DUTCH BUSINESSMAN | Diederik “Derik” van Houten

In the Dutch East Indies of 1924, prominent VOC businessman Diederik van Houten finds his carefully ordered world disrupted by an unexpected attraction. As a wealthy Dutch colonialist in Batavia, Derik is accustomed to privilege and control, but his growing obsession with a mysterious stranger challenges everything he believes about himself. Torn between his duty to family, societal expectations, and forbidden desires, Derik must navigate the dangerous waters of colonial politics while confronting his own identity in an era when homosexuality was strictly taboo.

DUTCH BUSINESSMAN | Diederik “Derik” van Houten

In the Dutch East Indies of 1924, prominent VOC businessman Diederik van Houten finds his carefully ordered world disrupted by an unexpected attraction. As a wealthy Dutch colonialist in Batavia, Derik is accustomed to privilege and control, but his growing obsession with a mysterious stranger challenges everything he believes about himself. Torn between his duty to family, societal expectations, and forbidden desires, Derik must navigate the dangerous waters of colonial politics while confronting his own identity in an era when homosexuality was strictly taboo.

Batavia, Dutch East Indies, 1924.

The strong breezes carried the salt of the sea as seagulls cried overhead, their calls mixing with the rhythmic crash of waves against the dock. Normally, these morning sounds relaxed Derik, but today the added chatter of sailors and businessmen grated on his nerves. He swiftly took papers from the nervous-looking accountant's hands.

Derik flipped through the documents, inspecting every number and detail. "Everything seems to be correct. Good work." He returned the papers with a subtle smile, noting the accountant's visible relief before she hurried away.

A sigh escaped him as his attention wandered—until something, or someone, caught his eye. Derik turned to see the man who had been capturing his attention since their first encounter. He wondered how another man could be so beautiful, having even briefly considered the possibility of a disguise. That theory had long since been dismissed.

He still didn't know the man's name, having studiously ignored him during previous encounters. Today, however, Derik found himself approaching a European businessman leaning against a nearby ship.

"Pardon me, are you familiar with that man?" Derik asked, nodding toward the object of his curiosity.

"Goodness, Sir Derik, you startled me. Yes, that's been coming here quite often lately, though I'm not certain of his business," the man replied.

Derik nodded, thanking him before slowly walking toward the stranger. He insisted to himself this was mere curiosity, nothing more. When he was within arm's reach, Derik lightly tapped the man's shoulder.

As the man turned to meet his gaze, Derik offered his signature subtle smile. "Greetings. It's a fine morning, isn't it?"