So just pull the trigger.

29. The door is open

It was difficult to concentrate, anxiety weighed on his chest. At what point could he ask Eljas about Aki? Joni wondered every time he saw the man hurrying past him, welcoming his customers, going with them to his office to chat, and later going to the gym to show them the correct ways to do the movement in their exercise plan.

After his shift, Joni took a cup of coffee and walked upstairs to Eljas' office. He wasn't sure if Eljas would tell him anything, maybe his question would only upset him? Would he even give him an answer and if he did, would it calm his mind or simply add to his worry?

Joni stood in front of the door and gave a hesitant knock.

"The door is open, "Eljas said, and Joni opened the door, stepping in. Eljas looked up at him and smiled." It's been quite a busy day, huh?" He commented and Joni nodded. "I think you'd be ready to move from behind the counter into action. Would you be interested in holding spinning classes? We have a shortage of instructors. We would prep you for it, of course."

" Yes, I am interested," Joni smiled faintly and hesitated. He held the coffee cup between his hands as if holding a shelter that would ease his anxiety. "But actually, I'm not here to talk about work."

" Oh?" Eljas who had shifted his gaze to the computer screen looked back at him and only now noticed how nervous Joni seemed. "Is something wrong?" He asked worriedly. "Please, take a seat," he gestured towards the chair in front of the table. Joni sighed and moved closer, he sat down and pondered his words. 

"My ex contacted me during my holiday and-," Joni started hesitantly, "I admit that I'm nervous, really nervous and my question might sound odd."

"Okay, go on," Eljas encouraged. Joni hadn't seemed this anxious before or shown any signs of the trauma that his past surely must have left.

"Aki Kuusisto," Joni said and observed Eljas' expression, seeing it change from calmness to fraught. The man couldn't hide the signs of disgust and shock. "I heard that he was in prison at the same time as Chris. I didn't know that at first, but then I ran into him, and the day that he was here..." The tension was clear, but Eljas seemed to do his best to keep himself together.

 "You know him in some way, and I have a sick feeling in my stomach that Aki and Chris have met in prison and... I don't know... Perhaps it's just my imagination running wild... But your reaction to him... What has he done? Is there a cause for me to worry?"

Eljas was quiet, tapping his pen against the table, looking troubled. "I don't want to talk about it here." He finally responded somewhat tightly, before he looked up at Joni. "Dammit," he cursed quietly. "I can't talk about it now; I still have work."

"Okay, later then?" Joni asked carefully.

" Later," Eljas nodded. "If, well... Can you come over tomorrow after work? At my place?"

"Yes," Joni nodded and already felt somewhat defeated. Chris and Aki knew each other, it was beginning to look certain.

At home, Joni didn't tell Misha other than that he'd go and visit Eljas the next evening. He tried his best to comfort himself that at least he'd soon know and would be able to prepare himself better. And the other cynical part whispered that the knowledge that Aki could work with Chris, wouldn't help a rat's ass if he didn't know what they planned. And everything would still be one big question mark.

The next evening at eight pm Joni stood at Eljas' door and rang the doorbell. The man opened, gave him a hurried smile, and gestured for him to get in. "Do you want something to drink? Beer? Coffee, tea perhaps?" He asked while Joni undressed his jacket and shoes.