The Arranged Bride

Chapter - 05

Sophia's POV

"What's my baby doin -- OH MY GOD " , I heard the high pitched shriek of my best friend Charlotte.

" YOU ARE FUCKING ENGAGED "

" Jesus , stop yelling Char. "

" Don't . Just don't. You pathetic excuse of a best friend, you got fucking engaged and didn't tell me!?" She semi-yelled .

"ENGAGED ?" Ryan walked into my room.

Char pulled my hand up for him to see.

" WHAT THE HELL SOPH ? ", Ryan yelled with wide eyes.

Charlotte and I have been best friends since our primary school days. We were inseparable. She is a brunette , with green eyes and an extremely outgoing nature. Her parents died in an car crash . So she has only Ryan , her brother as her family and of course me !

Ryan has a tall lean frame with the same green eyes and dark brown hair. He is quite a good looking guy and is never short of girls- attention if that's a word . After the accident, he used to come along to hang out with us to distract himself and he was basically a year older than us. So our vibes really matched . We three are really very close and practically share everything.

" Will you two just shut up and let me speak ? " I threw my hand in the air.

" Oh you don't get to shout , it's us who have been deprived of our rights . " , Char crossed her hands across her chest.

Ignoring her words I started narrating everything to them and for the whole time I had their undivided attention.

" NICHOLAS CARTER !? THE NICHOLAS CARTER ? " she yelled again.

"Woman, if you don't stop yelling I will kick your ass out of this room right now." I warned her.

"This is unbelievable . Girls die to hang out with that piece of sculpture and you're going to marry him . I can already tell the babies are going to be gorgeous" , she was now whispering.

I blushed at her words but composed myself.

"Char, you know right , no babies." , I said as a matter of fact but the thought always pains me.

"Oh I am sorry Soph . "

Ryan embraced me in a hug .

"Soph it's fine , don't be sad . We have your wedding to plan . Come on cheer up " , I looked up at Ryan and smiled.

"Yeah , I have to buy a dress for tomorrow's engagement party. " I said.

"And wedding dress ?" Char asked.

"Ah that , Mrs. Carter wants me to go with her and buy. Nicholas's sister will be joining too." , I said.

"Okay then ,let's go shopping!!" , She sprinted out of the bed . I laughed at her excitement while Ryan only shook his head.

4 hours later ...

We have been walking for 3 hours . Char was dragging us from this shop to that shop and she hasn't found 'the one' for me yet. I was standing with Ryan in a corner when she came running to us.

"Try this one " , she handed me a blush coloured gown which I must say looked really elegant.

I came out wearing it .

"I knew it, THIS IS 'THE ONE' ", she clapped her hands.

"I love it as well " I stared at myself .

We paid for it and headed out .

"Let's get some food .I am starving." Ryan whined.

"Me too" , I huffed.

The waiter served our burgers , fries and cokes.

I was munching on my burger when..

"Now tell me , how do you like him ?" Ryan looked at me.

" Uhh Mr. Carter is a nice and cheerful man and Juliana is a very warm and welcoming lady. And Ethan is a very sweet kid. So.. I like them ."

"Soph , I guess I asked about him , the one you're supposed to marry, Nicholas Carter. "

"He .. actually umm he is nice.. I guess"

"You guess ?", He sounded pissed.

"Okay fine we haven't talked " , he scrunched up his eyebrows " but he seemed like a nice man."

"Nice !? I think he is sexy !" , Char added and I was thankful that she was trying to lighten the atmosphere but..

"Seriously Soph ? You haven't spoken to him and you're marrying him ? What's wrong? Are you being forced or something? " Ryan asked in a no-shit-tone .

"No nothing like that , I was given the liberty to decide. It's just that ...Dad and Mom were extremely happy when I agreed to the proposal and the Carters seemed to be nice people. Besides I don't love anyone nor am I dating anybody so...." I trailed off.

" O okay , I just hope you are happy with this ." Ryan smiled gently which I returned.

He always acts like the overprotective brother I never had.

"Now enough of the serious talks, we need to buy jewellery and other stuff. Shove the food down your throats or I'll gladly do it." , Char warned.

"Ugh I'm tired " ,I whined

"Can't be helped" , she winked.

After 2 more torturous hours we were finally done. They stayed for dinner at my house and then left , promising to be there the next day by 4

I changed into my night suit and rolled into bed. Bree came up and I cuddled with her till I fell asleep.

Next day ....

I woke up when the alarm went off.

A nervousness settled in the pit of my stomach. Pushing it aside I rolled off my bed . The rest of the day passed in a blur . It was 3 :30 when..

"Hey babe , your very own makeup artist here " Char barged in putting her hands up in the air .

" So matured " , I leaned back on my bed.

"But you look gorgeous Char " . She was dressed in a red shimmery backless gown and her hair in a messy pony tail.

" Well thank you . So get your matured ass to the shower right now and come out in ten ." , She pulled me down the bed and shooed me to the bathroom.

I stripped and got into the bath tub. I scrubbed my body and shampooed my hair. I came out in my bathrobe.

"Sit and let me start with your makeup and you're not allowed to look at the mirror till I finish off." She bossed me.

I shrugged in surrender.

She started off with her work and she was very good in it. So I was kind of sure that it would come out nice.

Finally she was done but did not allow me to sneak a look. I slipped into my dress and she started off with the hair. It took her a good 3 hours .

At last when I look into the mirror I couldn't believe it to be me. She had done a warm nude makeup look . My hair was done in a loose updo with strands falling on the sides of my face.

I looked beautiful .

" This is amazing , Char " , I exclaimed.

"Thank me later babe ." She waved

"I love you bitch "

"I love you too girl . Come let's go down"

We went to the living room where Ryan was sitting with my parents.

" Attention everyone. Have a look at your gorgeous would-be-bride." Char dramatically presented me.

All of them took a minute to react.

"God , baby you look like a princess " , Dad said and mom just looked on proudly.

"Soph you will blow off everyone's mind. " Ryan complimented .

"You look hot as well " , I said.

Now let's get going dear or we'll be late.

We arrived at the venue and it was beautiful. It was decorated with a touch of elegancy and sophistication.

As soon as we walked in Mr. and Mrs. Carter came our way. Both of them looked graceful and... Rich.

"You look beautiful Sophia " she scanned me from top to bottom .

"Thank you Mom"

"Come , I need to introduce you to a lot of people ." She led me in and introduced me to a lot of guests.

I then excused myself to where my best friends were.

"Where's your to-be-husband ?" Char raised a brow at me.

I just shrugged.

I was looking around when I spotted him .

His hair was perfectly gelled. He was wearing a blue three piece suit, fitting him just right showing off his muscular lean body. He looked extremely hot and I bet girls will be drooling over him.

Just like you ..

I should look away before he catches me staring but I can't.

Then I looked up and my eyes met with his warm brown ones. He caught me staring.

Shit !