Boom, boom.
Loud music filled the stage and the models all came out at once. They started to dance as they walked one by one to the center and to the audience’s surprise, each model had a small vinyl record attached to her forehead.
The models danced teasingly under the 80’s disco ball. They laughed and danced in colorful knitted t-shirts while walking confidently at the same time.
[That’s all they really want…
Some fun!]
Silje danced as well excitedly as she walked. Her short black hair was curled, and bright eyeshadows adorned her eyes. She was also wearing very shiny lip gloss which made her look girly.
The models looked at each other and laughed. They were having a lot of fun and the performance looked more like a party than a serious fashion show.
Afterward, the audience applauded.
“Wow!”
“Bravo!”
As the only Asian model in the show, Silje was cheered on as well.
In the backstage, after-party photos were being taken. Some models continued to dance and Silje smiled brightly.
The photographer called out to her for a picture.
“Silje, look over here! Smile!”
Click.
She was sweating and her hair was a mess, but Silje’s smile was genuine. She truly enjoyed the show and she felt ecstatic.
In this moment, she was truly happy.
***
“The oil project in Russia is going according to plan. At this rate, it should be a big success.”
At Hans’ report, Felicien chuckled and lighted his cigarette. His odd eyes shined ominously.
“Haha, that’s good news. We should celebrate.”
Felicien Osbrook.
Hans coughed awkwardly. Hans still felt uncomfortable whenever he was around Felicien. He couldn’t understand why Felicien was welcome in the Bruntland family home.
“Hey, Kail! You led the oil business to success, so I wonder what your family is going to say to you now. I think I can guess, haha. They will bow down to you like cowards. They will now have no choice but to accept you as the head of the company, right?”
“…”
Kail didn’t reply.
He just played with his wine glass and looked blank. With the bloody red wine, he looked more dangerous than usual. It had only been a short while since he inherited the family business, but he already accomplished so much. At first, the entire family was against the idea of having Kail, and many believed that Rolf should’ve donated the business to the charity rather than give it to the crazy monster that was his son.
But with this oil project, which even Rolf couldn’t accomplish, there was going to be no doubt in anyone’s mind.
Kail was the rightful owner of the Bruntland Group.
Like Felicien said, he showed them all. He showed the world.
Hans, with his thick-framed glasses, glanced at the two men nervously. Felicien laughed like a predator as he continued, “You also found yourself a nice servant. How amusing.”
Felicien was mocking Hans who just blinked blankly. Felicien laughed at him and stared. Hans felt a chill as his eyes met Felicien’s odd eyes. Hans was afraid of this man.
The man who works in the darkness.
Felicien came to the Bruntland mansion a few times a year and took care of certain business matters for Kail.
The work he did was a mystery. Hans wondered, ‘What did he do this time? Did he do something to make this oil project work? Maybe it’s got something to do with Kail’s family problem?’
Hans had no idea and all he could do was guess, but one thing was certain.
Felicien was involved in dark and dangerous matters, and he enjoyed doing them.
Felicien continued, “I can’t understand your taste in people. Even the servants you hire are unpredictable.”
Hans wondered what Felicien meant by that.
Of all people, this guy was talking to THE Kail Bruntland freely.
How daring!
At Felicien’s words, Kail’s green eyes wavered. Felicien added, “I see that you are still faithful, eh? You still have such a strange taste.”
“You are talking nonsense.”
At Kail’s cold words, Felicien froze. It was clear that although Felicien pretended to be confident around Kail, Felicien was still afraid of him. To Hans, Felicien looked like a lion trainer, always appearing to be self-assured but treading very carefully around Kail the beast.
When Felicien looked nervous, Kail smiled faintly.
“All I can do is wait.”
With that mysterious comment, Kail took a sip of his red wine.
There was no denying him. No one could refuse this man.
Hans wondered, ‘Who was Kail waiting for?’
The head of the Bruntland family…
What kind of person made Kail Bruntland wait?
It didn’t take long for Hans to find out, because Kail wasn’t simply waiting. He was quietly but surely getting closer to her without her knowledge.
“You were well received at Sonia Rykiel’s fashion show. Our elegant baby looks good in everything, including punk. With your calm look, you would think you would suit only haute couture…” Klare exclaimed excitedly. It was true. Silje had an urban look, but she also suited girly or Lolita fashion, as well as punk style. She could mold herself into anything.
Finally, Silje became the top model at one of the top modeling agencies in New York, IMN.
After the New York and Milano collections, Silje was paid an incredible amount. Her bank account was always in the negative until now, so after she checked her thrilling balance, Silje finally made a call.
It was to her adoptive parents. So far she had been busy trying to barely survive, but now that she was doing well, Silje thought it was time to pay back her debt.
Many things happened in her life, but at the end of the day, they still raised her and sent her to New York. After a show, Silje returned to her dorm where she lived with the other models. The place was provided by her agency.
She dialed the number and as she waited for an answer, her heart beat rapidly.
What if they moved? It wouldn’t have been a surprise for her family to move without telling her.
“Hello?”
“Mom, it’s me. Silje.”
A dull silence fell. After a few minutes, Olga asked anxiously, “What happened? You… Are you in trouble again?”
As Silje expected, her adoptive mother sounded doubtful and upset, but Silje continued speaking calmly. It would have been a lie if it didn’t bother her at all, but Silje was past the point of dwelling on such small things.
“No, nothing has happened. I’m sorry I didn’t call you sooner. How have you been?”
“I’m glad you aren’t in trouble, Silje, but to be honest, you don’t have to call me like this. I already know that you left Aunt Skina’s home and you are living alone. She told me you ran away to become a model?”
Olga’s voice still sounded sharp, but Silje remained cool. She could understand why her adoptive mother would be angry. Silje just wanted to say what she had to say and let her know that she was doing ok.
“I’m doing well in New York. I am working as a model, and it is going well. I just wanted to know how you are doing.”
“Good, but Silje, I don’t want to hear how you are doing. We sent you to New York so you can learn about Aunt Skina’s business and take over her shop one day. We didn’t send you there to become a model.”