Page 41 of Clashing with the Ice Queen

Helen shifted uncomfortably, her hands fidgeting with a piece of cardboard. “Nadine, it’s not about the age difference or anything like that,” she admitted, her voice wavering. “I just worry about you.”

“What do you mean?” Nadine pressed further, feeling a swell of frustration and sadness.

“I know you’ve said you don’t want kids of your own, but you’ve always loved being around children and helping the younger generation,” Helen explained, her eyes softening. “I think Cassandra is...well, she takes that away from you. It feels like you may not be able to give back to the world in the ways you really want to.”

Nadine was taken aback. She hadn’t thought about it that way. “Mom, I appreciate that you worry about me, but I’m happy with Cassandra. She makes me a better person. It doesn’t mean I can’t help younger people or do good in the world.”

Helen opened her mouth to say something but closed it again, considering her daughter’s words. “I just want what’s best for you,” she finally said.

Nadine took a deep breath. “I know you do. But I need you to try to accept my choices. Cassandra is family to me, and I hope she’ll be family to you, too.”

Helen nodded slowly, and Nadine saw a flicker of understanding in her mother’s eyes. A sense of relief washed over her. They could work on this together. After all, family was worth fighting for, and she was determined to make sure they all learned to embrace each other as they navigated this new chapter in their lives.

A week had gone by since the couple had visited Nadine’s parents. Music filled the air and everyone was dancing, talking, and enjoying the flavorful appetizers at Nadine and Cassandra’s anniversary party. The walls of their apartment were adorned with colorful artwork, many pieces made by their talented friends. It was a night of vibrant energy, and Nadine felt grateful for the people around her.

Nadine noticed a shift in the atmosphere when they started talking about serious topics. One of their friends, Vivienne, brought up the current wars in other countries. “It’s hard to believe people in the fashion industry often come from wealthy families,” she said. “Breaking into fashion isn’t easy unless you have connections. Many people face hardships and don’t have the same opportunities.”

Nadine turned to Cassandra, who’d suddenly become very serious. She watched as a thoughtful expression crossed Cassandra’s face. Nadine recognized that her partner often took these discussions to heart, and tonight was no different. Cassandra nodded slowly, her silver hair catching the dim light, giving her an almost mystical appearance. Nadine wondered why this conversation felt heavier than usual.

They returned to dancing, shaking off the seriousness of the conversation. Nadine and Cassandra spun around, laughing and twirling with their friends. Nadine felt light and carefree, forgetting the worries of the world outside for just a moment. The music pulsed through her, and she lost herself in the rhythm. Cassandra held her close, and their bodies moved as if they were one.

Time passed quickly, and as the night wore on, the laughter began to fade. One by one, their friends started to leave, giving hugs and thanking Nadine and Cassandra for the wonderful evening. By the time the last friend stepped out the door, Nadine felt exhaustion creep over her like a cozy blanket. She began to clean up the clutter left behind, but her eyelids grew heavy.

“This was the best party ever!” Nadine exclaimed, but soon she found herself yawning. Cassandra smiled, looking exactly as she had in their younger days. Her hair moved gently as she helped Nadine with the last of the dishes.

“I had a great time, too,” Cassandra replied softly, her voice soothing. “But I couldn’t help thinking about what Vivienne said. It’s just…it’s so unfair.”

Nadine nodded, though she could barely keep her eyes open. “The fashion world seems so glamorous, but…” She trailed off, feeling the weight of sleep pulling her down.

After they finished cleaning, Nadine leaned against the sofa, her body enveloped in exhaustion. “Cassandra, I think I need to sleep,” she murmured, feeling herself slip away. The last thing she heard before drifting off was Cassandra’s tender voice, barely above a whisper.

“I just want to impress your parents, you know?” Cassandra said, her tone heavy with emotion. “I want them to see how happy you are with me. I want them to know that I’ll always take care of you.”

Nadine wanted to respond, but the heaviness of sleep had already embraced her, and she succumbed to it. She dreamed of laughter echoing in their apartment, vibrant colors swirling around her, and Cassandra’s loving gaze upon her.

In her dreams, Nadine felt the warmth of Cassandra’s presence beside her. She knew that even though the world outside was filled with troubles, their love was a sanctuary.

Nadine woke up in the middle of the night. The glow of the skyline slipped through the curtains, casting a soft light into the room. She rubbed her eyes, trying to shake off the drowsiness that still clung to her. Her mind slowly began to process the sounds coming from the dining room. It wasn’t just the usual creaking of the house settling at night. It sounded like someone was busy at work.

She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and shuffled toward the sound. As she entered the dining room, she spotted Cassandra sitting at the table. Cassandra was surrounded bypapers with her laptop open and a phone pressed to her ear. Nadine blinked, still trying to wake up fully.

“Who are you on the phone with?” Nadine asked, her voice thick and sleepy.

Cassandra, looking very wired, held up a finger to signal her to wait. Nadine couldn’t help but notice that her partner had a sparkle in her eyes that made it hard to ignore the energy buzzing around her. She watched as Cassandra wrapped up her conversation, her fingers tapping nervously on the table.

“Okay, I’ll follow up with you tomorrow,” Cassandra said before hanging up. She turned her attention to Nadine, her face lighting up. “You won’t believe what I just thought of!”

“What is it?” Nadine replied, leaning against the doorframe, intrigued and a bit worried at the same time.

“I had a crazy idea,” Cassandra explained, her excitement bubbling over. “What if we started an immigrant apprenticeship program for young adults from war-torn areas? They could come here to New York City and gain experience in the fashion industry through Wynter Pulse Media!”

Nadine’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “An apprenticeship program? Here? For refugees?” She couldn’t wrap her mind around it.

“Yes!” Cassandra said, her voice almost a squeal as she jumped up from her chair. “I’ve already been in touch with some government agencies to discuss logistics. It’s still a bit rough around the edges, but I’m convinced it could work. Other companies have done similar programs, and they usually have less money and connections than we do.”

Nadine crossed her arms, still trying to process all of this. “But it sounds like such a huge task. Have you thought about the challenges?”

Cassandra nodded enthusiastically. “Of course! We’ll need to consider funding, housing, and support for the young adultswhen they arrive. Still, I think starting this program could make a real difference in their lives. We could provide mentorship and valuable industry experience. Imagine how fulfilling that would be!”

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