Winter Swan

Kail said Christian’s name calmly, making Silje anxious.

“So, you are a famous designer in New York… I suppose if you want to help Silje, there is no need to refuse it.”

Kail smiled widely and shook Christian’s hand.

“…!”

Kail didn’t seem to be squeezing Christian’s hand hard, but Christian’s face slowly became pale. When Silje tried to interfere, Kail raised his hand to stop her.

“Kail!”

Silje yelled at him, but Kail continued to study Christian with interest, like he was at a zoo watching a funny-looking animal.

Beautiful and scary Kail… He said in a frighteningly soft voice, “Famous New York designer… So that means fashion shows, commercials, and CF shoots, right? You are like a Santa Claus who takes MY Silje to fancy places crowded with paparazzi and fashion people? Have you already been doing that?”

Silje inhaled deeply.

My Silje.

Kail said it clearly, and he even said her name with the Norwegian pronunciation. The way he said it… It sounded threatening.

Kail continued to stare at Christian quietly, and to Silje’s surprise, Christian grinned playfully and replied, “I don’t think there is any need for you to worry. Silje Kim is one of the most popular new models in this city and I am a designer. It is a designer’s job to provide shows for the models to perform. Or at least, that is what I always thought. Do you disagree? Am I mistaken?”

After a short silence, Christian seemed confused as he asked, “Are you Silje’s boyfriend? Husband? Oh, I remember watching an old movie about a spy that came from a cold frozen land. I really don’t think a foreigner like you has any right to interfere in this situation.”

Silje couldn’t believe what was happening in front of her eyes. She gasped as her eyes widened.

She couldn’t breathe. The tension between the two men was overwhelming and it made her feel dizzy.

Why was this happening?

Silje looked at them back and forth in confusion.

…Neither of them was going to back down. Kail’s eyes looked sharp like a knife while Christian was still smiling blankly.

Silje couldn’t take this tension and pressure anymore. She didn’t want this. It was unnecessary and when she was about to walk away, Kail reached out and grabbed her. As if she belonged to him, he pulled her to him and said to Christian quietly, “I will allow you to take her to important places, but you need to know one thing. This woman is mine. All of her, her skins and bones, is all mine. She belongs to me and she always will. Whatever you think you might have, you are mistaken. Even if Silje stands beside you, all you will have is a soulless shell, because I took her soul. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”

Kail’s voice was calm, but the crazy burning look in his eyes made Christian pale. Silje could feel Kail’s madness and desire.

“Kail!”

She screamed in anger. With an apologetic expression, Silje then turned to Christian.

“I’m sorry, Christian. I apologize, so please leave. I will explain everything later, so goodbye.”

This wasn’t Oslo.

Silje had to stop Kail from taking over her life again. This needed to end right now.

Christian must’ve felt her desperation. He smiled as if he found this situation ridiculous and started to walk towards his limousine, which was waiting for him nearby.

“Alright. You take care, Silje. See you later.”

Christian disappeared into his car and Kail didn’t stop him.

A cold wind blew and Silje buttoned her coat. Turning towards Kail, she raised her voice angrily.

“What do you think you’re doing? Why did you come here? To my dorm!”

“I just wanted to confirm my suspicion, and I was right. You were having a good time with that designer. I was right all along.”

“Stop talking nonsense. If you think you know what’s going on, then leave. Return to Oslo. I keep telling you that there is nothing going on between Christian and I, but I don’t care what you think or believe. Christian is a good friend. That’s all.”

Another silence fell.

When Kail only looked at her piercingly with his green eyes and refused to respond, Silje continued, “I don’t want to be angry anymore, Kail. I am tired of yelling and fighting. I can’t do this anymore, so just leave. I don’t know what you think you were going to find out by coming here today, but I will tell you one thing.”

Silje looked straight into his eyes and added, “Do you like doing this to me? From now on, you have no power over me. Unless I visit you myself, we will never see each other again. Don’t you get it?”

Kail smiled confidently, but the sadness and anguish in his eyes bothered her.

He replied, “Do you really believe that? Hmm… Is that how it is?”

She had to leave. This couldn’t go on.

Silje turned around and walked towards the building.

“I have no time for you. I need to get ready for Paris, so you go back to your penthouse. I won’t be controlled by you any longer.”

“Fine. If you want, just focus on your work. But remember, I will be waiting for you here in New York, Silje.”

Kail refused to move. He remained standing like a statue. Silje clenched her teeth and ignored him as she continued to walk to the entrance.

She could feel his presence behind her. She tried her best to not think about him because she knew she had to erase him from her mind.

The sound of her high heels echoed sadly. Silje told herself to ignore the distinct grief she felt deep inside.

She reminded herself that she needed to look ahead and keep walking forward.

Back in her dorm, Silje slammed the door shut. She had a calm day today with Christian, but now, all she felt was confusion. Silje leaned against the wall and collapsed to the floor. With her eyes closed, she murmured to herself, “Forget everything. It doesn’t matter why he came to see me here.”

She had to leave to go to Paris tomorrow.

Work was her priority.

She was determined to go to Paris and only think about her job.

Nothing else mattered.