Page 70 of Johan. (Van Den Bosch #8)

Hannah

It’s chilly and damp outside, rain tapping softly against the window of my dorm room.

I stand by the window, looking out at the misty, rain-soaked campus, feeling the warmth of my room cocooning me.

The room is cozy and inviting, a stark contrast to the dreary weather outside.

Tonight is the welcome dinner organized by the archaeological department, celebrating Johan’s team’s return to Cambridge.

It’s also the first time I’ll be seeing him after eight long weeks.

The thought of seeing him again makes my heart race with excitement.

I’m just finishing getting dressed, my nerves fluttering with anticipation.

I smooth down my dress and check my reflection in the mirror one last time, making sure everything is perfect.

I slip on my boots, feeling the snug fit and the slight lift they give me.

As I fasten the zippers, I can’t help but smile at the thought of Johan’s reaction when he’ll see me.

My phone buzzes with a message from him: Almost there.

Just as I take a deep breath, trying to calm the butterflies in my stomach, I hear a knock on the door.

My heart leaps. It’s him. I rush to open it, and as soon as I see him standing there, rain glistening on his coat, I can't contain myself.

With a joyful cry, I leap into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist. Johan catches me effortlessly, his strong arms tightening around me—firm and reassuring, grounding me in this perfect moment.

His rain-dampened hair brushes against my cheek as I bury my face in his neck, inhaling his familiar scent—a mix of cedar-wood and bergamot.

“I missed you,” I whisper, my voice muffled against his collar. The weeks apart felt like an eternity, and now that he’s here, I never want to let go.

“I missed you too,” he replies, his voice a comforting rumble. I feel the tension in his body, the weight of unspoken words. His lips graze my temple, a gentle, lingering kiss that sends a shiver down my spine.

Reluctantly, I slide down from his embrace and take his hand, pulling him inside.

The warmth of the room envelops us, contrasting sharply with the cold, rainy evening outside.

We stand there for a moment, taking each other in.

Johan’s eyes, a deep blue, are filled with a mix of relief and something deeper, something more vulnerable.

I step closer, wrapping my arms around him again.

He holds me tightly, his embrace a silent reassurance that everything will be okay.

Our lips meet in a tender kiss, and for a moment, nothing else matters.

The feel of his soft lips against mine is intoxicating, a promise of the future.

I step back slightly, looking up into his eyes.

His skin is much darker than I remember, a warm, sun-kissed tan from his time in Oman.

The contrast makes his blue eyes even more striking, but there’s a tension in his brow, and his smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

Something in his expression seems guarded as if he’s holding back. “Is everything okay?”

He takes a deep breath, his expression growing serious.

“I broke off my engagement with Astrid,” he announces, his tone measured but firm.

He runs a hand through his rain-dampened hair, the motion betraying his lingering tension.

“I told the council everything that she’s been doing, her blackmailing, her abusive behavior.

I suggested them to expel her. Now it’s up to the council to act. ”

“Oh my gosh.” Relief washes over me, mingled with concern. I squeeze his hand, my heart swelling with support. “That's a big step in the right direction. I'm so proud of you.”

He nods, a shadow crossing his face. I can tell there's more. “The problem is Ludovic... he seems to have vanished now that the police are after him.”

A chill runs down my spine at the mention of Astrid’s dad, and I can immediately sense the gravity of the situation. “What do you mean, ‘vanished’?”

Johan shakes his head, frustration evident in his eyes.

“He's just... disappeared. No one knows where he is. It’s like he fell off the face of the earth. He was supposed to be in his hotel room, but he never left, so the police went there to arrest him, but the room was empty. They checked the whole hotel, but he wasn’t there anymore. ”

We stand in silence for a moment, the weight of his words hanging between us. I can feel his tension, his worry. I wish I could do more to ease his burden. His shoulders are tense, and I run my hands soothingly down his arms, feeling the muscles tighten under my touch.

“I’m sure the police will find him. He can’t keep hiding forever.”

“Who knows…” Johan’s expression softens as he takes my hands in his.

“Hannah,” he begins, his voice soft but steady, “my parents are going to be at the dinner tonight to welcome me back. And, eh,” he stops mid-sentence, searching for the best words to put on.

“They know Astrid and I are over, and they knew about you beforehand, so I thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to introduce you… as my girlfriend.”

I’m shocked, and I pull back slightly to search his eyes. “Are you sure about that? Isn’t it too soon?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Well, technically, we've been together since November,” Johan replies, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Now that Ludovic is gone and that Astrid has no power over us, I think it’s the right time to make it official.”

His words make my heart swell. I can see the sincerity in his eyes and the determination in his expression.

“What do you say?”

All the doubts and uncertainties dissolve, replaced by a deep, glowing certainty that this is exactly where I’m meant to be.

My heart flutters and I instinctively throw my arms around him, pulling him close.

Johan lets out a small gasp at the sudden embrace but quickly responds, wrapping his arms around me and pressing a tender kiss to the top of my head.

When we finally pull back, his face is lit with pure joy. He leans in again, his lips meeting mine—warm, soft, and gentle—sending a sweet tremble through me that makes my knees feel like jelly.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” he whispers against my lips, his breath warm and teasing. “I love you, baby.”

I small smile spread across my face. “I love you too.”

We take a moment to gather ourselves before heading out.

The rain has lessened to a light drizzle as we step outside, hand in hand.

Johan's car is parked nearby, and he helps me inside; the interior is warm and inviting compared to the chill outside.

He takes a moment to brush a strand of hair from my face, his fingers lingering on my cheek.

As we drive towards the archaeological department, the rhythmic sound of rain against the windows creates a soothing backdrop.

The thought of being introduced to his parents as his girlfriend fills me with both excitement and a touch of nervousness.

My mind drifts to Astrid, wondering how she will react to the news.

The idea of her finding out about us sends a mix of anxiety and satisfaction through me.

Despite everything, I know Johan and I are right for each other, and nothing can change that.

When we arrive, Johan parks the car, and we step out, our footsteps echoing softly on the wet pavement.

The grand entrance of the dining hall looms before us, lights twinkling invitingly from within.

Hand in hand, Johan and I step into the dining hall.

The room is elegantly decorated, the chandeliers casting a warm glow over the gathered guests.

I feel a mixture of excitement and nervousness as we walk in, my hand firmly in Johan's.

His presence beside me is reassuring, his grip gentle yet steadfast.

As we make our way through the crowd, heads turn, and I catch a few curious glances.

I spot my great-aunt, Professor Amelia, across the room.

She waves enthusiastically, her silver hair gleaming under the chandelier light as she makes her way over to us.

Johan squeezes my hand gently, and I look up at him, feeling a surge of affection.

“Hannah, darling!” Amelia exclaims, pulling me into a warm hug. Her familiar lavender scent envelops me, bringing back fond memories. "It's so good to see you, dear.”

“Aunt Amelia,” I begin, unable to contain my curiosity, “how did the expedition to Ubar go? I've been dying to hear about it.”

Amelia’s eyes light up with excitement. “It was incredible. The ruins were even more fascinating than we anticipated. We found some remarkable artifacts that could provide new insights into the ancient trade routes.”

“That's amazing! I can't wait to hear all about it,” I reply, my enthusiasm matching hers.

“We'll be presenting our findings at the press conference in two weeks at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology,” she continues. “It's going to be quite the event. Everyone is eager to hear what we discovered.”

“I'm really looking forward to it,” I say, feeling a surge of excitement. The thought of being part of something so significant fills me with pride and anticipation.

Johan gently steers me around the room, his hand resting on the small of my back, introducing me to colleagues and friends.

“This is Hannah, my girlfriend,” he says proudly, each time making my cheeks flush with happiness.

I still can't quite believe it—he's introducing me as his girlfriend.

The title feels both surreal and wonderful.

As we approach his parents, I feel a twinge of nervousness. His mother, a tall woman with sharp features, raises an eyebrow in surprise. “Johan, who is this lovely lady you're introducing to everyone?”

“Mum, Dad, this is Hannah van den Bosch, my girlfriend,” Johan explains, his voice calm and resolute.

“So, you and Astrid are really done for good?” His mother’s voice holds a hint of disappointment, her brow furrowing ever so slightly.

Johan meets her gaze, his tone firm yet calm. “The police are currently searching for her father, and soon enough, Astrid will be expelled from Cambridge for her abusive behavior toward me. Their downfall is imminent; you might as well get used to it.”

His mother’s eyes widen, her surprise clear as she processes the gravity of his words.

For a moment, the air feels tense, but then her expression softens as she exhales.

“You’re right. I apologize for the question; it was out of line.

” Turning to me, her features soften further, a genuine warmth spreading across her face.

“It’s so lovely to finally meet you, Hannah,” she adds with a welcoming smile, extending her hand.

“Johan has told me such wonderful things about you,” her tone now full of kindness and sincerity.

“It's nice to meet you too,” I reply, shaking her hand. Johan’s father also greets me warmly, and I feel a sense of acceptance. It’s as if a heavy weight has been lifted from Johan’s shoulders, and I’m glad to be here to support him.

The evening progresses with more introductions, laughter, and shared stories. During dinner, Johan begins to recount his adventure in Oman. His eyes light up as he describes the landscape, the thrill of the excavation, and the incredible moment they found the Star of Ubar.

“It was buried deep in a tomb, the intent clear they wanted it to remain hidden forever,” Johan explains, his voice filled with excitement. “We had to be so careful not to let Ludovic find out. He’d have tried to take it from us and sell it on auction.”

I listen, captivated by his story, feeling proud of his achievements and the challenges he overcame.

As Johan continues, my phone buzzes in my pocket.

I pull it out discreetly and glance at the screen.

My heart sinks when I see the message from Astrid: Looks like Johan didn't waste time finding a substitute for me.

Congrats, Hannah. Enjoy while it lasts. X

A knot forms in my stomach. I feel awful, the joy of the evening momentarily overshadowed by Astrid’s words.

She needs to know the full truth about Johan and me; keeping her in the dark will only make things worse.

Deciding it’s now or never, I excuse myself from the table, my palms clammy as I rise.

Johan looks at me with concern, but I manage a reassuring smile, promising him I'll be back soon.

I step outside into the cool night air, the crisp breeze a stark contrast to the warmth inside. My hands tremble as I pull out my phone and dial Astrid’s number, the ringing echoing my rapid pulse. After a few agonizing moments, she picks up.

“Well, if it isn't the new girlfriend,” she says, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. “Astrid, it’s not what you think,” I begin, my voice level despite the turmoil inside. “I’ve known Johan for years and have always had a crush on him.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Astrid interrupts, her voice rising in anger.

“Let me finish,” I insist. She huffs in dismissal, but I continue, “I didn't know how to handle such a secret since you were so in love with him. But forcing him to get engaged to you using blackmail was beyond abusive and cruel. I might not have been completely honest with you, but you betrayed me just as much.”

There’s nothing for a few seconds; then, I hear a bitter chuckle through the line. “Wow, Hannah, well done. Who needs enemies with a friend like you,” Astrid snaps before cutting off the call.

“Hello?” I call out, but the silence that follows is deafening. The cold air bites through my clothes as I stand there, the weight of her words sinking in, my heartbeat gradually slowing to a heavy thud.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my emotions before heading back inside. If she doesn’t want to hear me, then I guess we are truly done.

When I return to the dining table, Johan immediately notices the worry in my eyes.

“What's going on?” he asks softly.

I show him the message from Astrid. His expression hardens for a moment before he wraps an arm around me. “Don't worry about that evil bitch,” he says quietly. “Soon enough, she'll be completely out of our lives.”

His words are a comfort, and I lean into him, feeling reassured.

The evening continues with more stories and laughter, the earlier tension gradually fading away.

Every now and then, I catch Johan looking at me with a mixture of love and determination.

The future may be uncertain, but with him by my side, I feel ready to face whatever comes our way.