In the parking lot, John headed towards his sleek, black Mercedes Benz. "So, I'm heading home fast," he said, before getting inside his car and descending out of sight. Akai bid him goodbye and followed Ryder to his car, a luxurious, silver BMW with tinted windows and gleaming alloy wheels.
Ryder opened the passenger door for her, and as she settled into the plush, leather seat, she couldn't help but notice the car's elegant interior. Ryder got into the driver's seat, and Akai's eyes caught sight of a chain hanging from the rearview mirror. She reached out to touch it, but Ryder's sudden utterance stopped her.
"Don't touch it," he said, his voice firm but gentle.
Akai's hand hesitated, then pulled back. "Sorry," she replied, looking at Ryder with curiosity.
"I just wanted to take a look at it," she muttered, her eyes still fixed on the chain.
Ryder's expression softened. "It's a gift," he said, his voice low and introspective.
