6. Promised

Chapter 6

Promised

Beck hit the steering wheel of his car several times and gripped it tightly. His mind was confused about leaving Vanilla with Nick, his feelings were not sincere, but it had to be done. His best friend would definitely call him inconsistent if he messed up Nick's well-laid plan to keep Vanilla away from him and Sophie.

When Nick entered the restaurant, Beck immediately moved away and decided to go to where Sophie lived. Initially his intention was to enjoy Sophie's body and satisfy himself. But, unfortunately, when he made love to Sophie that night, his thoughts were not with Sophie at all. He continues to worry about Vanilla who is with Nick.

After completing his passion, the usually passionate Beck returned after a moment's pause. He didn't want Sophie at all anymore, in his mind there was only worry about Vanilla who might still be with Nick and without saying anything to Sophie, Beck put on his clothes and hurried away from where his girlfriend lived.

Beck drove his car to the hotel where the reunion was being held, unfortunately the event had finished, no one was there. He checked his cell phone, there was no call from Vanilla even though he had told the girl to come back with him. Yes, he left the party, but couldn't Vanilla look for him before he came back? or at least leave a message before returning to his house accompanied by his driver.

On the way to his house he called Nick several times on his cell phone. However, his friend did not answer his calls. Beck also called Vanilla, unfortunately Vanilla didn't answer his call either. Beck's mind was very confused, he really wanted to go to Vanilla's house to confirm the girl's whereabouts.

He was really panicking, worried that Nick would drag Vanilla into his bed tonight. Beck is a complete mess, unfortunately he doesn't know the security code where the West family lives. Unlike Vanilla, who is free to go in and out of her residence, he never sets foot in Vanilla's residence.

Four years ago when her parents proposed to Vanilla and the next morning Beck came to Vanilla's room to negotiate with the girl. That was the last time he set foot in Vanilla's house.

"Why did you accept this arrangement?" Beck was very emotional. He suppressed his voice so it wouldn't be heard outside Vanilla's room.

"What can I do?" Vanilla, who was still in bed that morning, rubbed her eyes several times while changing her position to sitting.

"We don't love each other!" Beck raised his voice even though it was clear his voice was muffled.

"I see," muttered Vanilla.

"Vanilla, let's finish this crazy engagement!" Beck really doesn't want to get engaged to Vanilla, let alone marry Vanilla. That wasn't in his life plan. There never will be.

"You can just tell your mother," said Vanilla in a lazy tone.

"You think my mom will listen to me?" Beck told the truth, his mother would be furious if he thwarted the match because last night he had agreed without coercion.

"Why?"

"Mama wants you to be her daughter. Oh, my gosh! Why don't you just be adopted by my family?" Beck growled. He didn't understand why Vanilla was so wanted by his parents.

"If you don't dare to speak, it's better not to fight," said Vanilla as she lay down again and covered her head with a blanket.

"Vanilla, we can't possibly get married," Beck said seriously.

Vanilla let out a heavy breath, was she so bad in Beck's eyes that he was so adamant about refusing to get engaged to her? The girl lifted the blanket covering her body up to her head. He changed his position back to sitting.

"Beck..." Vanilla paused her words for a moment, she observed the face of the man in front of her who was frowning so deeply as if he was holding back the annoyance in his heart. "We won't be getting married any time soon, don't worry."

Beck sat his butt on the edge of the bed. "Vanilla, you know I have Sophie," he said in an annoyed tone.

"I know," said Vanilla lazily, Beck has been dating the soap for two years. Everyone knows too.

"I really love Sophie, she is an angel on our campus," said Beck in a proud tone, talking about Sophie with a glow in her eyes that even sparkled like stars.

"Yeah, I know. Besides, starting tomorrow I'll be living in New York. So, as long as I'm in New York, you're still free to date your soap," said Vanilla, embarrassed.

"What? You want to move to New York?" This time Beck was shocked to hear what Vanilla had just said.

"Yes, I studied there."

"You didn't tell me that you were going to continue your studies there? What do you mean? You're leaving me?"

Beck's anger suddenly flared when he heard that Vanilla was going to continue her education without telling him first. This was done without asking for approval from him first.

"I have to continue my education," said Vanilla in a very calm tone.

"There are many campuses here, you can also continue your education in Madrid. No need to go all the way to New York!" Beck's voice this time is louder that it could be heard outside Vanilla's room.

Vanilla staring the handsome face of Beck, her best friend, her neighbor, the most annoying man who always got angry when she got close to other men. Vanilla quietly snorted in annoyance, she had guessed Beck's reaction would be like that. It will definitely be like that.

"Beck, you refused our arranged marriage. But, you also won't let me go, what do you want?" Vanilla asked in a serious tone. "Are you going to get engaged to me or are you going to college in New York and our engagement is off?"

Beck looked straight into Vanilla's eyes. Getting a sharp look from Beck, Vanilla turned her head away. She memorized all the behavior of the man in front of her, the man she liked, the man closest to her. Men who have always made difficult choices throughout their lives since they were children, when they were teenagers, until now.

"If I choose here, will you decide on your soap?" Vanilla asked without looking at Beck's face.

As Vanilla expected, Beck was silent, Beck definitely couldn't choose. Vanilla knows that. For a long time, silence spread between the two of them, as if stretching a very long distance, they were lost in each other's thoughts.

"I knew you would definitely choose your soap, Beck," said Vanilla, her voice hoarse.

"Vanilla, don't go, don't leave me, okay!" Beck suddenly hugged Vanilla's body.

"Don't go, remember our promise. You remember our promise, right?"

This time Vanilla was silent, didn't move. We will always be together forever. It was probably a ridiculous promise made by two little kids who didn't yet have logic.

"Don't go, please don't go. OK, I'll decide Sophie."

This time Beck meant it. Unfortunately, Vanilla still left him even though he had promised the girl he would break up with Sophie.

***

At another place, Nick only wore a towel wrapped low around his waist. The man glanced at a woman curled up on the bed. The woman was not wearing clothes, the skin on her back was exposed because the blanket only covered her waist to her feet. Her long hair spread across the pillow. The woman breathed slowly as if she was so peaceful, falling asleep after being tired of making love to him. Nick checked his cell phone, Beck called him repeatedly and he ignored it.