In case you missed Chapter 5, lets start with a little recap.
Last week Kenji didn't make the 11am rendezvous with Eadie, so she took herself off to the Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo where she discovered that Kenji was actually the son of Kaito, her favourite artist. With lots of secrets unfolding, read on to discover what happens next.
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Chapter Six - Kenji
Eadie stood transfixed before a family photograph in the bustling gallery, the vibrant chaos around her fading into silence. This was more than an homage to the late Kaito Ishki’s brilliance; it held a shocking truth—Kenji was Kaito’s son, and her dear friend Yuri had kept this explosive secret.
But why? Just last night, Eadie had shared her doubts about Kenji, only to receive Yuri’s cryptic warning to tread carefully with him. Yuri’s words echoed ominously in her mind, leaving her feeling isolated and betrayed. A cold shiver gripped her spine, shrouding her in confusion and distrust.
Suddenly, Eadie was jolted by the vibration of an incoming call in her coat pocket. It was Kenji, three hours late for their planned meeting. A swell of anger coursed through her, and she rejected the call. She was too raw to hear any apologies, especially with Yuri's betrayal fresh in her mind.
As she studied Kaito’s artwork, a whirlwind of chaotic swirls and dark textures surrounded her, mirroring her inner turmoil.
An elderly gentleman emerged beside her, clad in a tailored black suit, his fingers adorned with chunky silver rings. His hair, streaked with grey, was pulled back in a sleek ponytail, giving him an air of bohemian elegance.
“A stunning piece, isn’t it?” he remarked, his gravelly voice barely rising above the gallery's murmurs. “Mr. Ishki spent three months on this, pouring his soul into it—his last confession.”
Eadie turned to him, her curiosity piqued as she saw the sorrow glimmering in his eyes. “I’m Udo, Mr. Ishki’s personal assistant for 37 years. I arranged this exhibition in his honour.” His emotional weight felt tangible in the air.
Extending her hand cautiously, Eadie chose her words carefully. “I’ve been a fan since for well over 20 years. What was Kaito like?”
Udo's gaze misted as he replied, “His life was woven with mysteries that even I couldn’t unravel. Each stroke held a story, each colour a choice that often left me questioning his true intentions. There were layers to him that even I couldn’t penetrate, struggles masked by his brilliance.”
Eadie felt the weight of his words, the unspoken complexities of Kenji’s Father, reeling in her mind.
“Would you like to join me for tea?” Udo offered suddenly, his tone shifting to a lighter note. “I have much more to share about Kaito, the enigma behind the genius.”
Eadie’s heart raced with anticipation. Was this encounter the beginning of a journey into the shadows, and could Udo have the key that unlocked the mysteries that surrounded Kaito, Kenji and possibly Yuri?
Eadie is feeling quite blindsided by all the secrets that are emerging. Should she continue on her own path of investigation? Or should she have tea with Udo? Let us know here
Watch our Founder and CEO, Trudie Cox, read Chapter Six...