The Red String Between Us: Part III Eternal Thread

第32章 The night of the party

The night of the party arrived with the same grandeur Eden had come to expect from Kenji—but this time, she was at the center of it.

In the stateroom, she stood before the full-length mirror, smoothing the curve of her white silk gown. The dress hugged her waist before falling effortlessly into a soft drape, the neckline modest but striking. Her silver hoop earrings—thick, mid-sized, and bold—caught the light with every turn of her head. She paired them with a delicate silver bracelet and understated heels that allowed the dress to speak for itself.

Kenji appeared behind her in the mirror, fastening the last button of his tailored white dinner jacket. He'd paired it with crisp trousers, a pale silver tie, and polished shoes, the picture of elegance. His dark hair was brushed neatly back, his cufflinks gleaming.

"Perfect," he said simply, his eyes taking her in as if she were the only thing in the room worth noticing. He adjusted her bracelet gently, then pressed a kiss to her bare shoulder. "You make the night brighter."

Eden flushed, unable to hide her smile. "And you make me nervous," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Good," Kenji replied, his tone low and teasing. "It means you care." he said with a sly mischievous smile.

---

By the time they stepped onto the deck, the yacht had transformed into something out of a dream. Golden lanterns floated above like captured stars, and the hum of strings from a live quartet carried across the water. Guests mingled with champagne flutes in hand, the sea air mixing with the fragrance of fresh roses scattered along the railings.

"Kenji-san!" A tall man with sharp features greeted them warmly. "Congratulations." It was Hideo Mori, one of Kenji's cousins from Tokyo.

"Hideo, I'm so glad you could make it." Kenji replied hugging him.

Hideo turned to Eden and said "My apologies to the lady of the hour. You look stunning by the way, congratulations!" He bowed to her handing her a heavy red envelope.

"Welcome, Hideo," Kenji said smoothly, introducing Eden with pride. "This is Eden Hayes."

"Thank you so much for coming, and for the gift." Eden said.

As the night unfolded, faces Eden recognized from magazines and business reports appeared one after another.

A-list actress Naomi Watanabe offered a chic little clutch with an engraved note inside. A legendary film director clapped Kenji on the back, laughing as he placed 2 medium sized boxes on the gift table. Eden's coworkers from her office mingled politely, some stiff with nerves at the level of company around them, others distracted by the glittering night on the water.

Board members from Kenji's company shook Eden's hand with respectful nods. "Welcome to the family," one said with a tone that was equal parts genuine and strategic.

The gift table began to overflow—envelopes, bottles of vintage wine, designer trinkets, and elegantly wrapped boxes stacked neatly by Samantha and her staff. Mia offered to step away from the party to cover Samantha for a little while so she could mingle and eat as well.

A photographer snapped photos of Kenny and Eden together, then of them with guest as well.

---

Through it all, Eden felt the heat of eyes on her. She smiled, greeted, thanked, and allowed herself to shine. But from across the deck, she caught Mallory watching her with that same polite smile that never quite reached her eyes.

Mallory floated between groups effortlessly, whispering comments Eden couldn't hear, laughing just a beat too long at remarks from board members, and inserting herself near Kenji's side whenever Eden was engaged in conversation elsewhere. At one point, Eden noticed Mallory leaning toward Riston, her expression intent, but unclear.

Kenji, ever observant, remained at Eden's side as much as he could, his hand occasionally brushing her back, his presence anchoring her. Yet Eden felt the undercurrent, the quiet tension that pulsed beneath the surface glamour of the evening.

---

Later, when the quartet shifted into a lively melody, Kenji raised his glass for attention. The deck fell silent as he spoke, his voice carrying over the water.

"Tonight, we celebrate love. Not the fleeting kind, but the kind that transforms, steadies, and deepens with every day. I stand here with Eden, not only proud to call her my fiancée, but grateful—grateful that life has led me to her." He lifted Eden's hand, kissing her knuckles as applause rose around them.

Eden's heart swelled, her nerves dissolving under the warmth of the moment. She leaned close, whispering, "You always know what to say."

Kenji smiled, his eyes locked with hers. "Only when it's the truth."

The applause echoed, champagne flutes clinked, and the party carried on. Yet even as Eden basked in the glow of celebration, she couldn't shake the flicker of unease every time she caught Mallory's gaze—polished, unreadable, and just a little too focused.

It was supposed to be a perfect night, and it was. But Eden felt it—somewhere in the shadows of the lanterns, perfection was being tested