CHAPTER EIGHT

Karin pauses on recognizing the voice. She turns slowly towards the direction the voice came from and to her astonishment she sees Henrik, her to soon be brother in-law.

Her eyes widen as she forces herself to smile at him. 'What is he doing here, she mentally asks herself?' She takes some steps away from the exit door so as not to obstruct others from leaving and assuming Johan is right behind her, but when she doesn't feel his presence, she turns around and finds him rooted to his spot, an unreadable look in his eyes, his hands hanging at his sides.

Karin extends her right hand to him, her gaze unwavering. "Johan come let me introduce you to my sister's fiance, he won't bite." She coos to him.

Johan chuckles mildly. "You can't be serious Karin dear. Besides, he can't, I'm way above his league." He looks at Henrik briefly and back at Karin. "I sincerely thought he's a friend and you won't need my input in your conversation, that's why I remained on my spot." He closes the distance between them and takes her extended hand.

Karin turns and they both walk towards Henrik, who had been watching the exchange between them unabashedly. The shock in his gaze could be seen like a billboard sign.

Karin goes ahead to introduce Johan to Henrik, unable to withhold her smile. "Johan, meet my soon to be brother-in-law, Henrik Conradson; Henrik, meet my fiancé Johan Lars." She looks up at Johan briefly, her smile reaching her eyes and then her focus returns back to Henrik.

Henrik smirks while shaking Johan's extended hand, still unable to hide his look of surprise. "Fiancé you said, I'll be damned!" His attention shifts back to Karin and he sees she wasn't joking. "Since when?" His focus shifting from Karin to Johan, and back.

Karin opens her mouth to answer but Johan beats her to it. "It's been a while now; we just made it public recently."

Karin releases her hold on Johan and rummages briefly in her Tote bag. She tries to stifle a yawn by covering her mouth with an apologetic look in her eyes.

Johan chuckles at her and holds her hand back, squeezing it a little. "Are you bored already?" Not minding their company.

Karin shakes her head gently. "Not at all, I'm stuffed even though I didn't get to finish my meal and I'd really like to unwind with a good book and then drift off to la la land but that can't happen as I have a lot of work to catch up on." She smiles sweetly at him and then returns her attention to the annoying Henrik, her eyes attaining a serious look. "I apologize Henrik, hope I did not make you feel uncomfortable."

Henrik shrugs, masking the anger in his eyes with a forced smile. "Nah, not one bit!" He shoves his hands into the front pockets of his black pants. "Your fiancé you said." He appraises Johan briefly, taking note of his simple yet expensive outfit and chuckles a little louder. "Wow! Here I thought she has been saving herself for her 'dream' man." He laughs but stops when he found himself laughing alone.

Karin and Johan stare at him, a look of pity crossing both features, especially Karin's; wondering what could be the issue with him.

"Are you alright?" Reaching out to him but stops midway when she caught a whiff of alcohol coming off of him. She drops her hand, her demeanour becoming angry. "Of course you must be. I mean for you to start drinking this early clearly shows that you're fine right?" She asks, folding her hands across her chest.

Henrik shrugs. "Of course I'm alright, I just had to ensure that I hadn't had too much when I spotted you with a man." He laughs a little and looks at Johan. " You look kinda familiar, like a famous retired model, he graced the covers of a lot of A-list magazines, but in looks only because he certainly won't bat an eye at Karin even if she dresses sexy." He was enjoying the looks on their faces, not minding the livid look on Johan's face. Now he has their rapt attention.

Johan smirks and gently squeezes Karin's hand, urging her to be quiet. "What makes you think I'm not him?"

Henrik shrugs yet again "Just like I said earlier, I don't think he'll bat..."

Johan cuts him off "You're wrong to think so low of her and so high of whomever you're talking about. Karin is a very beautiful and unique woman, not surprise that men like you will ever take note of." He raises a brow at Henrik, a subtle warning emanates from his aura, daring him to say another disrespectful word.

Henrik removes his hands from his pockets, and raises them in mid-air. "I don't don't doubt that. She is in fact, beautiful, unique and rich. Ella is lucky to have a sister like her..."

Karin quickly interjects before he says something stupid about her sister, because left to her, he's said more than enough thrash already. "Ok Henrik, it was nice running into you but I have so many pending work back in the office, and you have eaten too much out of my time." She grins at him and then looks at Johan briefly with a pleading look.

Her attention returns to Henrik. "See you around and don't drink too much, it's not wise" She really needs to get back to the office.

Johan extends his hand. "See you around Henrik!"

Henrik accepts his hand and shakes it firmly. "Likewise Johan, looking forward to more meetings!"

Johan releases Karin's hand, she turns and he turns after her, placing his hand at the small of her back. He guides her towards the exit, leaving a bemused Henrik behind.

###

Back in Karin's office, Johan holds her by the shoulders, preventing her from turning away from him as he looks into her eyes to see if she was ok. "Do you need me to hang around, so you can get your thoughts away from that idiot's statements earlier?"

Karin smiles at him. No one said anything on the drive back to her office, so she clearly understand his concern for her "I'll be ok Johan. He's just an idiot like you said looking for someone to put down to spice up his already ruined day." She frowns a little thinking. "Perhaps the closer we get to the D-day, the more of his nice guy persona he'll shed so we get to see him for who he is." She sighs. "I don't want him for my sister again!" Her voice raises slightly.

Johan massages her shoulders briefly. "I know you'll be concerned about Ella. Let's hope she gets to see the real him before we all do, but you know we can't say anything right? She's an adult and can handle herself." He gently squeezes her shoulders and pulls her close for a hug.

Karin laughs. "What's the hug for Johan?"

Johan closes his eyes still holding her close. "Just to spur you on! Shall I come and pick you? I'd love to. Just call me when you're ready to go home ok?" He pulls away from her and looks into her eyes.

Karin nods like a little child. "I'd love that, thank you." She smiles up at him.

"Right! So I'll order two cups of steaming latte and a box of donuts." He turns around to head out. "I'll see you later." He walks towards the door, then turns to look at her again and smiles. He opens the door and quietly shuts it behind him.

Karin watches the closed door for a while, and then turns slowly reliving everything that happened few minutes back, she could not help but feel afraid for her sister. She reasons Johan's point is valid, Ella is an adult and can decide things herself.

The 'what ifs' came badgering back as she made it to her chair. She tries to relax leaning her head against the head rest, her arms against the chair arms, drumming on the edge with her fingers. If she could do something about Henrik, she wouldn't hesitate to tell her sister how he behaved. She remembers her phone and carefully reaches for her bag sitting not too far from her on the table; rummages through it and brings out her phone.

Her eyes widens when she saw the recorder had been running for a while, she taps the stop button and then tap on the play button to listen to whatever had been recorded.

It starts to play and she clearly hears the conversation earlier in the restaurant and other faint buzzing sounds in the background. She gasps "Oh my, most of the conversation between Henrik, Johan and me had been recorded, I wonder how though." She mutters to herself and then remembered that she had rummaged through her bag when Henrik was doing most of the talking.

If he dares say anything derogatory to her sister, she has what to use against him. She continues listening, forgetting her work when a light tap on the door and it opening brings her back to earth.

She stares at the opened door when Ella suddenly pops her head through and smiles. "Hello Karin, I know you're not expecting me, so I decided to surprise you." Ella walks in uninvited but Karin quickly taps the pause button on her phone and locks it.

Ella gently places a paper bag on the table and makes herself comfortable. "I saved your secretary the stress of bringing this over before she closes for the day. Yes, I told her she could leave and I'd let you know since it's time."

Karin frowns at the paper bag on her table, "I don't recall asking her to get something..." She pauses midway remembering what Johan had told her a short while ago. She moves her phone and bag aside, and then moves the stack of proposals awaiting her scrutiny and consideration to her fore front.

"So what brings you here?" She asks her sister, looking at her briefly.

Ella leans forward acting as if she wants to tell her a secret. "Tomorrow is the big day Sis, aren't you feeling nervous or anxious? Anything to indicate you're human at least. Also, how did the fitting go?" Unable to avert her eyes from her sister's face so as not to miss any show of emotions.

Karin chuckles "Yeah, it is and the fitting went well, the designer outdid herself I must add. And finally to answer your other questions, I'm human and no longer nervous."

Ella frowns, cutting her off. "No longer nervous as in?"

Karin obliges her. "I was so nervous this morning. I can't pretend I'm all tough and can handle everything. Johan reassured me it's happening when he came to pick me this morning for our final fitting. We had lunch afterwards and he brought me to the office, planning to come pick me when I'm done." she says it in one breath, concern crossing her features.

Ella shrieks. "How have you been this lucky Karin? I mean you were..."

Karin butts in. "I didn't even have a boyfriend couple of weeks ago and now, I have a fiancé who is so good looking it's hard to comprehend right?" She looks directly at her sister, holding her gaze.

Ella nods in agreement. "I hate to admit that you read me right, so I'll add hot looking fiancé." She sighs, crossing her arms over her chest. I'd be lying if I said I'm not envious Karin. I mean where was I when the likes of Johan fell?" Taking on a serious look.

Karin chuckles not taking Ella's serious look to heart but then frowns when Ella remains serious. A look of concern crossing her features again. "What's wrong with Henrik or should I be asking what's going on between you two?" She leans forward, reaching out with her hands.

Ella reaches out as her eyes well up, holding on to her sister's extended hands like a life line. She shakes her head, willing the tears to dry up and the lump in her throat to disappear.

Karin squeeze her hands gently. "Hey, Don't fight it, maybe you'll feel better if you cried to your heart's content." she encourages.

Ella takes her advise and let down her guard, releasing deep heart wrenching sobs unabashedly, her shoulders shaking.

Karin let's go of one hand, rummages in one of her drawers, brings out a box of Kleenex and pushes it across the table to her, carefully watching her.

A little while later, Ella looks at her sister, smiles a little at her. Karin returns her smile and points towards the paper bag. "I think we should have those while discussing what's on your mind. What do you say?"

Ella chuckles, dabs her eyes and clears her nose, all the while nodding her head. "I say why not? Especially the latte before they go completely cold. She says tearfully, gets up to unpack them and then excuses herself to freshen up.

Karin takes over, first rearranging her table to accommodate the treats better. She places everything within arm's reach and sits down.

Upon returning from the restroom, Ella resumes her duty, picking out serviettes, passing a couple to her sister and dropping a couple by her end, following it with a cup of latte each before sitting down. She looks at her sister, " Will you do the honours?"

Karin obliges her; sipping her latte and picking a donut. She takes a bit, closing her eyes to savour the taste. 'Johan is the best she tells herself.' She chews a couple more time before swallowing. "Now that you are back to yourself, kindly tell me what's up." She takes another mouth full bite, chewing and waiting for her sister's response.

Ella shrugs her shoulders, picks her cup of latte and takes a long sip, placing a half empty cup on the table. She picks a donut, "I'm having second thoughts about my wedding, more like I've reached a decision about it." She takes a big bite, chews and takes a couple more bites.

Karin empties her cup and throws the remaining piece of donut into her mouth. "What happened Ella?" She says seriously and starts chewing slowly, her eyes on her sister.

Ella sniffs while chewing, "I'm calling off the wedding! I realized that I'm about to lose my freedom to a complete loser!" She copies Karin by throwing the remaining piece of donut into her mouth as well. She empties her cup of latte and reach out for another donut.

Karin on the other hand swallows the donut in her mouth, raising her brows to her sister's remark. "A loser? That's a strong word Ella. What could he have done for you to use such term to describe the man you're about to marry?" She rests her arms on the table and leans on them.

Ella frowns, a little irked. "We met over a year ago,we fell in love, no no, I fell in love and it took me less than one hour to truly see him, the real him." She pauses and sighs through her mouth. "I am angry Karin, I felt like doing something crazy but I found myself at the front of our office building and I had no better choice than to come see you and let you know that I am cancelling the wedding. Good thing that there will still be a wedding anyway, yours is what I'm talking about!" She leans into her chair, trying to calm down.

Karin closes her eyes briefly, her patience running out. "What did he do?"

Ella links her fingers together, forming a pyramid. "You mean what did he say?"

Karin nods. "Ok, what did he say?"

Ella sighs yet again. "He said I was lucky to have a man like him, and if we weren't that wealthy, he would not have been willing to marry me this early. Even his friends think he was rushing things by getting hooked this early, blah, blah, blah!"

Karin's frown deepens. "What is blah, blah, blah Ella? I need you to say everything he said. Besides, was he drunk?" She's clearly annoyed by her sister's revelation. 'The jerk didn't sober up to think clearly before talking to Ella. What a loser indeed!' she thinks to herself.

Ella raises her voice. "Why should I say everything the jerk said?" She closes her eyes briefly to calm herself. "I'm sorry I raised my voice at you Karin but do I need to say everything the bigot said for you to realise he's a clear loser and I'm lucky he revealed this side of himself before we got married?" Her hands coil into fists. "I am too angry at myself for not really looking at him when we met. I allowed myself to be swooned by his looks and charms. And why did you ask if he was drunk?" Her voice going a notch higher. "The jerk that spoke to me was in the right state of mind; looking into my eyes with no remorse of any kind for what he said to me!" She starts tearing up again.

Karin quickly gets up and goes to her, hugging her frame gently. "Hey, hey, hey! Don't cry again and don't beat yourself up because of him." She sighs. "You should be happy and like you said, you are indeed lucky to have witnessed what happened yourself because if you were told, you wouldn't believe it and might even think..."

Ella cuts in. "that the individual or person is jealous." She pulls away from her sister's hold and looks up at her. "So you are not mad about the money we are going to forfeit because of the wedding?"

Karin shakes her head and scoffs. "Money be damned, your emotional well-being is more important right now." She smiles down at her. "So what next?"

Ella shrugs. "I won't be the first to cancel and clearly won't be the last. I hope ladies like me get to see their men for who they truly are before getting hooked." She leans forward to grab another donut she was about to pick earlier before Karin's questions. "I'll tell Dad about my decision, and as soon as I get his support, I'll send mails to our invited guests about the cancellation. Especially my girlfriends, cause they'll be sad about their dresses. I won't let them have it Karin." She takes a huge bite and chews on.

Karin grabs a donut as well and is about to eat it when a knock on the door captures her attention. She looks at Ella briefly and back at the door.