The Arranged Bride novel Chapter 18

Sophia's POV

As I settled in Nick's car with him , I spoke.

" Nick " I called.

" Yeah ?" He said looking at his phone.

"Uhh .." , I hesitated. I was worried that he might again insult me saying that it is his house and I was no one to invite someone over. His changed behaviour had given me the courage but now I am seriously worried considering his great liking towards Ryan.

" Come on , say it." Keeping aside his phone , he looked up at me.

" Actually , I uhh I had just invited my friends , Caleb and Erica over to your house for dinner . Caleb called and he wanted to meet so I uhh just thought... but please don't shout , if you want I will change the plan. I can just ask them to meet at a restau-"

He cut me off by placing a hand over my mouth. I looked at him.

" Slow down woman!" He said

He looked into my eyes and spoke.

" Firstly, I don't mind if you call your friends over , secondly it's our house and third.." he came closer before continuing , "you look cute when you're nervous."

I could feel my face heating up at this. He was looking so deeply into my eyes , like he could see through me.

He shifted his hand from my mouth to cup my cheek. Without breaking the eye contact we both leaned forward. I closed my eyes and after what seemed like ages , our lips met.

His lips moved softly against mine. The kiss was slow and passionate. His one hand held me by my waist and he pulled me even closer while his other hand moved towards the nape of my neck. With one hand I was massaging his scalp and put the other hand on his shoulder to keep support.

He licked my lower lip , asking for entrance which I gladly granted. He was dominating the kiss and explored every corner of my mouth. We only broke the kiss when we were out of breath. I kept both of my hands on his shoulders while he used his thumb to brush my cheeks. He kissed the corner of my mouth before leaning back.

The rest of the ride was silent . I kept looking out of the window and we were soon at our home.

Before I knew I was in my room.

Quickly changing into a crop top and shorts, I came down to the kitchen.

There wasn't much time left , so I had just ordered the dinner but I wanted to make the dessert . So I settled on making the carrot cake.

All the while I thought of his words. Did he mean it when he said that it is 'our' house? Is he accepting me as his wife? Will I be able to accept him as my husband after how he had treated me? The kiss kept replaying in my mind. What was in it .. care ? Does he care for me ? I automatically started blushing at the thought of the kiss. Oh God ! One kiss and my mind remains occupied for the next few days.

I finished icing the cake , topped it with lots of nuts and set it aside when I heard the door bell .

A maid opened the door while I went to the living to see Caleb and Erica together.

" Hey , I was waiting for you guys." I hugged both of them.

" I smell something tasty." Caleb closed his eyes sniffing.

" Although he always behaves like a hungry puppy but I got to admit , the smell is too good to ignore." Erica said to which Caleb pouted.

I laughed at this. " Oh , I just baked some carrot cake for desert. I couldn't prepare the whole dinner so .." I trailed off.

" So where's that idiot friend of mine ?" Caleb asked putting his hand on my shoulder.

" Here , and hands off her shoulder." Nick somewhat ordered descending down the stairs.

" Why me and Sophia are friends right ? " Caleb teased Nick while I look at Nick confused. Is he seriously jealous of his best friend ? Weird man!

Nick came and hugged Erica and then pulled away Caleb from me.

After a few minutes , Char and Ryan came in. Char came and pulled me in a tight hug.

" I missed you so much ." She said.

" I missed you too." . I pulled away only to pulled into a hug by Ryan.

I pulled away to see Nick glaring at Ryan. God !

We sat down and started talking about anything and everything. Caleb shared a lot of embarrassing moments of Nick as a child and I literally couldn't compare the present Nick to that one. We laughed our asses off at his expense.

After sometime I saw Ryan and Erica talking. Ryan said something to which Erica blushed. Hmm.. I see some progress there.

On the other hand, Caleb and Char just kept stealing glances at each other.

If these guys hit it off , we could go on a tripple date maybe. But , would Nick want to go on a date with me ? Why am I even thinking of all these?

"SOPH !" , Char yelled .

" Why are you shouting ?" I asked.

" Because we were talking to you and you were lost somewhere. Are you okay ?"Caleb asked with concern . Ryan and Char looked at me like they were trying to read my face while Nick looked a bit concerned.

" Yes , I am fine . I will go and ask someone to help me set the table." I smiled and got up.

Just as I entered the kitchen I heard the doorbell . Who has come now? We'll see.

Suddenly I heard footsteps behind me.

" Soph , we need to talk." Ryan said with a serious face while Char stood with a serious face which was very unlikely of her.

"About what ?" , I asked.

" You said , you're fine but you're lost in your thoughts. Tell me , did something happen? Did Nick do something? Just tell me and I'll make him pay for hurting my best friend." Char whisper-yelled.

I smiled at her concern.

" Come down , it's no-" I cut myself off when I heard some loud voices .

The voice seemed familiar.

We went out to see that Christina standing in front of Nick. Caleb stood with a worried expression and Erica's face mirrored that while Char and Ryan were absolutely clueless.

" Baby , you don't have to hide it any more. I know you love me and I love you too." Christina said looking at Nick and then at me. I couldn't understand what was happening. I heard Nick end things with her , today only and here tears are rolling down her face while she kept saying all these. I was afraid of Nick's answer. Did he really love her ? Was all that because of a fight between them ? Then the kiss , we shared ?

"Christina just leave right now and I told you, I don't love you! " He shouted and turned to look at me. I saw a hint of nervousness in his eyes but he tried keeping his calm expression.

" Nick , please . I know you are angry on me but I promise I won't ever ignore your calls . I am sorry baby , now please forgive me. " Christina said . Char was glaring at Nick while he looked dumbfounded.

" Calls ? What calls ? What the hell Christina? Stop making up stories!" , He shouted desperately.

" Baby , why are you so worried ? Because of her ? " She pointed her fingers towards me. " She can't do anything. Please, I can't do this anymore, I want to be with you and settle down with you. You said you love me, then what's stopping you ? " Christina said.

" Nick , what the hell is this ? If you're so in love with this girl then why did you marry Sophia ? " Char shouted while Ryan clenched his jaws.

Erica looked away in disappointment but Caleb was staring at me , worried .

I looked at Nick in his eyes while he stared back pleading me with his eyes to believe him .

I stepped beside Nick , facing Christina . She looked at me with so much hatred in her eyes.

" Why don't you leave him ? Can't you see he loves me." , She snarled.

" I don't . I -" I cut off Nick by putting up a hand in front of him. Nick clenched his jaws , he looked defeated at that point . I turned to look at Christina.

" Christina , I seriously appreciate you , putting up this show for us . We really enjoyed it but now please see yourself out because we got a dinner to complete." I said in a calm voice. Christina's jaw dropped and Nick looked at me shocked.

" What ? " , She said shocked.

" You heard me." I said.

" Do you think you can order me to leave Nick's house I am his girlfriend." She emphasized on 'Nick's'

" And I am his wife ! " I retorted.

" So what does that make you ? Let me think... his mistress ? So very respectful , no ? I would advice you too collect whatever self respect you have left with you and leave right now before I call the security." I threatened in a firm tone .

I heard Nick sigh in relief maybe because I believed him.

" How dare you? You gold digging bitch !" She hurled .

" Funny ,because you think you can hurl abuses at me standing in my house . And as far for calling me a gold digger, last time I checked, my name wasn't Christina."

She stomped her foot angrily . How matured ! I heard Caleb chuckle.

"You-" I cut her off.

" Out ." I said calmly .

" Excuse me!"

" Yes please , just excuse yourself out. RIGHT NOW." I shouted.

After staring for a few more seconds and glaring at everyone, she left.

When I saw Nick , he looked relieved and happy.

" Sophia , you're such a queen ! " Erica gushed.

"Yes , you just killed it. You make me proud." , Caleb looked at me like a proud father . I slapped his arm playfully.

" But Soph I need to know what was that, everything can't be a lie right ?" Char said glaring at Nick.

" Char please , not now . I don't want to waste our dinner over that worthless woman." , I didn't want Nick to be embarassed. Yes , he had fault in this but when he is trying to come out of it , I should support him , right ?

Initially everyone was a bit reserved over the recent drama but Caleb did a wonderful job in keeping up the conversation.

Caleb and Ryan couldn't stop praising my carrot cake. I packed the rest of it for them before they left.

When I entered my room , I saw Nick sitting there on the bed. On seeing me , he stood up and took a careful step towards me.

" Can we talk ?" He asked.

" We can."

I sat on the bed indicating him to sit beside me to which he complied.

He took a deep breath before speaking.

" Sophia , thank you for believing me. You saw me multiple times with her . On top of that, her story seemed too real to not believe. I don't know how you still believed me but you did it and I am grateful to you for that." , Nick said looking at me and his eyes showed how much he meant each and every word.

I sighed.

" Nick , today while I was coming to your cabin , I heard you speaking to Christina. Actually I am not sorry for eavesdropping because honestly if I hadn't listened to your conversation I would have believed her. " I wanted to tell him the truth. He nodded to more like himself.

" I know . I know, that I never gave you a reason to believe me but I'll try to win your trust." He looked determined.

He will try to win my trust ? Is he looking forward to give our relationship a chance? I wasn't sure of what he meant. Nevertheless, I smiled at him. He smiled back but looked sad .

I moved forward and lightly hugged him. He was a bit stiff at first but then pulled me closer in a tight hug. After a few minutes we broke the hug. Kissing my forehead , he stared at me.

Forehead kisses are always special for me. Dad and Ryan always kiss me on my forehead but this felt different , can't say why.

" I'll leave then ." He finally said but didn't get up . He kept looking at me but when I didn't say anything he sighed and stood up.

My mind was conflicted but I made my decision . I held his hand and he turned to look at me.

" Stay. " I said in a soft voice.

He looked into my eyes to confirm and when he was convinced, he walked towards the other side of the bed.

I went to the bathroom to change into my pyjamas and climbed onto the bed. I pulled up the cover on my body.

I was a bit nervous to sleep with him on the same bed but then , he softly shifted towards me, pulling me towards him as well. I breathed in his cologne and that seemed to calm me. Before drifting off to sleep I felt him whispering a soft good night to me.

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