Winter Swan

Music was playing.

The stage was decorated with black marbles and one by one, the models walked out fluidly.

They walked professionally and among the many tall slim models, Silje looked like an elegant deer walking on fresh green grass.

The music continued to play.

[I won’t sympathize anymore. And if you complain once more…]

Feeling the rhythm of the music, Silje walked gracefully. Her walk wasn’t exaggerated, but still memorable. In a white flare skirt, Silje walked beautifully and the audience seemed mesmerized.

Phoebe Philo, Celine’s lead design, created a collection that was lovely and elegant like the moonlight on a calm Paris night.

[You’ll meet an army of me. You’re alright. There’s nothing wrong…]

Silje changed into high heel ankle boots and a feminine skirt. On the modern yet sensitive French stage, she looked outstanding. Depending on her outfit, Silje smiled faintly or looked out distantly with a blank face. She was a true professional.

“Wow!”

“Tres bien! Bravo!”

The last set of clothes she wore was a pair of leggings that showed off her long legs and long boots. In an oversized coat, Silje looked like a true Parisienne.

“Tres bien!”

An applause erupted as she walked back.

This was the first time she ever visited Paris in her life.

The first things that captured her were the Arc de Triomphe, the elegant Avenue des Champs-Elysees, and the bright Eiffel Tower.

The most romantic city in the world.

Silje was here for the Paris Collection. Because of all the auditions and the runways, Silje didn’t get a lot of time for herself to enjoy the city, but she was happy with the whole experience anyway. It was amazing just to be part of the Paris fashion world.

Celine’s show was the first runway, and after completing it successfully, Silje became more confident. She participated in many other high-end brands.

The Balenciaga show involved architectural designs. Silje was given an asymmetrical white top and unique-looking shoes to show off her walk.

The Lanvin stage showcased a metallic staircase in a storage-like building. Silje wore a jacket with exaggerated shoulder decorations that resembled a wild beast’s horns.

Under the dim and dreamy lights, Silje’s heart beat fast.

As she walked in a sexy black outfit, Silje felt uncertain. The intense music and the dark gothic atmosphere reminded her of the one person she didn’t want to remember.

She felt like she could hear his voice calling her name.

Ignoring her confusion, Silje looked straight ahead and tried to focus on her walk, but once the thought of him entered her mind, it was impossible to stop.

Thankfully, Silje was a disciplined professional.

The last show she participated was Martin Margiela’s Paris Collection. All the walls were painted pure white, yet the stage looked very vintage. The show reminded the audience of an old black-and-white French movie.

The music started out very quietly, but as the show progressed, it became louder and louder. Towards the end, it was deafening and following its rhythm, the models walked faster and faster.

The theme of the show was black and white, and many beautiful outfits were showcased including black fur skirts and dresses. Against the white walls, the black outfits looked striking. Martin Margiela was a genius who showed off different uses for common items. A black skirt was fashioned into a hat, while a blouse was transformed into beautiful gloves.

As the only Asian model in the show, Silje walked proudly.

“…!”

At the beginning of the show, she felt calm, but as it progressed, she began to feel overwhelmed.

She felt too emotional.

Why did she feel this way?

Why couldn’t she forget him?

Was it because of all the sharp black outfits surrounding her? Was she going mad?

Her eyes wavered as she continued to walk.

Silje thought to herself, ‘Stop thinking about him. It’s over. I’m not in Oslo anymore… No! Kail is gone!’

She told him to leave only a few days ago. She screamed at him because she was furious.

So why was she thinking about him right now?

This didn’t make sense, but Kail’s ghost wouldn’t leave her alone.

After her last show, Silje returned to her hotel room and packed her bags immediately. She needed to go back home right away. She had no time to enjoy Paris.

She had to return to New York and fix this problem. She had to see Kail and make this go away.

If this feeling continued… If this wasn’t resolved…

Packing angrily, Silje bit her lips. She didn’t like this at all. There was no logic in how she felt.

How did this happen?

She had to fix this right now.

Or else… She knew it could become too late.

Kail was already present in her heart. He was like a deadly venom that had already poisoned her heart.

Silje wanted to get rid of him from her head. She needed to.

When she returned to New York, the city still looked the same.

Roads were busy with cars and streets were filled with people.

But the city lost all meaning for her. In fact, Silje couldn’t tell if she was in Paris or New York.

“Kail!”

She slammed the door open to his penthouse which was very quiet inside.

Click, click.

The sound of her high heels echoed throughout the room and finally, she found him.

He was wearing the same gray gown sitting against the bedpost.

“…”

Their eyes met and Kail raised his eyebrows silently. She was panting angrily, but all he did was stare at her deeply. It seemed like he was trying to trap her with his stare.

Nothing mattered.

She was back.

And the hatred and resentment she felt exploded.

“…It’s all your fault! This is all your doing. That’s right! You… Kail Bruntland! Because of you, I have been ruined. It was bad enough that you had me in Oslo… But you couldn’t just let me be even in New York. The Paris Collection was such an important event for me, yet you ruined that for me too. I said that I wasn’t going to see you again… But… Why did you come to my dorm that night? Answer me!”

As soon as she finished, Kail lunged at her and stole her lips.

He was done listening to her.

“…! What are you…”

Silje moaned, unable to say any more words.

He kissed her like a hungry beast starving for her lips. The poison that was Kail spread inside of her, turning her mind into a puddle. Instead of logic, instinct and desire took over, and Silje kissed him back eagerly.