Page 26 of Rhythm Of Redemption

Holding onto her clothes tightly, she said firmly, “I'll get dressed in Dani's room.” As she closed the door behind her, doubts seeped into her thoughts, a persistent reminder that while she had managed to resist temptation this time, future battles might not be so easily won.

Lou swiftly dressed and headed downstairs, eager to steer clear of another encounter with Logan. The hours had slipped away unnoticed since she left Dani to complete the maths assignment, but to her exasperation, her daughter sat firmly rooted in the same position, making little progress as she remained fixated on the same page.

Resting against the kitchen counter, Lou couldn't help but let a note of exasperation seep into her voice as she asked Dani about her progress. “Have you made any headway with your maths assignment?” she asked, a glimmer of hope mingling with her frustration.

Dani's eyes remained fixed on her new watch, showing little interest in the conversation. With a sullen voice, she grumbled, “I hate maths. Can't I just leave it?”

Lou's patience stretched thin. “No, you can't just leave it,” she responded firmly, her voice tinged with annoyance. “You need to finish it.”

Dani's face brightened with a mischievous grin, still absorbed by the watch. “But it's so boring,” she complained, a touch of satisfaction in her voice as she discovered something intriguing on the tiny screen.

Lou's impatience grew as she voiced her concerns. “Perhaps if you applied yourself more and didn't spend so much time fixated on that blasted thing … Dani.”

Dani let out a prolonged breath, her lips pursed with irritation. “What?” she moaned, her tone slightly curt.

Lou hesitated; her words cautious as she broached the subject. “Dani, about that watch,” Lou ventured tentatively.

“It’s awesome, I love it. All my friends are so jealous.” She held up her arm. “It’s the best present ever.”

Lou braced herself for a difficult conversation, knowing it wouldn't be easy. “You know, I've been thinking. Maybe you should think about giving the watch back,” she suggested.

Dani's head shot up, her eyes widening in surprise. “What? Are you being serious right now?” she questioned, her tone reflecting a mix of disbelief and shock.

Lou nodded; her expression serious. “Yes, I am. We barely know Logan, and it doesn't seem appropriate for you to accept such an expensive gift from him.”

Dani's voice erupted with frustration, her words dripping with a mix of disbelief and defiance. “Seriously, Mum? Do you even realise how much these watches cost, not to mention it’s not even out yet?” she shot back, her tone laced with disdain. Her eyes narrowed, challenging Lou's understanding of the situation. “And let's be honest, it's not like you could ever afford to buy me one, is it?”

Lou's expression remained composed, her stance unwavering in the face of Dani's defiance. She understood the underlying emotions fuelling her daughter's reaction, but she also knew the importance of standing firm. “Dani,” she began, her voice calm yet firm, “the cost of the watch isn't the point here. It's not about what I can or cannot afford. There are bigger concerns at play.”

Dani's frustration persisted, her eyebrows furrowing in disbelief. “Bigger concerns? Like what?” she retorted, her tone incredulous.

Lou took a moment to gather her thoughts, realising the need to explain her perspective more clearly. “Accepting expensive gifts from someone we barely know raises questions,” she explained, her voice measured and thoughtful. “It's about maintaining healthy boundaries and being cautious, especially when it comes to accepting gifts from men we don’t know.”

“Oh, my god. You make it sound like he’s trying to groom me or something.”

Lou shook her head, her voice resolute. Logan was under investigation for his involvement in an international money laundering ring. Who knew where the money had come from to pay for that watch, but she didn’t want to mention that part to Dani. “That’s not what I’m saying. But as a parent, it's my responsibility to look out for your wellbeing and safety, so I need to exercise caution here and ensure that we're making the right choices.”

In a burst of frustration, she sprang to her feet, causing the chair to topple and crash against the floor. “You're such a hypocrite!” she accused. “It doesn’t bother you that he’s staying here, while his house undergoes renovations.” With a mocking tone, she air-quoted the word renovations. “Everyone knows about the police investigation. Yet, you have a problem with me keeping the watch? Why do you always have to spoil everything?” Her eyes burned with anger as she confronted her mother. “Well, I'm not giving it back. It's mine, and you can't make me.” In a huff, she stormed out of the room and stomped up the stairs, the sound of her bedroom door slamming shut echoing through the house.

Lou slumped into the chair, frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. The echoes of the exchange with her daughter reverberated through her mind, each word a sharp pang of regret. Guilt tugged at her conscience, questioning if she had missed a vital opportunity to bridge the growing divide between them. Doubt eroded her parental confidence, leaving her yearning for a deeper connection with her daughter. Amidst the sea of missed chances, one thing remained clear: she would not let these setbacks define her. Nor would she let them destroy the bond they’d once shared.

Chapter twelve

Frustration consumed Logan as he paced restlessly, his phone firmly pressed against his ear. Why was Matti ignoring him? Days had slipped by with no response, leaving him increasingly unsettled. Voice messages and texts remained unanswered as if Matti had vanished into thin air. Even Angel’s enquiries had drawn a blank, adding to Logan’s growing unease. A sinking feeling settled in the pit of his stomach. Something was definitely off. Determined to get to the bottom of it, he decided to check out some of Matti’s usual haunts after his meeting with his lawyer.

He lifted his arms and sniffed at his armpits. No, he definitely needed a shower before heading out. The problem was that he was sharing Lou’s bathroom and ever since that uncomfortable incident when he’d accidentally stumbled upon her naked as she stepped out of the shower, an awkward tension had settled between them. Ordinarily, he would have made a playful remark about having seen it all before, considering they’d already slept together, but given his current living arrangements, it hadn’t seemed appropriate. Lou had given him somewhere to stay when he’d had nowhere else to go, and he couldn’t afford to piss her off, in case he found himself on the streets.

But the look in her eyes that morning had stirred something deep within him, a shared desire that couldn’t be ignored. Yet, the circumstances were complicated, a word everyone seemed to use on their social media profiles these days, that he’d never fully understood before. That night they had spent together had been more than just physical pleasure. She represented a departure from the shallow encounters he’d grown weary of, and there was something about her that intrigued him on a deeper level. In her, he’d found a woman who defied expectations, someone who embraced her intelligence and individuality without seeking validation from others.

Yet, hidden beneath her tough exterior, he sensed a vulnerability, often revealed in her heated exchanges with Dani. While it might not be apparent to everyone, he recognised the doubt that brewed beneath her surface, mirroring his own. No matter the riches, the grandeur of his home, or the price tag on his latest car, a lingering feeling of inadequacy always loomed. It was an ever-present simmer, an unending reminder that he had never been good enough in his mother’s eyes until he found fame with his band, Crimzon Steel.

Lou, however, remained unswayed by his wealth and celebrity. She saw him as a person, not a trophy or a status symbol, and had no qualms about calling him out if she thought he was wrong. This intrigued him, but it also unsettled him. The idea of being truly seen and accepted without the mask of success both exhilarated and terrified him. It was a challenge to be his authentic self, to let go of the expectations and facade he had grown accustomed to. Lou’s refusal to be impressed by external trappings demanded genuine honesty, a prospect that both excited and unnerved him.

Logan quickly spoke with Lou regarding the use of her shower and borrowing her car for his meeting with Antonio in town. Showered and changed, he descended the stairs to find Lou waiting for him at the bottom. Holding out the car keys, she gave him a firm reminder to take good care of her car.

With a mixture of relief and apprehension, Logan twisted the keys in the ignition, grateful that the engine obediently roared to life. However, his fingers hesitated, momentarily adjusting to the worn and rugged steering wheel of the old jeep. Carefully reversing out of the parking space, he manoeuvred the unfamiliar vehicle along the drive, adjusting to its quirks before merging onto the main road.

Logan’s fingers curled around the steering wheel as he navigated the twists and turns, struggling to find his rhythm, his foot clumsily shifting the clunky gears, resulting in jerky movements and lots of frustrated sighs. The scorching sun bathed the landscape in a golden haze, casting long shadows on the winding roads that clung precariously to the hilltops. The sea stretched before him like an endless expanse of liquid sapphire, its cerulean depths glistening beneath the golden sun. As Logan navigated the winding descent, the town sprawled before him in a vibrant mosaic of bustling energy. The air hummed with lively conversations and distant music, a stark contrast to the serene stillness he had left behind at Lou’s place.

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