The Arranged Bride novel Chapter 17

Sophia's POV

It has been about two weeks since the trip to the amusement park and things between Nick and I has been fairly nice since then .

He doesn't insult me like he used to do . No , we aren't the closest to each other , but we are trying to be friends. Somedays we have our dinner or breakfast together while somedays, he is either early to office or comes back late.

I don't know what caused the change in him but atleast it is better than fighting at every instant.

I hadn't told Ryan or Char because I was confused whether it was permanent or the jerk version of himself would return. So I just kept quiet.

I sometimes can't help but wonder, would he ever leave Christina . I guess he loves her and was angry when he was forced to marry me. Maybe that made him so harsh towards me.

No I am not justifying his earlier behavior. I can't. Whatever maybe the reason , he shouldn't be taking it out on someone else who is not responsible. I never brought up the sudden change in his behavior because I was afraid that he might go back to being that jerk which I definitely didn't want.

Now if he loves Christina , then I wonder what am I going to do. I was surely attracted to him , since day 1 , no matter how much rude he was but that isn't love and I can surely push away the attraction. Maybe after a few years , we can make our parents understand that it didn't work out and mutually separate. The thought surely pained me a bit but I can't be selfish and let Nick be with the one he loves.

I was currently climbing up the stairs to Nick's floor. He had asked me to meet him in his cabin before the lunch but I was too busy with my work. I even worked through the break and now it was two hours past the time and I hope that he won't be angry. As I was infront of his cabin I heard him speak .

" No Christina , we are done. To begin with , we never really had something. Please leave and don't come again." I heard Nick say. He was breaking up with Christina? And what did he mean by " we never really had something" ? Weren't these two a thing.

" You can't say that . Are you saying this because of that little whore of your wife?" How dare that bitch call me a whore? Why don't people learn the meanings before using words?

" Shut up. Don't you dare ! You're speaking about my wife . And she isn't the cause of anything. I am just not interested in this anymore." The fact that he defended me made me really happy .

" You can't just break up with me like that." , She yelled.

" Breakup ? Where did that come from? Did I ever tell you that we could be anything serious ? Did I ask you to be my girlfriend? You thought yourself to be my girlfriend . I pretty much made clear what you were getting yourself into . So just stop making a scene and leave." He said. Okay , so they were just friends with benefits minus friends. It hurt , but I was happy that he wasn't continuing it.

I left and went to the washroom. After a long ten minutes I came back and knocked on his door.

" Come in." , I entered to see him massaging his forehead.

" Should I bring you some coffee ?" I offered. Hearing me , he opened his eyes.

" Oh just sit . I will have someone bring it." He said.

" Miss Adley , please bring in my usual coffee and" he looked at me for my preference .

" Juice " , I mouthed him .

" And one fresh juice ." He ended the call .

He looked at me and I remembered why I came.

" You called me?" I said .

" Yeah but I guess before lunch . Pretty fast , aren't you?" He said sarcastically

I rolled my eyes at him.

" Yeah yeah I am sorry. I forgot. I was busy with work and even skipped my lunch." I gave out a tired sigh.

" You skipped lunch? " He asked

" Yeah , not a big dea-" I was cut off.

" Miss Adley , please bring in some sandwich as well." He ended the phone.

" I said it's not a big deal." I said

" I heard you ." He said as if I cracked a boring joke.

Some five minutes later, a young lady entered and set down the tray on the table.

" Sir , your sandwich and coffee." She said in a sickeningly sweet tone. Then she just placed the glass of juice in front of me a bit roughly and glared at me.

" Miss Adley , I would like you to behave properly to my wife or you can see yourself out of the office." Nick said in a cold tone and the girl audibly gulped.

" Sorry Sir."

"Now leave." She quickly left closing the door behind her.

" I guess the girl's got a crush on you." I said sipping on my juice.

He shrugged pushing the plate of sandwich towards me.

" Maybe , but that was unprofessional."

" Oh trust me , I am used to these mean glares. I get them all the time nowadays." I said and took a sandwich.

" Is it because of me ?" , He asked with a smug look. I realised that I just boosted his ego.

" Yeah , whatever. Now tell me why did you call?" I asked.

" Ahh that , you are coming home with me in my car from today . So wait up for me." He said.

" That didn't sound like a question."

" Because it wasn't? " He said and I rolled my eyes at his arrogancy.

" But it's okay . You don't have to. I can perfectly manage." I said

" It isn't up for discussion." He said and looked back at his laptop screen.

I huffed and settled at completing my late lunch and then walked out .

I came back to my place .

" What took you so long huh? Having fun in the office , are we ? " Tyler wiggled his eyebrows at me suggestively.

" In the office itself , with your sexy CEO husband. I wonder how hot it is ." Jenny said dreamily.

" Really guys ? " I gave them strange looks.

" Oh come on , you don't have to give out the details . Just tell me was he good ?" She asked .

I blushed hard at that. I couldn't imagine what he would be like. But my friends got it all wrong .

" That good huh ?" Tyler teased.

" Just shut up, will you? We just talked over some sandwiches." I said.

" Sure , we believe you." Jenny said and walked away . I just shook my head and got back to work.

After some time, my phone started ringing. It was Caleb.

Caleb and I had become really close over the last week. Last Saturday he had come to deliver an important file to Nick when Nick had to go to his office urgently. He left it there and was going back when he was stopped by the smell of cookies.

"Is that cookie I smell ? He had asked.

"Yes , would you like to try some ?" I had offered.

" I would love to." , He had said.

And that was the start. We bonded over cookies and ended up sharing our likes, dislikes and secrets.

Next day he came home and we went on a movie marathon. We forced Nick to watch one with us as well. He was also extremely close to Ethan . Caleb is a very free-spirited and fun person unlike his best friend who was reserved and uptight.

I felt the same vibes that I get from Ryan . Ryan was obviously closer and very much important to me but I am sure Caleb and I would become thick friends someday.

I picked up the phone.

"Hey Caleb !"

" Hey Soph , I was thinking of meeting today at your home . What do you say ?" He asked .

" Yeah that would be nice . Ethan is staying with Nick's parents today and I am free. I think I will call Char as well. What do you think??" I smirked as I waited for him to answer.

Yes , he had confessed to me that he likes Char and I was super happy about it. I mean he is a nice guy and my best friend is very single right now . I too had some duties as a best friend.

" Umm y-yeah , yes , o-okay ." He hurriedly said . I chuckled at his response.

" Okay then meet you today , at 7 . " I said.

I dialled Char's number and she picked up on the third ring.

" What's up bitch ?" I heard Char.

" Nothing much I just wanted you and Ryan to come for dinner at our place. "

" What about your husband? Will he be fine or kick our asses out? " Ryan asked . I guess the phone was on speaker.

"I think he won't mind and I most definitely won't let him kick your pretty asses . Those are only mine to kick." I said and we all laughed at that.

" Okay , so come at 7 . Caleb will be coming as well."

" Soph , is anyone else coming or that's all ?" Ryan asked and I could hear his unasked question.

" Why ? Do you want someone else to come? " , I innocently asked.

" No no , I was just asking, you know?" He said.

" Okay , so don't be late ." I said

" Bye babe ." Char said.

" Bye." I put down the phone .

I was trying to help not one but both of my best friends. I was proud of the friend and sister-in-law, I had become.

I mentally patted myself and got back to work.