The Ice Queen and Her Three Captains.

The Interview

Cole’s POV



I parked my Ferrari outside my penthouse at 2 a.m. I stepped down. The city lights caught my eye. I saw the building early. I was sure the alcohol was kicking in. I moved straight into the elevator. I didn't bother to learn her name, but her body was one I couldn't resist. We got into the elevator as she rested her head on my shoulder. She had clearly had enough alcohol.

The penthouse was dark except for the blue underglow of the city through floor-to-ceiling windows. Music was still playing, or was it in my head from the club? Or maybe from the speakers. I had stopped tracking the difference.

She pulled my shirt first. She moved down slowly. "My name is Kim," she smiled. "Hmm, what a pretty name." My hand moved through her long, dark hair slowly. "Cole," she said my name once. I felt her warmth. I stared at the city burning outside the windows. I gave a long gaze, my eyes closed, trying to forcefully enjoy the moment. I smiled, but it was her touch I was thinking about.

The morning light crept through the penthouse window, and the ray of sunlight fell on my face. I lay my head on that pillow, my arms crossed at the back of my head, as the girl from the night before rested her head on my right arm. I was partially awake, just me alone in my thoughts.

Then the knock came. "Cole, open the door. It's Victoria." My eyes flew wide open even before the name sounded. I knew her piercing voice.

I quickly got out of bed, woke the girl up, and started handing her clothes. "Wake up. You need to go." She stirred slowly, blinking at the ceiling. "What's going on?" she asked.

I didn't have time. I searched through the entire apartment within sixty seconds. I saw her skirt on the floor, snapped my fingers, trying to get her attention, trying so hard to remember her name.

"My name is Kim," she said, snatching the purse from my hands rudely.

I reached for the door and pulled it open. She immediately ran out, almost falling into Victoria, who stepped back. Victoria's eyes moved from the girl to me. She stepped into the apartment, looking gorgeous and put together as ever.

"Cole, why do you keep doing this?" Victoria screamed, shutting the door as I lay on the sofa. "Come on, baby. You know this girl doesn't mean anything to me." I stood up from the sofa, grabbed her waist from behind, and drew her closer, but she pushed me away from her chest.

She threw her bag on the couch. "Cole, I close my eyes for one minute, and you bring in the next trash you see by the side of the dumpster. I'm a public figure. I cannot have my man moving with any trash on sight. Look at that girl, she isn't even up to me. Am I not enough?"

"But we aren't official yet, so it's no big deal," I told her.

"Yes, we are not official, but we are going to be from now on. You are going to post on all your social media accounts, and we are going public," Victoria replied, pointing her finger directly at me.

"What?" I stood up from the sofa. "Why don't we just walk the aisle and get married?" I said sarcastically.

"We are going to do that after a year of dating," she said.

"You've got to be kidding me." I sighed.

"Don't ask me silly questions. I'm a two-time model of the year. I can get another you in a second. So, I'm giving you two days, Cole Winter, to make this relationship public and tell people how you're so into me and obsessed with me." Victoria picked up her bag and stormed out of my apartment. I couldn't utter a single word. I liked Victoria, but I was not ready for such a heavy commitment.

Megan's POV

I relaxed on the couch in my apartment. For the first time in a long while, I hadn't gone to work that weekend. It was Saturday. I couldn't keep putting so much effort into a job that didn't recognise me. My work ended at 4 p.m. on Fridays.

I lay there, completely ignoring the TV that was on. I closed my eyes, trying to get some sleep, when the door burst open. It was Kim. I sat upright on reflex. "Kim! God, why did you rush in like that? And is that my leather skirt?" She looked out of breath.

"Nothing. I just wanted to get home quickly." I didn't believe her, but I knew better than to push.

"I met a famous model today." My eyes lit up in disbelief. "Who? Tell me." Kim stretched. "It's a secret. I saw her when I was hanging out with one of my hockey player boyfriends." I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. "Hanging out with, or hooking up with?" Kim laughed and sat on the couch.

"Judge all you want, but when I finally get a hot player to go official with me, I'll be on all the magazines. I might even get a chance at the TV shows you always kill yourself over. I'll be on yachts and red carpets, and you'll still be here holding a bowl of soup." I rolled my eyes as Kim dreamed on. I bent down to grab the spoon that had fallen.

"Oh, do you know that I saw Cole Winter with a mystery lady?" I raised my head immediately. "Really? I'm sure it's just a fling like the other girls he meets." Kim stood up again, bouncing excitedly. "I'm not sure. Maybe he likes her. Even though it was a one-night stand, it might lead to something good."

I dropped my bowl of soup. For a second, I forgot why I had even come into the kitchen. I guessed I was a little disoriented. "Megan, are you okay?" I looked at her. "Yes... I... I was just a little confused." Kim rolled her eyes with a smile and winked, then murmured to herself and dropped back onto the sofa.

Why did I feel that way when I heard the news? I didn't want to overthink it. It was all in the past.

The next day was Sunday, game night. By 5 p.m., I was already at the stadium. I parked my car and sluggishly made my way through the wide parking lot, holding Chelley's latte in my hand just the way she liked it. I couldn't afford one of her rants that night. I moved toward the area I had been directed to and saw the crew setting up. I slowly walked forward, watching one of my dreams pass by for what felt like the thousandth time.

"Megan!" I heard someone call my name loudly. It was Marshall, heading towards me from the filming area. "Mr. Marshall!" I called back.

"Megan, we need you to fill in for Chelley. She was caught drinking and driving, and now it's a whole issue." I stared at him. From the look on his face, it wasn't a plea. It was a request. I remained silent and stared at him.

"Look, Megan, we have Theo Fisher, captain of the Ice Wolves, agreeing to this interview before his big game tonight. He's already waiting. You don't keep a man like that waiting." I blinked repeatedly. "But I'm not ready." Mr. Marshall grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the set. Before I knew it, the glam team had done the best they could.

They put red lipstick on me, packed my hair into a ponytail, and replaced my denim jacket with a corporate yellow suit. Within minutes, I was standing in front of the camera, about to shoot the first interview that could completely change my life.