The Arranged Bride

Chapter - 23

Sophia's POV

In the past few weeks , Nick and my relationship has been on a steady track. I am not nervous anymore to sleep with Nick in the same room.

Everything has been pretty on track. I sometimes prepare breakfast for us because Ethan has taken a liking to my cooking. Me and Nick go and come back from the office together. Although it's Amy's job , I still sometimes help Ethan in his studies to make sure he is doing well. We have our dinner together and go to bed cuddling with each other. Me and Nick have kissed a lot of times but have never gone beyond that. Maybe we need a bit more time and he has never made me uncomfortable with his advances. In simple words , everything is perfect right now but that scares me sometimes. I hope everything stays this way.

I was sitting in front of the television, watching a random romcom when I heard the doorbell ring. After a minute , Caleb came in.

" Hey Soph !" , He sat down beside me and put a hand around my shoulder.

" I missed you." I side-hugged him.

" I need your advice on something." So straight to the point! I rolled my eyes at him.

" Just when I thought that you were paying me a friendly visit."

" Ofcourse I came to visit a friend. I came because I need an advice from my friend." He made a puppy face.

" Okay but before that do you want some coffee?" , I offered getting up.

" Yes , please."

I went to the kitchen. Making coffee, I sent a mug for Nick by the maid. He was working in his study . Setting two mugs on the tray and some salted caramel muffins, I went to the living room.

As I set the tray on the table , he kept aside his phone and closing his eyes , taking in the smell.

" The smell itself is so mouthwatering. Nick is such a lucky bastard . He gets to eat all these everyday." He made a pout.

" Aww , you're welcome to crash here anytime and get these." I pulled his cheek and he slapped away my hand.

" Now tell me what do you want to talk about?" I faced him , sipping on my coffee.

" Uhh I don't know how to.." He nervously scratched his neck and I waited for him to continue.

" Okay. I want to ask Charlotte out ." He blurted.

" And ?" I urged him to continue.

" I don't know how to do it. " He said.

" Why ? You never asked someone out ?" I was genuinely confused .

" Ofcourse I did but she .. I don't know.. I get nervous whenever I am around her. I never got this conscious around any girl but with her it's different. It's as if I will say something silly and she will want nothing to do with me." To think that he was the CEO of such a big company and he was stressed over asking a girl out, really amused me. But it's true that Char has got the aura around her which makes people nervous.

" It's no rocket science. Just be yourself around her . She really hates fake people. Don't overstress. Initiate simple conversations and don't use cheesy lines to ask her out. Be cool about it." I suggested.

" You think this will do?" He seemed half-convinced .

" Of course I know, she is my best friend and one thing more , don't bring up Nick in your conversations too much. She isn't really fond of him ." I added a slight warning. It's true. I never got the chance to tell her about Nick's changed behaviour. After that Christina incident at our house, she and Ryan avoided talking about Nick. Once , I tried telling them about his warm behaviour towards me. Char still didn't believe him while Ryan just kept quiet.

" Okay, but why ? " Caleb raised an eyebrow at me.

" I had previously told them on how Nick treated me. I had later tried explaining that he has changed but they are not really sure of him." I said leaning back on the sofa.

Caleb nodded in understanding. For the next 30 minutes we talked about different things .

" What business have you got with my wife?" I heard Nick. We turned around. He didn't have any welcoming smile seeing Caleb. Anyone else would have thought he didn't appreciate his presence but I knew better.

" Oh just spending time with my close friend." , Caleb emphasized on the word 'close' .

" When did you become so 'close' to her?" I didn't miss the jealousy in his tone.

" You know girls like being close to me. You can blame my personality for that and your wife isn't an exception." He shrugged smirking to which Nick scoffed.

" Can you two not act like I am not here ?" I said and walked to the kitchen.

" So you are staying for lunch, right ?" I asked Caleb.

" No." Nick was quick to answer.

"I didn't ask you."

"As much as I would love to stay, I got to handle something very important. " Caleb sounded sorry.

" It's okay . Next time it is then." I smiled.

" Sure. Bye Soph." He waved at me and then hugged Nick before leaving.

" He had even given you a nickname. Wow." Nick said as we sat on the dining table. I playfully sniffed .

" Do I smell some jealousy there ?"

" I am not at all jealous of that idiot." He concentrated on his food.

" Sure you aren't. But that reminds me , why haven't you got a nickname for me ? " I asked.

" You want me to give you one ?" He smirked.

" For once can stop being so cocky ? " I asked and he chuckled.

"Sophia is a beautiful name and I don't think Soph or Sophie does justice to it. I like Sophia better." He said with a faint smile and I smiled back.

We peacefully completed our lunch .

At it's close , Nick spoke .

" Sophia , I have got to attend the engagement party of a business associate tomorrow and I want you to come with me." Nick informed.

" You didn't ask me ." I said to which Nick rolled his eyes.

" Will you be my date to tomorrow's party?" He asked sarcastically.

" Yes , I will ." I dramatically tried being graceful and we ended up laughing.

" Will Caleb be also there? " I asked as I recovered from laughing and he nodded.

That's where he wanted to bring Char. I hope she agrees or I will be bored to death with the snobby judgental people around.

" Why did you ask?" Nick was looking at me.

" Just like that." I casually said . I wasn't sure if Caleb wanted Nick to know about his interest in Char . So I kept the job for him.

" Okay then. Your dress will be there by today evening. " Nick said getting up .

"Okay." I said and he walked up to his study to proceed with his work.

"Mom , come with me . I want to show you something." Ethan came running and held my hand enthusiastically. I ruffled his hair.

" Sure, let's go." I smiled at him as he dragged me to his room.