The scenery shifts quickly as days of preparation blur into moments. The opening day finally arrives, and Freya has been busy all morning. Meanwhile, Soyoung wakes up alone in her house, her suitcase already half full in preparation for her trip to LA, where she plans to stay until the end of the year. As she prepares to leave, her chauffeur arrives outside.
Soyoung heads to the florist to pick up her order before going to the hotel. It’s a tradition to give a bouquet of flowers to the artist exhibiting, and tonight, she wants to present Freya with her favorite flowers: white lilies.
Freya and her assistants have booked hotel rooms near the venue, knowing they would need to stay close to the gallery to manage the events smoothly. With the press conference scheduled for the morning, and the private viewing for VIP guests along with a special interview in the evening, the day is meticulously planned to ensure everything goes perfectly.
As the sun casts a warm glow through the gallery windows, Freya makes her way to the press conference. She looks stunning and flawless in her cropped blazer and long trousers, her heels adding to her already impressive height.
The room is filled with journalists, photographers, and art enthusiasts, all eager to hear from her. As the camera flashes, she goes on stage to take a seat at the front, beside her business partner, Theodora.
"Morning, Theodora," Freya says softly, offering a warm smile.
Theodora returns the smile, her eyes reflecting a shared sense of accomplishment. "Morning, Freya. Ready for today?"
Freya nods, a hint of nervousness in her eyes. "As ready as I’ll ever be. Thank you for being here."
"Wouldn’t miss it for the world," Theodora replies, giving Freya’s hand a reassuring squeeze under the table.
The moderator’s voice brings her focus back to the present, and Freya takes a deep breath, preparing to address the room full of eager faces. Her heart pounds slightly as the first question is asked.
“For Miss Adler, can you share with us what this exhibition means to you personally and how it reflects your mother's artistic journey?”
Freya takes a deep breath, her voice steady but filled with emotion. “This exhibition is a tribute to my mother, Yua Yoshihara, and her incredible body of work. It’s a journey through her life and the impact she had for the world. For me, it’s also a deeply personal endeavor, a way to reconnect with her and understand the contributions she made.”
“For Mrs Aubrey, your collaboration with Miss Adler this year has been really spectacular even before the exhibition began. Are there any plans for future projects with her that you can tell us about today?”
“Well, it’s too soon to talk about it yet. But--” Theodora smiles as she glances at Freya. She teases her by asking, “Freya, are you ready to talk about the next phase of our partnership?”
The audience in the room laughs. So does Freya Adler.
When the laughter fades, Freya takes up her mic and says, “we certainly are certainly grateful for the support and love that everyone has shown us. There is more coming from our partnership. Please look forward to it.”
Another journalist stands up, their voice curious but respectful. “Miss Adler, there have been persistent rumors about your mother making a pact with the devil to gain her artistic talent. How do you respond to these allegations?”
Freya pauses, a mix of sadness and resolve in her eyes. This is it. This is the burning question everyone has been waiting for her to answer. All eyes are on her now, the room holding its breath in collective anticipation. Freya’s hands are shaking slightly, but she tries her best not to show it. Her mind suddenly goes blank, the gravity of the moment pressing heavily on her chest.
Just then, her gaze sweeps the room and finds a familiar, comforting presence. Soyoung enters the room from the front door, her graceful figure moving quietly to stand at the back. The sight of her ignites a spark within Freya, grounding her amidst the overwhelming sea of expectant faces. Soyoung’s reassuring smile and the subtle nod she gives Freya bring a rush of warmth and strength.
Freya’s trembling hands find steadiness, her resolve hardening like steel. The chaotic swirl of thoughts in her mind begins to settle, and she feels a surge of confidence.
She draws a deep breath, her eyes locking onto Soyoung’s for a fleeting moment, and with confidence she finally answers. “Those rumors have been around for as long as I can remember. They are nothing more than sensationalism. My mother’s talent was a gift, honed through dedication and passion. To suggest otherwise is to diminish her hard work and the beauty of her creations. Don’t you think so?”
Theodora, sitting in her seat, can’t help but notice the subtle yet profound exchange that just occurred. She feels an urge to reach out and pat Freya on the back, a gesture of solidarity and pride. Murmurs and faint whispers fill the room, the air thick with the aftermath of Freya’s impactful words. The videographers and photographers busily check their devices, making sure they have captured the significant moment.
This is a pivotal point for Freya, openly acknowledging her mother’s immense talent after being so infamous for denying it in her younger years. It is the perfect answer, one that resonates deeply with everyone present, and Theodora knows Freya wouldn’t have been able to muster it without Soyoung’s silent support.
Theodora’s eyes flick to the back of the room where Soyoung stands, offering a discreet thumbs up. The gesture is small, but it speaks volumes. Freya’s smile widens, her confidence visibly bolstered by the quiet encouragement. Theodora watches the transformation in Freya with a sense of awe, noting how the mere presence of Soyoung has infused her with renewed strength.
Freya, now radiating a serene assurance, looks around the room. The weight of the moment still lingers, but she stands taller, more resolute. Theodora feels a swell of pride and gratitude towards Soyoung, recognizing the crucial role she plays in this moment. The room seems to come alive with a new energy, the shared realization that they have witnessed something truly remarkable.
***
All the lights are flashing, capturing the VIP guests entering the gallery entrance. Freya recognizes familiar faces and meets new ones, her smile unwavering as she navigates the crowd. She engages in polite, surface-level conversations, her mind preoccupied with ensuring the success of the event. There is no room for deep discussions, even on stage during the exclusive interview and Q&A session. Yet, the buzz of excitement is palpable, and everyone who attends seems to enjoy every second.
Soon, the evening begins to wind down. Guests start to leave, their voices fading into the night. Soyoung, too, heads back to her hotel room not long after presenting Freya with a bouquet of white lilies, a gesture that touched Freya deeply.
Now, the gallery feels eerily quiet. Freya stands alone, surrounded by her mother’s creations, including the daughter she left behind. The paintings, sketches, clothing, and even their family photos seem to breathe with the life Yua infused into them, each piece a fragment of her soul. Everyone who came adored her mother. No one even brings up the conversation about how she died, which is a relief for Freya, it makes her job easier today.
She takes a few steps and stops before her mother’s portrait. Freya stands still to look at her mother for a while. If her mother is still alive today… As she contemplates her mother’s short life, she notices a solitary figure still lingering in the gallery. An older man with kind eyes approaches her.
“You must be very proud,” the man says softly, his gaze moving from Freya to the artwork surrounding them.
Freya nods, her throat tight with emotion. “I am. It’s overwhelming, to be honest.”
“Sorry, I haven’t introduced myself. Just call me Vincent,” the man offers his hand to Freya. Freya shakes his hand firmly. He smiles softly. A familiar face but she couldn’t remember if they had met before.
“Freya Adler, it must be? I wonder why not take your mother’s last name?” Vincent asks politely.
“Friedrich Adler was my father, my mother wanted me to have his last name,” Freya doesn’t need to explain but somehow she wants to. There is something about Vincent that makes her feel calmer and more open. Perhaps it is his appearance, maybe his body language, or the way he speaks, his voice and tone sounds like a fatherly figure.
Vincent’s eyes soften with understanding. “Their death was tragic. I’m sorry for your loss. It must be difficult living without both of your parents, carrying this legacy all by yourself.”
Freya’s heart skips a beat. There’s something in his voice, a depth of knowledge that makes her wonder. Does he know more about her mother than he’s letting on? She searches his face, looking for answers.
Vincent chuckles as Freya pauses. “Sorry, I know more about your family than you know more about me,” he says as he lifts his hands touching his chest, “I’m a professor of psychology, you see. I’ve been an admirer of your mother for a long time now.”
Freya listens closely, and Vincent continues, “I’ve always wondered how she made all of these by hand.” The man’s gaze sweeps around the room then back to Freya. “Then some said, they are supernatural.”
His emphasis on the word ‘supernatural,’ gives Freya an idea on where Vincent is going with his talk. It’s about that again, isn’t it? Her smiles stiffen, her defenses are up. She had a wrong judgment about the man.
Seeing a slight change in Freya’s expression, Vincent chuckles, “nonsense, right? There is no such thing.”
Freya listens and waits for Vincent to continue, “I believe you know it better than I do; if you can have everything… anything in this world, in fact, why ask for a skill that can be learned, money that can be earned, or power and influence that can be built? Though beautiful, I don’t think all of these are worthy of a soul.”
The man pauses, his gaze piercing as he looks Freya in the eye. “If it’s all nonsense, then have you ever wondered why your mother died the way she did, Miss Adler?”
Freya is at a loss for words, utterly speechless. The question echoes in her mind, stirring a storm of emotions she thought she had buried. Vincent’s gentle smile holds a sense of accomplishment, as if he’s finally set into motion something he’s been planning for a long time. “Well, take your time, Miss Adler.”
As Vincent turns and walks away, Freya remains rooted to the spot, the silence of the gallery wrapping around her like a shroud. She stands alone, surrounded by her mother’s creations, including the daughter she left behind. The paintings, sketches, clothing, and even their family photos seem to breathe with the life Yua infused into them, each piece a fragment of her soul.
Freya’s eyes find Yua Yoshihara’s portrait. The dim light softly illuminates her mother’s side profile, making it appear as though Yua is watching her from above. Yet, she remains silent, her painted lips forever still.
“Kassan, nanika itte, onegai.” Mom, please say something, Freya whispers quietly, her voice trembling with the weight of longing and unanswered questions.
The gallery remains quiet, offering no solace or answers. Freya’s heart aches with a familiar pain, a mix of love and loss that has defined so much of her life. She closes her eyes, hoping to feel some connection, some sign that her mother can hear her. But there is only silence and the soft hum of the gallery’s lights.
***
The first thought that comes to Soyoung’s mind when she wakes up alone in her bed is that Freya must have woken up before her. But as soon as she gets up, she notices the woman she is looking for is sleeping on the sofa.
“Frey?” Soyoung calls softly, puzzled. Why would she fall asleep on the sofa? Freya was sleeping next to her as usual.
So, Soyoung gets out of bed and walks towards Freya. She sees a bottle of sleeping pills and an empty glass on the table. Freya must have taken her medicine to help her sleep last night. But why?
Soyoung squeezes herself between the table and the sofa to gaze at Freya in her peaceful slumber. She places a hand on Freya’s cheek, wondering what could have happened the night before. Freya seemed upset and lost when she entered the room. Soyoung wants to ask her so badly, but sometimes their situationship makes it too tricky to do so.
“You know I’d give up the world just to be with you,” Soyoung whispers softly, almost voiceless. And somehow I believe you’d do the same. But what’s stopping us?
Her mind wanders back to her life before Freya comes into the picture. She got drunk almost every night, she was convinced no one wants anything to do with her anymore. Her mother calls almost every day, not to ask how she is doing, but to find out how much money she can lend to pay off debts. Soyoung is shocked when she learns her mother has gotten involved with the mafia—the Yoshihara family. The same family responsible for her father’s accident and the case that got her mother jailed for 20 years. They are ruthless when it comes to revenge.
Soyoung tried to free herself from the burden of her parents’ mistakes. She got close to Freya simply because she knew Freya was linked to the family that had caused her own family to fall apart and become miserable.
But that night when they first met, Freya looked at her differently—her gaze was soft, her smile beautiful, the best jewelry she ever wore. Soyoung had expected Freya to be as cruel and heartless as her grandmother, but instead, she found someone soft-spoken and well-mannered. The way Freya appeared to her that night left a lasting impression on Soyoung’s mind. Freya was a kind person, despite her reputation. She made Soyoung feel foolish for believing the rumors and the media.
“What do you think happened there?” Freya pointed at an old stone bridge across the wedding venue that evening. From where they stood, they could see low barricades and police lines blocking the road, preventing people from crossing. One side of the bridge had collapsed.
“It’s an old bridge. They closed it because it’s too dangerous to use,” Soyoung replied mindlessly, thinking it should be obvious. But after Freya heard her answer, she sighed deeply then said, “I thought you were a writer, Miss Park. Where’s your imagination?”
Soyoung chuckled, not expecting such a response from Freya. She had assumed Freya was asking a serious question. “What do you think happened then?”
“The lake monster came out last night,” Freya replied, her tone serious but her expression playful.
Soyoung went along with the story, a smile playing on her lips. “Oh really? Did anyone see it?”
Freya nodded, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Yes, a couple of fishermen claimed they saw it. They say it’s as big as a house and covered in scales that glimmer under the moonlight.”
Soyoung laughed, genuinely entertained. “And I suppose the monster decided to take a stroll on the bridge, causing it to collapse?”
“Exactly!” Freya said with a mock-serious nod. “The monster got tired of swimming and thought it would be nice to have a walk. Poor bridge couldn’t handle the weight.”
For a moment, they both laughed, the heavy burdens of their lives momentarily forgotten. Freya’s playful nature and vivid imagination were a stark contrast to the serious, often grim world Soyoung was used to. It was at that moment she realized how different Freya was from the image she had in her mind.
As the evening wore on, Freya continued to share more fanciful tales, each one more absurd and delightful than the last. Soyoung found herself captivated by Freya’s stories, her laughter coming more freely, her heart feeling lighter. She felt a connection forming, one that went beyond the initial reasons she had approached Freya. There was something genuine and kind about her, something that drew Soyoung in and made her want to know more.
In a perfect world, Soyoung would give everything to be with Freya for years to come. For the first time in her life, she is certain that Freya is the only one. But real life doesn’t work that way. There are promises to keep, work to be done, debts to be paid, and secrets to hold. Their relationship is not perfect, but it’s the kind of bond Soyoung is willing to invest her time and effort into.
Freya knows that Soyoung has to pay off her parents’ debt to a mafia organization. What Freya doesn’t know is that it’s with The Yoshihara—Freya’s own family. The debt is a huge amount that might take years for Soyoung to pay off. But Freya has been helping her find the courage, inspiring her with each new concert, with every song that soars up the charts. Freya's support makes it easier for Soyoung to find the money to pay the debts.
If only things were different… If only Soyoung hadn’t been so reckless in her youth, she would leave everything behind and marry Freya. She would confess her feelings, all her sins, and her wrongs. They would build a life together, adopt twenty cats, and stay together until they were old and tired.
Freya’s unconditional support is a beacon in Soyoung’s tumultuous world. Every time Freya looks at her with those kind eyes, Soyoung feels a glimmer of hope. Freya’s presence is a reminder that there is still beauty and love in the world, despite all the chaos and darkness.
But the weight of her secrets is heavy. Soyoung fears that if Freya knew the full truth, it might shatter the fragile happiness they’ve built. The thought of losing Freya terrifies her more than the debts, more than the mafia’s threats.
If only she could find a way to free herself from the burden of her past. If only she could offer Freya a future without the shadows of her family's mistakes looming over them. Soyoung dreams of a day when she can be fully honest with Freya, when she can lay down her burdens and share a life built on trust and love.
In that perfect world, she imagines waking up next to Freya every morning, sharing quiet moments over coffee, planning their days together. She imagines laughter and warmth, a home filled with love and joy. And cats, lots of cats.
But for now, those dreams remain just that—dreams. Real life demands patience and sacrifice. Soyoung knows she must bide her time, pay her dues, and hold onto the hope that one day, they can truly be together without any secrets between them.
---- END OF CH.4 ----
Post a Comment