The Billionaire And The Ice Queen (A Fantasy Romance)

The life-size Barbie doll in front of me was just as plastic as her counterpart.   It looked like they modelled the doll after her if you didn’t know that Barbie was sixty-one years old. More than double the age of the woman sitting in front of me. I should know, I researched their history, not that I would admit it to anyone.   She had a slim figure with curves in the right places, straight platinum blond hair and baby blue eyes that could turn you into a popsicle. Her flawless alabaster skin and cherry bow lips completed the image statue.   Her beauty cannot be denied, but the nickname, Ice queen, bestowed upon her, doesn’t seem so farfetched.   The information I obtained named her as Ivy Hope, twenty-six and a canny businesswoman. She nourished the company she started over five years ago into a small empire.   “How may I help you, Mr Westfield?” She began.   Even her voice was soft and tantalising. The woman had it all, yet she had the personality of a marble.   I shifted slightly in my chair. “Thank you for giving me a few minutes of your time.”   She didn’t bat an eyelash and kept her eyes locked onto mine. I wanted to shift again but refrained, it wouldn’t surprise me if she noticed. The last thing I needed was for her to realise how uncomfortable she was making me feel.   I opened my mouth, ready to give her my sales pitch and get this torturous meeting over with when the door opened.   Her secretary, Mary, puffed her way to the desk with a tray.   Ivy, who sat as if in a palace and not a cramped office, surprised me with her choice of secretary. To say I was shocked was putting it mildly. Many people, including myself, would have expected her to be slimmer and younger, like the other women, I glimpsed, before I was ushered in, working away at their computers. Instead, she was overweight and had a red complexion from all the running around she did. Fearing she might keel over, I jumped up from the uncomfortable chair and took the tray from her.   She mouthed thank you and I smiled in return, putting the tray gently onto the desk.   “Thank you, Mary,” Ivy said with a smile.   I nearly choked on my saliva. The ice queen actually smiled. Not the smile she gave me, that could turn a sunny day into a blizzard. But a smile where she used her whole face. Her eyes lit up, lines formed on her face and she even had dimples, which made her look less plastic. It seemed she had a hidden side to her. Could I have been wrong about her? No. I mentally shook my head. In the past, I’ve witnessed her interaction with others at events, and not once did I see her give a genuine smile.   She raised her brow, as she caught me staring.   In my line of work, I encountered various kinds of people, and never have I met someone who made me feel insignificant. Ironically, it was something I do to others.   I kept my eyes locked on to hers. Why should I look away, she must know what people call her behind her back? For me to be shocked about her behaviour must not come as a surprise.   “Help yourself to tea and biscuits.” She pointed to the tray as if I am blind.   I would have declined, but Mary still stood there, and I couldn’t hurt her feelings. So, being the gentleman I am, I took the cup without any milk or sugar. If I couldn’t have coffee, I might as well have strong tea. I tried not to cringe as I took my first sip. Yep, it was just as revolting as I thought it would be.   When Mary finally decided to leave, I put the teacup back onto the tray and gazed at Barbie’s copy.   Before I came here, I had a plan to get inside the company. However, after only being in her presence for five minutes, I knew it wouldn’t wash with her. So, I decided to go with the truth. Well, part of the truth. If she knew the real reason I was here, my testicles would be frozen solid.   I crossed my legs and prayed she could not read minds.   “Someone has breached the firewall and is leaking information out.”   She raised her brow without commenting.   “They have not hacked into your company.” I hastily added. “But another was not so fortunate. Now, our firewall is one of the best. They shouldn’t have been able to access any of our protected systems. We are checking all client’s computers, to make sure there are no other breaches.”   Her eyes never left mine as I talked. “We don’t believe your company is in any danger, but we would like to make sure and put extra protection on top of what you already have until the investigation into what has happened is over.”   “Yes, I have heard about the Rowan’s misfortune.” She paused, letting me know she knew of the company I referred to. I tried not to show my surprise. The company had tried to conceal the incident, but someone had leaked the information. Not good news at all.   The staff members of the Rowan were loyal. Who would do such a thing and why?   “When do you want to start?” Her question brought me out of my thoughts.   “Tomorrow, if that is okay with you. I would have started today but it’s late.” I wanted to get stuck in before she changed her mind and any more information leaked out. For a ruthless woman, when it came to business, she agreed easily. This did not sit well with me, but I didn’t want to question her just yet. It will all come out in the end.   “Could you also tell me who deals with your IT issues?” I remembered to ask.   “I do.”   Not the answer I was expecting and unfortunately, the evidence seemed to be mounting against her.   “You seem surprised,” she stated. I sighed internally; I must be tired if I am unable to keep my emotions hidden.   “Forgive me, I just thought you would have someone else for the job."   I've never come across a businessperson who did not delegate work. What an odd woman.   She glanced at her computer before turning her gaze to me. The only time I had witnessed her do anything different since I entered her office. I wondered what made her look away.   “You are right. I did have someone deal with it, until, they took their mask off. The next person, who had great reference, knowledge and checked out to be who he said to be, turned out to have another agenda. I decided to hire the company you work for and do an online course to refresh my memory of what I learnt at university, so I could deal with any IT issues. Since then nothing catastrophic has happened.”   Ah. This makes sense, now.   “You think I might have missed something or accidentally let someone in?”   I flashed her a smile. The second one since I arrived, and answered, “Maybe, but I will not know until I check your system.”   The air in the room turned chilly as her eyes narrowed.   If she wanted me to cower, she had another thing coming. I didn’t care who she was, I will not bow down to her. Instead, I raised my brow and waited for her to speak.   “What is so funny?”   Ah. That explained why a storm was brewing over my head.   And no one has ever complained about my smile or mistook it for something else.   “Forgive me.” I mentally snorted. This must be a miracle, another apology in less than ten minutes. Good thing nobody, especially Merek, was here to witness it. “I was not laughing at you. I find it…Ironic… that you know what I am thinking. It’s like…. You’re a mind reader.” I ended with an apologetic smile.   Her eyes, thank god, went back to their beautiful round shape. She had forgiven me.   “I can’t read minds. I am not cursed with such a gift. But I know how to read people. They tend to give things away without realising.”   How ironic, the only woman who can read me had a heart of ice.   “That’s a good thing to have.” Before I could find out if I put my foot in it again, I stood up, glad to not be sitting on the chair that is put there to t*****e people. “I know you are a busy woman so I will not take any more of your time. I shall see you tomorrow morning.”   She slowly rose from her chair, adjusted her jacket, and dipped her head. “Till Tomorrow.”   I had taken a few steps towards the office door when her voice stopped me.   “Mr Westfield.”   I turned my body slightly in her direction and raised my brow.   “Be careful in who you trust.” And with that cryptic advice, she sat back down, eyes back on her computer, dismissing me. I opened my mouth to ask what she was talking about but changed my mind.   Great. Not just an Ice queen but a nut job too.