The Arranged Bride

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.