INT – SWEET DREAM OFFICE
The door shut with a loud thud and Ice's left hand landed on the wall beside me.
It looked like a scene straight out of a shoujo anime—the male lead cornering the heroine—except this wasn't romance. This was a horror-thriller.
My heart is crying in pain!
"What. Are. You. Doing. Here?" His voice was low, sharp. He glared down at me with eyes that could freeze lava.
And just like that, my super-sweet fantasy scene turned into ashes again. I hate you, Ice!
The wall behind me felt colder than ever, pressing against my back. I wanted to run, but there was no escape. The prince charming who should be leaning in with a gentle smile was instead glaring at me like a villain.
Suddenly, my maid uniform felt ten times heavier, and even my stockings—supposed to look cute and fluffy—felt icy against my skin. Maybe that's just the iceberg effect.
"Ah—" My eyes darted around as I nervously played with my fingers, desperate for an escape route.
"You're not going anywhere." Bang! His palm slammed against the wall beside me, leaning closer.
Can't he be a little kinder?! How can someone look so much like a villain in what's supposed to be my romantic kabedon moment?!
"You're scaring me!" I protested, stomping my foot like a child, squeezing my eyes shut for dramatic effect.
Silence.
When I opened them again, Ice was staring. Not angry anymore. Just… staring. His face serious, unreadable.
My heart skipped.
What—what was that?!
Time stopped. All I could hear was the pounding in my ears. His eyes weren't glaring—they looked almost… sparkling? No, no, no. Gentle? Concerned? Ice and gentle don't belong in the same sentence!
Still, for a second, it felt like I was looking at a prince charming straight out of a novel, the type who denies how much he cares but can't hide it in his gaze. Okay maybe that was overreading it.
This is not the time to decode his glare!
Panic bubbled up inside me. I can feel it literally bubbling around my chest, like swirling glitters. He was too close, too intense, too… too much.
I slid down to the floor, covering my burning face with both hands. Why does it feel like I'm sunburned all over?!
Do all the girls see this side of him? Is that why they fall in love with Ice?!
Wait—don't tell me he's playing with me?!
"Get up. Are you okay?" He crouched down, voice calm, the anger gone like it was never there.
I peeked through my fingers. This is fake! Fake Ice!
A sudden blow of the air conditioner gave me a full blast reminder of his strawberry cream scent.
My heartbeat only grew louder.
"Hey. Are you trying to look pitiful for sympathy?" His words stabbed me like an exposé, then he stood up suddenly.
"Get up, or I'll throw you out the window."
Ohhh, there it is—the real Ice!
I dropped my hands and beamed at him like I'd just discovered treasure. His face twisted in disgust.
Shut up, you were possessed a second ago!
I scrambled to my feet before he could actually toss me out.
"Long story!"
"Then go home. Now." He pointed at the door like a boss ordering out an intruder. Well… technically, he is the boss.
"No!" I dragged out the word dramatically. "I work here nowww!"
He tilted his head, squinting at me like I'd lost my mind. Which, to be fair, maybe I had.
I knew what he was really thinking: Who in their right mind would hire you?
Classic Ice.
I forced a smug smile, arms crossed. "Auntie hired me."
"Mom did?" His brow twitched in disbelief.
Rude!
"Yes," I said proudly, wobbling my head for extra effect.
He stared at me, silently judging every inch of my soul.
I'm used to it now, Ice. That won't scare me anymore!
"Okay, so here's what happened—"
FLASHBACK – EXT: SHOPPING DISTRICT
I should have brought an extra jacket. The streets were packed, shops overflowing with weekend crowds.
I shoved my freezing hands into my coat pockets and breathed in deep. Ahh. The smell of baked cheese. Magical.
Cafés buzzed with chatter and laughter. I should ask Oriel to come with me next week.
Then, something caught my eye—a pastel blue dress on a mannequin inside a shop window. I stopped, staring. My reflection in the glass looked back at me.
I touched the ends of my short hair.
It still felt strange, even though it wasn't the first time I'd cut it short for work. Hairstyles change all the time when you're modeling.
But this time… it felt heavy. Like the sadness in my chest had spread into every strand.
I pressed my hand against the glass.
It wasn't the haircut itself. It was the reason behind it. The incident.
Watching my reflection—it just hurt.
I tore my gaze away and started walking again, boots tapping against the pavement, my thoughts drifting like clouds.
It hurt even more, knowing those students who did this probably had their reasons.
But no reason ever justifies hurting someone. Not me. Not Ice.
Who always tries to play the villain, but—
I stopped, exhaling.
"Hija, Zafire?"
A sweet voice called out behind me.
A/N: ["Kabedon" (壁ドン) is a Japanese term that literally translates to "wall bang" or "wall slap"]
Next Chapter:
She would never understand just how much chaos she was inviting.
Ice watched her reluctantly shuffle toward the changing room, every step screaming how much she hated the command he'd just given her.
Her face was so transparent—anger, defiance, the pout that always followed when she didn't get her way.
He exhaled, shaking his head.
You really can't be this naïve…