11. In My Arms

Chapter 11

In My Arms

The atmosphere seemed quiet, only the sound of paper being seldom flipped broke the silence.

"Mom, come on... help me." Sophie whined to the woman in front of her who was reading a tabloid.

"I've told you since long ago that Beck is not good for you, I have repeatedly introduced you to the son of my clients who are much richer. But, you are blinded by love."

"You introduced me to an old man," Sophie grumbled.

"Just a few years older, it doesn't matter. What matters is that they have a lot of money." Nena did not shift her focus at all from the tabloid in her hand. "Now you are unemployed, your credit card was also taken by Beck."

"Lucy took it, not Beck," Sophie corrected.

"Whoever it is, it makes no difference because it means you are now completely useless," Nena said, indifferently. "In this city there are many men who are richer and more handsome than your lover."

"But, only Beck spoils me. Other men only want my body."

Nena closed the tabloid in her hand. The woman sighed, looking at Sophie with a cold gaze. "Doesn't Beck want your body?"

"He wants me all the time," Sophie replied grumblingly remembering how Beck was indeed too passionate that sometimes she was overwhelmed because Beck didn't know the time.

However, how savage Beck was every time they put their bodies together. She could keep up with Beck because she was just as passionate as Beck and even satisfied with Beck's games. The important point was to satisfy Beck because without Beck, she certainly couldn't enjoy a comfortable life because the money given by Nena wouldn't be enough to support her appearance.

"Imagine if you use your brain, how much money would you have made if you were an official's mistress instead of sleeping with that boy." Nena's tone sounded serious

"So, what should I do?"

"Let's see in the next few days, does Beck give you another credit card or not," Nena said.

"If not?"

"Have you lost your brain in your head?" Nena stared at Sophie, her eyes sharp. "Leave him, why do you stay with a stingy man."

Sophie snorted. She was a child who had no parents who was adopted by Nena. The woman was a former prostitute who was now a pimp in a brothel and high-class gambling den in Barcelona. According to Nena, Sophie was the daughter of her best friend who was killed by her lover because of jealousy and who Sophie's biological father was, Nena also did not know for sure because her best friend also had the same profession as she used to.

Nena deliberately gave Sophie an education in the most prestigious place in Barcelona in the hope that the woman would find a rich man in the place where she studied, not a man like Beck who according to Nena was only a middle-class person, not very influential, and also not comparable when compared to the beauty that Sophie had.

"Don't worry, I will find a richer man for you as long as you obey. I guarantee you will not lack anything," said Nena.

Sophie rolled her eyes. "Your taste is lousy."

"I will choose someone the same age as Beck so that when you make love you can open your eyes," said Nena with a laugh. She understood very well Sophie's fear of not sleeping with an old man.

"That's not funny," Sophie grumbled.

Nena got up, she rubbed the top of Sophie's head. "I always hope you find a man who is willing to marry you and is also rich so you don't have to live like me and your late mother," she said softly.

"But, to get that, is there no other way than sleeping with a rich man?" Sophie asked.

"Is there a rich man who will approach you if not through that method while you are not from their circle?"

Sophie was stunned to hear what Nena said, unconsciously she nodded. Confirming Nena's words. The woman took a breath that felt a little tight. Nena was not her biological parent but the woman treated her well since she was little until now even though sometimes when Nena was tired and the woman turned a little fierce.

"I'm sure your beloved lover is coming," Nena said sarcastically when she heard the doorbell of their apartment unit ring.

Sophie immediately got up to open the door for Beck, the man who had just entered the place looked shabby. His facial expression was gloomy and there was a little fire in his eyes.

"Beck..." Sophie sighed. The woman put on her mask, so innocent, as if helpless with everything that had happened today.

"Forgive my mother," Beck said. He embraced Sophie into his arms and kissed her temple.

"I don't deserve you, I'm not someone who is rich like you." Sophie's tone was so weak as if she was the only one in this world who was suffering.

"You don't have to worry about this, we love each other, we are the ones going through it. My parents wouldn't mind whatever your condition if Vanilla didn't affect them," Beck said. He hugged Sophie lovingly.

Sophie nodded weakly. "Beck, I'm unemployed now. I think I'll have a hard time finding a job because I was dishonorably discharged from the company."

"You don't need to work, just stay home for a while until the situation gets better," Beck said.

Sophie lowered her head. "Let you and your future wife be together all day?" she asked softly.

"You can take my word for it, Vanilla will not be my secretary or my wife. Ever." Beck assured his lover, he would never let Vanilla be his secretary, never.

Sophie nodded. "Will you stay here?" she asked in a spoiled tone.

Beck stroked Sophie's head. "I'm going to stay here for a few days until things calm down, my mom and I need some time," he said.

Beck knew there was no point in forcing his will on Lucy, his mother. Beck thought that the woman had been influenced by Vanilla and no matter how hard he tried to persuade his mother, he couldn't win. What he needed was to get away from her to avoid an argument that would escalate if he went back to his house.

"Hey, Beck," Nena greeted, the woman carrying a bag in her arm walking towards the exit.

"Hey, Nena," Beck greeted.

"Have fun, I'm going back to my house," Nena said. "Honey, treat Beck well."

"I know," Sophie said and gave Nena a meaningful look then turned to Beck with a very sweet expression.

***

"Oh my God. Nick, I'm full." Vanilla leaned back on the couch, she had just finished a variety of dishes prepared by the chef at the Knight family home.

"The way to cure a broken heart is to eat," Nick said in a teasing tone.

"I'm not heartbroken," Vanilla grumbled.

"Oh, yeah? So, who was crying in my arms a few hours ago?"

Vanilla pursed her lips, looking at Nick with an annoyed look even though she wasn't really annoyed. In fact, she felt her face heat up because she remembered how peaceful it was to be in the arms of the handsome man in front of her.

Nick chuckled. "You'll be like a pig if you don't get up from your seat soon," he said and extended his palm to Vanilla.

Vanilla raised both eyebrows, staring at Nick's outstretched palm facing up in front of her.

Nick smiled. "Just looking at the view from the balcony."

"Oh," the girl sighed.

Vanilla accepted Nick's outstretched hand after hearing where Nick was going to take her. When their palms touched, Vanilla felt as if her body was electrocuted. Although not too big, it was able to make her blood heat up and her body react strangely. The girl got up from her seat, following Nick walking towards the door leading to the balcony.

"It's beautiful," Vanilla muttered, her gaze spoiled by the luxury of the Knight family.

From the balcony, Vanilla could see the garden located in the very large backyard, as well as the swimming pool, and the garden that was neatly and beautifully designed. When she glanced to the side of the building, Vanilla found a building made of glass in the shape of a box, almost the same size as a house.

"What place is that?" asked Vanilla.

Nick looked at Vanilla from the side, his lips curved into a smile. "Do you like cats?"

Vanilla turned her head, finding Nick staring at her. The man's blue eyes stared at her so softly, the gaze seemed to be able to shake Vanilla's knees. She tried to avoid the man's gaze because she was sure, if she didn't do it then she would definitely melt in Nick's arms. The man she had idolized as a teenager.

"C-cat?"

"Yes, cat."

Vanilla blinked as if she couldn't believe that the handsome man in front of her was an animal lover, and the animal was a cat. How cute.

"I-I like it, I think...."

She wasn't sure because in her entire life, Vanilla had never kept a cat or other animal in her house.

Nick pushed aside a strand of hair that was hanging down Vanilla's beautiful face. "Do you want to see?"

Vanilla felt the touch of Nick's fingertips on her forehead as the man pushed aside her hair, soft, pleasant, and her body felt like it was floating.