Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
SOPHIE
“I need to leave the country for a few days,” Viktor said during Wednesday breakfast.
It was strangely warm for the first week of February, so one of the windows of the patio was slightly open, letting a fresh breeze fill the room.
“When?” A strange feeling stung my stomach.
“Friday morning.”
“You won’t be here on the weekend?” I tried to keep my tone neutral, but a quiet ache slipped through.
“No, I’d hoped I could manage to resolve everything from here. But there are some unexpected difficulties.”
“Oh, so there are some issues in business?”
“Hm?”
“At my father’s dinner on Saturday, you were talking…”
“Oh, no. They’re not connected. This one is just usual ongoing issues. Just need to be handled in person.”
“I understand.”
It wasn’t like he’d never traveled. He did. Before we got closer, he was rarely at home. But once we had, he’d never stayed late at work, let alone left the country.
I was so into our established routine I’d barely remembered that Viktor actually had a life outside our home. Yes, it was related to work, but in his case, work meant people connections that he was obliged to maintain.
I sipped my morning coffee that Viktor had prepared for me. Delicious, as always. It wasn’t that Ms. Hale’s or mine was worse. But Viktor’s simply had something special, and I craved it.
I set it down. It was probably silly. I could live without one for… “How long?”
“Maybe four or five days. A week at worst. I also need to visit Yann. There are some accumulated issues that need to be resolved. In person.”
“Hm…” I took a deep breath.
There are many women who would die to just be even his mistress. My heart trembled as Catherine’s words stirred in my mind.
“Sophie,” Viktor’s voice came as if from underwater. “Sophie, are you all right?”
I looked at him, his face full of worry. His hand nearly reaching me on the table, but still not touching.
“You don’t want me to go?”
“It’s just…” I didn’t.
But it would be so childish to admit. So immature. Not when we’d already started to get so close. Having some flirtatious tone in our conversations that sometimes went beyond the business talks. And now all of a sudden… “We were spending time every day. I’m a bit distressed. I’ll manage.”
“You’re afraid to be alone?”
I pressed my lips, looking out the window.
“Sophie.” He paused. “If you want, you can come with me. Yann has been nagging me, asking when I’ll bring you to introduce you to them. And Aunt Anita is still disappointed she couldn’t attend our wedding. She can’t wait to see you.”
“What? You never told me!”
“I didn’t want to push. And even now, you’re not obliged. But if you wish, I’ll be very happy.”
Meeting Viktor’s side of the family? The brief introduction at our wedding didn’t count.
But a proper visit to their estate… That seemed even more terrifying than meeting my old school friends.
Catherine was also trying to convince me to get out of the house, saying that since I was married, no one would dare look at me the wrong way.
And if anyone did, she would personally kick them out of the circle.
But no. I couldn’t.
“Sophie…”
“Y-Yes?” I looked at Viktor, his hand slightly shaking on the table.
“You’re scratching your palms.”
No, I wasn’t!
I hid my hands under the table.
Viktor continued glancing in that direction. But when he spoke, his voice was soft. “As I said, you’re not obligated. We can visit them when you’re ready. And if not, it’s okay.”
I took a breath, then made myself bring my hands back to the table. At least with my appetite gone, I didn’t have to worry about forcing myself to eat.
“If you wish, you can spend time with your family.”
“No! I’ll feel much better here.”
Viktor chuckled. “Okay, I’ll try to finish as soon as possible and come back to you. All right?”
I looked at him. His eyes, warm as usual, made me feel wrapped in the safety of his embrace. Even if it wasn’t physical.
“Is there anything else on your mind?” He paused for a second. “You have this look on your face, as if… you want to say something but you’re holding back.”
“I—” I looked down at my cup, tracing a finger along its rim. The words trembled somewhere behind my teeth. “Can I ask you a question?” My voice came out quieter than I’d meant it to.
“Of course.”
“Are you… really not seeing someone on the side?”
“Pardon?” His eyes narrowed. “I already told you no.”
I bit the inside of my cheek, looking aside. “Well…”
“Sophie, I am not seeing anyone on the side. Not now, not in the past months. In fact, long before our wedding.” His tone became heavy. His gaze stayed on me.
I thought I would feel relieved. Instead, a strange wave of shame washed over me. I shouldn’t have asked, when he’d already denied it. “I’m sorry, I didn’t—”
“No, it’s good you asked. If that was worrying you, I’m happy you asked.” Sadness edged his tone. “I mean it. I can’t say I’m excited. Or I like the question, or that it even occurred to you again. But I appreciate you asked it.”
When he turned toward the window, light brushed across his profile, catching a faint bump on the bridge of his nose. I blinked, startled by the detail; how had I never noticed it before?
He was breathing heavily, and I didn’t dare say another word. But as he turned back, there wasn’t any hint of anger or disappointment in his eyes. And when he spoke, his voice again carried softness. “Can I also ask you a question?”
I gave him a small nod, and even though my heart was racing, I was ready to answer anything.
“Is there any particular reason you had those thoughts?”
I exhaled. “It’s not like I was doubting you. Or thinking…” My eyes went back to my mug.
“Sophie, I’m not angry at you for having those thoughts. I only want to understand what the reason was. Maybe I did something wrong that made you feel that way? Or maybe there is someone trying to spread rumors in hopes of affecting Rowks Group? I just need to know.”
“Those rumors can affect Rowks Group?” I rushed to ask.
“So, rumors?”
“No, not like rumors, more like women’s gossip?” I was too embarrassed to admit that it wasn’t even gossip, more like observation and a hint to me to step up my game. But he was nothing like Edmond.
Viktor turned his head slightly to the right. “Men also gossip. In the end, aren’t they the same?”
“But why would rumors about your personal life affect Rowks Group?” I mirrored Viktor’s position, turning my head to the left.
“Some, if spread wisely.” He huffed. “You know that our marriage is viewed as an arrangement of stability and trust between two families. If someone wanted to make me seem frivolous, spreading rumors that I can’t sustain what I initiated would be effective.
“It would actually play a much bigger role if Rowks Group were a smaller holding. Now, it’s mostly just some bites from here and there.
Others aren’t saints either. Ethics have zero value for them when it comes to the possibility of gaining money.
But some will still try to destabilize things in hopes of gaining something from it. ”
“I heard that once instead of catching Voigt’s heiress, you moved away when she was falling. And Cath mentioned something similar happened at the New Year's gala.”
Amusement crossed Viktor’s face, then he chuckled so hard he hid his smile behind his palm. “Wow, even that made it into the gossip in high society.”
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle myself. “So, you did it on purpose?”
“I wasn’t there to entertain,” he said with laughter in his voice. “But I think having rumors of me being raised without manners is much better than ones about being disloyal.”
“Oh.” I bit my lip for a second, not letting the worry his words sparked show on my face.
I knew Viktor most probably didn’t mean that he was loyal to me because of business, though that was actually the reason we’d gotten married.
Alongside him maybe feeling a bit guilty because of what his so-called friends had done to me.
“Sophie?”
I flinched at my name. Though it was called with a caring voice, and there was nothing but warmth in Viktor’s eyes.
The next second I forced the tension from my face, trying to bring the conversation to a more neutral place.
“So, is there anything I need to be cautious about in terms of not harming the business?”
“I believe you’re smart enough not to do or say anything that will put us at any disadvantage.” There was a small change in his tone, as if he wanted to add something.
After a few seconds of silence, I encouraged him. “But?”
“If someone ever tries to imply something and plant doubts, just ask me.”
“I would.”
He lifted his wrist and checked the time. “To be honest, I need to hurry.”
I smiled. “Will you be on time for dinner?”
“Of course.” He returned the smile, getting out of his seat, but didn’t rush away. “I know I promised I’d pick a new project for you, but I really didn’t expect you to wrap up the last one so easily.”
“I understand, don’t worry,” I said, also getting out of my seat.
We’d discussed my report on Sunday, and after Viktor gave me a few notes, I’d done some polishing and presented it yesterday at dinner.
I could still feel the butterflies in my stomach from the memory of approval in Viktor’s eyes.
He wasn’t just being polite or sugarcoating things.
He was truly satisfied with my work. And for me, that meant so much more than one could imagine.
“I’ll find something to entertain myself with.” I headed toward the doors.
“You’re done?” He gestured to my plate that was still unfinished.
“I’ll escort you, then come back to finish.”
He let out a small laugh, following me, but when we reached the stairs, he gestured toward his office. “About the next project. We’ve already discussed Rowks Holdings’ divisions. How about you look through them more closely while I’m away? See if there’s anything that interests you.”
I nearly stumbled. Was he really suggesting I choose something to work on?
“You really think I can?”
“Why not?”
“I didn’t even finish my degree… And…” My breath hitched.
“You’re definitely much more knowledgeable than many with one.”
“I’m sure I’m not.”
“You’re questioning my judgment?”
I opened my mouth, then closed it.
And as we entered his office, Viktor dashed to the safe, opening the door.
“It’s not a spontaneous suggestion. I’ve spent more than a month discussing nothing but business with you.
I even gave you an assignment that other graduates usually spend a semester finishing.
” He took a stack of documents, putting them on his desk.
“It’s not knowledge you need, but practice. ”
My heart was pounding. My cheeks burning.
“Also, if you’d like, I can order some office furniture to put in your study?”
“My study?”
“Yes, the one attached to your bedroom. I didn’t fully organize it—thought you’d love to do it yourself?”
“No! I don’t want it.” I said it even before disappointment filled my body.
“Oh.” Confusion crossed Viktor’s face. “Can I ask why?” Then he added instantly, “I don’t mind sharing this office with you. I just thought you’d be more comfortable having something of your own.”
“It’s in my bedroom,” I said.
“Ah…” His brows drew down. “Then you can just work here,” he said, gesturing for me to come closer. “Here are some starting documents.” He pointed at one of the shelves before showing me how to open and close the door of the vault.
But I was so shocked I barely managed to remember.
Was he insane?
Viktor didn’t seem to notice. “If you want to take a break, don’t forget to put them back. Overall, the rule is, once you’re out of this room, no sensitive documents should be out of the vault.”
When he looked at me, there was no hint of distrust.
“You trust me.”
“Didn’t I already say that?”
“Yes, but…” Papa didn’t even let Rafael into his. Our mother was out of the question. And here was Viktor, letting me into the most powerful corner in the Rowks estate.
“But what?”
“Isn’t it a bit irresponsible?”
His eyes widened, and he shook his head with a soft laugh.
“I would love to discuss this more, but I really need to hurry,” he said, looking down at his watch.
As he took a step toward the exit, I blurted out, “Can you… show me again how to… open it?”
“Of course,” he said warmly, returning and repeating the steps.
This time I concentrated my whole attention on each move of his fingers.
“Anything else?” he asked.
“No.” But when Viktor was nearly at the door, another question slipped from my lips. “Can I have that room as my office?” I cringed at the begging in my tone as my finger pointed toward the gallery.
Viktor stopped, turning to me. He seemed caught off guard by the question.
“It’s near your office,” I hurried to add. “And the art pieces can be moved into the old smoking room? It’s not like we’re using it.”
The begging tone again. That fear. I hoped I could control my voice better.
I swallowed when he stayed silent, his hand going to the back of his neck, running through his hair.
“No,” he said, but his tone didn’t sound categorically negative, nor was his face expressing anger.
“No?” My voice got lower as my stomach dropped.
“No,” he confirmed.
“Oh…” I lowered my head, trying not to look at Viktor. After all that had happened these past few days, I thought…
I thought…
Only a minute ago, he’d trusted me with the vault password. But perhaps the gallery room was much more special than I’d thought? And if it was so important to him, then I had no option but to accept that. I’d already gotten much more than I could wish for.
“I don’t like the tone of your question.” Viktor didn’t move from his place, and I could feel his gaze on me. “In fact, I don’t like that it was a question.”
I looked up, caught off guard by his words. My shoulders drew in.
“This is your home.” A small smile appeared on his lips as he leaned against the doorway. “Try again.”
I stared at him, his words tangling in my thoughts. Try again?
My hands twisted together as I gulped down the lump in my throat. “Can I—”
He raised his eyebrow, and I closed my eyes, my skin prickling.
“I want that room as my study.” The words tumbled out.
“Sounds much better.” He scratched his chin. “Maybe try again?”
Again?
Like how?
Annoyance flared—I felt like a child who’d been caught doing something wrong. So, when I opened my mouth again, my voice carried a hint of anger. “I will convert that room to my study.”
“Perfect.” His smile widened as he pushed off the doorway. “Also, you may need your own assistant. And I think I have one in mind.”
“Assistant?”
“Yes. Maybe even a team?” He checked his watch once again. “We’ll discuss it over dinner. I really need to go.”
And then, with that maddening warmth, he winked and left.
When I heard the main door close, I couldn’t resist making a squeaky sound. A loud one that I quickly muffled with my hands. Yet I couldn’t stop my feet from bouncing in place.
Was this a dream? Was this really happening to me?
I circled in place before finally screaming into my palm.