Page 104 of Johan.

The gravity of the situation settles over me, but I know we can't let it derail our work. “Thank you, Professor,” I say, my resolve hardening. “We'll be ready for the press conference.”

Andersson nods, giving me a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “Good. See you later at dinner. Don’t be late. Everyone will be there to welcome you properly.”

“Sure.” I take a deep breath and head back to the lab, pushing aside the encounter with Astrid and focusing on the task at hand. One thing is sure: if they haven’t arrested Ludovic yet, that’s because he knew they were coming for him.

41

Hannah

It’schilly 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 tonemeasured 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 theyknew 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.

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