Beneath the Frost

Chapter 1: Frostbite and Sunshine

The opulent lobby of Frost Industries gleamed like a palace entrance. Daniel Wright, however, felt more like a misplaced jester in a court of ice queens. He tugged at his tie, a foreign constricting feeling around his neck, and tried to calm the frantic hummingbird trapped in his chest.

Landing the position of CEO Ariana Frost's personal assistant was a coup he hadn't anticipated. It wasn't the challenge or the prestige that appealed to him, though.

Ariana Frost, the name itself was a legend in the business world. A synonym for ruthless efficiency and ice-cold demeanor. Daniel had devoured every interview, every article he could find on her, hoping to glean a hint of the woman behind the icy facade. But Ariana Frost remained an enigma, a beautiful, brilliant enigma rumored to have a heart colder than the Alaskan tundra.

His reverie was shattered by the arrival of a statuesque woman, her raven hair pulled back in a tight chignon, her face a mask of cool indifference. Even from a distance, Daniel could feel the aura of power that crackled around her. This was Ariana Frost.

"Mr. Wright?" Her voice was as crisp and cold as a winter wind. "I trust you haven't gotten lost in the grandeur."

Daniel forced a smile, his carefully rehearsed introduction evaporating like smoke. "Lost? In this palace? Never. Though, I wouldn't mind getting knighted by one of those intimidating suits of armor over there." He gestured towards a display of medieval weaponry that seemed oddly out of place in the modern lobby.

A flicker of surprise, or maybe it was annoyance, crossed Ariana's face. "That's a Ming Dynasty vase, Mr. Wright. And try to refrain from such... colorful commentary in the future."

Daniel's smile widened. "Noted, Your Majesty. Though, with all due respect, a little color might not be such a bad thing around here."

Ariana's lips tightened. Clearly, she wasn't used to being challenged, especially by her new assistant who, by all appearances, seemed more suited to be a court jester than a corporate drone. Intrigued despite herself, she decided to test him further.

"So, Mr. Wright," she began, her voice steely, "tell me why I should have chosen you for this position over the dozen other, more... qualified candidates."

Daniel met her gaze unflinchingly. "Because, Ms. Frost," he countered, using her first name in a calculated gamble, "sometimes the best person for the job isn't the most predictable one. I can assure you, I may not be what you expect, but I'm exactly what you need."

The audacity of the statement had Ariana raising an eyebrow. This wasn't how these interviews usually went. Candidates usually approached her with reverence, bordering on fear. Daniel, however, exuded an unshakable confidence that was both refreshing and irritating.

"And what exactly is that?" she inquired, a hint of amusement creeping into her voice.

"Someone to keep you grounded," Daniel replied with a wink. "Someone to remind you that the world isn't all spreadsheets and board meetings. Someone to bring a little sunshine into this frostbite of a building."

Ariana's amusement vanished. Sunshine was the last thing she needed or wanted. The carefully constructed walls around her heart had been built with years of betrayal, and she had no intention of letting anyone tear them down.

"Mr. Wright," she said, her voice colder than ever, "my world is precisely how I like it. Efficient, predictable, and devoid of... sunshine."

Daniel held her gaze for a long moment, then a slow smile spread across his face. "Well, Ms. Frost," he said, his voice warm and sincere, "that's where I come in. Because let me tell you, a little sunshine can go a long way in melting even the thickest ice."

——————————————Authors Note———————————-

A gentle reminder that English isn't my first language and maybe writing can be way more formal than a casual one. Please bear it with me guys.

So, this is first meeting between the main leads and honestly I didn't have any idea on how to start this story.

Sorry if I disappointed you all but in future I will try to write more neatly and precisely

Thank you in advance for reading this story and if you have any suggestions to change anything here feel free to share your ideas.

Please vote this story and share too.

Love you all

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