Page 28 of Johan.

The minutes feel like hours as I wait for her response. Finally, my phone buzzes again.

Hannah:Amelia suggested we meet at her flat on Granta Place. It’s quiet and secluded, perfect for a discreet meeting. 7 p.m..

I quickly type my reply.

Johan:Sounds good. See you there.

As I put my phone back down and finish my breakfast, I realize how tricky it’s going to be to escape Astrid tonight. She must be expecting me to spend the evening with her, especiallysince it’s the weekend. I need a believable excuse, something that would keep her from asking too many questions.

Conrad. I can tell her I’m going to be with Conrad. We do need to talk, and it’s the perfect cover. First, though, I need to call him to apologize for my behavior yesterday. Only then can I set up a meeting.

I stare at my phone for a moment, gathering the courage to make the call. My thumb hovers over Conrad’s name before I finally press it. The phone rings, and with each passing second, my nerves intensify. What if he doesn’t pick up? What if he’s still angry?

Just as I’m about to give up, Conrad answers. “Hey, mate, it’s Johan.”

There’s a pause, then he replies, his tone guarded. “Johan. What’s up?”

I swallow hard, my words catching in my throat. “Listen, about yesterday… I was out of line. I’m really sorry for what I said and how I acted.”

There’s a moment of silence, and I wonder if he’s going to hang up on me. But then he sighs. “Yeah, you were. But I appreciate the apology.”

“Thanks. I was hoping we could meet up and talk face-to-face. Maybe around six at your place?”

“Alright,” he agrees, his voice softer. “We can do that.”

As I hang up, I feel a small weight lift off my shoulders. But then I hear footsteps approaching. Astrid. She walks over, her eyes narrowing slightly.

“Who were you talking to?” she asks, her voice suspicious.

I want to tell her to fuck off and stop being nosy, but instead, I take a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. “To Conrad. He’s not doing well. I might pass by to visit him later.”

She doesn’t say a word. Instead, Astrid circles around me, her eyes watching me closely. She’s wearing a silk robe thatclings to her curves, her blonde hair cascading in waves over her shoulders. Standing behind my chair, her hands slip under my shirt, stroking my chest. “Looks like we have the whole house to ourselves…” she whispers, her breath warm against my ear.

I don’t want any of this. I stand up abruptly, nearly knocking my chair over. “I’m afraid I’m gonna have to go.”

“Where?” she asks, her eyes narrowing.

I scramble for an excuse, my mind racing. “I promised my dad we’d go on a horse ride today.”

Her face lights up with excitement. “Can I go too?”

I lean in and give her a kiss on the cheek, forcing a smile. “Sorry, it’s really just a father-son thing.”

As I walk up the stairs, she follows me, her persistence grating on my nerves. “I can stay with your mom. She’s lovely.”

I stop halfway up the stairs, turning to face her. “My mom has plans today. Tomorrow, we can do something together, okay?”

She continues to follow me, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. “Fine, send me a video of the two of you. I’d love to see you riding with your dad.”

I know she’s saying this to keep tabs on me, to control me. I’m so damn tired of her. I swear to myself that I’ll find a way out of this sooner rather than later.

Finally reaching her room, I close the door and lean against it, trying to gather my thoughts. I have a plan for tonight, but I need to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Meeting Conrad first will be a good way to start things off, and then I’ll meet Hannah and Amelia.

I move to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face. The shock of it helps clear my mind, but the anxiety lingers. I grab my phone and keys, hesitating for a moment as I look at the door. Taking a deep breath, I step out of the room and make my way downstairs. Astrid is in the living room, flipping through amagazine. She looks up as I pass by, her brown eyes narrowing slightly, her lips pressed into a thin line.

“See you later,” I say, keeping my tone light.

---