it.

Nick cleared his throat . Coming out of my trance, I saw both Ethan and Nick smiling mischievously at me.

My face became red out of embarrassment at the fact that they caught me gaping at Nick.

" I-I'll go and get ready" I blurted and ran into the bathroom.

I heard Nick chuckling behind me while Ethan giggled.

Though embarrassed , I was smiling like an idiot. I was confused at the sudden change in Nick's behaviour but I was desperately hoping that his usual jerk self doesn't decide to come back anytime soon.

" Family outing !" I sighed.