Ineffable ? Joost Klein ?

8.

The cashier scanned items at the front of the shop, the beeps interupting the radio that played a classical station. The aisle with the two men was undisturbed and they stared at each other, wondering if either of them were going to speak first.

'What's it to you?' Roan worked hard at keeping his composure.

'If you're not going to answer, I'll call him and ask-'

'I met him at a party.'

'Where?'

'Belgium.'

'Why were you in Belgium?'

'And I'll ask again, why do you care?'

Joost didn't have Nathan's number but it had gotten what he wanted out of Roan. He learnt more about the situation just by the man's quick response after the seemingly innocent threat. Roan was uncomfortable, his tough demeanour having faltered at Nathan's mention. Joost could tell that despite Elke's surprising admission at the Belgian's character, the man still unnerved those he wanted fearing him.

'I'll tell you what,' Joost closed the space between him and Roan in the shop aisle. 'You drop this act you're convinced is working for you and I'll see you at the next meet.'

He knew it would work because Joost knew men like Roan. They thought that by striding around with their shoulders back and their stare mean that they would be respected. They thought if they had a beautiful girlfriend that they treated like shit that they were envied. Joost wanted information and the only way to get it was to stoop to Roan's level.

Just as he thought, Roan practically jumped at the opportunity.

'10pm? On Saturday?' he made sure and Joost nodded, cringing at the thought of Elke coming along. There was no doubt that she would be dragged by her boyfriend, confident that he would embarrass the Klein who had done nothing to threaten him.

'Listen, mate,' Joost lowered his voice and leaned forward so his words wouldn't carry into the next aisle. 'I don't know what Nathan's promised you, or what story he has you believing, but he is not a good guy. He shouldn't even be in the country.'

'What, you scared of him?'

'You're out of your mind if you're not.'

Roan's smirk faltered. His attempt to insult Joost only ruptured his facade even more. The crystal eyes and tight lips dissatisfied Roan. Now that he knew that Joost would be put in his place at the next car meet, Roan wanted to continue on his high. It was the only thing that stopped the feeling in his stomach that had plagued him for weeks.

When he and Nathan got back into his car on Tuesday, Roan grumbled at how much he hated Elke's neighbour. As he put the key into the ignition, Nathan's calm, toneless voice interupted the engine's roar.

'Does he live on her floor?'

'Yeah. He's a fucking prick. He was the one that I said was at the meet on Saturday.'

'You didn't say it was Joost Klein.'

Roan looked away from the windshield as he drove out of the carpark. Nathan didn't meet his eye and it put Roan on edge.

'Do you know him?'

Nathan stayed silent.

'Is he going to be a problem?'

'No.'

In a way, Roan was thankful that Joost bothered him so much. If Elke hadn't introduced him as her neighbour, Roan feared that his recent obsession and problem would have eaten away at him. It gave him something else to think about, to hate, something that wasn't life threatening but irritating all the same.