After returning home from dinner with Christian, Silje changed into more comfortable clothes. She still lived in the agency dorm with the other models. Since she didn’t live alone, it wasn’t perfectly private, but Silje still felt like she belonged here.

“Hello, Silje.”

Tasha greeted her. She was a model from Eastern Europe with a long ponytail. She was wearing a yoga shirt and black hot pants. They lived with another model named Anna who was from Russia. The three got along well and they often went for meals together. Their favorite place was in Chinatown.

Silje also had a wide network of acquaintances. She was often invited to parties where she was able to enjoy good jazz music and wine. Silje liked these parties sometimes, but she still couldn’t get used to them like many other New York models.

What mattered the most to her was her work, but still, Silje recently opened up her heart and worked on her social life as well. It was time to get her life back.

It was raining outside, making Silje feel emotional.

Sadness and loneliness… She thought about her past quietly as she looked out the window before heading out.

Her heart ached and her body felt like it was poisoned.

Whenever she felt like this, she went to a coffee shop near her dorm and sat there for a while. When it didn’t rain too hard, like today, she would get takeout and sit on a bench to watch people walk by.

Today, it was very quiet on the street. It was normally rather noisy, but perhaps it was because it was raining. Feeling the rain against her skin, Silje closed her eyes. She had lived here long enough that she could picture New York perfectly in her mind.

Many years have passed and during that time, Silje remembered running around various places for auditions and schedules. She passed by so many people and so many buildings. She went through many of her shoes because she walked around a lot and they became worn out fast. Her life used to be hectic and uncertain, and she never used to have the time to enjoy anything.

But finally, she now had the time to stop sometimes and enjoy a cup of coffee and a bagel. She felt secure enough in her situation to visit touristy places in New York on her days off and really see the city — she still hadn’t seen most of the famous spots yet.

She fell in love with this city that was her home now. Even if she left New York someday, she would never be able to forget it. She had some of the best and the worst times in this place. New York was filled with so many memories.

Silje started to walk in the rain, and when she looked up, she was standing in front of the Love Sign. It was an iconic pop art sculpture that stood on 55th Street and Sixth Avenue.

Large red letters.

L.O.V.E.

It was a hopeful message created by American artist, Robert Indiana. Staring at it for a while, Silje sighed deeply.

Love…

She remembered seeing it for the first time when she came to New York. At the time, she was so confused and in so much pain that she couldn’t understand the sign at all.

But now, things were different.

“…”

Love in New York.

Silje felt empty as she looked at the sign dryly. She felt nothing because her heart was frozen again, and she wondered if she would ever feel such turbulent emotions again.

The blazing love that almost killed her….

Would she be able to find that kind of love again in her life?

Silje smiled bitterly. The memories of Norway crossed her mind, but without looking back at the sign, Silje walked away in the rain.

***

“What happened to the organization Ingrid was running?”

“As you ordered, we froze all her assets. She cannot access any of her funds, so she probably feels desperate.”

The man lowered his voice and added, “Please be careful. Mrs. Bruntland is furious so there is no knowing what she might try. We are expecting her to retaliate. You may be in danger, sir.”

“She has been admitted to a remote sanitarium, and yet she is still plotting against me? Well, I suppose I am not surprised. It’s very much like her to be so brutal. Hasn’t she had enough from me? I mean, she has to wear that black veil everywhere because of what I did to her, right? Well, I guess she hasn’t learned her lesson yet. Perhaps she needs to be taught again.”

“But you accomplished everything you wanted. I think it is time to be cautious now. It would be wise to step back.”

The man was genuinely concerned for Kail.

Kail’s revenge against Ingrid was brutal. He set her car on fire with Ingrid and her lover Martin still inside. Ingrid ended up with a nasty burn on her face, and recently, Kail took away all her access to Bruntland money.

Kail raised his eyebrows at the man’s advice. He replied quietly, “It’s still not enough. What Ingrid went through is nothing compared to what I had to go through.”

“I strongly suggest you stop. Rolf isn’t doing well either… I am concerned for your father’s health too.”

When the man insisted, Kail crossed his arms and added, “Well, I was thinking about stopping anyway. She doesn’t interest me anymore.”

“Really? Do you really mean that?”

“Yes.”

Kail looked empty and lonely as he continued, “Nothing interests me anymore. I hung onto my revenge against Ingrid in hopes that Silje might come back to me, but now, it’s pointless. Nothing matters anymore. If she won’t come back to me, there is no need for vengeance.”

***

“This is the yoga pose I learned recently. The Cat Cow. Silje, you try it now.”

Tasha was demonstrating a pose and insisted that Silje learn it as well. Silje was wearing a black t-shirt and a pair of shorts while exercising with Tasha.

“Silje, I think you are quite athletic. Do you want to go to pilates classes with me?”

“It’s not necessary. I do cardio with dumbbells every day and this works the best for me. I tried different types of exercises, but none of them really suit me.”

Silje inhaled deeply and mimicked Tasha’s pose. Tasha smiled and replied, “Wow, you are very good. I think you might be also good at rock climbing too. Silje, maybe you should try Yamakasi. You know, where you jump and climb on the high walls?”

“If you pay me, I will consider it.”

“What? Haha.”

Tasha laughed at Silje’s joke and they started to chat. Tasha told her about her boyfriend who practiced Yamasaki.

Silje enjoyed talking to her roommates. It was relaxing for her.

“Tasha, I’m going to shower first.”

After the yoga session, Silje was sweating heavily so she went into the bathroom she shared with her two roommates. As she washed herself under the warm stream of water, Silje closed her eyes.

She sighed deeply.