Ineffable ꕥ Joost Klein ꕥ

19.

Joost's apartment was crowded. While the open window provided some fresh air, the amount of people in his living room and dotted about his kitchen created a tense space on the Wednesday evening.

Enzo and Apson smoked out the window while Daan and Stuntje sat on kitchen stools. Tantu stood with Joost, the two watching Alanis show Elke some pictures she had taken on her phone.

The girls sat closely on Joost's sofa. They were forced to sit with their hips touching as the plush cushions had softened from their extensive use. But Elke didn't mind, nor did Alanis, and the smaller one of the two showed how she cleaned up Elke's apartment that afternoon.

'I had to throw a picture frame out that was on the console table. The glass had shattered and the wooden had splintered in the corner. I put the photo under the paper weight on your coffee table,' Alanis explained.

'Thank you...'

'Whose the other girl in the photo? Is she your friend?'

Alanis was good at taking Elke's mind off the break-in. She sat and listened to her explanation of Arabella and how the photo had been taken at a Sunday brunch. At the distraction, Tantu shrunk down to lean against the kitchen counter. Joost took notice of his friend but resisted taking his eyes off Elke on his sofa.

'What's the plan?'

'I'm not talking about it here.'

'Then let's go out and smoke?'

Joost reluctantly looked away to meet Tantu's eye. With raised brows, the brunette waited for the blonde to agree. He never said 'no' to a smoke and there were important conversations that needed to be had. But for the first time ever, Joost looked like he was would much rather stay inside.

'Joost,' Tantu pushed when his friend's attention dwindled once more. Exhaling loudly from his nose, Joost finally gave in and followed Tantu out of his apartment. He caught Elke's eye, the girl still in conversation with Alanis. Joost gave her a look that said he wouldn't be long and Elke tried to appear unbothered by his leave.

When Elke took Joost out to her car, he didn't know what he expected to be in her boot. He had been cautious as the trembling girl led him out of her trashed apartment. Elke's bloodshot eyes were still watery and her voice was nasally, insisting that she didn't want to take Joost's advice to take time to calm down. This put Joost even more on edge, but he followed her down to the underground carpark like she had him on a leash.

The orange backpack laid on it's side and Joost stood waiting with a raised brow. After opening the boot, Elke stepped back and clasped her hands together. Her heart was yet to cease from it's hammering against her ribcage. She felt like she was showing an embarrassing shrine or ritual, her vulnerability at Joost's disposal. It didn't help that Joost stayed silent, sceptical and questioning Elke's mental state.

With shaking fingers, Elke unzipped the backpack and positioned the opening for Joost to see. She stepped away and a sniffle escaped her nose. Finally showing someone the cause of her crippling anxiety and stress was terrifying. She didn't know how Joost would react to the thousands of euros in her possession.

But with her apartment in disarray, Elke was at her wits' end. Joost had seen her sleep-deprived, red-faced, sobbing and hysterical, and he still came to her aid at her omnious, desperate text. He held her so tightly and asked if she was hurt. If anyone was going to help, or at least understand Elke the position she was in, it was going to be Joost.

Joost was astounded. He grabbed the bag to get a closer look with his jaw hung open. He didn't have the time to be relieved that Elke hadn't been untruthful like he had thought. The man could only turn to look at the woman who looked ashamed and miserable beside him.