Page 18 of Johan. (Van Den Bosch #8)

Johan

I stand on the balcony, staring down at the garden below.

The soft glow of fairy lights casts a warm light over the scene, highlighting Conrad and Hannah as they sit by the fountain.

I can see their faces, close together, whispering.

Then, Conrad leans in and kisses her. My chest tightens, jealousy and rage consuming me.

How dare he? My hands grip the railing, knuckles white, as I struggle to control the surge of emotions.

To my dismay, Hannah doesn’t push him away.

Instead, she leans into the kiss, her acceptance twisting the knife deeper into my heart.

They remain together, Conrad’s arm around her shoulders, and my world shatters.

My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of footsteps behind me. I turn to see Ludovic approaching, a glass of whiskey in each hand. He smiles and offers one to me.

“Beautiful night, isn’t it?” Ludovic says, looking out at the garden. “The stars are particularly bright tonight.”

I nod, accepting the drink. The cool glass in my hand is a small comfort, but it does nothing to quell the turmoil inside me. I force myself to take a sip, the burn of the alcohol grounding me somewhat.

Ludovic continues to gaze at the sky, his expression thoughtful. “You can see the constellations so clearly from here. It’s one of the reasons I love this place.”

I glance back down at the garden, unable to tear my eyes away from Hannah and Conrad. The jealousy still burns, but I try to focus on Ludovic’s words, knowing it’s important to keep up appearances.

Ludovic turns to me, a slight smile on his lips. “Shall we go back inside? It’s getting chilly, don’t you think?”

I nod, grateful for the distraction. We step back into Ludovic’s office, the warmth of the room a stark contrast to the cool night air. The heavy drapes and rich mahogany furniture give the room an air of opulence and history.

The soft glow from the brass lamps casts long shadows, adding to the room’s atmosphere of secrecy and importance.

Ludovic gestures for me to sit, and I sink into one of the leather chairs, the material creaking under my weight. He takes the seat opposite me, his expression contemplative as he swirls the liquid in his glass.

“The engagement is progressing well. Astrid is thrilled, and it seems the guests are enjoying themselves,” Ludovic begins, his tone casual, almost too casual.

I nod, not trusting myself to speak. My mind is still reeling from the sight of Hannah and Conrad, and I force myself to focus on Ludovic’s words. The tension in the room is palpable, and I can feel Ludovic’s eyes on me, measuring and evaluating.

He continues, his tone shifting slightly. “I wanted to discuss something with you, Johan.” He pauses, letting his words sink in. “It’s happening. We are heading to Oman in January to find the lost city of Ubar.”

My interest is piqued, and I look at him curiously. “Why are you so obsessed with this place?”

Ludovic’s eyes light up with a mix of excitement and intensity.

He reaches into his blazer and pulls out a small black velvet pouch, handing it to me.

I open it carefully and find a peculiar bracelet inside, filled with rubies and emeralds.

The craftsmanship is exquisite, the gems glittering in the light.

“This,” Ludovic says, his voice low and reverent, “is one of the few things we found there twenty years ago.”

I turn the bracelet over in my hands, marveling at its beauty. The weight of it is substantial, the gems catching the light and reflecting it in a mesmerizing dance. I can see why Ludovic is so obsessed with finding more treasures like this.

Ludovic continues, his tone filled with a mix of nostalgia and determination.

“Ubar was a city of immense wealth and mystery. Finding it again could unlock so many secrets, not to mention the potential riches. It’s a dream I’ve had for years, and now, with the right resources and team, I believe we can make it a reality. ”

I look up at him, my curiosity growing despite the jealousy still simmering in my chest. “Why did you stop the excavation? Looks like you were on the right track.”

Ludovic’s expression darkens slightly as he takes a sip of his whiskey. “We had a few... team issues.” He looks up at me and holds my gaze for a moment. “Let’s say I couldn’t trust those around me anymore.”

I nod, sensing the weight of his words. “I don’t see how I can be of any help, though. I know very little about Ubar.”

Ludovic smiles and stands up. He walks over to his desk, opens a drawer, and pulls out a dossier. “With this, you’ll know everything you need to know.”

He hands me the dossier, and as I open it, my heart skips a beat.

Inside, I see a compilation of pictures of excavation sites, maps, and notes—all related to Ubar.

But what catches my eye is a familiar document: the file that went missing from my office.

My mind races. Why on earth would he steal it only to give it to me now?

I look up at Ludovic as he sits back down, my mind swirling with suspicion. Is he testing me? He just mentioned trust issues with his previous team.

Ludovic’s eyes are on me, calm and unyielding. “This dossier contains all the information you’ll need for the expedition. Study it well.” His eyes are fixed on me as if he is pondering something. “Trust is paramount, Johan, and I need to know I can rely on you.”

I swallow hard, thinking of the bracelet and the dossier. “I’ll go through it thoroughly. Thank you for trusting me with this.”

Ludovic nods, his gaze steady. “Good. I have a feeling this expedition will be something extraordinary.”

“What about permit licenses? I doubt the government will let us go to the desert and do as it pleases.”

“Don’t worry, I will handle everything.”

“Are you sure it’s worth it?”

Ludovic nods, his eyes gleaming with conviction. “I do. We have better technology now, more knowledge. And this bracelet is proof that we’re on the right track. There’s so much more to discover, Johan. Imagine the possibilities.”

As I sit there, the bracelet gleaming in my hand and the file heavy with secrets, I can’t help but wonder what the future holds.

The jealousy and anger still burn, but beneath it all, there’s a flicker of something else—a sense of possibility, of adventure.

And as much as I try to push it away, the thought of Hannah and Conrad lingers, a reminder of the choices I’ve made and the ones I still have to face.

As Ludovic continues to talk about the expedition, I find my mind drifting back to the garden, to Hannah’s soft smile as she leaned into Conrad’s kiss.

The sight of them together stirs a storm of emotions within me—jealousy, anger, regret.

I should be focusing on the man in front of me, but all I can think about is the girl I might have lost.

“Johan,” Ludovic’s voice breaks through my thoughts, bringing me back to the present. “This expedition could change everything for us. I need you to be a part of it.”

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to focus. “I understand. And I’ll give it serious thought.”

Ludovic nods, satisfied. “Good. Now, let’s enjoy the rest of the evening. There’s still plenty of celebration left.”

As I leave Ludovic’s office, the weight of the bracelet and the file still pressing on my mind, I force myself to return to the party.

The lively atmosphere outside is a stark contrast to the tense conversation I just had.

I move through the crowd, shaking hands and faking smiles, each gesture feeling more mechanical than the last. The laughter and music blur into a cacophony, and I struggle to keep my composure.

Astrid finds me, her face lighting up as she approaches. She leans in and kisses me on the mouth again, the public display of affection meant to solidify our engagement in front of everyone. Her kiss tastes faintly of champagne, and I try to mask my lack of enthusiasm.

“Come outside,” she whispers, pulling me towards the garden.

We step out just as fireworks begin to explode in the sky, casting vibrant colors across the night. Astrid leans into me, her arm wrapped around my waist, her voice a soft murmur in my ear. “Aren’t they wonderful?”

I nod, barely registering her words. My gaze shifts to the corner of the garden, where I see Hannah and Conrad standing together, their faces illuminated by the bursts of light. They look so natural, so comfortable with each other, and it twists something deep inside me.

“I need to excuse myself,” I murmur to Astrid, gently detaching myself from her grip.

She looks puzzled but lets me go; her attention quickly diverted back to the fireworks. I make my way back inside the house, my steps quickening as I approach the bar. The need for another drink, something to dull the ache, propels me forward.

At the bar, I order a whiskey and down it quickly before signaling for another. The burn in my throat is a welcome distraction, a temporary numbness to the turmoil inside.

“Tough night?” My father’s voice startles me. I turn to see him standing beside me, a concerned look on his face.

“A bit, yeah,” I reply, trying to keep my tone neutral.

“This party has been a great success, son. I’m proud of you,” he says, clapping me on the shoulder.

Despite the compliment, I feel anything but thrilled. The weight of the evening, the charade, it’s all too much. As my father continues talking about the success of the engagement and our future, I keep drinking, the alcohol coursing through my veins.

Through the haze, I see Hannah and Conrad coming back inside, their closeness evident.

The sight of them together, laughing and whispering, stirs a potent mix of jealousy and anger within me.

Fueled by the alcohol, I make my way over to them, the sarcasm dripping from my voice before I can stop myself.

“Wow, Conrad and Hannah, look at you. You guys do make a fine couple,” I say, the words biting and unkind, fueled by jealousy and the alcohol coursing through my veins.

Hannah’s eyes widen, her expression a mix of surprise and hurt. Conrad steps slightly in front of her, his gaze steady and unflinching.

“Johan, maybe now isn’t the time,” Conrad says calmly, but there’s an edge to his voice.

“Oh, why not? It’s a celebration, isn’t it?” I retort, my words slurring slightly. “Maybe we should even raise a glass to you both for being the perfect, happy couple.”

Hannah’s face flushes, and she looks down, avoiding my gaze. The pain in her eyes is unmistakable, and it cuts through my drunken bravado, leaving me feeling more hollow than ever.

“Thank you, Johan… I’m glad you think so,” she says, her voice steady but tinged with sadness. She then turns on her heel and walks away, her posture stiff, leaving me standing there with Conrad.

Conrad’s gaze remains steady on me, a mixture of disappointment and concern. “Johan, you’re drunk. Let’s talk about this another time.”

I open my mouth to respond, but the words die on my lips. The realization of what I’ve just done, how I’ve hurt Hannah, crashes over me like a wave. I take a step back, the room spinning slightly.

“I... I need some air,” I mutter, turning on my heel and heading towards the exit. The night air hits me like a shock, and I stumble slightly, the alcohol and emotions swirling in a chaotic mix.

I find a secluded corner of the garden and sit down heavily, my head in my hands.

The fireworks continue to explode above, their beauty a stark contrast to the mess I’ve made of the evening.

The weight of everything—Hannah, the engagement, the expedition—presses down on me, and for a moment, I feel utterly lost.