Kiss & Consequences

Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events or places is purely coincidental.

Katrina Aho, or shortly Kate, turned thirty the same year she earned her second degree in computer science. It was a milestone she was proud of, but it also marked the beginning of an internal restlessness she hadn’t yet come to terms with. On the surface, her life was perfect - a loving husband, a bright toddler, and now a promising career in tech after years of struggle.

Her husband, Miiko Aho, was an ex-professional hockey player five years her junior, with charm and confidence that made heads turn. Together, they were the picture of a happy family. In public, they radiated warmth and partnership; at home, they were best friends. But the truth was far from perfect. They hadn't shared a bed since their son was born, and late at night, the empty space beside her whispered truths she wasn’t ready to face.

Kate’s journey hadn’t been easy. An immigrant from Poland, she had left a cozy home and familiarity at twenty to build a new life in Finland’s icy embrace. After years of hustling through odd jobs together with Business Administration degree and later with Computer Science, she finally landed an internship at Future Vision, a Finnish company creating digital solutions for local businesses. By the end of her internship, her dedication and skill earned her a permanent position.

Future Vision was a rather small, close-knit team of twenty employees, led by the energetic Anders Lindström, one of the company’s co-founders. His brother, Henri Lindström, the other half of the ownership, was a mystery. He rarely appeared at the office, preferring to work behind the scenes, handling investors and securing new projects. Rumors painted him as sharp, calculating, and utterly intimidating, but Katrina had no reason to think much about him until the day of her big presentation.

It was her first time leading a project. Though nervous, Kate had worked tirelessly to prepare, and the presentation went off without a hitch...until the questions began. Anders seemed impressed, praising the team’s progress. Then Henri spoke.

He had arrived unannounced, his sharp suit and piercing eyes commanding attention. His first question felt more like a jab:

"Is this your first real job?"

The room fell silent. Kat swallowed hard, willing her voice to stay steady as she answered. But he didn't stop there. He questioned her methods, the team’s strategy, and even her ability to understand the local business culture as a non-native Finn. Every word was laced with condescension, his tone cold and dismissive.

By the time the meeting ended, Katrina's hands were trembling. She escaped to the restroom, where she stared at her flushed, furious reflection. Her chest tightened with the weight of humiliation. How dare he belittle her like that?

But the worst was yet to come.

Henri started coming to the office every day after that meeting. Kate felt his presence like a storm cloud. Every glance he cast her way was charged, his gaze sharp and unreadable. Was it disdain? Something else? Whatever it was, it unsettled her. He questioned her every move, criticized her ideas in front of the team, and made her feel like an imposter in a role she’d worked so hard to earn.

As the team gathered for the celebration of the project several months later, the clients praised the project's outcome highly. Katrina found herself beaming with pride. Anders delivered a speech commending her efforts and leadership, her heart swelling with gratitude. But when Henri spoke, his words hit like ice water.

"Thank you for trusting us. We were hesitant to give Katrina the role of coordinator due to her lack of experience, but with our support, the team succeeded. She is yet to learn more."

Kate’s heart sank. His veiled insult was deliberate, cutting through the warmth of the moment. But to her relief, Anders immediately countered, calling her the best fit for the project and praising her determination and skill.

The meeting ended, but Kate barely held herself together as she rushed to the restroom, tears spilling down her cheeks. Her colleagues soon followed, comforting her with whispers of encouragement and anger toward Henri. One even suggested his hostility might stem from her resemblance to an ex-girlfriend. Through her tears, Kate exclaimed, "I don't get it! Why does he hate me so much? I swear I can feel his hateful attitude every time he sees me. Maybe he hates that I’m an immigrant and that his brother gave me a chance," she continued, sniffing as tears streamed down her face.

Anna, leaning against the sink, frowned. "But almost all our developers are from other countries and don’t even speak Finnish. You've lived here for ten years, you're a citizen, and you speak both Finnish and Swedish. (Author's remark: Finland has two official languages: Finnish and Swedish). Maybe he just hates women who won't sleep with him. I've worked here for eight years, and I've never heard a kind word from him either."

What none of them knew was that Henri stood just outside, listening.

Later, as the champagne flowed in the conference room, Kate retreated to the quiet of the kitchen for coffee. She had no desire to celebrate further. While she prepared her drink, the soft creak of the door sent a shiver down her spine.

Someone entered.

Her breath caught as footsteps approached, deliberate and heavy. She didn’t need to turn to know who it was.

"Kate," Henri's voice was low, almost a whisper. "I'm sorry."

She froze.

"I don't hate you," he continued, moving closer until she felt his presence behind her. "I hate myself."

Before she could process his words, he turned her gently to face him. At 6 feet 3 inches tall to her 5′3", his imposing frame towered over her, yet his touch was unexpectedly soft.

"You're the most incredible woman I've ever met," he said, his voice trembling.

Kate's mind raced, unable to comprehend the sudden shift. The man who had made her life miserable was now looking at her with something entirely unfamiliar...and utterly dangerous.

She averted her eyes, but he tipped her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze.

And for the first time, it wasn't anger she saw in his eyes.

It was something far more dangerous.

Something that made her heart race.