Samantha and Xander sat in silence as the car glided toward their destination, the low hum of the engine the only sound breaking the heavy quiet. The unspoken tension hung thickly between them, each lost in thoughts too guarded to share.
Samantha's hands were on her chest, fiddling with a gold pendant.
Xander noticed her actions and curiosity got the best of him.
"Why do you like fiddling with that pendant?"
"It was a gift from my father years ago, and my late mother's photo is on it," she replied with a long sigh.
At the mention of her late mother, Xander froze. Samantha almost never spoke of her, and the unexpected reminder struck him like a shockwave, leaving him momentarily speechless.
"I see…"
And once again, silence enveloped the car. For the past few days, Samantha had been rather quiet than usual. Xander noticed this new change of her and wondered what could be bothering her so much.