So just pull the trigger.

24. Try to avoid him

The following days after the strange incident at the gym, Eljas still wasn't behaving like his usual self. He was much quieter and kept to himself. Joni couldn't help but ponder the reason. 

Then a couple of days later, his new lady friend, whom Joni had seen a couple of times before, came to meet Eljas. She greeted Joni cheerfully before heading upstairs to Eljas's office, but only about fifteen minutes later, she stormed downstairs looking quite upset. Not saying another word, she walked past him to the front door, pulling it forcefully open, clearly wanting to let her anger show.

Before Joni left home, he went looking for Eljas and found him in one of the training rooms alone. The man was furiously hitting a punching bag while listening to Eminem. Eljas startled visibly when suddenly sensing his presence in the room.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you," Joni apologized. "I just wanted to let you know that I'm going home," he said because he wasn't sure if Eljas was even aware of the time. Joni had heard from one of the other trainers there that Eljas had been working from early morning and it was already nearing eight in the evening.

"Okay, no problem. You closed the register and the front office?" Eljas asked, frowning. His t-shirt was wet from sweating and glued on his back, his blond hair damp. 

"I did."

"So... I'll see you tomorrow?" 

"I won't be here until Saturday," Joni reminded.

"Oh yeah, that's right..." Eljas muttered absentmindedly.

"Are you sure that everything is okay?" Joni couldn't help but ask, and the older man gave him a confused look.

"Yeah, of course," he replied, though he didn't sound convincing. Joni wanted to ask about Aki, thinking it had something to do with him. But he was quite sure that he wouldn't get answers from Eljas, not now at least. He recognized the mood that Eljas was in, similar to what he had experienced, and in that state one wasn't ready to talk, at least not to someone you didn't know that well.

"I'll see you then." Joni smiled carefully and left.

*****

Joni met his cousin next Friday in Jyri's favorite pub. The whole thing bothered him to the extent that he wanted to ask if Jyri possibly knew anything about it. 

Jyri was already there when Joni arrived. "I got a beer for you as well," his cousin grinned.

"Thanks," Joni smiled and sat down.

"So, how is my favorite cousin doing?" Jyri asked and took a sip from his pint.

Joni's lips curved into a small smirk. "I'm your only cousin," he reminded amusedly. 

"Yes, well, I'm sure if I had more, you'd still be my favorite." Jyri grinned. 

"Okay, I take that," Joni chuckled. "And I'm fine. Thanks for asking. You?"

"Nothing to complain about," Jyri shrugged.

"Do you have any Christmas plans?"

"Nah, it's just another forced holiday. We'll probably go out and get wasted with my friends," Jyri replied. "And you, nice family time?" he inquired, and Joni nodded, giving another small smile.

"I'm sure you'd be welcome with us if you like?" he suggested, but Jyri shook his head.

"Thanks, but no. Christmas has never been my thing. When you get disappointed so often as a child, you can't appreciate it as an adult. It's a good day to drink, that's all."