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Amsterdam, April 2, 2022
Andries
My grandmother is alwaysthe type of person who wants to be the peacemaker and make sure everyone in the family gets along. I have no idea how she even gets along with my dad since they are quite the opposite. His version of keeping the peace is to disrupt the entire world it seems, at least by making the world succumb to his own ideals.
Meanwhile his mother-in-law has always been a strategic partner. As she sits here discussing the case with me, her lips sip at her glass like they always have, with a dainty air. She’s asked me to come over, and that can only mean one thing. She might want to fish for more info about Roxanne before getting the executives at Beate Uhse AG to officially acquire the company… or she’s got news about my properties. But somehow we started talking about the trial first. There’s a bit more testimony and then the judge will start deliberating.
“You need to manage your expectations when it comes to the verdict, Andries,” she finally says, observing me. “Even if hegets a fine, it’ll be considered a victory. It means the man was convicted of his crime and he’s receiving at least some sort of punishment for what he did.” I know she’s right, even though that would be a laughable sentence.
“I know.” I sigh. “It just feels like justice isn’t going to be done unless he goes away for a long time.” Thinking about what Karl did still makes me feel sick. I find myself indulging in a small sip of wine, trying to ease my thoughts with some alcohol.
She nods and purses her lips. “Very true. But what has happened in the past is in the past and it’s all up to the court now to figure it out.” Once that has been said, she moves on to another subject: my life. “Have you thought about what you’re going to do after everything has been settled? I mean, once the sale goes through.”
I take a deep breath. This is something that nobody knows about yet, but Oma is someone I know I can trust to keep her mouth shut. Plus, she is probably the only one that will be happy to hear the news once it is revealed. “Well, I’m going to take Roxanne and her family to Paris for some time away to celebrate the deal… and to propose.”
When I say the wordproposeI can see her eyes twitch and she even chokes on her drink. My grandmother isn’t one to show emotion, so it’s quite funny to see her reaction. “Really, Andries? It feels so…” her eyes narrow as she thinks something through, “…sudden.” It’s a good word to use when I think what she really wants to say is ludicrous or something the equivalent.
“We’ve spoken about it already.” And not only that but we are also somewhat already living together—not sure if she needs to know that though. “She’s selling something she’sveryattached to, so it’s only fair to show how committed I am to the relationship.”
A brief flash of a smile dances over her lips this time, and it’s funny to see her trying to reign in emotions. “You are definitelyone of a kind, my dear. That is a grand gesture like no other.” She takes another sip of her drink, considering me. “Do you have a ring already? I think that’s probably a silly question.”
Now it’s my turn to almost laugh. She knows me pretty well. “I actually do. When she went shopping with her sister, she picked one out and her sister sent me pictures of it. It was easy to head over the next day and buy it for her.”
I’m wondering why her demeanor seems to have changed a bit. Oma seems on edge, and if anything we should be celebrating the fact that Roxanne is selling her company.
When there’s a ring at the doorbell a sudden shudder goes through me and I’m wondering if there’s something up. Like she’s going to pull a fast one and suddenly tell me that a lawyer’s coming in to force me to sign some kind of agreement with my dad if I want the deal of Roxanne’s agency goes through. But when I see Mom sweeping into the petit salon and greeting each other with big smiles, I know exactly what is going on. She must be here to try to convince me that being with Roxanne is a bad idea and that I’m throwing my life away.
“Hi Mom,” I mutter, between clenched teeth, trying to keep my cool despite her presence making me feel quite uncomfortable. There’s no need for air kisses or any of that crap.
“Andries,” she greets, her tone prime and proper as she sits right in front of me. To my surprise, Mom’s holding a portfolio in her hand, and something tells me they contain the properties I told Oma about.
Speaking of which, my grandmother seems to feel rather uneasy between the two of us. “I think I’ll go and check out the garden. My rose bushes have been doing terrible this year.” It’s so obvious she just wants to leave us alone that I almost want to laugh out loud.
Once there’s only the two of us in the petit salon, I can’t help but turn to my mom and ask, “Let me guess, you’re hereas a last ditch effort to get me to leave my girlfriend?” Her face doesn’t even flinch as she continues staring at me behind her long eyelashes. “You should already know that’s a waste of time.”
“First things first,” she begins as she extends a hand to give me the portfolio. Too curious to decline, I take it in my hands and continue to listen. “Your grandmother had the amiability to inform me that she changed the banking details for the rent of a few apartments that you happened to become the owner of last year.” While I’m feeling euphoric at the news, Mom doesn’t seem to share the same feeling. “Since you were in Tibet, or God knows where, I had forgotten to let you know about it.”
As soon as she finishes talking, my body gets a thrill. I open the case and quickly go through the paperwork. It’s all there, and now I can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the group of locations, which all have decent tenants will start to flow income into my bank account next month. The timing couldn’t be better.
“Forgot?” I repeat, raising an eyebrow at her chosen word. “You mean you held a grudge against me because I left home for a year going against you and Dad’s plan?”
Mom heaves a long sigh in annoyance, averting her gaze as she processes my question. “Fine, I’m sorry,” she replies, her eyes meeting mine again. Yet she seems rather vexed than sorry. “I wanted to tell you about it on your birthday but then you were constantly with Roxanne and I figured it’d be better to let you know later down the road.”
Her excuse is pathetic, but at least she gave me an apology, I’ll give her that. “Thanks for telling me the truth,” I play along, trying to be somewhat courteous to her. After all, if I can make peace with my mom, then I’m all for it.
“I’ve heard your grandmother has found a buyer for Roxanne’s agency?” she asks, her eyes filled with curiosity.
“Yes, you know Oma doesn’t exactly move slowly when it comes to business.”
She laughs in her usual elegant and contained way, easing the tension between us. “I have to admit, I was quite shocked and angry when she told me what she was doing, but I know part of it was to make your dad potentially have a stroke.” She grins and I return it. It’s not like we have anything against my father, but the way he’s been treating me since this whole situation began is well… typical. Almost expected. And now he can’t do anything about me since I don’t need to beg him for my allowance anymore. I can move on, and that is a massive relief.
“Well, I hope when the deal is signed you can meet with us to celebrate,” I tell her. It’s only proper that my mom could join us at the cocktail party. I know Dad wouldn’t attend even if I asked him to, it’d be like rubbing salt in a wound, but maybe Mom would be more reasonable to put the past behind and move on.
“Listen, dear…” She leans forward, sitting at the edge of her seat, and I can tell she’s having a hard time figuring out how to say something she knows I’m not going to like. “Are you a hundred percent sure about this? I mean, the fact Roxanne is selling her agency to be with you is a very noble gesture, but… are you sure she’s not with you simply because of who you are?”
I frown at her question, failing to grasp what she means by that, so she adds, “You know, a young impressionable rich heir with a noble title?”
“Jeez! Mom!” I utter in outrage, shaking my head at her attitude. I can’t believe she even thought something like that! Is this how she sees my girlfriend? Fuck! She reminds me so much of Elise during our last confrontation in the lecture hall.
