Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
SOPHIE
By afternoon, the stack of folders on my desk had grown into a small tower. The paper was cool and crisp under my fingertips as I pulled another one toward me. Rowks Pharmaceuticals. I flipped it open: revenue charts, market share percentages, competitor analyses.
Next was Maritime Logistics. Then Construction Materials. Then something about agricultural exports.
Each holding was unique. Each interesting in its own way. But Viktor hadn’t told me which one to select.
See if there’s anything that interests you.
I stared at the words I’d written in my notes, realizing I’d reread them three times without absorbing a word.
What interested me?
Breathe. I pressed my palms against my eyes.
I’d started my studies in finance, and it was supposed to be ornamental.
A name on a degree, a face at charity events, someone who could discuss quarterly earnings at dinner parties without embarrassing the family.
That was the plan. My studies were for image, nothing more.
I was never supposed to actually do anything with them.
But Papa saw my interest and had made sure I could finish them.
Even while I was refusing to leave home, he’d arranged for me to continue.
Hired private tutors for me, made sure I had all the supplies I needed.
Maybe he indeed considered involving me in one of his businesses, but I’d married before the chance came. Now my husband was giving me a chance.
My hands dropped to the desk. The folders stared back at me, waiting.
Get yourself together, I thought, curling my fingers into fists. Viktor trusted you. The last thing you want is to disappoint him.
I had a week, maybe. He hadn’t specified that either. But as with the last report, I was determined to have everything resolved sooner than he expected.
So I reached for the first folder again only for the ringing of the telephone to pull my attention away.
It was probably Mamma. She’d called on Sunday as well, wanting to make sure everything was all right, that Rafa hadn’t upset Viktor with his snarky comments.
Since Viktor was home—which I’d told her—I’d managed to cut the call short.
But she called again on Monday, and by then I’d asked Ms. Hale to pass along my apologies—that I was busy and would call back later.
Which I hadn’t.
I felt a bit embarrassed for not reaching back. But the documents I was working on were fully taking my attention.
“Fifi!” My own name sounded like an accusation.
“Mamma?”
“You promised to call back!”
I sighed. “I didn’t have time.”
“Didn’t have time? And what was keeping you so busy?”
“Mamma…” What could I say? Working on business? Mamma wouldn’t appreciate that answer.
“Be honest with me. Did something happen? I don’t believe for a second that your husband cut dinner short because of work.
” Mamma paused, then whispered, “Your father is very angry with Rafa these days. I’m not sure what happened, but I know for sure there’s some dispute between your husband and brother.
Again.” She said it all in a single breath.
“Is there any chance your husband is taking it out on you for your brother’s behavior? ”
“Some dispute between my husband and brother?” My brows drew together. “Beyond the usual snarky comments, I’d never noticed anything serious.”
While she was correct that Viktor hadn’t cut our last visit short because of work, there was no way I’d tell her the real reason.
“Mamma, you’re imagining things. Besides, Viktor indeed has too much on his plate. He even needs to take a trip abroad this Friday.” I traced a pattern on the desk with my finger. “He also asked me to apologize again for leaving early.”
There was a pause. “You’re not lying?”
“Maybe only the last sentence?”
“So everything is as usual between you?”
“Yes.” I tried to sound neutral. God forbid I showed excitement; I’d never free myself from more questions.
Mamma’s breath quickened. “We didn’t manage to talk properly this time, but I heard he’s started coming home after work.”
“No secret can be kept, can it?” I scoffed. “Yes, he comes home earlier. That’s why he has so much unresolved work.”
“You’re not going to tell me more, are you?” Mamma’s voice grew lower. “I’m your mother, you know. I’m worried!”
“I promise you, everything is all right.” I tried to sound more cheerful. It wasn’t hard, considering the euphoric feeling was still fluttering in my stomach after everything that had happened this morning. “But I really need to go. I’m actually busy.”
“You still haven’t told me what’s making you busy. You’d better pull yourself together and think about producing heirs!”
A sharp breath escaped me. “See you at the next dinner. We’ll talk later, Mamma.”
I tried to ignore the rising guilt in my chest as I put the phone down. Mamma was still talking, but there was still so much to review.
Evening came faster than expected, and despite my tiredness, I nearly ran to the main entrance when Ms. Hale told me my husband was home.
Only to stop when I noticed a woman in her mid-thirties with him.
“This is Mara Lind. She’s been with the company for more than ten years—the last five as one of my executive assistants,” he introduced her immediately.
“It’s my pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Rowks.” The woman held out her hand.
Her lips formed a polite smile, though her eyes were focused. When I didn’t reach for her hand, she lowered it, letting out a small nervous chuckle, her eyes darting between me and Viktor.
It was news to me that Viktor had a woman assistant. Not that he’d ever gone into personal details about his assistants, but I’d supposed they were all men.
I couldn’t tell why it shocked me. But a second later, I felt ashamed of my own thoughts.
After being told business was too hard for my pretty head when I knew I was capable, I shouldn’t have made assumptions about a woman in this position.
And if Viktor had picked her for his own team, then surely the woman was a professional.
“It’s nothing personal,” I hurried to say. “I just can’t stand any touch.”
“Ah…”
“Why don’t we have dinner, and you two can get to know each other?” Viktor gestured toward the dining room.
Ms. Hale had already set the table for three. And as we sat down, for a second I thought it would be awkward. Instead, Mara asked about the house, commented on the artwork in the hallway, and the conversation flowed easily.
“Mr. Rowks told me you’re planning to dive into one of the branches?” The question sounded more like a statement.
I shifted in my place. “Yes, but I only started looking into more details today. I couldn’t manage to look into everything yet.”
“Yes, Rowks Group is quite big. That will take time. I would advise looking into the smaller ones for the first project as practice. But if you choose something big, I’ll still be there to advise you.
” She then looked pointedly at Viktor. “I don’t think there could be another attempt to bankrupt any of the companies. ”
“That was six years ago! I was green out of university!” Viktor said in a defensive tone. “How long are you going to remind me of that?”
“If you’d just listened to us instead of thinking yourself the smartest in the room, we wouldn’t have had to work day and night for several weeks to fix your mess.”
I’d never seen anyone talk to Viktor like that. Not even Ms. Hale.
“I apologized for that! And I paid you well! And my father was impressed with how we handled everything! That was a success.”
Ms. Lind shook her head. “A success at the expense of my wasted nerves!”
Maybe the confusion on my face was obvious, as Viktor turned to me. “When I first started, I was arrogant. I was sure that others had no grasp of the business.”
“Don’t forget to mention that both you and Alexander were blinded by the competition.”
“And that, too. But it’s all part of the learning process…” He nodded to himself before diving into more memories.
But what caught my attention more wasn’t the stories of his bad decisions, which he was probably telling to ease my nerves.
It was how he spoke of his late father and half-brother.
I’d assumed from our last conversation that there was no resentment, and people don’t tend to hold things against the dead, anyway.
But Viktor carried such longing and affection that it was hard to believe there had ever been any.
“I am very thankful for the opportunity Mr. Rowks gave me.” Ms. Lind toasted near the end of the evening. “And I’d be more than happy to start this new road with you, if you’ll give me a chance.”
“That will be my pleasure.” I toasted back, then looked at Viktor, unsure if I was doing everything correctly.
When he’d mentioned an assistant that morning, I’d assumed it would take weeks and countless discussions before anything came of it. And yet here I was, already stepping onto a path I’d never imagined for myself. It all felt surreal.
“Then I think we’ve come to an agreement.” Viktor joined the toast, before telling Ms. Lind, “As I told you, my wife feels more comfortable working from home. Ms. Hale will organize her office in the upcoming days. But until everything is ready, you can work from my office.”
“Sure.” Ms. Lind then looked at me. “I need to hand over some documents tomorrow. Do you mind if I come on Friday?”
“Yes, of course.” I heard the tremor in my voice and hid my embarrassment behind the glass of wine in my hand. “I’ll continue looking into the holding details tomorrow. I only went through one-third,” I added.
Ms. Lind gave me an encouraging smile, and by the time the evening came to an end, my chest was full of excitement and confidence.
When the car pulled away with her, leaving Viktor and me alone at home, he joined me on the patio. Sitting on the opposite side of the sofa, he poured himself the rest of the wine.
“Would you like some more?” he asked, nodding toward the glass in my hand, but I shook my head. “I hope I didn’t overwhelm you?”