Mr. Ice

She was startled upon seeing him there, with his gaze darting around as if contemplating on where to look.

"Is something wrong?" She asked, holding tightly to the piece of fabric.

"What are you putting on?" He asked in return. His voice was husky, which earned a frown on her face. Looking down, she sighed and looked up at him.

"I just took my bath." She said as a matter-of-factly.

"I know that, but why are you putting that on instead of a towel?"

"It's what I have. Why? Is something wrong with it?" She asked innocently.

He sighed and shook his head. Of course, everything was wrong with it. It was transparent for heaven' sake and it was taking him everything not to look at her.

Sighing again, he looked at her face. "I just came back from the office and decided to check on you besides you disappeared last night," he drawled, and her eyes widened as if she remembered something.

"Umm… About last night… I apologize for running off like that." She struggled to find the right words to say. He nodded with a small smile.

"I guess you got tired. All right then, I'll leave you to dress up." He replied and turned to leave but paused after a few steps. "I'll be having guests today. Can you do me a favor by staying in your room during that time, just for today," he rushed to add the last part when she slightly creased her face?

Looking up, she nodded at him, though he could see the questions that swirled in her bright eyes. Nodding as well, he walked away hesitantly.

Rachael closed the door and leaned on it. She placed her hand on her chest and sighed. He was having guests today. She wondered who they might be, for he had to ask her to stay in her room.

Shrugging, she concluded that it must be his business partners and since their marriage was a secret contract, then he was trying to hide her from curious eyes.

---

She was already asleep when she heard a soft knock on the door, but she waved it off with the belief that she was probably dreaming.

The knock came again, and this time she had to force her eyes open.

"Yes?" She called.

The door opened slightly. "Sorry for stopping you, but you have guests," the lady informed. Her expression slowly changed from frown to surprise.

Standing up hastily from the bed, with the sleep long gone, she stared at the lady dumbfounded.

"Guests you said?" She asked to confirm, and the lady nodded at her. "L… Let them in," she stuttered. She thought he was the one who had guests today, so why was she receiving guests as well? What did he fail to tell her?

In the midst of her thoughts, the door was pushed open, and a young man stepped in with a lady trailing behind him. She held two boxes.

"Ahh if it isn't the princess of the day," the man exclaimed as he stretched his arms with a smile. Rachael took in details of the man's appearance. He wore normal clothes, jeans and a plain shirt. He was lean and seemed jovial.

The lady was putting on a knee-length dress with a high neckline as her dark brown hair fell on one side.

"Well well, well, Mr. Ice never told me he got himself a diamond. I, for one, thought he hired me for a job that might end up as a nightmare, but merely looking at you, you don't even look close to a nightmare at all. You look angelic," he continued speaking, but Rachael could barely understand what he was saying at this point.

Was he complimenting her or insulting? She was lost.

"Oh I'm sorry, princess. My name is Henry and right here is my assistant, Denise." He finally introduced.

Rachael smiled back at him. "I'm Rachael."

His smile widened. "Nice to meet you, Rachael. So, I know you must be hella confused right now, but we are here to make you look exquisite for tomorrow's party."

Party? Rachael gasped. She almost forgot about it.

Henry saw the look of horror on her face and laughed. "Oh, don't tell me you forgot," he asked, but when she remained mute, he beamed at her. "Oh come on, baby girl, this party got thousands of ladies excited, and you just forgot about it? Wow, that's interesting," he murmured, rubbing his jaw thoughtfully.

"I thought that it got canceled, actually. He didn't mention it again," she said, and Henry nodded.

"I understand, don't mind me sometimes I get complicated, besides you must be too busy to remember."

Busy? That was another word Rachael was finding weird. If being locked in here means being busy, then she'd proudly raise her chest, but it wasn't that way. She was never busy ever since she got here.

"Come, let's get you ready for tomorrow." He held her hand and led her to a seat.

"Oh dear, there's no dresser in this room. Well, luckily I always come prepared." He said and clapped his hands. The lady stepped out and came back after with something wrapped up, which Rachael concluded that it was a mirror.

"Well, when was the last time you saw your face in a mirror?" He asked, placing his hands on her shoulders.

"Since… I can't remember," she said honestly with a sad voice, and he rubbed her shoulders.

"Well that won't be for long because today is your day, and you'll be transformed from princess of the day to the queen." He clapped again and Rachael could feel the exhaustion that would follow, but yet, she felt excited.

For no reason, but just thinking of having today for herself with these people ready to make her look good was making her heart beat faster with excitement.

"So tell me, Rachael, what's your relationship with Mr. Ice?" He asked after his assistant left to prepare the bath for her.