Page 27 of Johan.

Relief floods through me, but it’s quickly replaced by a different kind of panic as Astrid shifts closer, her hand trailing down my chest. “But we can start now...” she purrs, her intention clear.

I leap out of bed, nearly tripping over the sheets in my haste. “I don’t feel well. I need to drink some coffee.” My voice is shaky, my mind still reeling from the events of the previous night.

Astrid’s laugh follows me as I grab some clothes and head to the bathroom, desperate for a moment alone. The shower is a brief respite, the hot water scalding away the remnants of my hangover. I dress quickly, take my phone from the nightstand, and make my way downstairs to the kitchen.

Lauren, the butler, is there, bustling around with an air of efficiency. She looks up as I enter and gives me a sympathetic smile. “Good morning, sir. Would you like some coffee?”

“Please,” I say, my voice still rough. I take the offered cup, the bitter liquid doing wonders to clear my foggy mind.

“Go and sit at the table in the dining room. I’ll bring you a proper breakfast,” Lauren instructs, her tone leaving no room for argument.

I nod and make my way to the dining room, finding Ludovic at the head of the table, finishing his breakfast, and reading the news. He looks up as I enter, a faint smile on his lips.

“I didn’t know newspapers were still a thing,” I say jokingly, trying to lighten the mood.

Ludovic laughs, folding the paper neatly. “I’m old school.” He takes a sip of his coffee. “Slept well?”

I nod, although it’s far from the truth. Lauren arrives with a plate piled high with fried eggs, crispy bacon, plump sausages, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, and a slice of buttered toast. The aroma is rich and inviting, making my stomach growl despite my unease.

“There will be a dinner on Monday with the ambassador of Oman. Would you like to join us? It might be worth meeting him,” Ludovic says casually. “We need him to place a good word for us back in Muscat for the permits.”

I shake my head, trying to muster a polite smile. “You’ll manage just fine without me.”

We sit in silence for a few minutes, the only sounds the clink of cutlery and the rustle of the newspaper as Ludovic reads. Finally, he looks up again, his expression thoughtful.

“Have you thought about my proposal?” he asks, his tone neutral but with an underlying current of expectation.

I heave a sigh, setting down my fork. “I can only start after Professor Kimberly comes back. Until then, I need to teach that class.”

Ludovic waves a hand dismissively. “I can find someone to replace you, don’t worry.”

I think further, weighing my options. Despite not liking the idea, I know this expedition could be important. “When would you like to go to Oman?”

“Mid-January will be good. We should have the permits issued by then,” Ludovic replies, a satisfied gleam in his eyes.

I nod, my mind drifting back to the kiss I saw between Hannah and Conrad. The image plays on a loop, stirring a mixture of jealousy and regret. I start to wonder if they had sex last night, the thought gnawing at me.

As I push my food around on my plate, Ludovic watches me with an inscrutable expression. “Is there anything else on your mind, Johan?”

I shake my head, forcing a smile. “No, just... thinking about the future.”

“Good.” Ludovic finishes his coffee, takes his newspaper with him, and stands up. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve to go and plan for mine,” he says with a wry smile.

He nods at me, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes, before making his way out of the dining room. I watch him go, the weight of our earlier conversation still lingering in the air.

With Ludovic gone, I settle back into my chair, savoring the calm and the delicious meal in front of me. The fried eggs are perfectly cooked, the yolks just the right amount of runny. The bacon is crispy, the sausages juicy, and the grilled tomatoes add a hint of sweetness that balances the richness of the meal. The baked beans and buttered toast complete the plate, and I take my time, enjoying each bite. But minutes later, I’m interrupted by the vibration of my phone on the table. I pick it up and see a message from Hannah. My heart skips a beat as I open it.

Hannah:Meeting Amelia tonight. Can you join?

A wave of relief and excitement washes over me, thinking of meeting her again. I owe her an apology for last night, and nothing better than doing so face-to-face. I quickly type a response.

Johan:Did you get the file?

Hannah:Of course.

I frown, wondering how this could be possible if I had the files in my hand yesterday.

Johan:Where and what time?

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