Chapter 6 - Ice Director

Monday morning, with the sun peeking through the curtains of the room, an alarm went off, breaking the silence. October winced at the sound as she slowly woke up from her slumber. She opened her eyes and stifled a yawn. She then turned to her alarm clock to see that it was already 6 AM. She slowly got up from her bed with eyes still half closed, nightdress in a mess, which was crumpled and folded up her thighs that glistened from the light of the sun. Her hair was disheveled and sticking all over the place, but it still didn’t diminish her beauty one bit. Instead, it only added to her silent allure. Rubbing her eyes and running a hand through her hair, she reached to turn off her alarm and checked her phone, but, as always, there was none. She got up, fixed her bed, and then went to the bathroom to freshen up. Already awoken, her eyes were now clear but almost lifeless. She went to her cabinet and chose her usual business attire; that is, a white shirt with 2 unbuttoned buttons tucked into her black pencil skirt 2 inches above her knees, making her figure more apparent. She also then put her signature bun clean without any stray strands. Just like this, her everyday routine was already engraved from her body to her very soul. It was monotonous. The view from her eyes was dull, but at least she felt at peace inside. She looked at herself in her full-length mirror and thought that she looked plain and boring. No wonder no one’s gotten interested in her. She mocked herself. Just then, a fleeting memory of Lexus’ face passed through her mind, making her frown with deep creases between her brows. She was annoyed that she had to remember that dangerous man with his ocean eyes staring at her early in the morning. What’s more was that her heart would unknowingly leap at just the thought of him. She looked away from the mirror while shaking her head. She looked at her watch on her wrist, showing that it was already 6:45 AM. She immediately grabbed her things and suit jacket and went down to make her way into her car. Tossing her bag and some documents into the passenger seat, she swiftly moved into the other side and sat in the driver’s seat. While driving, she glanced above the sky to see that the sun was covered by dark clouds. She remembered that it was still sunny when she woke up, but now, it isn’t. She thought that today’s weather was just like how her life was before. Happy and bright during childhood, but bleak during adulthood. Her grip on the stirring wheel tightened as she remembered her past. She then took a deep breath to compose herself. It’s ridiculous to reminisce. She has already left. October stopped by the café shop called The Café to grab something light to eat and coffee. After that, she went straight to the company. After a while of driving and crossing roads and highways for a good 30 minutes, October finally arrived at the company she’s working for, Halo Company. A company that was founded 40 years ago by a man with a mind that seems like it was made for business alone. He was fierce, ruthless, smart, cunning, but righteous in his way, making the business world call him the "Legend." Although known, his name and face were never published in the media or leaked by the company itself. This shows that its power is not to be trifled with. Why he didn’t go public, no one knows. That being said, October admired this legendary man whom she had heard from her grandfather when she was still young. And now, she’s working in his company. Stopping her car at her designated parking area, she grabbed her things with one hand and the other on her coffee, and got out of the car. Neat and proper, with her back straight, she strutted into the building. When she stepped into the building, all employees turned to look at her, and they greeted her, "Good morning, Assistant Director." She was always composed, oozing with her unique cold presence, but not to the point of making the employees shiver or freeze. "Good morning," she replied with her even tone as she slightly nodded at them. When she walked passed them, the employees would always smell something minty or of pine tree scent with a hint of a fragrance of a flower. It was refreshing and sweet at the same time. "Good morning, Ms Park." Her secretary, Yun Xixi, greeted her while reaching for the documents that she was holding. "Morning, Xixi." She replied as she handed her things to her secretary. After that, she continued walking toward the elevator exclusive for employees of higher rank, except for the CEO, who has a separate elevator exclusive for his use. The employees looked at their director with respect and adoration. She’s young, hardworking, smart, and beautiful to boot. She has the skills to have the right to compete with all the senior staff. Though she looks stern and lacks emotions, she’s still good at attracting people under her in her way. Women idolize her, but the men are infatuated with her. Although almost all the single employees liked her, no one dared or had the guts to ask her out because they thought that she was out of their reach, a person whom they treated as a perfect woman. No wonder October is still single, making her conclude that she’s unattractive. Lanna October Park is the Assistant Director of the Marketing and Promotions Department, the person who they call the "Ice Director" of Halo Company. That being said, the person in question doesn’t know that she’s been looked at by her colleagues as a person worthy of being an inspiration, a role model they want to follow. "Hey, don’t you think that Assistant Director Park is somewhat familiar?" An employee whispered to the person next to her. "Well, of course. She is our stunning director after all. We are familiar with her." The employee answered, looking at her friend weirdly. "No, what I mean is that..." The employee tilted her head, wanting to remember. "...on TV?" "Oh. Now that you mention it." Another employee joined in on their gossip. "I think it was...the news...no no way." She gasped in shock and looked at October with scrutinizing eyes. "What?" "Remember that heiress who got involved with a scandal last Saturday?!" Her voice was whispered to the other two. After listening, both their eyes snapped to turn to October, who was waiting for the elevator to open. October heard her name mentioned in their whispering, but she just shrugged it off, knowing that there’s nothing she can do to stop it, nor can she avoid all the controversies coming her way now that her stepmother has successfully put dirt on her. They can gossip all they want, as long as it won’t affect the progress and quality of their work. With that in her mind, she took a quick peek at the 3 employees before she entered the elevator, still emotionless and composed like she didn’t hear anything, but her secretary glared at the gossiping girls before following her boss inside the lift. October thought for the worst, but then got confused at the twinkling eyes of the employees directed at her. Xixi was also baffled. The employees who were gossiping had their eyes glistening in adoration. They thought that such a woman equipped with beauty and charisma was, as such, a person who had a good background. They were now more idolizing their Ice Director. The talk about that scandal was instantly thrown to the back of their minds because for them, such a scandal is just a scandal. It can happen to anybody. So it was just trash for them.