The Red String Between Us: Part III Eternal Thread

第50章 Secret in the Spotlight

     The night after the unnerving alarm incident, Eden and Kenji decided to shake off the tension by joining Mia and her new boyfriend, Tony, for a night out. The four of them met at an upscale nightclub in the city, a place buzzing with neon lights, polished leather booths, and velvet ropes guarded by doormen who knew exactly who Kenji was the moment he arrived.

They were ushered to a private table tucked away from the dance floor, where champagne was already chilling in a silver bucket and soft blue light illuminated their faces. Mia was practically glowing, her hand laced with Tony's as she introduced him to Eden and Kenji. Tony was tall, broad-shouldered, and charming, his smile easy as he shook Kenji's hand and complimented Eden's dress.

The mood was light at first—conversation flowing from work to travel, and then to wedding updates. But then, somewhere between the appetizers and the arrival of their second bottle of champagne, Mia leaned in with a casual smile and said,

"I still can't believe you haven't decided yet about the CEO offer, Eden. West Coast? That's huge."

Her words landed like a shard of glass against crystal. The table fell silent, the bass-heavy music filling the space where Eden's voice should have been. Kenji's expression froze, his sharp eyes flicking from Mia to Eden, searching for confirmation.

Eden's breath caught, and she managed a small, forced smile. "It's... something I've been considering."

Mia instantly realized her mistake. Her eyes widened, and she reached for her glass, mumbling, "Oh—well, I mean—it's not my place, I just... wow, this champagne is strong." She laughed nervously, trying to pivot the conversation, but the awkwardness lingered in the air like perfume that wouldn't fade.

Kenji said nothing, his silence louder than words.

Tony, sensing the tension, quickly changed the subject to travel stories, pulling the group back into easier conversation. But Eden could feel Kenji's focus on her, quiet but heavy, like an unanswered question pressed against her skin.

Later, when the DJ shifted the tempo and the dance floor filled, Mia, eager to mend the mood, pulled Tony by the hand. "Come on, dance with me!"

Tony followed with Mia, leaving Kenji and Eden to join reluctantly. Under the strobes of shifting lights and the thrum of music, Kenji leaned close, his lips brushing her ear so she could hear him over the noise.

"Why didn't you tell me about the offer?" His voice was low but edged, his words carrying more weight than the pounding bass.

Eden's heart raced. She opened her mouth, but nothing came immediately. She'd planned to tell him—she just hadn't figured out when or how. And now, with the lights flashing and bodies moving around them, there was no hiding.

Kenji's gaze didn't waver. "Do you trust me?" he asked again, echoing words he had spoken to her before, but now laced with something deeper—hurt and disappointment.

Eden swallowed, her throat dry. The world blurred around them, but all she could see was him.