The Arranged Bride novel Chapter 22

Sophia's POV

" - and she was wasted ." Tyler said describing Skyler's first drinking experience.

" Oh , I can go hours without getting wasted." Jenny proudly said at which Max slapped the back of her head playfully. I loved spending time with these four people. They don't treat me like I'm their boss's wife unlike the others who unnecessarily sweet talk to me. They treat me like friends and that's what I wanted. We pull each other's legs , make fun of each other.

" Even I don't have high alcohol tolerence . My first time wasn't-" I was cut off when my phone started ringing. I mouthed them a sorry before picking up the call.

" Hello."

" Am I speaking to Mrs. Carter ?" A female voice asked. Mrs. Carter? Still seems a little weird.

" Yes , who's this ?"

" I am Sarah Adley ,the Principal of Ethan's school. I had tried reaching Mr. Carter but failed. I would request any one of you to come to the school now." She said.

" Ms. Adley , is Ethan injured or anything? Is he fine?" I was tensed at the thought of some accident.

" Don't worry Mrs. Carter, Ethan is absolutely fine but he was involved in a fight with another child and we are calling parents of them both." I sighed in relief.

" Okay , I'm coming as soon as possible."

I ended the call and started packing my things.

" Guys , I got to go to Ethan's school . I will see you guys tomorrow." I waved and started walking towards the elevator.

I knew Nick had a meeting with the foreign clients. So , instead of disturbing him , I just left a message explaining the situation.

Hailing a cab , I reached Ethan's school in about 20 minutes.

I walked towards the principal's office. Outside the office Ethan was sitting on a bench glaring at another boy who was glaring back.

" Ethan ." I called. He looked my way and ran to me.

" Mom , is Dad also here ?" Ethan asked looking behind me.

" No but will you tell me what have you done ?" I asked. Before he could speak , a lady came towards us.

" Ms. Adley is on a round of the school. Please come in and have a seat while you wait for her." She said. I looked behind to see the other boy with a man , his father most probably.

We follow her and settled down in the office. We were sitting in silence when suddenly Ethan spoke.

" Look away , don't stare at my Mom." Ethan said to the man with furrowed eyebrows. My eyes widened at his words. I had realised the man's occassional gaze on me but that wasn't harmful.

" Ethan." I called his name in a warning voice.

" What ? Mom, he was staring at you ." Ethan pouted.

I looked at the man to see him at a loss of words. Even I was embarassed.

" Ethan, this is not the way, you speak to elders." I sternly said him to which he huffed and looked away.

" I am sorry for his behaviour ." I looked apologetically at the man.

" No , it's fine. I am Arthur. " He put his hands forward for a shake .

" Sophia , nice to meet you." I shook his hand .

The principal arrived and took a seat opposite us .

" I am sorry for calling you like this but I think the parents need to know , what their children do in school." Ms. Adley said to me and Arthur.

" It's completely fine Ms. Adley ." I replied.

" Would like to tell your parents what happened?" Ms. Adley said to the boys.

" Noah started it." Ethan exclaimed.

" No , he pushed me first." Noah pointed at Ethan.

" But he torn the page of my notebook." Ethan said.

These two kept on bickering.

" Ethan! " They both shut up and looked at me.

" Even if he had torn the page from your notebook , you should have informed the teacher. But you should not have pushed him. " I wasn't going to say anything to the other child when his parent was present there.

" Noah , why did you tear his notebook ? Say sorry to him." , Arthur sternly ordered.

" I am sorry." He said to Ethan. I signalled Ethan to apologise.

" I am sorry for pushing you." He said .

" Good, now if you two promise to not do it again , you can leave with your parents." Ms. Adley said.

" We won't do it again." They both said in unison and she nodded.

"Thank you Ms. Adley." I said before leaving the office.

" Sophia ." Arthur called my name as we were walking down the hall. I turned to look at him.

" Uhh , if you don't mind , can I get your number ? I would like to know you more." He scratched his neck. He was a tall and fairly handsome man but my man was more handsome. Before I could say something , Ethan spoke.

" But my father won't like it." He was glaring at Arthur. This kid! He is so small but was marking territory for his Dad.

" Oh I'm sorry, uhh I didn't know you were married. " Arthur said in a apologetic tone.

" No, it's okay. I understand. And I'm again sorry for his behaviour." I said.

.......

Nick's POV

I was sitting in the living room, scrolling through my phone while I waited for Sophia and Ethan.

I was in the middle of the meeting when I received Sophia's message. It said that she was going to Ethan's school at the principal's call and not to worry as he was fine. She even wrote that I should continue with my meeting and she will meet me at home.

" But-" I heard Ethan.

" No buts." Sophia and Ethan came into the living room.

" What's the argument about ?" I asked as I got up.

" Ask him. Do you know, how rudely he behaved with Arthur." Sophia exclaimed and my eyes narrowed at the name. Another guy ?

" Who is Arthur?" I asked.

" Noah's father. Noah is the child with whom he fought." Sophia explained but that doesn't clarify why would Ethan behave rudely with him.

" What did you do Ethan?" I asked but he kept looking at the ground.

" When we were in the principal's office, he all of a sudden snapped Arthur, saying no to look at his Mom." Sophia complained.

"Ethan ." I called .

" Dad he was staring at Mom , so I told him to look away." He said with a pout. Was I angry? No. I think he did the right thing. When I proudly smiled at him , he continued.

" He was even asking for Mom's number and said that he wanted to know her ." I was pissed at the thought of Sophia on a date with another man. Know you more my ass!

"And what did you say ?" I asked.

He shrugged and said. " That my father won't like it." To say I was happy at his words was an understatement. He would protect his mom from this stupid men when I am not around.

"That's my boy!" I proudly smiled at him and he grinned.

" Nick , seriously?"Sophia was looking at me dumbfounded .

"What ?"

" You should tell him not to speak like that instead of being proud of what he did." She was glaring at me .

" Well someone needs to make those stupid men understand that you are off-limits when I am not there and he just did it . " I shrugged at her.

She released a heavy sigh in disappointment and rolled her eyes at us. Putting Ethan down I ushered him to his room. I walked towards Sophia and keeping my arms around her waist , I pulled her towards me.

"Nick , you should have -" I cut her off by putting a finger on her lips.

" It's okay. He was just being protective of you. I like it. " I said caressing her cheeks.

" But-" I again cut her off but this time by kissing her on her lips. She sighed and gave in to the kiss.

After we broke the kiss, I pulled her in an embrace while she kept her head on my chest.

"Like father, like son." , she muttered under her breath and I chuckled at that.