Winter Swan

Silje frowned at his cryptic comment. It seemed like nothing had changed. It was like they were in Bestrum Videregaende Skole all over again.

Kail studying her and Silje feeling anxious…

She didn’t like it then, and she certainly didn’t like it now.

As she glared at him, Kail put down what he was reading on the table.

“What? That’s a Vogue magazine.”

Silje couldn’t believe it, so she checked it again to make sure.

“I thought you would read business and economy magazines… But a fashion magazine?”

When she looked surprised, Kail replied casually, “Why are you so shocked? Is there a rule out there that I am not allowed to read fashion magazines? Why would you think I would only ready business-related articles?”

“Because… interest in fashion doesn’t suit you.”

“I think you don’t know what suits me at all.”

It sounded like he was giving her kind advice, but his eyes frightened her. Kail looked at her like a predator waiting to hunt her, to eat her alive.

She was the most precious part of his life and she abandoned him. It was clear that Kail wanted to destroy her, and Silje replied coldly in an attempt to appear calm.

“Well, I don’t think I need your advice. I already know. You just don’t want to lose to me and that is why you are reading fashion magazines to find out about me, right? You already sent flowers to my agency just to show that you know me.”

When she argued with him, Kail answered nonchalantly, “I already showed you what kind of influence I can have in this world, so if that was the only reason, why would I continue to read these magazines?”

“Did you…”

Silje bit her lips nervously at a sudden realization. She looked at him and asked, “Did you get involved in my career? Did you get my agency to sponsor me??”

“What?”

Kail seemed genuinely surprised. He raised his eyebrows and laughed.

“Seriously? Why would you think I would something so stupid like that? I hate you for leaving me, but I know you and what you are capable of. I would never date a woman who wouldn’t be able to make it on her own, even in the New York fashion world. I’m better than that, don’t you think?”

Silje became speechless at his arrogance and Kail smiled smugly and asked, “Is your confidence that low? Did you not think you could succeed on your own?”

“What? Of course not! Don’t think you know about me.”

When Silje replied angrily, Kail smiled.

“I didn’t sponsor you secretly. Why? Are you disappointed? Could it be that you wanted to become the number one on models.com with my help? I didn’t help you. Instead, I just waited for you patiently. I waited until you made it on your own because I knew that would be the best time for me to appear in front of you.”

“Why…?”

Silje got goosebumps as his voice clearly showed his resentment for her.

Kail’s face darkened as he answered, “It’s simple. I figured that it would be the most effective time. I thought that the feeling of loneliness and betrayal would be the worst if you experienced it after you became successful.”

She became pale as she listened. Silje took a deep breath, realizing that perhaps Kail’s resentment toward her was deeper than she expected.

Kail seemed satisfied by her shock, making her angry again.

Silje retorted, “So are you happy now? You ruined me at your penthouse that day, so are you satisfied?”

Instead of answering her right away, Kail raised an eyebrow. After a short silence, he replied, “Hmm… If I remember correctly, didn’t you enjoy our time too in the penthouse?”

“You bastard! You are a sadist! Is it fun to force me like this?”

She couldn’t take it anymore.

Slap!

When Silje slapped his face, people around them stared in shock.

But Kail smiled.

“Still as fiery as ever. Did you know that I found your intensity so attractive when we were in school? But we are in New York now and you are a pretty famous Asian model. So if you don’t want to be photographed by the paparazzi, you better sit down and smile.”

Silje glared, but she had no choice but to do as he suggested.

She smiled but her face spasmed, making Kail smile mysteriously. He was the cold judge of this court.

Silje turned away from him.

“I don’t feel like chatting with you here in a coffee shop as if everything is okay. Why don’t we just get started?”

“Don’t feel so rushed. There is no need. We will go up to my room soon, but I just wanted to have a cup of tea with you first.”

Staring at her, Kail continued quietly, “It has been so long since we talked.”

“I don’t understand what the point of a conversation would be between us. What are you trying to do?”

Kail raised his hand to make an order. He ordered and replied to Silje, “Well, all I know is that arguing with you like this is fun for me. It’s very entertaining.”

He seemed very relaxed and Silje gritted her teeth.

“Here is your order of vanilla tea, sir.”

Kail pushed the cup towards Silje.

“Drink.”

When she stared at him, Kail added, “Didn’t you used to like drinking things like this?”

Silje flinched.

She did enjoy sweet drinks like hot cocoa when they used to date in Norway. Did he still remember her so well?

Trying to hide her confused feelings, Silje replied sharply, “I didn’t ask you to order me anything.”

Kail’s eyes narrowed at her words. He said to her, “I know you didn’t ask me, but drink it anyway. This is an order. After you finish this tea, we will go up to my room. I will accept your challenge then.”

Kail leaned back and crossed his arms with a smile.

“Enjoy your tea, Silje. I think tonight is going to be a very long night.”