Langour ・❥・Joost Klein・❥・

52.

Stuntje put his car into park. Half mounting the curb, his SUV lined the many other cars in the alleyway. He and Fenne threw their doors closed before walking around the bonnet. Stuntje went to take the paper bag from Fenne, but she insisted she was okay. He threw his hands up with a shrug before weaving through the parked cars.

'Do you have the drinks?' Fenne asked and rolled her eyes when she saw the man pause in front of her. Sheepishly, he stepped out of her way to let her through before he headed back to the car.

Fenne continued onto the set of the TRAFFIK! music video. Käärijä, or Jere, as Fenne had learnt was his real name, had brought along his team to prepare everything. Albino Sports' involvement was minimal, but Fenne's camera work was something that Joost had insisted on being incorporated.

It was a requirement for any collaboration Joost signed for. If an artist wanted to be associated with Joost Klein's name, then Fenne Meer had to be in the credits. She appreciated the insistence as it kept her working and involved, but sometimes, Fenne wondered if that was Joost's real reasoning.

She questioned this because of the way Joost looked away from Jere and gave her the biggest smile when Fenne arrived on set.

'You made it!' Joost cheered, walking over to meet her halfway.

'I did,' Fenne accepted the peck he gave her. 'Stunts has the drinks.'

Joost nodded. In black wide-legged jeans, a suit jacket and tie, Joost's outfit didn't scream TRAFFIK!. A pair of small glasses had replaced his thick-rimmed ones and his hair had been flared at the back. A neon green pocket square sat over his left breast, the only thing that matched other things worn by surrounding extras.

'Jere, you have macaroni,' Fenne said in English while pulling out the plastic box. The short, blonde man in a similar outfit to Joost stepped forward.

'Thank you! That was nice of you get me lunch.'

'Don't talk about it.'

'You mean "don't worry about it", liefje,' Joost corrected her.

'Oh, sorry! I meant worry. My English is not great.'

Jere laughed and waved his hand dismissively. Due to the different languages, they found it easier to communicate in English. It made production run smoother when everyone was using a mutual language.

'They didn't have Monster,' Stuntje stated as he joined the three. He held out two Redbulls and Joost and Jere both 'tsk'ed. They simultaneously took the cans while chuckling at their likeness.

Fenne was glad to see a smile on Joost's face. He had been looking forward to finalising the song and getting back into performing. TRAFFIK! was a long awaited release. Many had heard of Joost and Käärijä's friendship after their involvement with Eurovision. The collaboration brought together Käärijä's Finnish fanbase, Joost's Dutch fanbase and the global following that the two had accumulated. It couldn't have come at a better time with the summer festivals fast approaching. TRAFFIK! was a song that Joost to perform for his first lot of performances after the disqualification.

After a much needed break, Joost was looking forward to getting back on stage. He didn't know what to expect from the crowds, but the positive feedback to Luchtballon on social media made him optimistic. He couldn't mope about the disqualification forever. He had to get back out there and Käärijä's efficient team and similar style was the perfect opportunity.

'Alright, Joost, are you ready?' a man asked as they finished their lunch. With a crimson bottle in hand, the man instructed Joost to keep his head steady as he tipped the liquid from his nostril.