The Red String Between Us: Part III Eternal Thread

第36章 Over Lunch

     Two days after the engagement party, Eden still felt as though she were walking through a dream—her name in the headlines both in Japan and the U.S., strangers congratulating her on the street, and the weight of the diamond on her hand catching the light everywhere she went.

By noon that day, Kenji had scheduled a meeting for Himself, Eden, and his financial advisor. When they arrived at a discreet financial office overlooking Tokyo Bay. They were ushered into a polished conference room with sliding glass doors, fresh tea waiting on the table. A man in his fifties, sharply dressed in a tailored navy suit, stood to greet them.

"Eden," Kenji said, guiding her forward, "this is Hinjung—my financial advisor. He's been with my family for nearly twenty years."

Hinjung bowed respectfully. "It's an honor to finally meet you. Congratulations on your engagement."

Eden smiled, a little stiffly, suddenly aware of how official this felt. "Thank you. It's nice to meet you too."

They took their seats at the low table, papers and a leather folio already laid out in front of them. Kenji reached over and covered Eden's hand with his, his touch grounding. "I wanted us to do this together—with full transparency."

Hinjung cleared his throat, glancing at Kenji before beginning. "If I may, I'll start with an overview of Mr. Ito's current assets. We will then discuss your Eden, and then determine the best course of action going forward regarding finances."

Kenji gave a nod. "Go ahead."

The advisor spoke in a measured tone, precise and clinical. "Across multiple domestic and international accounts, Mr. Ito holds liquid assets totaling just over 600 hundred billion U.S. dollars. His investment portfolio is divided between energy, shipping, and technology sectors, with each consistently yielding multi-million-dollar annual returns. His properties include a penthouse in Tokyo, a villa in Kyoto, a summer estate in Hokkaido, two residences in New York, a mansion in Beverly Hills, and a penthouse in downtown Los Angeles. All are mortgage-free. Annual business earnings average fifty million, with board compensations totaling roughly twenty million after taxes."

Eden's breath caught as she listened, though Hinjung delivered the information with the same tone one might use to describe the weather. Still, the numbers hit her like waves. Her fingers curled against her lap, grounding herself.

Kenji turned toward her then, his eyes steady. "Now you."

She flushed, already knowing how small her world would sound in comparison. "Mine's... not nearly as dramatic. I've got my financial documents with me."

Hinjung offered her a polite, encouraging nod. Kenji, for his part, leaned slightly closer, as if nothing she could say would diminish her in his eyes.

Eden pulled her documents out of her work bag and inhaled slowly. "I have about three hundred eighty-five thousand in savings, my retirement and investment accounts total around three hundred twenty thousand. My townhouse in Chicago is valued at roughly four hundred eighty thousand, though I still owe one hundred twenty thousand on the mortgage. And... a smaller personal account—about one hundred fifty thousand—for everyday expenses."

Her voice softened as she finished. "That's it. Nothing extravagant."

Kenji lifted her hand in his and kissed it, his voice firm but tender. "And yet everything you have, you earned on your own. That matters more than the number."

Eden blinked, her throat tightening at the weight of his words.

Hinjung adjusted his glasses and moved the conversation forward. "Mr. Ito proposed establishing two joint accounts—one designated for household and living expenses, another earmarked for long-term investments you will decide upon together. He has also suggested paying off the mortgage on your Chicago property immediately, removing it as a liability. I also agree with this proposal, I think it best suits the both of you."

Kenji turned to her. "You don't need that burden of the mortgage anymore."

They discussed how and why they should merge accounts, what the process will look like, investments, an legal documents needing prepared to make the changes.

By the end of the meeting, the numbers no longer felt cold—they felt binding, threads weaving their lives closer together.

As Hinjung gathered his notes, Kenji caught Eden's hand again, speaking softly but with conviction. "I need you to understand this—whatever I have, you have. You are my partner. My equal. That will never change."

Her heart swelled, tears threatening at the corners of her eyes as she whispered back, "I do."

"Moving into the next subject. Will either of you be requesting a Prenup?" The advisor asked, motioning to Kenji. He immediately blurted out "No." and Eden said "Yes." at the same time. 

"Well... Lets give you two some time to discuss and just get back to me soon, whatever you both decide I will honor, and send appropriate documents over to your lawyers." He said standing to shake Kenji's Hand. 

     Once their meeting ended they headed to a local bistro near the Aoki Global office for lunch called the HesDestro

Just then, movement caught her eye. A woman had just entered the restaurant, pausing mid-step when she noticed them.

Mallory.

Her eyes locked on their joined hands. Her complexion paled, then flushed. For a split second, Eden thought she might march over. But instead, Mallory turned sharply and left, the sound of her heels echoing in the hall.

Kenji noticed the shift in Eden's expression.

Eden who was hungry, suddenly didn't have an appetite anymore.

Still, by the end of the meal, they had agreed: her accounts would begin merging with his, her mortgage would be cleared, and they would meet with his Realtor the following week.

As the last of the sashimi was cleared from the table, Kenji leaned back, his dark eyes lingering on her. "You surprised me earlier," he said, his voice even. "When my advisor asked about a prenup, you didn't hesitate to say yes. Why?"

Eden set her chopsticks down, folding her hands neatly in her lap. "Because we both have things to lose," she said softly. "I didn't want to add another complication to your plate or make it seem like I was worried about protecting myself from you or you from me. I'm not with you for any sort of financial gain so I want to prove that."

A slow grin curved his mouth as he reached over and tugged her closer across the cushion. "Yeah," he teased, dropping his voice low. "Because I'll take you for all you've got."

She laughed, the sound spilling out in a playful giggle, shaking her head. His lips brushed her nose first, then captured her mouth in a quick kiss that made her heart trip. When he pulled back, his tone softened. "For the record, I don't want a prenup from you either. But if it would make you feel safer, I'd sign without a second thought."

The future was being written in ink now, not pencil.

And though Eden smiled when Kenji walked her out to his car, Mallory's wounded expression still lingered in her mind—like a shadow that refused to be dismissed.