Page 8 of Clashing with the Ice Queen

Nadine laughed, the sound rich and full of life. “See? Miscommunication happens. Maybe you should have just given me your number?”

She probably should have. Maybe if she had gotten back to Nadine as she had promised, Nadine wouldn’t have come after her top client.

“Listen, how about we start fresh?” she proposed, her mind shifting gears quickly. “Let’s grab lunch. Just you and me.”

“I’d like that,” Nadine replied, a flare of warmth evident in her voice.

“Let’s say Friday? How does noon sound?” Cassandra directed.

“Perfect,” Nadine confirmed.

“That’s settled, then.”

Cassandra ended the call and tapped her immaculately manicured nails on her desk. Something about this woman was completely under her skin. And she didn’t know what she was going to do about it.

4

NADINE

The clock on Nadine’s desk ticked closer to noon, each tick echoing like a distant drum roll before a grand reveal. She adjusted her stylish blazer in the reflection of her office window, her heart racing. Her office was a stark contrast to her humble beginnings. As she prepared to meet Cassandra Wynter for lunch, a familiar knot twisted in her stomach.

Cassandra was the CEO of a company known for its vintage charm and long-standing legacy in the fashion world. But lately, Nadine sensed that authority had begun to crack. Just last week, Nadine’s company had swooped in and stolen Purdey’s from right from under Cassandra’s perfect nose.

Nadine had known her actions would cause trouble. But after Cassandra’s behaviour, leaving her hanging on the terrace at the party and then ignoring her email, Nadine had fancied something like revenge. And, as it turned out, the Purdey’s contract hadn’t been difficult to steal. They seemed delighted to hear Nadine’s fresh take on things.

As she walked to the trendy restaurant just a few blocks from her office, Nadine mused over her decision to onboard Purdey’s.She hadn’t exactly acted out of a sense of morality. Sure, she had a great digital strategy—interactive campaigns, innovative social media techniques, the kind of cutting-edge approach that left traditional methods in the dust—but deep down, the decision had been a bit personal, aimed at provoking Cassandra’s undivided attention.

Being ghosted and ignored by Cassandra had not been something she enjoyed, that was for sure.

Nadine recalled her frustration after sending a follow-up email to Cassandra only to be met with further radio silence. It felt like she’d spent an eternity waiting for a response. After all, they were colleagues in the same industry, and they should support one another…or so Nadine had thought. Driven by a mix of ambition and spite, Nadine had seized the moment.Get the client. Show Cassandra what Pulse Media is made of, she’d told herself.

The restaurant was buzzing with energy, filled with bright colors and the chatter of fashionable New Yorkers. Nadine arrived a few minutes early, scanning the room. When Cassandra walked in, the atmosphere shifted slightly. Heads turned and whispers filled the air.There’s the ice queen of the fashion world, Nadine thought. She felt a twinge of admiration mixed with anxiety.

“Hi, Cassandra!” Nadine said warmly as the older woman approached. She noticed the slight tightness around Cassandra’s smile, a hint of anger that lived just beneath the surface.

“Hello, Nadine,” Cassandra replied, her tone friendly yet laced with an edge that hinted at the tension between them. They took their seats at a small table adorned with bright flowers. “Nice to see you.”

Nadine nodded. “Of course! I thought it would be a good for us to catch up.” But as the waiter came to take their drink orders, Nadine couldn’t shake the feeling that the catch-up would come with some challenging conversations. “So, is this your power outfit?” Nadine teased, motioning to Cassandra’s formal attire. She near enough always wore these immaculate tailored pantsuits that accentuated her body perfectly and gave the aura of power.

“I half expected you to bring a briefcase filled with charts and graphs!”

Cassandra’s expression faltered for a brief moment, and Nadine felt the atmosphere shift. She chuckled, hoping to keep things lighthearted. But instead, she noticed the way Cassandra’s vividly painted lips pressed into a thin line.

“Excuse me?” Cassandra replied, her tone as cool as ever.

Nadine’s smile faltered, and she quickly registered the seriousness behind the words. “I mean, you looks great—just a little…serious for lunch, don’t you think? Do you ever dress casually?” She wrinkled her nose playfully. “Were you expecting a board meeting or something?”

Cassandra narrowed her eyes slightly, her posture straightening as she folded her arms across her chest. “A formal outfit is a sign of respect, Nadine,” she said, her voice firm. It was as if the words hung in the air, weighty and unyielding.

Nadine’s cheeks heated up. She’d meant it as a joke, but perhaps she’d crossed a line. After all, Cassandra had already achieved so much in her career. She could easily have brushed off the comment, but instead, it had stung her deeply.

“I didn’t mean it like that,” Nadine quickly clarified, feeling the need to mend the situation. “I really admire how you present yourself. It’s just a different vibe, you know? I’m used to being a little more…” She searched for the right word. “...casual?”

Cassandra took a sip of her water, letting the tension settle between them for a moment. Nadine could see the gears turning in her mind. “You’re young, and I can appreciate that you want to be approachable,” she finally said, her tone softening slightly, though still serious. “But in our industry, how you present yourself carries a lot of weight. It shows you mean business.”

Nadine nodded slowly, absorbing her perspective. “I get that. I really do. It’s just…” She paused, searching for the right balance. “I believe our creativity sometimes flourishes when we can express ourselves a bit more freely, whether that’s through our clothing or our ideas.”

Cassandra raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite herself. “You think that being casual encourages creativity?”

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