A Reluctant Enterprise

by Gun Brooke

  “That was quite something,” Viktoria said, her eyes still wide at the exchange. She pulled Aeron and Sylvie with her to a remote corner of the patio where they wouldn’t be overheard. A planter with tall lilies and artfully added grass kept them partially obscured as well. “You rock, girl, taking on that old bull! Wow.”

  “He tried to belittle me. It’s not the first time that’s ever happened, but I sort of had to take him on because of what Sylvie has told me of her childhood.”

  “Well, since the two of you are the new it-couple from now on, it’s important to stand your ground,” Viktoria said, looking thoughtful. “The tabloids scrutinize this family every week like they’re fucking royalty, so they’ll make you the poster children for gay women. We have quite a few these days, but at this level, it’s almost as if one from the royal family came out.”

  Aeron began to realize she might have stepped into something she had absolutely no clue about. “Really?” she said, her voice little more than a squeak. “I mean, why would they care about me if it’s Sylvie—”

  “Because Sylvie is Daniel’s daughter and heir. Heiresses to that type of fortune don’t grow on trees. I know you’ve never hidden your sexual orientation, sweetie.” Viktoria patted Sylvie’s back. “But since you’ve kept your relationships secret even from me, the press is going to find this yummy. Even the evening papers will want their part of the cake.”

  “Fuck,” Aeron whispered.

  Sylvie had been pale and quiet during the small drama, but now she put her glass down on the stone banister hard enough to snap off the foot. “He’s gone too far. We’re not staying here, Aeron. Screw the stockholders and Midsummer. I—”

  “Sylvie. Calm down. Honestly, I’m okay.” Aeron risked being pushed back and edged closer to Sylvie. “He’s exactly as you described him. Surely you can’t be surprised? He’s a business tycoon with a God complex. You knew that.”

  Slowly, Sylvie relaxed. “Yes. Yes, I did. He can get under my skin and he knows it. I used to fear it, and the last few years, it’s more of a constant annoyance.”

  “Has it really escaped his attention that you’re your own grown-up person at the ripe age of forty?” Viktoria snorted. “He’s such an old fool. And you’re stuck in the trap of seeking his validation, or his recognition.”

  “I know. It’s sick.”

  Aeron still stood close to Sylvie, who didn’t seem to mind. After their falling-out in the Adirondacks, she was afraid of doing something wrong to push Sylvie completely away. Almost walking on broken glass around the woman she’d come to adore made for an unequal relationship, but if that was what it took…

  “What do you think, Aeron?” Viktoria said, nudging her.

  “Excuse me. I got sidetracked.”

  “I could tell. I was just asking if you guys need a place to crash. I’m returning to Stockholm later today, and my overnight condo will be empty. It’s not very big, but it’s right next to Slottsskogen.”

  “What’s that?” Aeron asked.

  “A big park where they also keep indigenous animals in a small zoo.”

  “Thanks, my friend,” Sylvie said, looking determined. “I won’t need it as long as it doesn’t get worse around here. We’re only in Sweden for four days, and unless things become unbearable, we should be all right. But if the situation with Father deteriorates, we might take you up on the offer. Thanks.”

  “No problem. Same goes for you as well, Aeron. The Thorns are mostly good people, unless the biggest drama queen of them all creates more drama.” She laughed and squeezed both their hands. “Now, please excuse me, but I need to go mingle. I saw potential clients at the other end of the patio. Can’t let such a good opportunity pass.”

  “What does she do?” Aeron looked after the diminutive woman who walked with confident steps toward two men and a woman.

  “She’s a corporate lawyer. Don’t let that girly attitude fool you. She’s a shark.” Sylvie shook her head and smiled faintly. “She was my best friend from middle school onward. We lost touch for a bit after we went on to university. She studied at her parents’ alma mater in Uppsala, and I went on to the one in Gothenburg. Once I moved to the US, oddly enough, we started emailing and rekindled the friendship. She’s engaged to one of Stockholm’s most renowned bankers.”

  “And you? Why’s everyone on your case about finding the right person and so on? That ought to be your business and not anybody else’s.”

  “You’d think so, yes. And on that note, I need to mingle some too, no matter how I detest it.” Sylvie hesitated and fiddled with her bracelet. “Will you join me? I don’t have the right to ask—”

  “Sylvie.” Aeron put a hand on Sylvie’s arm. “Of course I’ll mingle with you. I’ll draw some of the attention away from you, I’m sure.” She wanted to show Sylvie she could be there for her. Even if Sylvie wouldn’t dare—or want—to explore the attraction and feelings so clearly there between them, Aeron wanted her to know she had her back.

  “Thank you.” Sylvie began walking toward the guests, her professional smile in place. Aeron chanced taking her hand and winked at Sylvie when she flinched.

  “We’re the next big thing when it comes to lesbian love, remember?”

  Sylvie snorted, but it turned into a cough as they neared an elderly couple. “Uncle Fredrik, Aunt Carola, so nice to see you again. It’s been far too long.”

  As Sylvie asked about cousins and their offspring, Aeron stood smiling, holding her hand and telling herself not to wish for the moon. Such wishes, in her experience, only led to a broken heart.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Gothenburg—1998

  “Congratulations, honey!” Camilla rushed toward Sylvie as she told some of her friends good-bye outside the main auditorium.

  “Hi, Mom! I’m so glad you could make it.” Genuinely happy, Sylvie hugged her mother. “I didn’t think this day would ever come. Imagine that, huh? I’ve completed a university program, and at the same time as the other students.” Her cheeks hurt from smiling so much. Tears waited in the wings, but she didn’t want them to show.

  “I know. You should be very proud of yourself, Sylvie.” Camilla obviously had no need to hide any tears as they flowed freely down her perfectly made-up face. “You showed all those pessimists and prophets of doom that you could do it.”

  That had been half of Sylvie’s motivation in the beginning. The other half was to rub her father’s face in it when she completed her education, but as it turned out, he wasn’t present for any nose-rubbing. After the first year, which had been a long period of acclimatizing, Sylvie had come back after working as an intern at one of the Thorn banks, realizing she enjoyed her studies. Instead of imagining her father’s reaction when she succeeded, she threw herself into university life and finally was able to embrace the fact that she loved women. Now she looked at her mother, the one person who did her best to communicate Sylvie’s rights to have the technology available for people with dyslexia.

  Sylvie felt someone tap her shoulder and turned around. Professor Marika Hjälm stood there, looking almost as moved as Camilla. Considering how feared the woman was on campus, this was something of a shock.

  “Sylvie. Mrs. Thorn.” She shook hands with both of them. “I wanted to congratulate Sylvie on her accomplishment. Your four years here has showed us how a true fighter takes on what looks like an overwhelming obstacle and turns it into a success.”

  “Thank you, Marika.” Sylvie did an out-of-character inward twirl, mainly because she was so relieved to have passed all her courses despite her dyslexia. For the first time, nobody had debated the fact that she needed some texts recorded by an assistant to be able to study at the required pace.

  “I know you’ve had many offers, Sylvie. Have you decided which ones you’re mostly interested in?” Marika Hjälm asked.

  “Actually, my father has asked me to join him at the headquarters in Gothenburg. Work myself up and earn my promotions like everyone else.” Sylvie’s stomach co
nstricted at the mere thought, but she knew this was her path. It had been instilled in her as a child, even if her father had constantly expressed his doubts. Perhaps this had been the force behind her relentless drive to make it through school and university.

  “I see. For a while I thought you might go for the Bank of England, where you did your internship?” Marika Hjälm frowned as if she tried to remember. “You got excellent references as I recall.”

  Sylvie had loved living in London for four months. She’d discovered she could read marginally better in English, which was mystifying. Her assistant thought it might be because it was a learned language and perhaps processed elsewhere in the brain than her mother tongue was. Sylvie found that explanation as good as any and enjoyed being able to make it through shorter documents all on her own. When it came to math, she excelled and impressed her instructors.

  “I did, and I hope that might take me abroad for Thorn Industries at one point.”

  “Camilla! Sylvie!” Daniel’s voice, springing from the conversation as if he’d magically appeared if you spoke his name, boomed across the yard. “Damn it, I missed the ceremony.” He actually looked disappointed as he strode toward them. Dressed in a slate-gray three-piece suit, despite the warm early summer day, he was still a very handsome, charismatic man.

  “Darling, this is one of Sylvie’s professors, Marika Hjälm. Professor Hjälm, this is my husband and Sylvie’s father, Daniel.”

  “Of course I recognize Mr. Thorn.” Marika offered her hand briefly. So briefly, in fact, Sylvie barely saw her father touch it. “We’ve met before.”

  “We have?” Daniel said, and Sylvie wondered how such a smart man could sometimes be so socially clumsy. “Pardon me, Professor, but I don’t remember. I meet very many people.” His self-satisfied smile clearly didn’t affect Marika at all. She merely smiled wryly.

  “I’m sure this is true.” Pausing as if debating whether to explain how she’d met him, Marika hoisted her heavy tote bag higher up on her shoulder. “You’re forgiven, as it was many years ago. I’d just started teaching here, and I believe you attended a distant relative’s graduation. 1974, I believe.”

  Camilla grew rigid next to Sylvie and cast a glance at her father. He looked like something was slowly dawning on him. “Hmm. Yes. Now that you mention it. That might be it. As you say, long time ago.”

  Now Sylvie knew something was wrong. Her mother’s lips were compressed into fine lines, and Daniel’s smile was far too broad to be natural.

  “Congratulations again, Sylvie. I wish you the very best, no matter whom you choose to work for. Who knows. You might just start your own company at one point. I can actually picture you doing that quite vividly.” Marika Hjälm surprised Sylvie by kissing her cheek. “Stay strong,” she murmured in Sylvie’s ear before she nodded and told them all good-bye.

  The ride home in the car was torturous. Daniel tried to keep a conversation going, but Camilla sat half-turned away from him, impossible to reach. Sylvie wished she were anywhere but in the car with her parents. Eventually Camilla rounded on Daniel so fast, Sylvie jumped where she sat in the backseat.

  “It was her,” she said, her voice a mere hiss.

  “Camilla!” Daniel growled. “Not now.”

  “Of course not now. Not ever, if you get to decide, but this time you’re going to tell me everything when we get home. If you don’t level with me—” Camilla glanced at Sylvie. “When we get home.”

  “Fine.” Daniel gripped the steering wheel hard.

  “Daniel…”

  “I said fine.”

  Sylvie wondered what her graduation would have been like if they hadn’t run into Professor Hjälm. Perhaps at this point, they would have actually been talking about her, her future and her options. Instead, they spoke in code, hissed at each other, and left her in the dark. Sylvie sighed. It was no use to wish it would be different. This was what passed for normal in her family.

  *

  Gothenburg—Present Time

  Sylvie had had enough of her parents’ bickering at the dinner table. Daniel had tried to stealthily insult Aeron twice, and Camilla had worked the wineglass a bit too much, which had to be a new habit. Was life with Daniel Thorn so bad now she had to numb herself? Sylvie hoped not.

  “I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted,” Sylvie said. “Jet lag going from the US to Europe is always worse for me.”

  “I’m pretty tired too.” Aeron looked gratefully at Sylvie. “Isn’t it tomorrow we’re supposed to pick flowers or something?”

  “Yes. For the maypole. We need to catch up on our sleep before that. If I know Mom right, we’ll have to be up early to help with that and the tables in the park.”

  “Exactly.” Camilla chimed in and wiggled her half-empty glass of white wine at them. “I have a checklist in my office.”

  “We’ll be up early to help.” Sylvie rose. “Which room is Aeron’s, Mom?”

  “What do you mean? Oh, you don’t have to worry about us. We know you sch-sleep together.” Camilla smiled endearingly. “Young love. So precious. Doesn’t matter that it’s two pretty girls together. So precious.”

  “Dear God, you’ve had enough of that stuff.” Daniel took the glass away from Camilla, who looked only mildly affronted. “I can’t say I find it natural, but these days only a fool runs his mouth against gays if he wants to keep his business. I appreciate that you’re not too demonstrative.”

  Sylvie refused to dignify that remark with a reply. Her father was no homophobe per se, but he did have some problems with her sexual orientation being bad for business. Hopefully he wouldn’t have to worry much longer. As soon as she could prove how successful Classic Swedish Inc. was, she’d be as demonstrative as she damn well pleased.

  “You have a queen-size bed in your old room. You girls just snuggle up there and sleep tight.” Camilla waved them off with a flick of her wrist. “Night, night.”

  “Good night, Mom.”

  “Good night, Camilla.” Aeron stood and, in Sylvie’s eyes, quite deliberately took her hand and raised it to her lips. “Lead the way, gorgeous.”

  Sylvie was about to attempt to object one last time, but Aeron’s words burrowed under her skin, and she guided Aeron from the dining room and into the vast hallway. Her old room was on the second floor at the far end of the left corridor. For some reason Aeron held Sylvie’s hand all the way as they walked toward it.

  “I’m sorry for my father’s crude words.” Sylvie’s lips tightened. “He can be a total jerk.”

  “He does seem to have some unusual qualities.” Aeron spoke with a slightly high-pitched voice. “So we’re sharing a room, huh?”

  “Looks like it.” Sylvie stopped just outside the door, looking down at their joined hands. “If you’d rather not, I’ll find Jeanette, our housekeeper, and ask her to make up one of the guest rooms.”

  “Is that what you’d rather do?” Aeron looked down at the floor but then raised her gaze, her green eyes darker than usual.

  Sylvie’s heart thundered. What was it about this woman that made her melt at a mere glance? She’d known her only a few weeks, and she’d taken over Sylvie’s thoughts and entered her dreams. “No. That’s not what I’d rather do. I just want you to know my parents don’t dictate who’s in my bed. I do.”

  “Good to know. It could be awkward if they sent more people in there.” Aeron grinned. “I’m not that adventurous.”

  Chuckling, Sylvie relaxed marginally. “Me either.” She opened the door and motioned for Aeron to step inside.

  “Oh, look. My bags are already here. Seems this was meant to be.” She let go of Sylvie’s hand and walked over to her suitcase that sat on a rack over by the far wall. Opening the lid, she pulled out her toiletry bag and a shirt. “I’m dying to take a shower. May I go first?”

  “Absolutely.” She pointed at the door to the left of Aeron. “En suite’s there.”

  “Thanks.” Aeron disappeared into the bathroom, and soon Sylvie heard wa
ter running in the shower.

  Gazing around her, she realized she hadn’t taken the time to really see her old room during her few short visits with her parents. Her mother had had the wallpaper changed into an intricate pattern of white, yellow, and gold. The hardwood oak floor was well kept, the bed was only a few years old, but the desk and bookshelves were the same. She walked along the bookshelves, most of the contents audiobooks, and ran her fingers along their spines. Children’s books, books for teens, young-adult novels.

  The desk was clear of clutter, of course, but for her inner eye she could envision it covered in one draft or another when she’d tried to get her assignment done right. So many times she’d felt such shame. And when she’d succeeded with a particular homework that involved reading and writing, a few times she was accused of cheating. At one point, a clueless teacher had lectured Daniel about how detrimental it was for Sylvie if her parents did her homework for her. That teacher had switched schools shortly after, and Sylvie was still certain her father had something to do with that.

  Daniel was a brilliant man in many aspects, and one of them was being well connected in all socio-economic groups. He wasn’t snobbish in the sense some people at his level on the social ladder were. He could easily meet anyone and make them eat out of his hand, if that served his purpose. His connections reached all social strata, and if he’d told the principal to get rid of that particular teacher, that teacher would find himself transferred so fast, his world would tilt for weeks.

  “Your turn.” Aeron’s voice from behind startled Sylvie so much she gasped out loud. “Whoa. Sorry. Lost in thought?”

  “Pretty much.” Turning, Sylvie inhaled sharply a second time at the sight of Aeron in a thigh-long brown T-shirt. An almost washed-out print on the front said, I River Rafted in 2013.

  “Sylvie?” Waving her hand in front of Sylvie’s eyes, Aeron laughed, which also made Sylvia jerk slightly. “You’re jumpy tonight.”