Page 10 of In Bed with the Ice Queen

She scrubbing her hands over her body, trying to scrub the thoughts from her mind. She rolled her eyes at the thought of online dating, feeling a sting of frustration.

This was why she was hitting on Helena. It had been far too long since she had been with anyone.

The world felt so different now. When she was younger, dating had been simple. Just meet someone, grab coffee, and see where things went. But now, everyone was behind screens,swiping left or right on profiles. I can’t even remember the last time I had a decent date, she thought.

Her thoughts drifted again to the hot redhead in the red business suit.

“Helena Wolfe,” Sloane said to herself with a half-smirk. She wondered how someone so privileged could seem so complicated. Helena always walked into a room like she owned it and turned the air as icy as her personality. Sloane closed her eyes for a moment, luxuriating in the warmth of the water on her skin. She thought about her own upbringing—smaller, middle-class, but filled with love and encouragement—a stark contrast from Helena’s. Her parents had worked hard, always pushing Sloane to do better for herself. “You can achieve anything,” they’d say, and she believed them. She reminded herself that she had come from a really great place, but it wasn’t easy feeling inferior to someone like Helena.

Sloane rubbed the soap into her skin, creating a gentle lather. It's Helena’s privilege that shapes her, and it doesn’t have to make me feel small, she thought, scrubbing a little harder. But deep down, there was a nagging doubt. Maybe she was being presumptuous. Maybe Helena’s controlling attitude didn’t come from privilege but from the pressures of living up to lofty expectations.

“Ugh, I’m thinking about this way too much,” she said aloud. She shook her head as she rinsed away the soap and let the water cascade down her body. She couldn’t control how others acted, but she could choose how she reacted. Stepping out of the shower, Sloane wrapped herself in a soft, fluffy towel. Leaving her worries behind, she took a deep breath, ready to embrace whatever came next.

“Tomorrow’s a new day,” she declared to herself, a hint of determination creeping into her voice. With a small smile, she stepped into her room, leaving behind the thoughts of a too-complicated world and settled into the comfort of her favorite book and an evening of peace.

5

HELENA

Helena Wolfe sat at her large desk in her office high above the bustling streets of the city. The sun poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows as she flipped through a stack of reports, her brow furrowed in concentration. The soft hum of her computer filled the quiet space, mixing with the distant sounds of the city below.

But today, Helena could feel her thoughts drifting away from the numbers and graphs before her. She would frequently glance at the clock, noting how the hours slipped by. She longed for a break from the busy work, but it seemed that every time she put down one report, another would come in.

Just then, the door to her office creaked open, and Mark walked in. Helena noticed he had a slight frown on his face, his brow furrowed in worry. He was usually calm and collected, so this expression caught her attention immediately.

“Helena,” Mark started, his voice a little shaky. “Can we talk?”

Helena leaned back in her chair, a sense of unease creeping in. “Sure, Mark. What’s on your mind?”

He stepped closer, the air between them thick with tension. “It's about the Thompson Industries deal.” He paused, fiddling with a pen that sat on her desk. “They’ve mentioned something kind of last minute.”

Her curiosity was piqued. “Last minute? What’s going on?”

Mark glanced down at the floor, hesitating. “They want you to attend a business trip in Hawaii this weekend.”

Helena’s jaw dropped. “What? Hawaii? This weekend? Do they think I’m made of free time?” She rubbed her temples, feeling a headache brew. “This is so sudden. We’re already so close to dotting the Xs and crossing the Ts with the merger!”

Mark nodded. “I know, but they want to ensure you’re going to represent the company culture they’re losing.. They’re also inviting their best employees as a going-away party, and they think it’s important for you to be there.”

Helena let out a frustrated sigh. “And what, pray tell, does Hawaii have to do with any of this? It sounds like a vacation, not a business meeting.”

“Yeah,” Mark agreed, “but there’s more. I overheard that a competitor is going, too, and you know how their CEO Charles Thompson is.” He looked back at Helena, trying to gauge her reaction. “He’s traditional and a bit outdated. He likes to shmooze folks and to be shmoozed back, especially when it comes to big deals like this.”

“I can’t believe this,” Helena muttered under her breath. She tapped her fingers against her desk, considering her options. “Why do they want a lavish trip now when we’re so close to the finish line? It feels unnecessary.”

“He probably wants to impress everyone, show that he can still play the game,” Mark explained, crossing his arms. “But you being there could really seal the deal.”

Helena took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm brewing inside her. She liked to be organized and efficient, and this last-minute trip threw a wrench in her carefully laid plans. “So, what do you think? Should I go?”

“Honestly, I think it’s a good idea to show your face,” Mark replied, his voice firm. “You might even like it. It’s a chance to show your leadership skills and adaptability. Plus, some fresh ocean air wouldn’t hurt, right?”

Helena imagined the gentle waves lapping against the shore. Maybe a little bit of sun wouldn’t be the worst thing. The thought of the ocean sounded refreshing, even if it was wrapped in layers of business obligations.

“Alright,” Helena said finally, determination growing inside her. “I’ll go. But I’ll make sure they know I’m not just there for the beach. This is business, after all.”

Mark smiled, relief washing over his face. “Great! I’ll handle the travel arrangements and make sure everything is smooth.”

As he walked toward the door, Helena called out, “Mark, wait.” He turned back, looking at her expectantly. “Let’s make sure we have a solid action plan before I go. I’m not just stepping into this situation unprepared.”

---