Blossom in Winter (Blossom in Winter #1)(100)

“I know...” I sit up and look at him. “But I can’t. I love you so much, I… I…” Wow, I’ve never struggled so much to finish a sentence. “I really want to get married, Alexander,” I finally tell him.

His lips part in astonishment, and I hear him swallow. “Have you thought about your father? What his reaction would be?”

Oh, crap. Dad again. “What if Dad was okay with it?” I dare to ask.

His eyes down, he ponders for a moment. I hear only my heartbeat pulsing hard in my chest. I’m not ready for his next excuse.

Total silence arises in the room.

Maybe I shouldn’t have talked about it… Damn it. Why did I have to open my big mouth again? Just kill me now. His silence is long and unbearable. I should just tell him to forget it.

“Then I’d love to, yes.” I shut my eyes at his words. It can’t be true! He can’t have said that! Oh God, why feed my wildest dreams like that? He smiles at me with a twinkle in his eye, then suddenly lowers his gaze. What is he thinking?

He finally makes eye contact again. “Having you as my wife, Ms. Van Gatt”—he lets out a sigh—“would be a dream come true.”

I gasp at his revelation. Dear Lord, those are the most beautiful words I have ever heard. I feel my heartbeat fluttering hard and loud; simply the word “wife” coming from his mouth is enough to cause my entire body to shiver and light up.

But all of a sudden, his face gets more rigid and serious, his stare worried. “But your father nearly had a heart attack when I told him about us, Petra. I don’t think he’s expecting to have another brutal shock that soon. After all, you just turned eighteen two weeks ago.”

“I’ll talk to him first, then. He can’t get mad at his one and only daughter.”

He chuckles. “Indeed, who can? Just don’t be too tough on your old man…” I laugh before he reaches up to meet my lips and kisses them tenderly. “I have something to show you.”

I raise an eyebrow—he’s got that cheeky smile on his face. He gets up from the bed and goes to his dressing room. There I can see him open a drawer and take out a package wrapped in black with white satin ribbons. “I want you to wear this for your sleepover at my house in the Netherlands. Clarissa, one of the lady’s maids, will help you put it on. I can’t show you what’s inside, since it’s for Christmas, but will you promise to wear it?”

I smile radiantly, curious as a kid. I want to know what’s inside so much, but I decide to be patient and wait until Christmas to find out. “Very well. I promise.”





Manhattan, December 23, 2019





I decide to talk to Dad before leaving for Rotterdam. I find him in his library listening to Nina Simone on vinyl while reading a book. Any rational person would be intimidated to confront my father. After all, Dad’s known to have dirt on everyone—and ready to use it when needed. His mood is also hard to predict—sometimes cold and distant, other times friendly and caring. Dad makes sure he never reveals any fear, indecision, or vulnerability at a press conference, interview, or public appearance. But there’s one thing—and only one thing—that can intimidate Mr. Van Gatt, making him swallow hard and causing his heartbeat to race like a sprint...

“Dad, can I ask you something?” The most terrifying question I can pose.

He raises an eyebrow and turns off the music. Knowing all too well that I always start a painful conversation with this question, he already seems terrified.

“Sure,” he replies, closing his book.

I sit beside him, and with an innocent, childlike face, I ask, “Why did you get divorced from Mom? Was it because of me?”

He was not expecting this. “Of course not. You are the best gift I could ever have wished for. I can’t thank God enough for having you in my life.”

“So why did you guys get a divorce?”

He searches deep down in his soul for a reply, probably wondering why I suddenly want to know this. But he’ll soon find out. “To be honest, my dear Petra, when I stood at the altar, I knew it was probably a mistake…” He pauses. “I didn’t know then what I know now… Don’t get me wrong, your mother was a wonderful lady…”

“How did you know it was a mistake, then?”

“I just felt it.”

“So why did you go ahead anyway?”

“I guess I didn’t want to disappoint anyone… Mainly her. But deep down in my chest, I felt I shouldn’t do it.”

I nod. “So, you still believe getting married makes sense if you feel deep in your heart it’s the right thing to do?”

“Of course I do. You know what they say: ‘the heart has its reasons, of which reason knows nothing.’”

“I see…” I pause, thinking something through. “Dad? Would you be very disappointed if I told you I would like to get engaged to Alexander?”

He doesn’t seem surprised. After all, he probably knew this whole discussion had something to do with him. “Well, I knew this would happen sooner or later… I just hoped it would be on the ‘later’ side. You know, after graduation or so…” He pauses. “Does he know about your intentions?”

“We talked about it, yes. This is something we both want. He’s just afraid of your reaction; he thinks you won’t be able to handle it after the talk you two had. But I’m sure you can.”