The Arranged Bride novel Chapter 16

Nick's POV

I was going down for breakfast but stopped as I heard Ethan and Sophia talking.

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

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

Now what is she going to say ? That not just mean , his father had been an absolute jerk to her? I wonder what will Ethan think of me considering he has gotten so close to her.

" 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 . " She said and I was really relieved. I surely did misjudge her. While I had insulted her at every instant, she had saved my image in front of my son. I was really feeling guilty of how bad I had treated her.

Ethan nodded and they both sat up.

" 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 ?" She convinced him and I was thankful because it wasn't the best of ideas to let our parents know about how we sleep or else they would surely come to stay with us .

" Yes Mom." He said.

" 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 . For a 5 year kid he was smart to find a way for his parents to bond.

" Baby , I don't think that's a good idea . Dad maybe busy ." She said. Did she not want to go out with me ? Well I didn't give her a reason to look forward to spend time with me.

" I think that's a very nice idea. And no, I am not busy."I said. She heard me but didn't turn around . Maybe she was uncomfortable after that kiss.

" Really Dad ? " , Ethan asked.

" Why not ? " , I replied. I wanted to think differently of Sophia and for that I needed to spend time with her. I needed the outing .

" But Dad , why were you listening to us ? We were talking and it's bad habit to listen like that ." Ethan said and I didn't see this coming. This kid !

" Uhh sorry ?" I said like a question.

"Yes , should be." Ethan said while nodding seriously. I was amused yet dumbfounded at this. Is he really 5? Sophia burst out laughing.

" Oh my God ! Ethan are you really 5 or what ? " Sophia asked mirroring my thoughts.

Ethan grinned and then joined her in laughing. I was feeling really embarassed

" If you're done laughing can we decide where to go?" I asked in an embarassed tone.

Her laughter seized and she slowly turned around .

" Are you sure it won't be a bother..." She trailed off as she was lost in staring at me or more specifically my body. I stood there without moving, looking at her. This was the first time she was gaping at me for such a long time. The kiss must have had something to do with it.

I cleared my throat . Coming out of her trance, she looked at us. I was smiling mischievously at her and Ethan was doing the same.

She was blushing so hard on being caught staring and I found it cute.

Cute? Calm down man .

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

I chuckled at her antics while Ethan giggled.

"Ethan come lets go for breakfast." I took him to the dining.

"Where should we go Dad ?" , Ethan asked as we were halfway through our breakfast.

" Movies ?" I suggested.

" No , we went for movie yesterday. Shopping done . Then ?" He said.

" How does amusement park sound ?" I heard Sophia. She came and as usual sat down beside Ethan. She was wearing a white top and a denim shorts which was greatly displaying her long legs. I was staring at her when Ethan spoke.

" Uh I have never been to one but I have heard that it's a very fun place." Ethan said.

" Never ? Why but your father must have been there right ?" She asked looking at me.

I looked away and she understood my answer. I was never really interested in these things.

" Oh my God really ? I can't believe that you guys have never been to an amusement park. But it's okay , better late than never. We will go today and have a lot of fun." She clapped her hands , all excited and she looked so childish.

" Amusement parks have rides right ? Will we go on them? " Ethan asked.

" Of course we will." Sophia chirped.

" Can't we go to restuarant for lunch ?" I suggested.

Sophia looked at me like I have lost my mind.

" Really that is what you call outing? Rich restaurants filled with rich snobbish people where you pay a lot but still have to maintain your decorum, sit straight , eat like the food doesn't affect your taste buds and smile sophisticatedly while making small talks over expensive wine ? Sorry but that is not where you can bond. I have been there only to get tired without even doing anything fun."

She looked at me after her rant and I just stared at her with an amused expression .

"What ?" She said.

I chuckled and shook my head.

" Fine then , amusement park it is." I surrendered.

" Yess " , Ethan clapped while Sophia grinned.

After our breakfast Amy came and took Ethan to help him dress up.

" Uhh I will go and get ready." I said standing up .

" Nick" , Sophia called .

I turned to look at her.

" Thank you for coming with us. I know you're doing it for your son but still thank you ."

I nodded at her . I felt like she still had something say.

" Anything else ?" I asked

" Umm yeah , can you come wearing casuals to the amusement park today ? " , She said. Ofcourse she had not seen me in anything other than suits while I am out.

" Don't worry, I wasn't going to wear suits to the amusement park." I said.

She nodded and left.

......

It had been two hours since we were there and I was pretty exhausted . The Ferris wheel had my head spinning.

It seemed as if Sophia had suddenly become a kid . She was dragging us from one ride to another and Ethan was enjoying it. Seems like he has got a new friend!

" Nick , one more ride please , just one more ." Sophia pleaded.

" No , you had said this before the last ride as well." I said.

" Please ." Both of them stood side by side and pleaded. I almost melted.

"No." , Both of them pouted and looked so cute but I was done for the day and couldn't give in.

" Ok , now I am hungry ." Sophia said putting her hands on her hips

" Okay where do you wanna eat ?" I asked her and her face lit up again.

" Come with me." , She took Ethan's hand in hers and started walking. She stopped in front of a hot dog stand.

" Three hot dogs please " , Sophia ordered.

" Oh we are so not eating from here. " I announced.

" And why is that ?" Sophia asked

" We don't know if it's even hygienic." I reasoned to which she just rolled her eyes.

" But I want to and I'm sure , Ethan wants to eat it too, right Ethan ?"

Although he didn't know what were we going to eat , he just nodded to her grinning .

"See , come on , it's not that bad . Try it once." She handed me one .

I reluctantly took one bite. It was not bad but I wasn't going to say it.

" I know you like it. It's okay , you don't have to say it and wound your ego." Sophia said biting on her hotdog . I just smiled to myself.

Ethan and Sophia sat there laughing with each other and I kept looking at them . I felt strangely happy and peaceful. Whatever this feeling was , I wanted it to stay.