THE ICE KING WANT ME BACK.

Chapter 2: Facet to Face

For the rest of practice, Lena couldn't focus.

Her pen hovered above her notebook, but the words refused to come. Her mind was not settled

and she hated that.

For five years, she had built a career she was proud of, learned to stand on her own, and convinced herself that the past no longer had a place in her life.

Yet one look at him had shaken the walls she had spent years building.

"Lena."

Jake's voice broke through her thoughts.

"They're setting up for the interviews."

She blinked and looked around. The players had already left the ice, and reporters were gathering outside the media room.

"Right."

She slipped her notebook into her bag and followed the crowd.

Inside, cameras lined the front of the room while journalists searched for seats. A long table stood beneath the team's logo, waiting for the players and coaches.

Lena chose a seat near the middle.

Far enough to observe.

Close enough to hear every answer.

Coach Donovan entered first, followed by two assistant coaches. He answered questions about the preseason, the team's new signings, and expectations for the coming season.

Lena wrote quickly, recording the most important quotes.

Twenty minutes later, the coach thanked everyone and left.

A member of the media staff stepped forward.

"Captain Carter will be with you shortly."

The room immediately grew quieter.

Several reporters checked their notes while photographers adjusted their cameras.

Lena kept her eyes on the notebook resting in front of her, reminding herself that this was simply another interview.

Nothing more.

The door opened.

Ethan walked into the room wearing a navy team polo and dark trousers. He greeted the reporters with a polite smile before taking his seat behind the microphone.

"Good morning, everyone."

His voice was calm and confident.

Questions began immediately.

"Captain Carter, what are your expectations for this season?"

"We're taking it one day at a time," Ethan replied. "We have a talented group, but talent only matters if we're willing to work for each other."

Another reporter raised his hand.

"How are the new players settling into the team?"

"They've worked hard from the first day. The veterans are helping them adjust, and that's exactly the culture we want."

Lena listened without looking up.

She focused on writing each answer exactly as he said it.

It was easier than meeting his eyes.

Then another reporter asked a question that made the room laugh.

"Captain, fans want to know if winning another championship is your only goal this year."

Ethan smiled.

"No."

The room fell silent.

"My biggest goal is making sure everyone in that locker room becomes better than they were yesterday. If we do that every day, the results will take care of themselves."

Lena finally looked up.

For a brief moment, Ethan's eyes met hers across the crowded room.

He didn't smile.

He didn't look away.

And somehow, she knew that when the press conference ended...

He was going to find her.

The press conference ended with a round of polite thanks.

Reporters gathered their notebooks and cameras, already discussing headlines for the evening news. Some hurried after Coach Donovan for follow-up questions, while others headed toward the locker room to interview the remaining players.

Lena stayed where she was for a moment, trying to avoid Ethan as much as possible. She slipped her notebook into her bag and stood thinking of next step.

"Ms. Brooks."

The familiar voice stopped her before she reached the door.

She closed her eyes for a brief second, then turned around.

Ethan was standing a few feet away.

"Can I help you, Captain?" Lena asked, keeping her voice calm.

Ethan studied her for a moment.

"You've been well?"

It was such a simple question.

Five years ago, she would have answered it without thinking.

Now it felt strangely difficult.

"I've been fine."

"I'm glad to hear that."

An awkward silence followed.

Neither of them seemed to know what to say next.

Lena broke it first.

"If that's all, I need to get back to the office."

She took another step toward the door.

"Lena."

She stopped again but didn't turn around.

"I never thought we'd meet like this."

His voice was quiet, almost careful.

She finally looked back at him.

"Neither did I."

Ethan took a slow breath.

"I know this isn't the right place..."

"Then don't."

Her words were gentle but firm.

"We're both working."

He nodded.

"You're right."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

The years between them seemed to fill every corner of the room.

Finally, Ethan gave a small smile.

"I read some of your articles."

Lena frowned slightly.

"You did?"

"They're good."

She wasn't expecting that.

"Thank you."

"I always knew you'd become a great journalist."

His words caught her off guard.

She had imagined many versions of this meeting, but none included a compliment.

"It took a lot of hard work," she replied.

"I know."

Another silence settled between them.

This one felt less uncomfortable, but no less complicated.

A knock on the open door interrupted the moment.

"Hate to interrupt," Hannah said with an apologetic smile, "but Captain, your next meeting starts in five minutes."

Ethan glanced toward her before looking back at Lena.

"I should go."

She nodded.

"So should I."

As she walked toward the hallway, Hannah caught up with her.

"Ms. Brooks?"

"Yes?"

Hannah handed her a folder.

"The captain approved your request for an exclusive one-on-one interview."

Lena looked at her in surprise.

"I didn't make a request."

Hannah blinked.

"You didn't?"

She checked the paper in her hand.

"It says here Captain Carter personally selected Prime Sports Network and requested you as the interviewer."

Lena stared at the folder without speaking.

She hadn't asked for the interview.

Which meant...Ethan had.

Behind her, the office door closed softly.

Lena tightened her grip on the folder.

Their brief conversation hadn't answered a single question.

Instead, it had left her with one she couldn't ignore.

Why did Ethan want to talk to her now... after all these years?

The ride back to Prime Sports Network was unusually quiet.

Jake focused on the road while Lena sat beside the window, the folder Hannah had given her resting on her lap.

She opened it again.

Exclusive Interview Request

Interviewer: Lena Brooks

She read the words twice before closing the folder.

It still didn't make sense.

If Ethan had wanted to avoid her all those years ago, why was he asking to see her now?

"Lena?"

Jake glanced at her briefly.

"You've been quiet since we left the arena."

"I'm just thinking about the article."

"You don't sound convinced."

She smiled faintly.

"I'll be fine."

Jake didn't push the conversation further.

A few minutes later, they arrived at the office.

The newsroom was as busy as ever. Reporters hurried between desks, television screens showed highlights from the day's practice, and producers discussed the evening broadcast.

Lena walked straight to her desk and switched on her laptop.

She plugged in her recorder and listened to Ethan's press conference again.

His answers were calm, thoughtful, and direct.

She began typing.

*Captain Ethan Carter believes the New York Blizzards must focus on daily improvement rather than early championship expectations*..

She stopped.

The sentence sounded right.

She continued writing until her phone buzzed.

It was Martin.

"Come to my office please."

Lena saved her work and headed upstairs.

Martin looked up as she entered.

"Sit down."

She did.

"I've just spoken with the Blizzards' media department."

Lena remained silent.

"They were impressed with today's coverage."

"That's good to hear."

Martin smiled.

"It gets better."

He slid another document across the desk.

"The exclusive interview has been confirmed."

Lena looked down at the schedule.

Friday.

Three o'clock.

Blackwood Arena.

Ninety minutes.

"No interruptions?" she asked.

Martin shook his head.

"Just you and Ethan Carter."

She tried to hide her surprise.

"Ninety minutes is a long interview."

"It is."

Martin leaned back in his chair.

"That tells me he wants more than the usual hockey questions."

Lena met his eyes.

"What makes you think that?"

"Because Captain Carter has turned down every exclusive interview this year."

He tapped the schedule.

"But he accepted yours."

A strange feeling settled in her chest.

She wasn't sure whether to be curious or worried.

Martin noticed her hesitation.

"If you're uncomfortable, I can assign another reporter."

Lena considered the offer. It would be easy to walk away. Someone else could write the story.

Someone else could sit across from Ethan.

But if she refused now, she knew she would spend the rest of her life wondering what he wanted to say.

She slowly shook her head.

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Martin smiled.

"Good."

"I trust you to handle this professionally."

"I will."

As Lena left his office, she looked once more at the interview schedule in her hand.

Three days ago, Ethan Carter had been nothing more than a name from her past.

Now he was becoming part of her future again.

She didn't know what he wanted.

She wasn't even sure she wanted to hear it.

But one thing was certain.

On Friday afternoon, neither of them would be able to hide behind cameras, reporters, or polite answers.

For the first time in years...

They would finally be alone.

Lena spent the rest of the afternoon finishing her article.

She read through every paragraph twice before sending it to Martin. The report was balanced, professional, and focused entirely on the Blizzards' preseason goals. Ethan's name appeared several times, but only as the team's captain. Nothing in the article hinted that they had once shared a life together.

She preferred it that way.

As the office began to empty, Sophie walked over with her handbag resting on one shoulder.

"Ready to call it a day?"

Lena saved her work and shut down her laptop.

"I think I've earned it."

They both left for the subway together, Sophie glanced at Lena.

"So... how did today really go?"

Lena smiled.

"I already told you."

"No," Sophie replied.

"You told me how the press conference went. I'm asking about Ethan."

Lena was quiet for a few seconds.

"He spoke to me."

Sophie's eyes widened.

"What did he say?"

"Nothing important."

"I don't believe that."

Lena laughed softly.

"He asked how I'd been."

"And?"

"I told him I was fine."

"That's it?"

"That's it."

Sophie looked unconvinced.

"I've known you for years. You're leaving something out."

Lena hesitated before taking the interview schedule from her bag.

"He requested this."

Sophie read the paper, then looked back at her.

"An exclusive interview?"

Lena nodded.

"He asked for me."

For a moment, Sophie didn't know what to say.

"Do you think he wants to apologize?"

"I don't know."

"Do you want him to?"

Lena looked across the busy street as people hurried past them.

"I stopped expecting anything from him a long time ago."

The traffic light changed, and they crossed the road in silence.

When they reached the station entrance, Sophie touched Lena's arm.

"Whatever happens on Friday, remember who you are."

Lena smiled.

"I will."

After saying goodbye, she boarded the train alone.

The journey home was short, but her thoughts refused to settle.

Her phone buzzed immediately, she entered her apartment.

A message from Martin.

Excellent work today. Your article is already performing well online. Keep it up.

Lena smiled and replied with a simple thank you.

She was about to put the phone down when another notification appeared.

This time, it came from an unknown number.

She frowned.

For a moment, she considered ignoring it.

Instead, she opened the message.

*Thank you for staying today.

I know we have a lot to talk about.

I hope you'll give me the chance to explain.

— Ethan*

Lena was surprised because she has never given him her contact. Instead of replying she locked her phone.

Outside, the city lights shimmered against the night sky.

“The reply can wait two more days”. She murmured.