Page 35 of Clashing with the Ice Queen

Nadine replayed her talking points in her mind. She would tell Elara how she felt about ending the partnership, and she’d explain why it was necessary without going too much into detail. The last thing Nadine wanted to do was hold onto a partnership that no longer felt right.

Nadine sat in the waiting room of Silver Resorts and Residences, her heart racing a little faster than usual. She glanced around the modern space, taking in its sleek furniture and bright lights. The decor was beautiful, just as its five-star rating boasted. But she wasn’t here to admire it. She was here to cancel her fashion collaboration for their upcoming launch with Wynter Fashion.

Nadine nervously ran her fingers through her short hair. She spotted the receptionist, who’d been giving her odd looks. The young woman raised an eyebrow, curiosity and concern on her face.

“Are you sure you want to wait?” the receptionist asked, her tone slightly uneasy.

Nadine forced a smile, doing her best to remain professional. “Oh, yes. I can wait,” she replied, hoping to lighten the mood.She didn’t want to seem weird or overly dramatic about her decision.

The receptionist tapped her pencil on the desk but then sighed. “Well, it’ll be at least another half hour. There’s a meeting starting in five minutes.”

A wave of frustration washed over her. She’d been preparing for this moment, rehearsing what she would say to the CEO. Why did it have to take so long? Maybe she should have just made an appointment or a phone call so she wouldn’t have to wait and grow anxious.

As she tried to distract herself, she suddenly caught sight of a familiar face. Cassandra walked in, looking polished as always. Nadine’s heart dropped. Just the sight of Cassandra made her feel a mix of anger and anxiety.

“Hi!” Cassandra looked at her and her eyes widened just the slightest.

Most people not clued into their drama wouldn’t notice her faltering confidence, but Nadine did. Cassandra greeted the receptionist with a bright smile. Nadine felt her stomach twist. Was she here to talk badly about her and try to end the collaboration first? What if she accused Nadine of stalking her again?

Nadine’s heart raced and she turned her eyes away, pretending to study a particularly interesting painting on the wall. But she couldn’t help but listen closely to their conversation.

“Is it alright if I chat with Nadine for a moment?” Cassandra asked, her voice casual but firm.

The receptionist looked back at Nadine, curiosity mixed with uncertainty in her eyes. So many thoughts raced through Nadine’s mind as she wondered why Cassandra would want to talk after everything that had happened between them.

“Sure,” the receptionist answered hesitantly.

Cassandra beckoned Nadine to follow her into one of the spare rooms just off the lobby. Nadine felt a mix of emotions bubbling inside her. They switched rapidly between anger, confusion, and irritation. Once inside the small room, Nadine crossed her arms and shot Cassandra a cautious look. “I’m not letting you have sex with me in public again, after everything that’s happened,” she blurted out, her voice carrying a mix of anger and hurt.

Cassandra’s expression didn’t change. “Shh, jeez. That’s not what this is about, Nadine,” she said, her tone even. “I’m here for a meeting and I didn’t expect to see you.”

Nadine rolled her eyes, feeling cornered. “I’m canceling the collaboration.” She tried to push around her to get to the door.

Cassandra sighed, blocking her way. “I didn’t mean for things to get so messy. But you’re canceling our collaboration? Why? We’re doing something great together.”

Nadine shook her head. “Like you aren’t here to do the same? I can’t work with you anymore, Cassandra. It’s too hard. I thought we could keep things professional, but I see now that was naïve. We just…we just can’t.”

“Is it really just about work, though?” Cassandra challenged. Nadine saw a spark of something unfamiliar in Cassandra’s eyes…pain, maybe? She couldn’t be sure.

Nadine took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. “Yes, it is. No more personal feelings. We can’t mix business and…whatever this is between us. Like you said. I’m f-fucking done.” Tears spilled over and she gasped once, pointlessly turning to the side to hide her face.

Cassandra looked down for a moment, and in that silence, Nadine felt a flicker of regret. She remembered the good times, the laughter, and even the passion that had made everything so confusing. But that feeling was quickly overshadowed by her need to protect herself.

“You were…right. Running away won’t fix things,” Cassandra said softly, her gaze locked on Nadine’s tortured pose, crumpled up and turned away.

Nadine felt the weight of Cassandra’s words. Maybe she wasn’t just running away. Maybe it was about learning when to step back. “I’m not running. I need to think about what’s best for me right now,” Nadine replied firmly.

Cassandra stared at her, and the silence between them grew heavy. Nadine held her breath, waiting for Cassandra’s response, but all she felt was the tension that hung in the air.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’m really so very sorry, Nadine. I’m the one who has things to work on here, and I admit it.”

Nadine was shocked by the admission. It contrasted their previous conversation starkly. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Cassandra was still angry with her, still thinking of her as a user.

She felt a surge of frustration. “I’m not letting you treat me like that again,” she said. She remembered the last time they’d been together in public, the excitement mixed with the confusion, and how it had all gone terribly wrong. Now, sitting in this small room, Nadine wasn’t sure how they could move forward.

Cassandra sighed, breaking Nadine’s train of thought. “I’m really sorry about everything,” she said, her voice low but steady. “I know I’ve been impulsive, not really thinking things through.” She looked down at her hands for a moment, then back at Nadine. “Sometimes, I feel like I struggle with being flexible in my thinking. But you help me see things differently. You make me less of a black-and-white thinker.”

Nadine blinked, surprised. She hadn’t expected this kind of honesty from Cassandra. “Really?” she said, her heart racing. “You feel that way?”

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