The Arranged Bride

Chapter - 51

Sophia's POV

"Nick, we don't have much time. It's just around the corner. We need to decide on the theme fast." I handed him the coffee mug and settled down beside him with the tab in my hand.

" We also need to choose the cake flavour. And the guest list remains to be finalized yet. We got so much to do." I huffed out . Nick put the mug down and moved closer to me. He took the tab away from my hand and kept it aside.

" Nick-"

" Relax, I had already finalised the guest list and as for cake , it has to be chocolate flavoured, Ethan's favourite." I sighed and leaned on his chest only to sit up the next moment.

" Did you book the venue?" He rolled his eyes and pulled me back to relax against him.

" I did."

" And-" Nick cut me off.

" All settled. Now shut up and kiss me." I nodded in understanding.

" Okay th-" I cut myself off realising what he had said. I raised a brow at him.

" What ? I do deserve a kiss for all the work I have done." He shrugged at me. I shook my head at him and turned away but the very next moment he turned my head to face him and stole a kiss.

" Thief!" I mumbled once he released me.

" Oh no! Don't say that. I just claimed what I deserve." He flashed a grin at me, a perfect handsome grin.

" You know, I want to surprise Ethan with something. " I said putting my head on his chest.

" Well, we are throwing him a surprise party." Nick responded.

" Yes, we are. But, he would be already expecting something like this because every year, he has his birthday party. He is a smart enough to not guess it. What will remain a surprise for him is the theme of the party but I want to do something that he wouldn't have even guessed. " I said thinking of every possible surprises. After I realized that Nick didn't respond I looked at him. He was staring at my face with a handsome smile etched on his face.

" Will you say something or not ?" He just smiled and shook his head. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion but didn't press further.

" Uhh... We can think of something that he might be wanting since long. " He suggested.

" Yeah wha-" I cut myself off feeling a pang of guilt.

" Sophia?" He sounded confused.

I shook my head to tell him everything was fine but when was he the one to give up easily? He grabbed my chin and forced me to face him. He could at once trace the guilt in my eyes .

" Sophia , don't even go there!" He looked sternly into my eyes. I could feel my eyes moisten. I completely turned around and stuffed my head in his chest. He breathed out before putting his arms around me and stroking my hair.

" It's not your fault, you know that right ?" I nodded against his chest.

" I do know that it's not my fault. But... But everytime I think about it , I can't help but feel guilty . Ethan expects something from us which I can't give him. I feel like I am disappointing him."

" Baby, Ethan's expectation is innocent. He doesn't even know about anything let alone the complications. If he was matured enough to understand, I am sure he wouldn't trade your life for anything in the world, let alone be disappointed in you. So you don't need to feel guilty, yeah ?"

" Yeah" I mumbled. I hugged him tighter, liking the warmth of his body.

It was some good five minutes before he spoke again.

" I have thought of a surprise." I pulled away to look at him. His face broke into a smile.

" What is it ?" I asked to which his smile widened.

............

"He will like it right ?" I asked Nick.

" Ofcourse. Besides last year we had the superhero theme. Cowboy theme would be nice this time." Nick reassured.

I was playing with the bit of food left on my plate before I remembered something. I had to tell him now. Infact, I didn't want to tell him but Erica was too scared to talk to her brother about Ryan and she asked me to tell him. According to her , I would be able to calmly explain him everything. Bullshit! Honestly, I was afraid of his reaction too. I was sure he go all overprotective big brother hearing it . Besides Ryan isn't among his favourites, so it's not hard guessing his reaction.

" What ?" I was broken out of my thoughts at Nick's voice.

" What ?"

" What are you thinking? Don't tell me you're thinking about someone else when your very handsome husband is sitting in front of you . " He joked.

" Well , I was." I shrugged. His facial expression changed in an instant. I would never get tired of teasing him.

" A man?" He asked further.

" Yeah." Well , it wasn't a lie actually.

He just nodded and returned to eating, with a lot cold expression this time.

" Who ?" He wasn't looking at me , stabbing the vegetables with his fork roughly.

I chuckled at his antics. He raised a brow at me , probably confused.

" Jealous pig." I mumbled.

" What did you say ?" He furrowed his eyebrows.

" I didn't say anything." I shrugged.

" But I have something to tell you."

" Okay?" He urged to continue.

" It's about Erica." I bit my lip in nervousness.

" What about her ?" He looked at me with all seriousness. I put the fork down .

" Well, I have a good news. Erica... She has a boyfriend." I clasped my hands showing excitement but it apparently didn't work because his expression changed into a more serious one.

" And what's good about it?" Nick's voice sounded so stern. I raised a brow at his question.

" What do you mean? Mama has asked her to bring her boyfriend for a family dinner." He took a deep breath before looking back at me.

" Well, I need to run a background check on him first. I won't trust any random idiot to fool around with my sister." I rolled my eyes at him.

" Erica is not a baby , she can decide for herself."

" Of course she can but still I am doing it. I need to know who is it." This was the part I was dreading.

" Uhh... You know him." He looked at me confused.

" I do?" I just nodded .

" Ryan. Erica is dating Ryan." I blurted , waiting for the blow that was yet to come but surprisingly it didn't come.

I looked up at him to see him in deep thought before he faintly nodded.

" Aren't you going to go all batshit crazy? " He rolled his eyes at my question.

" No, I mean he is fine . But still I need to have a talk with him." By now my mouth was hanging open.

" Did you say that Ryan is fine ?" I was genuinely shocked. This was not a fraction of what I had expected. Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

" Yes , why ?"

" You seriously asking me that?" I crossed my hands against my chest.

" I mean ,yeah, I knew that Ryan is a nice guy. Just that... I didn't like how close he is to you. All my assumptions as it seems now." He mumbled the last part under his breath.

" No shit Sherlock." I mocked him causing him to glare at me before we both resumed eating.