Page 29 of Johan. (Van Den Bosch #8)

Johan

I finish buttoning my shirt, straightening my collar as I look at my figure in the mirror of the bedroom. The suit fits perfectly, the dark fabric contrasting with the crisp white shirt. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves.; tonight is a big night, and I can’t afford to mess it up.

The door to the ensuite bathroom opens, and Hannah steps out, looking stunning in a long, flowing gown. Her hair is elegantly styled, and the dress hugs her figure beautifully.

She glides across the room, wrapping her arms around me from behind, her warmth instantly soothing.

“Nervous?” Her voice is soft and comforting.

“Just a little bit.” I meet her eyes in the mirror. Her presence calms me, and I lean back into her embrace, savoring the moment. We share a quiet intimacy, the room silent except for our breathing. It’s moments like these that remind me why I fell in love with her.

Suddenly, we hear doors opening and the murmur of greetings from downstairs. The sounds of family arriving filter up to our room, breaking the spell of our private moment.

“Well, let’s go,” Hannah says, giving me a reassuring squeeze before stepping back.

I follow her out of the room, my hand brushing against the small of her back as we descend the stairs. The house is alive with activity, voices, and laughter echoing through the halls.

At the bottom of the stairs, I see Elise for the first time in two years.

She’s grown, becoming a more composed woman, dressed in an elegant suit that speaks of her newfound maturity.

Dan is beside her, his stubble grown out, giving him a rugged look.

Julia and Sebastian are with them, their faces lighting up with holiday cheer.

Elise spots me and freezes, her eyes wide with shock. “I didn’t know ghosts from the past would be here,” she says, her tone laced with bitterness.

“Good to see you too, El,” Hannah chips in.

Oma Margaret, standing nearby, responds smoothly, “Oh, El, if you brought your boyfriend, it’s only natural that I let Hannah do the same.”

The room falls silent, a heavy stillness settling over us as all eyes turn in our direction. Sebastian and Julia fix their gaze on me, their mouths gaping in shock. The initial moment of stunned silence is palpable, charged with unspoken questions and mounting tension.

Sebastian, his brows knitting together in confusion, finally breaks the silence as he asks his wife in a failed attempt at discretion.

“Wait. Johan is with Hannah?” His voice carries a note of disbelief that echoes around the room, drawing everyone’s attention even more acutely to the situation at hand.

Hannah, standing beside me, straightens her posture, her expression a mixture of relief and frustration.

“Nice to see you too, Dad.” The words come out with a strained politeness, a subtle undercurrent of defensiveness threading through her tone.

Sebastian finally steps forward, his eyes searching his daughter’s face as if trying to decode a complex puzzle. “Sorry, it’s just, I thought you’d tell me those things, you know.” His words are accompanied by a quick, affectionate kiss on her cheek and a brief, tight hug.

Hannah tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes momentarily dropping to the floor. The room feels charged with anticipation, everyone waiting for her response.

“Well, technically, we are just good friends,” she says, her voice quiet but steady. “But I needed some company and he accepted to join.”

“So you bring good friends over for Christmas now?” Elise asks, her tone filled with judgment. “I thought Johan was engaged. How come he is here?”

I look straight at Hannah, wondering if she’s the one who spoke about it. Her eyes widen slightly, and her face flushes with anger as she glares at her mother. “Mom! Did you tell her?”

“No need. I know everything,” Elise interjects before their mom can respond, her eyes flashing with accusation.

I step in, placing a protective hand around Hannah’s waist. “It’s a complicated matter, Elise. The engagement has been forced on me. Your grandmother and great-aunt know about it.”

“Great-aunt?” Elise echoes, her confusion mirrored in her parents’ faces.

“Yes?” I hear from behind me.

At that moment, Amelia steps into the room from behind us, her presence commanding immediate attention.

She wears a stunning velvet green dress that clings gracefully to her frame, the rich color complementing her striking appearance.

Her long grey hair is pulled up into a high ponytail, accentuating her elegant features and giving her an air of timeless beauty.

All eyes shift to her, the room filled with a mixture of shock and curiosity.

“You are Elise, aren't you? The second oldest?” Amelia asks to a very much stunned Elise.

“Auntie, I thought… I thought you were dead,” Julia whispers, her voice breaking with emotion upon seeing her.

Amelia smiles gently, her gaze softening as she looks at her niece. “I’m very much alive, Julia. It’s a long story, but I’m here now.”

Julia rushes forward and embraces her aunt, holding her tightly. The room buzzes with whispers and exclamations, the family grappling with the sudden revelations. The tension shifts, the focus moving from Hannah and me to Amelia.

Questions fly as everyone tries to make sense of what happened. Amelia, composed and steady, explains her disappearance, addressing as many inquiries as she can. The room buzzes with a mixture of relief, disbelief, and curiosity.

Suddenly, the doorbell rings, and Stuart rushes to answer it. Andries and Roxanne step inside, shaking off the cold, and Margaret’s face immediately softens with visible relief.

“Thank heavens,” she mutters, moving to greet her grandson and his wife.

Roxanne looks stunning in a red Carmen dress, a faux-fur coat draped elegantly over her shoulders. Her short blonde hair is styled like Marilyn Monroe's, which is exactly how I remember her from their wedding. Andries helps her remove the coat, revealing the full elegance of her dress.

He looks around, taking in the atmosphere and sensing the tension. “Did I miss something?” Andries asks, his brow furrowing as he scans the room.

Margaret steps forward, her voice calm but filled with emotion. “Andries, Roxanne, meet Amelia. My sister, who we thought was lost to us.”

“Wow.” Andries’ eyes widen in shock, and he looks at Amelia, then back at Margaret. “You have a sister?” he asks, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Yes,” Margaret confirms, her voice trembling slightly. “And she’s back.”

Andries steps forward, a broad smile spreading across his face. “Welcome back, Aunt Amelia,” he says warmly, embracing her and giving her a kiss on the cheek.

Roxanne follows suit, hugging Amelia and kissing her other cheek. “It’s wonderful to meet you,” she says, her eyes sparkling with warmth.

Dan, who has been standing quietly beside Elise, steps up and clears his throat. “I’m Dan, Elise’s boyfriend. It’s an honor to meet you, Amelia.” He turns to Elise, nudging her gently.

Elise hesitates, her earlier cold demeanor softening. “Yes, um, and I’m Elise,” she says, finally stepping forward. “It’s... nice to meet you.”

Amelia smiles warmly at them. “Thank you, Dan. And Elise, it’s lovely to meet you both," she says, her voice filled with genuine warmth.

The room fills with renewed excitement as the family adjusts to the presence of their long-lost relative. Hannah and I stand together, watching as the attention shifts away from us and onto Amelia. The atmosphere begins to lighten, the holiday spirit slowly returning.

I tighten my grip on Hannah’s waist, feeling a sense of unity and resolve. Whatever challenges lie ahead, we’ll face them together, surrounded by family and the promise of new beginnings.

Oma Margaret steps in, her voice calm but authoritative. “Everyone, let’s move to the dining room. We have much to discuss, and it’s best we do it over a meal.”

Reluctantly, the family begins to move, the air still thick with tension. As we walk, Hannah leans into me, whispering, “Thank you.”

“Always,” I whisper back, my resolve strengthening.

The dining room is cozy and warmly lit, a stark contrast to the grand gala dinners I’m used to with my family.

Margaret has opted for a small, intimate Christmas Eve dinner with just her daughter Julia and her family.

I appreciate the simplicity, given the delicate relationship between Hannah and me.

The table is set with simple but elegant decor, and the aroma of home-cooked food fills the air.

As I sit at the table, I can’t help but recall Hannah calling me a good friend earlier.

While it’s true, the title feels so small and inadequate.

But given the circumstances, what could we be if not good friends?

My mind drifts to the Cotswolds, to the moment when I told Hannah I loved her, and the way she asked me to never say that again until I was a free man…

It still stings to this day, especially since she knows why I'm still trapped in that engagement.

My thoughts are interrupted by Sebastian, who’s sitting diagonally across from me, right beside Elise. He leans forward with a teasing smile. “So, Johan, do you know if Hannah has been studying diligently? I hope she hasn’t caused too much trouble?”

Hannah rolls her eyes and rebukes her dad, but I chuckle and say, “She isn't causing any trouble.” It’s a lie, of course.

I think of the two objects she stole due to her kleptomania, but it’s not my place to talk about it.

“I think Hannah is enjoying Cambridge; she already knows quite a lot of people there.”

Elise steps in, her tone probing. “Don't you miss home, though?”

“Well, if she never came to visit us, maybe she doesn’t,” Sebastian replies, trying to be supportive but failing to hide his disappointment. “But it's good. Glad you're enjoying your life, far from home.”