The Price Of Redemption

18.

"Are you coming in or not?" Dani asked, her voice laced with warmth as she peeked through the car window, leaning against the front passenger seat.

Haerin, one hand gripping the steering wheel, the other resting against her chin, offered a small but sincere smile to the mixed-race girl. "I'll wait here," she responded softly, her tone calm but detached.

Dani nodded, her own smile brightening for a brief moment before she turned and disappeared into the lavish designer shop, leaving Haerin alone in the car. The second Dani was out of sight, Haerin's composed exterior faltered. Her fingers moved in a sudden rush as she anxiously dialed a number on her phone. She held it to her ear, her other hand nervously biting at her nails while she waited for the person on the other end to pick up.

"Haerin?" Minji's familiar voice filled the silence, a comforting sound amid Haerin's rising tension.

"Where are you?" Haerin asked, her voice cool, trying to sound nonchalant despite the knots in her chest.

"At Hanni's apartment. Why?" Minji's tone shifted with curiosity, sensing something was off.

"Is she there with you?" Haerin questioned again, her eyes wandering outside the driver's seat window.

"Yeah, she's in the kitchen, baking something. Is everything okay?" Minji's concern deepened, her voice edged with worry.

"Nope. Something's definitely wrong." Haerin sighed heavily, her fingers raking through her hair in frustration. "Can you explain why Hanni knows where my bike is?"

"What?" Minji sounded utterly baffled. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"She called me out of nowhere, acting all casual, but then suddenly asked where I was. I told her I was out with an old friend, and then she goes ahead and tells me my bike is at home. How the hell does she know that?" Haerin's words spilled out in one frantic breath.

"Do you think she put a tracker on my bike or something?" Haerin's voice wavered slightly as she massaged her forehead with her free hand, the weight of paranoia beginning to settle.

"Why would she? Though..." Minji's voice trailed off.

"Though what?" Haerin pressed, her brows furrowing in suspicion.

"Well, back in Australia, she did take your bike somewhere once, saying it needed a service..." Minji's tone was thoughtful, but Haerin could hear the uncertainty.

Haerin let out a sigh, rubbing her temples as she noticed Dani coming out of the store, heading toward the car. She bit her lower lip, her mind racing. "I'll talk later. Bye." She quickly ended the call just as Dani opened the passenger door and slid back into the seat.

Dani smiled faintly, gazing straight ahead. Haerin, unsure of what to say, simply started the car and drove off. The air between them felt heavy, like something unspoken lingered, but neither of them seemed ready to break the silence.

A few minutes passed, and Haerin decided to put on some music, hoping to ease the awkwardness. Everything seemed fine until "A Thousand Years" began to play. The familiar melody immediately made Haerin's chest tighten. That song—their song—was full of memories she had been trying so hard to bury. They had listened to it together, once upon a time, when everything between them felt perfect. Dani's eyes remained fixed on the window, her face turned away, but Haerin could sense her bitterness.

After barely half a minute, Dani reached out, without even glancing at the stereo, and turned the song off. The rest of the ride became unbearably silent, the discomfort between them almost tangible. Haerin cursed herself inwardly, regretting the decision to play music at all.