"I can give her no greater power than she has already... don't you see how strong that is?"- Hans Christian Andersen, The Snow Queen (OG frozen)

Past

"What the hell is this Avie?!" Her mother's shrill voice rung through the large hall. She cringed, her fearful eyes slowly meeting that of her mom's identical ones.

"Why the hell did you refuse to let your brother play with you?"

"I-" She flinched as she stared into her younger brother's tearful eyes that stared up at her in silent accusation, "I just wanted some time by myself-"

"I didn't raise you to be a selfish bitch, Avie," The insult cut deep through her skin, excoriating and painful. She blinked slowly, the venom seeping from every word of her mother poured into her pores, "You are just a kid, do what kids do! Let your brother play!"

"But ma, he was the one who refused me when I wanted to see his toys!" She complained, desperately hoping that her ma would understand her perspective, "I just-"

"Avie!" Her mom reprimanded her, the seven year old visibly cowering in front of her mother, "You are the oldest one! You have to be the generous one. He is your little brother, he may throw a tantrum once in a while but you should be responsible and kind!"

A small question arose in her mind. Even in her childish brain, she could distinguish the unfair mantle of responsibility that was being put on her. Then and there, as the soft luster of the chandelier illuminated a stranger glow over her mom's face and turned her into a stranger she didn't recognize, she decided that she disliked it.

"Why should I?" She protested, "Why should I be responsible and kind? Why can't you scold him? You never say anything to him! Why is it always me?"

"Because you are old enough now! You know that you have a brother! You have to share things with him! You were blessed with a young one, so that you can play with him and love him! Do you not like it?"

"What if I don't like him?!" She screamed, begging to be heard. Her eyes grew blurrier, a faint throb pounding at the corner of her eyes. Her small limbs shook violently, partially from the rage, partially from the role that was put upon her, "What if I don't want to?! I am a human, you are my mother too! Why do I have to give up my things-"

Her head snapped back with so much force that she fell on to the ground. Shock came first, the pain registered afterwards, slowly. She realised that she could no longer hear in one of her ears. Was it normal? She questioned herself, did her mom deafen her?

"I didn't raise you to be a mannerless, violent woman!" Her mother hissed, "You don't act jealous under MY roof, do you hear me? When did you become so disobedient? Have you ever thought how that may affect your brother?"

She stared at her mother in shock. She did not understand how demanding for a simple answer turned her into a 'mannerless' child in her mother's eyes or why she was punished, over something as insignificant as not sharing her toys. At the tender age of four the damning responsibility of having a younger brother had dawned upon her, she had neither asked nor wished for her things to be shared. 

Like all young children, Avyanna did not like sharing her toys and the thought that her brother was not obliged to share his toys but she was duty-bound to do so angered her to no end.

"I am sorry ma," She whispered, grabbing her toy and shoving it in her brother's hand forcefully, the small child of three did not understand what transpired but the fact his older sister was unhappy, pained him.

"I hope you get out of my life," She whispered as she ran out of the room, tears clinging to her lashes, "Get out of my life."

Secretly, Avyanna had wished him death but she was not courageous enough to voice her thoughts as she loved her brother but hated him at the same time.

She hated her mother even more.

________________________________

Roman's POV:

The ride to the magnificent manor was incredibly silent except for Azure's insistent croons and whimpers.

Silence, as it seemed was golden indeed as it veiled what was not conveyed out loud. It was loud. We found that, easier to dwell on silence than addressing what had transpired as it would not beget any other explanation.

"I hope everything is to your liking?" Her voice was quiet, dare I interpret it as lubricious, after the prolonged quiescence. She took a great interest in observing her nails as we stood at the doorway of the guest room, often lifting her eyes only to steal a glance or two at the tiny kitten napping peacefully on my lap.

The entire manor had been nothing less than an extravaganza, and the room was nothing less. I barely refrained myself from gasping out loud. This whole room was bigger than my apartment! I marveled at the high and beautiful walls intricate in many ornate design. "It is wonderful, Ms. Mikhail. Thank you."

"Let the help know if you need anything," She uttered as side eyed Azure, "And bring the cat out later, understood? Here-"

She dumped a bag on my hand, still avoiding my gaze skillfully, "It has some essentials you may need. Goodnight."

I watched as she took a step to the door, that confident feline-like precision in her strides. It was not seductive or haughty. It was a walk of someone who knew what she wanted and how to achieve it. 

She had a heart of stone-cold, hot-headed, absolutely ruthless and prideful. She hated small talks, all business. She wore a mask of quiescence and serenity until she had to speak.

I realised that she was a split image of Mr. Mikhail who was fighting for his life in the ICU.

Yet she walked like she had no fear of it. Like a machine with a mechanical heart.

Makes me wonder what made her so harsh?

She was only 22 yet with so many responsibilities. At 22, I wasn't worrying about my chronically ill father nor a multi-billion dollar company. I didn't live a stress free life but my worries didn't come close to hers.

Does she feel pain like the rest of us or has she numbed herself to the point she is frozen?

Azure meowed from my hand, purring cutely. I patted his head, letting out a sigh and walking inside.

Looking at Ms. Mikhail and dreaming about her would be like looking at the moon laying on a rag; unrealistic and laughable.

Instead, I forced myself to focus on the magnificent room. It had an open wall as a window, the vast green lawn could be seen easily. The impending dusk colored the sky in purple and red. Streetlights following the small brick road were lit up. A large, white and grey king size bed and a chandelier hanging from the top.

My mouth parted in surprise as I took in the huge mirror on the ceiling.

Rich people things I guess.

This room was so immaculate and vast, it almost made me uncomfortable. A huge painting decorated the front wall, curtains made out of silk- it was the kind of luxury I only dreamt of having.

"Well buddy, she stocked some treats for you," I placed Azure in front of the huge bag of treats. It was at least a month of kitten food.

He recognized the bright yellow packet immediately and did his little happy dance, pawing at the plastic bag.

"You're such a spoiled cat," I huffed, "Don't wander off, stay here," I gave him the stink eye, which he blissfully ignored, "I mean it or no treats."

"Meow?" He looked up at me with his bright blue eyes, wagging his tail, his whiskers standing at attention. 

I dressed myself quickly, running my hand through my damp hair. Azure ran around the room, probably happy that he got a huge space to play in.

The sound of footsteps revealed a short, tubby woman behind the door, red faced as she ran her eyes all over me

"Mr. Carlisle! Madam said... she.. wants to have dinner with you," The poor woman stumbled over her words.

I nodded, plastering an easy smile, "Please don't be hesitant around me. I promise I am a good person," I smiled.

She relaxed visibly, a small smile of her own lighting her face up, "Sure, thank you. I work in evening shifts, I am actually a college student. Ms. Mikhail was kind enough to offer me this job. I am Chrissy."

"Oh that's amazing! What are you majoring in?" I leaned against the door, genuinely interested. She seemed like a sophisticated girl.

"Peace and Conflict studies! How about you? What did you major in?"

"Oh I did Data Analysis and Software Engineering. You know in my college days-"

"Is this what I asked you to convey, Chrissy?" Her voice chilled me to my bones. I looked up to find my boss standing there in her silk robe. Her short hair was damp, her skin free of any makeup.

A lump lodged in my throat as I willed every fibre of my body to look away. The silk robe moulded around her like a vice, emphasizing every contour of her body. I could make out the outlines of her pear-like body, her handful of breasts.

I am a gentleman. Gentlemen do not harbour illicit thoughts about their bosses.

Don't be a creep.

"I am sorry mam," Chrissy mumbled, mouthing a small "Bye" and running along her way.

She watched her with hawk eyes and then walked over to me.

I gulped, looking down as she took long strides toward me. She was tall for a woman.

"You are supposed to help me work, not flirt with my maid."

My eyes widened, "No! I promise I wasn't! I was just asking her what she was studying-"

"Mr. Carlisle," She leaned closer, so much that I could smell her floral perfume. It was fitting for her, so much so that I resisted the urge to take a sniff of it. I cleared my throat, taking a step back.

"Roman," her voice had the viscousity of honey. Her breath fanned my chin and something twisted in me, something primal. Something urged me to grab her and kiss the hell out of her plump lips.

I AM A GENTLEMAN.

I risked a nervous glance at her face. She was so close that I could see the small blemishes on her skin, the dark circle under her eyes. She had been working twice as hard, and it showed on her face.

Her small imperfections only made her seem more humane. Maybe, maybe she too, had a heart that beat for everyone underneath all that rust. My heart pounded frantically, I could hear the sound of my blood coursing through my veins. My mouth felt dry, like I was parched.

I. AM. A. MOTHERFUCKIN. GENTLEMAN.

"I know flirting when I see it," She whispered slowly. Her index finger poked at my chest, "And you are the master of it. For your own good, stop smiling at everyone."

My breaths quickened as she slowly dragged the finger upwards, stopping just under my neck. For a moment, I let myself get lost into her cold eyes, rich pools of warm ambers, surrounded by thick dark lashes.

"Because not everyone is as detached as you," She clenched her jaw, glaring at me and looking nothing less than a feline, "People catch feelings."

Detached? 

Hold on-

She withdrew, leaving the remnant of her scent in my senses. I breathed heavily, trying to collect my wit. Even at the small proximation, my nerves were frazzled.

"Follow me," She turned around, the silk of her white gown flowed around her like a waterfall as she walked over to the left wing.

I glanced at Azure who was playing with a yarn ball and locked the door so that he wouldn't get himself in trouble, following her.

The sound of her shoes echoed through the vast hallway. A huge painting was hung on the wall beside. I recognized Mr. Mikhail immediately, he was quite younger, the ever present smile on his face. A beautiful woman stood beside him with a cold but beautiful smile. A small girl in a blue frock stood at the centre, a huge smile on her face- so bright it almost resembled a sun.

Avyanna.

The ice queen once smiled so pretty that it resembled scintillating light.

"Mr. Carlisle?" Her voice snapped me out of my reverie. She stood in front of her study room, glaring at me, "If you are done staring at Mrs. Mikhail, let's get some work done."

The study was a big, sophisticated Victorian style room. It had a small fireplace, a sofa beside it. A giant oak desk sat at a corner, and a wall full of books. Papers on a stack of papers, everything was sprawled across the small table in front of the sofa.

"Did you have coffee?" She asked, pouring herself a mug from her thermos flask and taking a sip.

"Yes mam."

"Good," She turned around, opening the curtain. It was night, but I could see the grey clouds looming over, hiding the moon, "I expect you to accompany me the whole night and not fall asleep."

Damn okay.

I nodded, sitting myself on the sofa and grabbing the fresh stack of paper, making margins for note-writing.

"Leave it," She grumbled, looking extra pissed for some reason, "Waste of time. Revise this instead..." She walked over, handing me a stack of paper.

"Identify the module errors and mark them," She sat herself at the furthest corner of the sofa, "And write your ideas. I will revise this plan."

I side eyed her as she tucked her feet, a frown etching on her brows.

Her hair was tied in a small bun. A strand or two escaped and shadowed her forehead as she concentrated on the blueprint, her lascivious lip was a captive between her teeth as she scribbled something furiously. The golden glow from the fire made her skin shine, like a goddess ascending her throne.

The girl in the picture from earlier melted in my mind. 

"Are you in a bad mood, mam?" I asked mindlessly.

Her eyes narrowed, brows furrowing further, "What?"

"Are you in a bad-"

She rolled her eyes, going back to her scripture, "My workers snitched on me and sold my idea to my rival, I have to do a month's worth of project in ONE week, stay up late and deal with other businesses- all while having my dad in the hospital in fucking life support. I'm jolly as the fucking santa claus."

I smiled, "Sometimes, life likes to throw snowballs at our ways," She looked at me, assessing me like I was the most annoying thing ever, "We have to melt that with our warmth."

"You're so fucking corny," She rolled her eyes, "Keep these bullshit away from me, Roman and get back to work."

"Have you ever thought, maybe," I continued, despite her glare, "Just maybe, "if I smiled a bit more, it would feel lighter" or "I will show my middle finger to luck and continue smiling anyway"?

"Okay," She straightened, meeting my eyes, "Tell me how it will benefit me?"

"You will have more people that like to be in your company, for one," She rolled her eyes so hard, I feared it would have fallen from the socket, "That's only one, wait."

She crossed her arms, glaring at me.

"You will feel like a winner even if you aren't," I gave her one of my signature smiles, one that was tested and proven to capture everyone's heart regardless of age and gender, "I have so many things to worry about yet I am smiling. It is my win against fate. No matter how bad my day was, it couldn't make me feel an ounce of pessimism."

"But you are putting on a pretence," She commented, "Why put a mask on our faces even when we are tired of everything?"

"Because smiling and laughing, being joyous; these are the traits of the victors. It will give you so much more at the cost of nothing."

"So you are a psychologist now?" She narrowed her eyes, "I can achieve all of those without putting on a mask and pretending to like people."

"No one asked you to like people," I shrugged, "It will make you feel good, just give it a try."

She rolled her eyes again, "Go back to work, Mr. Carlisle or I will fire you."

"Geez, okay fine," I shook my head, side eyeing her, "You are like a mixture of a robot and a thousand year old lady."

"Did you just call me a thousand year old lady?" She snapped, looking the epitome of irritation.

"Yes," My heart fluttered, doubt crawling within me. It wasn't a good idea to push her but I decided to do it anyway. It was extremely fun nagging her.

"Mr. Carlisle I still hold your job in my hands."

"I know," I breathed, "Think about it logically. I am trying to make you feel better and if you feel better you will work better."

No, I am just a stubborn bastard trying to find that small girl in the frozen woman in front of me.

"Look, we have only a little amount of time and so much work to do," She pressed at the side of her temple, "Just go back to work."

Just like that, silence pertained between us again. The watery cold breeze hit me in the face as I looked back. Sure enough, the clouds grumbled; an impending storm lurked over.

I sighed, getting up and walking over to the window, closing it.

Ms. Mikhail assessed me like a hawk as I sat myself down. "What?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Are you always this annoying or just feeling extra special this evening? Stop moving for fuck's sake! I cannot concentrate."

A laugh bubbled out of me, the earlier tension draining from my body. I am sure she was on the verge of firing me but this was pure comedy gold.

"I am afraid it's a daily thing," I laughed, "I am sorry."

"How do you always remain so happy?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It is simple," I muttered, "Just say fuck it and be happy."

"Well I could use some of that optimism right now. Good for you that you can pretend to be blissfully ignorant," She looked more defeated than ever, the thousand year old lady resurfacing on her face.

"Life is full of shit," I shrugged, "You have to make the best out of any situation."

"Good to hear that," She nodded, "Remain positive for both of us."

"Someone has to remain young and not turn into an old lady," I joked, hoping to lighten the atmosphere.

"Oh god!" She groaned, "You talk way too much. Is this how you get every single client to like you?"

"I am afraid it is my unavoidable charm," I mused, "You should be proud of me."

She shook her head, "Get back to work."

After working for a couple of hours relentlessly, as the clock hit 12 AM we took a small break.

"You have some interesting ideas," She observed, revising the scripts, "Very creative although some will be time consuming."

"Thank you," I smiled, taking a small sip from the coffee.

"Feel tired yet?" She queried.

"Nah, I am fine," I shrugged, "Although you seem more relaxed."

"We got more done than I anticipated," She smirked, "We will finish it in two days at this rate. Good job."

My eyes wandered over to the glass wall. A lightning bolt of thunder, a spark in the cloud.

"It is going to rain soon," I observed.

She stiffened.

"Are you afraid of it?" I questioned, concern burrowing in me.

"No," She gave me a look, her voice calm, "Do I look like someone who would fear something like rain? Don't make me laugh."

"I don't think I can," I mumbled, only to earn her glare.

A thunder resonated loudly, before the heavy droplets started hitting the glass pane. Avyanna took a quick glance, "Where is the cat?"

"He is in my room. The windows and doors are locked, don't worry."

"Okay," She breathed, "Still check up on him if you are unsure."

"He is probably sleeping," I smiled, "You are so affectionate to him."

She narrowed her eyes, "I am not. He is a cat and I just-" She went silent abruptly.

"You just?" I scooted closer. Melancholy swirled in her hazel eyes. For the first time in a week of meeting this woman, I found her to be distraught.

A loud sigh escaped her, "I once had a kitten I guess."

My mouth went agape as I stared at her in shock, "You guess?"

"Don't give me that look," She rolled her eyes.

"Now now," I raised an eyebrow, "What happened?"

"He died," She uttered, her face an empty canvas. It was chill-invoking. I knew if something happened to Azure, it would break me into pieces. My heart twisted, agony boiling in my stomach. I didn't want to visit that imagination, ever.

"He... never mind," She stood up abruptly, glaring at the wall, "I am going to get some snacks and we will proceed."

What the fuck? She can't just say that she had a kitten and leave like that!

"Wait!" I grabbed her hand impulsively, making her look back at me in shock.

And suddenly, a loud crash of thunder resonated nearby, causing the electricity to go off.

Ms. Mikhail grabbed my hand back, I could feel its tremor and the frantic pumping of her blood.

"W-What happened? Why did the electricity go off?" Her voice was meek and small. It twisted something in me.

"I should check," I released her hand but she grabbed mine back, capturing me in a vice grip.

"Fucking stay where you are!" I cursed as she growled like a demon, "Let me grab my phone."

She rummaged through the table and got a hold of it, turning the flashlight on and shining it directly over my eyes.

"You will make me blind!" I cried out, covering my eyes.

"Stop being dramatic," The sound of her harsh breaths resonated loudly in my ear, "Let me call the guard."

She took a seat beside me, her floral smell invading my senses. I tried not to focus on the warmth that radiated from her.

"What happened?" She grunted into the phone. A moment of silence pertained before she grunted an "Okay" and hung up.

"Our electricity pole was hit by the thunder and overheated. It will take a while for them to repair it."

___________________

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{Edited}

Unfortunately, this is midterm week guys :') I will still try my best to update every day.

And the chapters are longer ;)