Winter Swan

When she came out wrapped in a white towel, Tasha was talking to her boyfriend on the phone. Anna was away in Saint Petersburg doing a photoshoot for Russian Vogue, so the dorm was quieter than usual.

A siren was heard from outside but Silje was used to it by now. Drying her hair with the towel, Silje looked out the window with a bitter expression.

She was used to this life now. When she first came to New York, she felt lost in this giant city.

However, she no longer felt lonely. She used to be completely alone, but now, she had friends, including Jung Yun. After work, Silje often chatted with her friends.

Jung Yun, especially, became a close friend. Jung Yun, a fellow model and the daughter of Silje’s favorite Korean restaurant owner, often gave Silje helpful advice regarding modeling.

And of course, Silje sometimes talked to Niels and Tran in Oslo. She also contacted Irina from time to time. These were people who were happy for Silje’s success in New York.

Bartenders Greg and Matthew were also some of her favorite people in the city. Silje remembered the loneliness she used to experience many years ago, but now she was surrounded by people who cared about her.

Yet…

Why did she still feel empty inside? The wind blew angrily outside, and suddenly, the phone rang.

***

“As you’ve ordered, I’ve purchased a plane ticket to Norway for you. It is a 5 pm flight. I will be in Norway to continue to take care of the current businesses.”

After hanging up Hans’ call, Kail didn’t move for a while. In the cold penthouse, he blankly looked at the view of New York City through the window. It was an astonishing view of the high rises, but Kail couldn’t feel anything.

Click.

He lighted his cigarette and inhaled deeply. The bitter yet sweet aroma filled his lungs.

“…”

Kail was wearing the most expensive suit money could buy. Shiny tie pin and silver cufflinks… He pulled up his sleeves and continued to smoke.

His penthouse was dead quiet, and he was alone. He looked like a sculpture as he glared at the white wall angrily.

Then suddenly, a pained moan was heard. Slowly, it started to become louder and it sounded like a scream from a crazed beast.

“…Silje! Silje.”

The sound of loneliness and despair.

The anguish and misery in Kail’s voice were terrifying. His heart was crying as he remembered her face.

‘I wanted to reach you. I wanted my heart to belong to you. I came to New York so I could be closer to you… Yet you rejected me.’

He loved her so much… Kail was tempted to imprison and possess her against her will, but seeing her in pain would be the death of him. He couldn’t stand her unhappiness, and that was why he was freeing Silje.

If he loved her just a little less… Perhaps he would’ve killed her and kept her body with him forever.

Kail sighed deeply and closed his eyes.

He just wanted to be close to her. That was all.

In his sharp suit, Kail kneeled on the cold marble floor and kissed it like a madman. He couldn’t have the only woman he ever wanted in his life. He collapsed to the hard floor and cried out, “…Silje!”

In a strained voice, he murmured, “If you cannot stand to be with me, then there is nothing I can do anymore.”

He knew he could try to own her, force her into his arms, but it wouldn’t be right. His soulmate… His destiny… Silje changed him enough so that he was willing to let her go.

Kail stood up and grabbed his suitcase. Without looking back, he left the penthouse.

Kail started his car.

Fifth Avenue was crowded with the luxury brand stores including Channel, Hermes, and Gucci. It was the rush hour, so the street was busy with cars. Kail drove smoothly and headed towards JFK.

He had to hurry to catch the earliest flight to Norway, so he stepped on the accelerator.

“…”

Then suddenly, Kail noticed a stray cat around the corner. Under the sunlight, the cat walked on the gray asphalt leisurely like it owned the entire street. When Kail saw its black eyes, he felt like he couldn’t breathe. The cat reminded him of an elk he saw a very long time ago, and suddenly panting, Kail undid his tie.

The car was filled with Rachmaninoff’s piano concerto.

Gentle and beautiful music.

The car was going very fast and Kail looked straight ahead, trying to focus. He was afraid that if he let himself become weak, he would turn back and run back to her again.

Kail raised the volume to distract himself.

The music reminded him of a lovely snow day, and it hurt his heart terribly while listening to it. It reminded him of his painful memories.

She still lived inside of him. Kail clearly remembered the first time he met her, the first time he felt true love for her, and the last time he had to leave her.

Kail closed his eyes, trying to forget, and when he opened them again, he noticed a car tailing him from behind.

Dammit…

Since when was he being followed? He should’ve paid more attention. Kail lowered the volume and looked at the back mirror coldly. The black Benz was following him even through the red light.

When he saw the chance, Kail turned abruptly to lose his pursuers, but the car continued to follow. He smiled bitterly, thinking it must be from Ingrid. It was a perfectly plausible scenario. Kail wouldn’t be surprised if Ingrid had escaped the sanitarium by now and had hired someone to kill him.

Well, if she wanted war…

Kail’s car started to go faster and the black Benz followed suit.

How annoying.

Looking back coldly, Kail continued to go faster as he passed other cars dangerously. The driver of the Benz was also very skilled, refusing to be lose Kail.

“I wanted to leave this city peacefully, but I guess it can’t be helped.”

Kail smiled bitterly and turned the handle. Normally, he would’ve slammed into the car that was following him, but not today.

He just wanted to rest. He was so tired. Kail didn’t want to make a scene.

All he wanted to do was go back to Norway. He just wanted to take care of the evil witch when he got back.

“How long are you going to follow me… Just get lost.”

Then suddenly, the black Benz slammed into Kail’s car from behind and huge gray smoke came out of his car.

“…!”

In the damaged car, Kail smiled deliriously.

So there was no way for him to avoid this.

Oh well…

The music still continued to play, and he felt so sleepy. Perhaps he could dream of her.

Dream of Silje.

Red blood streamed down his lips and Kail remained still. He was so tired, and he wanted to sleep.

If he could only dream of her, then he would be fine with this.

Only if he could dream of her…