The Arranged Bride

Sophia's POV

I slightly groaned as the sun rays hit my eyes. I changed side and shut my eyes to get some more sleep . I reached out my arm to hug Nick only for my hand to fall on an empty bed. Opening just one eye I saw that he wasn't there, his side of the bed cold. As if just on cue the door creaked open.

" Wakeup baby , I have brought you breakfast." I heard Nick's melodious voice. Though I'll never admit but I love it when he calls me baby. It makes me feel giddy.

" Not now , it's too early." I heard him chuckle at that. Why ? What's so funny? Waking up is always a difficult job for me.

" It's ten already, sleepy-head." I immediately sprang up on the bed and looked at the clock to verify the time.

" Shit . We're late !" I looked at him with wide eyes . I hated being late to my job. Nick on the other hand smirked at me, making me guess that some arrogant comment was about to slip out of his mouth.

" You know I am the boss so ..." He trailed off to which I rolled my eyes.

" Shut up. Why didn't you wake me up?" I furrowed my eyebrows.

" I thought you needed some rest ." Just as he said those words , yesterday's events came crashing down in my mind. Everything played in my mind. I shivered at the thought of what could have happened if he had been a little late.

He obviously had noticed the change in my expression and the sudden discomfort. I heard him sigh after which he came close and pulled me to his lap. I put my hands around him, my head in the crook of his neck and hugged him. I was feeling so safe in his arms and no matter how childish it sounds, I didn't want to leave. We sat like that for a few minutes before he spoke.

" Now about being late , we are not going to office today." I kept hugging him. He was doing this for me and I felt guilty knowing that he had a lot of work at office. The work pressure at the moment was huge.

" Don't you think you are being absent frequently these days. On top of that , we both are absent together. What will everyone think?" I mumbled into his neck.

" That their boss needs some time with his wife , alone...." He trailed of in a seductive voice. I slapped his back and he laughed.

I pulled away to see his face. The laughter had ceased to a lazy smile . I dragged a finger along his face as if feeling and memorising every detail . Even with his messy hair , he managed to look so handsome. We both were staring into each other's eyes. He started leaning in and when I realised that he was going to kiss me, I sprinted off his lap. He furrowed his eyebrows, asking for an explanation.

" Morning breath." I climbed down the bed to do my morning routine. Stinky kiss isn't something I was up for. I heard him whine behind. He can sometimes be such a baby! I shook my head at that.

while he was scrolling through his phone. As he saw me , he sat up smiling. After I climbed up the bed he placed a tray of food on my lap. It had some croissants , scrambled eggs , bacons and some fruits. My mouth was instantly

these ?" I

He chuckled and nodded.

delicious then I must

good! " I exclaimed to which he passed a grin. While treating myself with those delicacies I thought of messing

have been fake complimenting my cooking when all the time you're laughing behind my back." I came up with a fake serious and hurt look

cook bad ... I mean ..... I didn't fake compliment you . I - " When I couldn't keep in any more, I bursted out laughing , cutting him off in the process. Seeing him so confused and rumbling was the last of my expectations. I saw him looking at me with a pissed expression but I couldn't bring myself to stop. Suddenly, a glint

fingers joining in the assault. I heard Ethan's giggle. I laughed so hard that tears slipped from my eyes. Finally when they stopped ,

hate you

you don't." They said in

Oh I do." I huffed. They both looked at each other before raising their hands in a tickling gesture. Them just wiggling their

" Don't." I warned.

you hate us?" Nick

-" I hesitated but when they lowered their hands,

blurted. Their face had an expression of victory. They high-fived

back , staring at the ceiling, without speaking, just enjoying each other's company. Suddenly I felt Ethan hugging my waist. I looked at him but he was hiding his face

name I used . He looked up

mom isn't with me. But then you came. Now I have my own happy family. " He grinned showing all his teeth. I was at a loss of words after what he said. He expressed it so easily in simple words but I didn't know what to say. So I just kissed his forehead and smiled at him. I felt Nick interlinking our fingers . I looked at him to see him staring at me with a strange look in his eyes... I don't know maybe adoration or something more. Squeezing his hand gently ,

elbows and looked at me to say something but stopped. His excited expression morphed into one of pure concern. He brought his hand

he was referring to the bruise. I gulped , unable to come up with a lie but Nick covered up

brushed my cheek as if he was wiping away the pain. I remembered when yesterday Nick

My boys!

.....

getting down, the door bell rang. Nick and I came down to the living room to see Clara sitting on one

see her. After learning what she had done

here ?" Nick gritted through his

welcome your son's mother. " She crossed her arms and smirked at him. Although that was intended towards Nick , I felt hurt realising that I wasn't Ethan's mother but I quickly pushed away those thoughts. I couldn't be so stupid to let the words of this pathetic excuse of