Frozen Hearts
By- An Unknown Foreign Beauty
Chapter 9- Misunderstandings
The television in the living room was set to the channel 293, The Fox News.
Mysterious disappearance of Sofia Westergard.
The news title moved across the screen, an excited and overdramatic voice accompanied the chaos the station called news visuals. "Sofia Westergard, second wife of the famous businessman Henry Westergard, twelfth heir of The Southern Isles chain of hotels and now in the charge of finance department of the company. She was last seen checking in a hotel with her husband. Police is trying to trace her." A photo appeared on the screen showing a very attractive young woman with long blonde hair, thick and long eyebrows, deep blue eyes and perfectly shaped nose.
Sleepily, Elsa found the remote and turned off the television. They were broadcasting this news since yesterday. It had lost its charm by now. She hugged the pillow close, and closed her eyes. She probably dozed off for a second when the telephone on the bedside table rang, and Elsa picked it up. Last night had been a long one; Elsa realized that she had fallen asleep in the sofa. Her back was stiff, and her neck was aching from sleeping in an uncomfortable position.
"Elsa Kingsley speaking."she said in a tired, sleepy voice.
"Miss Kingsley, this is Gerda Bertillon, your family lawyer. Has Anna Kingsley left for the office already?"
The lawyer sounded so tense and desperate, that Elsa automatically looked over her shoulder to check the sofa beside her only to find it empty. "I'm not sure." She replied.
"I keep her calling since yesterday. She isn't picking up her phone. It is urgent." The anxiety in Gerda's voice was so palpable even over the phone that made Elsa's heart beat faster. Anna said that she had some meeting to attend with the trusty board about some new contract with the Southern Isles Company. The Southern Isles was one of the oldest business partners of Arendelle, so she didn't ask for details. Elsa tried to imagine what sort of urgent matter might have come up. "She was busy with her wedding preparation." She lied. "If it is not confidential I can give her the message as soon as I see her."
"You better hurry, Miss Kingsley. I should have warned you earlier." Elsa sensed something was wrong but she couldn't imagine what it was. But something was telling her, whatever it was; it wasn't in Anna's favor. From her experience of last night, she learned how immature Anna could be. She was still a sensitive child driven by her emotions. If something wrong happened, Elsa knew Anna couldn't handle it well. Her voice trembled when she asked, "What is it? May I know?"
"Yes, you can, Miss Kingsley." Elsa could feel the anxiety that had permeated Gerda's voice, "The trusty board is acting as your sister's regent. Whatever she does the benefit will go to the members of the trusty board."
"What?" the phone dropped from Elsa's hand. No…it couldn't be. Elsa looked around the room wildly, searching for Anna. It was Anna's big day; she was actually taking part in their father's business for the first time. She really didn't want to ruin it. But if the board members really decided to act as their regent, then all the benefit from the project would actually go to the broad members. She wasn't actively involved in business until now, but she could imagine what would happen. She had to stop this before it could happen. For her sister's sake, for her father's sake, for her people's sake, she had to stop Anna from signing the contract under the influence of the trusty board. She climbed the stairs and rushed to Anna's bedroom only to find it empty. She dialed Anna's number, but the phone was switched off.
"Anna," She called desperately, hoping that she was in the bathroom, but it was empty too.
"Young mistress left an hour ago." Elsa whirled around to find the old servant Marvin, standing at the door. He had come here to clean up the room in Anna's absence. "Did she tell you where she was going?" She asked.
"Yes," The servant seemed a bit surprised by the anxiety of the older mistress for the younger one. It was very unusual. "She has some meeting today." He shrugged casually, turning his attention to the clothes lying messily on the floor, "She was really excited about it. She didn't even have her breakfast."
Elsa seemed to freeze, and closed her eyes for a second; then she hurried to the garage to find a car. On her way to the office she continued dialing Anna's number, but it was still switched off. Finally she threw away the phone and crossed her arms over her chest, rubbing the sleeves of her white cotton blouse as if her arms were cold. She knew it would bring another misunderstanding between them even before she could apologize for the previous one. But she had to clear things up before it could happen.
God knew what Anna was doing now.
.
.
.
.
Anna Kingsley busted through the glass revolving door and stalked right past the receptionist's desk. "Miss Kingsley—" the receptionist greeted, but her new employer didn't so much as glance her way. She walked past the art department without saying a word, pressed the button for the elevator, and, when the doors opened, walked inside. Her head felt as if someone had buried an ax in her skull, and the bright fluorescent light above her head made her eyes ache. Wincing, she turned away from the source of the light, and closed her eyes. She rubbed her forehead, trying to ease the headache; the effect of the hangover was still so much that made her feeling sick.
She found Hans waiting for her at the door of the conference room. Even before she could say him good morning, she was caught in his strong arms, and was greeted by a passionate kiss on her lips. They only pulled apart for the need of air, and both of them were breathing heavily.
"My my… You look so stunning today." He grinned, "And you taste so good."
Anna's cheeks flushed. She was not in kissing mood today. But she couldn't but smile hearing his tone. She pushed him away lightly and crossed her arms over her chest. "But what are you doing here? I told you I have an important meeting today."
"And I am accompanying my fiancée there." Hans smiled. There was so much assurance in his voice that Anna began to relax immediately. "But…" She hesitated, looking into his green eyes, "I am afraid, Hans..What if I fail? What if I make Elsa angry again?"
Hans stared worriedly at Anna's still form and stiff shoulders. People might think she was worried about the upcoming meeting but Hans knew what was troubling her. The event of last night was troubling her. He hugged her close, kissed her cheeks, and cupped her face, so that she was looking at him.
"Don't worry. I've talked with Elsa." He gave an assuring smile, "Just give her a little time. She will be alright."
"Thank you." She smiled, nervously, but took his hand without hesitation. The gateman held the door open for the couple and they walked inside.
.
.
.
.
Anna never attended meetings before. Last three years everything was under Mr. Kai's supervision, so she did not have to attend any business meetings. Now Mr. Weselton had to practically quarrel with Mr. Kai to arrange this meeting. She was greeted by Duke Weselton, the head of the trusty board.
"Miss Kingsley." He smiled, and introduced her with a man with thick auburn hair and sideburns. "This is Henry Westergard, our business and project partner. He has shown interest in the project of ice hotel you father proposed before his death."
"Miss Kingsley." Henry Westergard shook Anna's hand, "I guess we shall be great partners."
"Yes, I hope so." Anna replied, gazing at Hans who didn't look so happy to see his older brother. "Hello, little brother." He smiled, looking at Hans, "Do you know my wife has gone missing? Have you seen her?"
"I have nothing to do with her" He muttered under his breath, and smiled looking at Anna, "May I just have a walk outside? I think this meeting must be a confidential one."
Anna wasn't ready to let go Hans so soon, but she understood the reason of his discomfort. Sofia was a sore topic between the brothers, and Hans really didn't want to discuss it now. She pressed his hand gently, and kissed him on cheeks, "Alright. Be quick."
Hans gave her a reassuring nod and left. Anna watched him go, and when he was gone, Henry Westergard walked beside her, and smiled, "Then, Miss Kingsley. May we begin the discussion?"
She had no way but agree.
Anna knew nothing about projects and discussions, nor had she been briefed about it. So she tried to concentrate on what Mr. Westergard said, but soon found it beyond her knowledge. She watched, yawned, and then looked around the board members seated in the room. All of them were watching her expectantly. But Anna could think about one thing, in what she had gotten herself into?
She only wished if Elsa were here too. She couldn't phone her after what happened in last night.
Duke Weselton possibly understood her situation, because he whispered in her ears, "Whatever he says, just sign the papers." Anna found the advice very useful. After twenty minutes of explaining about the project, Mr. Westergard finally presented the papers she needed to sign.
"So, Miss Kingsley." He gazed straight into her eyes, and Anna realized how amazingly his eyes resembled Hans', "Do you agree with us?"
Anna was relieved to know that the meeting was almost ending. "Yes. Of course." She answered gleefully and retrieved the controller's pen to sign the papers. Just when her pen touched the papers on the table, the door behind them busted open and Elsa stormed in.
"Anna…" She was panting from climbing all the stairs to the tenth floor. "Don't sign the papers."
"Miss Kingsley." The board was surprised with the older girl's sudden appearance, so did Duke Weselton.
"Elsa…" Anna was more than confused. She dropped the pen, raised from her chair and rushed near her distressed sister. "What's wrong?"
Elsa gazed into her sister's young hopeful eyes, then back at the men who were trying to take advantage of her naivety. But she really didn't want to offend anyone. So, she walked near her, and took both of Anna's hands, "May I talk to you please? Alone?"
Anna was taken aback by her sister's strange behavior. From behind her, she heard Duke muttering something under his breath, and Mr. Henry Westergard looked clearly offended. She knew her sister's stubbornness was once again ruining not only her reputation but also the image of their company to the foreign partners. So she took a step backwards, and stood firmly beside Mr. Westergard, "No, Elsa. Whatever you have to say, you can say it here."
"ANNA!"
Elsa was surprised by Anna's bluntness, and lack of foresight, but she softened her tone and decided to break her curtsy in public just for Anna's sake, "Fine. You cannot sign a contract without the direct permission from the president of the company."
Duke Weaslton was taken aback by the harsh tone of the always soft spoken older Kingsley, so did rest of the board members. He tried to say something to drive some sense into the head of his would-be employer, but was soon effectively shut up by Elsa's angry glare. She walked near the table, picked up the controller's pen, and put it down back to her purse, "This contract will be discussed later. Now excuse me. I have to go."
She couldn't look at Anna's face; she couldn't see that humiliated look in her eyes anymore. A strange lump was forming her throat, but she couldn't swallow it. She knew how badly she hurt Anna's ego by acting in this way. But she had no other way to stop her. She wrapped her arms around her shaking shoulders and turned to the door. A slight murmur of protest rose among the board members, but she ignored and began walking straight towards the door.
Anna only stood there feeling humiliated and alone. Mr. Westergard walked beside her looking very much offended, "Miss Kingsley, if I knew that you are so incompetent, I'd never be interested to sign a contract with your company."
That was enough for Anna. She gazed at the board members and their irritated face, then at Mr. Westergard and his annoyed glare. It didn't take her much time to understand how much underestimated she was by the people who witnessed her humiliation. She was just proved less competent than her sister. And it made her feeling more and more angry. She looked at her sister's retreating form, and ran towards her.
"Elsa…" Anna cried, practically shaking from the cry she was trying to resist, "Why are you doing this? Why are you humiliating me in every step of my life?" She paused to take another angry breath when her sister ignored her, continued walking.
"Enough, Anna." Elsa wrapped her arms around herself tighter, trying to keep her shuttered self together, and kept heading towards the door. But Anna was not listening. She followed her, yelling louder than before, "Why do you shut me out? Why do you shut the world out? What are you afraid of?"
She ran and caught one of Elsa's hands. Elsa looked at their entwined hands for a second and took a shuddered breath. No, she couldn't do it. She couldn't let her in anymore. She had made her mind. She would give up her position to Anna, and fly back to Norway.
"Let me go, Anna."
So she twisted her hand free from her grasp, sending Anna to the floor.
"Elsa…" Anna hit the floor hard, but still she couldn't believe that her sister could be so cruel. Duke Weselton came to her aid, but she refused. She gazed up at her with fear, as Elsa made her way to the elevator.
.
.
.
.
Elsa practically bumped into Hans as she continued running. Hans was just making his way towards the conference room just having third cup of coffee, making a phone call to a couple of friends and clearing up his head a bit. His meeting with Sofia last night had not gone well, and then she had disappeared, and Henry appeared from nowhere. Things were getting really complicated. He ordered another coffee, he needed to calm down a bit. Through the glass that separated the canteen from the corridor, he saw Elsa Kingsley heading towards the exit. Curiously he picked up his coffee and sandwich, and walked in on her. She was so preoccupied with herself that she didn't noticed Hans as she collided with his chest, literally. They parted soon, but she looked so pale, that Hans wondered if she was alright.
"Coffee?" He asked.
Elsa startled with the sound of his voice, and looked up, a bit puzzled, but she relaxed as soon as she recognized him. He offered her coffee, and Elsa accepted it gratefully. She took a sip from the paper cup. "Thank you." She returned the cup to Hans. "What time is it?" she asked, her voice sounded tense and worried. "11:45 am." Hans looked at his watch and replied, watching Elsa with much concern.
"Oh!" A sigh escaped from Elsa's mouth involuntarily, as she resumed walking. She fell silent once more, and Hans decided to follow her. Her face looked so pale, and her lips seemed so dry that Hans couldn't resist but expressed his concern about her.
"Wait, Elsa." He said, walking faster to decrease the distance between them, "Are you alright?"
His question startled her. Elsa shook her head, and tried to smile, "Oh, yes. I just meet Anna. But it was so…"
The tear shining at the corner of her eyes didn't escape Hans' eyes. "Don't lie to me, Elsa." His voice sounded firm.
Elsa's shoulders drooped under his piercing glance; she turned her face to hide her tears, but it wasn't much effective. Hans moved closer, and rested his hands around her shaking shoulders. Turning her face towards his, he asked, "What's wrong?"
Elsa's hands tightened convulsively behind her back, and Hans saw her bite down hard on her lower lip, reminding him of a distressed mother bird who knows her chick isn't doing well outside the nest. Elsa looked down and shrugged mildly, "I've decided something. And I can't say it."
"Why not?"
"You'd be furious."
"Let's hear it," he ordered.
"Okay, I just learned that the trusty board is acting as Anna's regent. So I stopped her signing a contract with the Southern Isles. But the meeting didn't go well. I quarreled with Anna. And I humiliated her in public. So I've decided to leave for Europe in the next flight."
Hans blinked several times, unable to believe Elsa's words. Henry's plan failed. Great! But she was leaving for Anna. Now, that was a real bad. He gazed at her for a second, and then shook his head, looking pretty furious. "No it can't be." He shook his head impatiently, "You know much shocked Anna would be when she will hear the news. She will be heartbroken. She wanted you to be her maid of honor."
"I know." Elsa said slowly, her eyes were full of tears, "She already hates me. I have just ruined her first day at work. Maybe she will find my crush on you soon. It will ruin her wedding too." Tears rolled from her big blue eyes, as she resumed walking again. "People say I am a bad omen. I better stay away from her."
Hans understood her sufferings, and he was angry with Mr. Kingsley for making her to think like this, but still he knew Elsa had nothing to do with this. He stopped thinking, and walked up silently behind her, "If it is your decision I'll not stop you, Elsa." His voice was warm. "But still I'd say you to give it another chance."
Elsa jumped guiltily, her senses going into instant overload at his nearness. His voice sounded as dark and sultry as the night; he smelled like soap and expensive cologne; he seemed to loom over her—as indomitable and rugged as the mountains in the Texas hill country to the west. "What do you mean by that?"
Moving to a position beside her, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders in a friendly hug and said, "I mean I'd hate to see anything come between you and Anna. The two of you are closer than any natural sisters I've ever known. And I know whatever you're doing is to protect her."
"Thank you." Elsa said, peering at him, trying not to notice that his shirt sleeve was touching her upper arm.
"But whatever you do Anna will always love you. She will really hate you if you leave her." He gazed deep into her eyes. "She will miss you."
Ill at ease with that topic, and unable to think of a different one when he was standing so close, Elsa returned his gaze. "I'm sorry. But I've no other way. I've humiliated her in such a bad way today. I can't meet her anymore."
Despite her philosophical understanding of the situation, Elsa sighed as she watched the white fluorescent light reflecting over the fair column of his neck and gild the hard contour of his perfect jaws and chin, and reflecting on his auburn hair, turning them a shade lighter. She knew she would miss these, and she shouldn't feel like this, shouldn't be emotionally involved with Hans or Anna. She knew her presence would only bring disappointment and unhappiness to Anna's life, and she was willing to take all the risks to stop this from happening.
"I'm so sorry." She whispered.
Hans surveyed her upturned face. It was true that he dated many girls, but he always fancied her. But he was split with his choice among two. Anna was the easy going one, and Elsa always intrigued him, but she was unattainable. And when Elsa was out of the picture after the accident, he decided to choose Anna after his return from Denmark. But when Elsa returned….Hans felt the same fantasies he had for Elsa since his adolescence. And now he was going to lose her forever. When he remembered it, a strange feeling consumed his senses, the feelings he never felt for Anna.
"And possibly I'll miss you too."," he admitted with a slow grin, and cupped Elsa's face in his hands. "Tell me will you not miss me, Elsa? Or Anna?
She still loved him, Elsa realized, and all her fears consumed her again. He was Anna's fiancé. She shouldn't feel in this way. She dropped her gaze from his chocolate eyes to his sensual mouth, and felt her limbs weakening against her will.
"No I will not…" She breathed shakily, wanting to run away, yet unable to move an inch.
"Tell the truth Elsa…" Hans placed his hand along her cheek, caressing her skin gently, "Tell it."
Guiltiness consumed Elsa's heart. She couldn't keep lying to her heart anymore. Yes, she would miss Anna. She would miss Hans. Horribly. Terribly. She wished Anna never invited her here. She wished things were not so complicated. And she wished she had never come here to hurt Anna, to hurt herself. If it hurt her that much, God knew how much she was going to hurt Anna.
.
.
.
.
Anna stared into space for a moment. It didn't make any sense. Elsa was cruel she knew, but she wasn't that cruel to humiliate her in public. She had noticed her behaving strange since she introduced her with Hans. Since the moment she met her fiancé, Elsa seemed to become more cruel, more cold and distant than before. She didn't know what the reason behind it, but she wanted to find it out.
She climbed the giant staircase leading to the exit, and stopped near the last step where she found Elsa and Hans standing together, holding hands. The way she was looking at him, Anna knew it meant only one thing. Suddenly the events of the last night began to make sense- Elsa's awkward reaction towards her and Hans, her sudden outburst in the conference room….
Oh, God why did she not see that earlier?
"Elsa…" the couple was startled by Anna's voice, and whirled around. Elsa looked at her sister's face; her beautiful face was red with anger. "Is that why you shut me out?" Anna made no attempt to hide her anger.
Elsa immediately realized that her sister found out her secret.
"Let me explain." She walked near Anna, with a guilty look in her face. Anna was still shaking with anger.
"No," She shoved Elsa's hands away from her. "Don't touch me Elsa. Is that why you are behaving in that way? Why didn't you tell me earlier? Or you just want to play noble? Or you are just jealous?"
Angry tears rolled from Anna's eyes. Elsa looked helplessly at Hans. Oh, God she really hurt Anna now.
"Listen, Anna." Elsa whispered, wrapping her arms around herself, feeling guiltier than ever, "I'm just wanted to protect you."
"I'm not a child, Elsa." Anna shouted, her eyes were blurred with tears, "And is that how you are protecting me? Shutting me out? Humiliating me in public? Romancing my fiancé in secret?"
"Anna, everything I did there I did for you. They were using you. I tried to protect you. Hans has nothing to do with it. "Elsa said, sounding as meek and bewildered as a child who has been punished for something she didn't do.
The corner of Anna's lips turned up with a wry smile."Playing hero, Elsa? Then how can you explain the way you reacted with Hans? Don't think that I'm an idiot. "
Elsa let out a sigh. Every word Anna said was true. Very true.
Hans moved his gaze from Anna to Elsa. He knew this dispute between the sisters would never end if he hadn't taken the matters in his hands. So he walked beside Anna, placed her arms around her shoulders, and cupped her chin, so that she was looking at him. "Anna, calm down." He whispered. "Elsa just fancies me. But it is over between us long ago."
Anna's eyes widened with his confession. She moved her gaze to Elsa standing at a distance, looking so pale that she would faint anytime. Jealousy and anger consumed her heart. Why didn't she see that earlier? Behind her cold mask, Elsa was doing nothing but pitying her. Her whole life was nothing but a big big pitiful mess.
But she couldn't let that happen anymore. She couldn't live on Elsa's pity. She needed to be free. She needed to free Elsa from her curse. Anna tilted her face and looked at Hans. "I'm sorry Hans." She whispered. "But I think our engagement is over now."
"Anna…" Elsa cried. Oh dear, what she had done? Crashing her sister's marriage? She rushed near Anna to take her hand, and shook it firmly, "What are you doing?" She tried to drive some sense into Anna's thick head. "Are you out of your mind?"
"I don't want your pity, Elsa." Anna said, getting her voice under control and her features into a semblance of their normal expression. "I cannot live like this anymore."
"Anna…" Elsa was both shocked and hurt with Anna's cruel words, but Anna couldn't resist her cry anymore. Fat tears welled up from her eyes, as she gazed into Elsa's eyes and begged, "Not let me be free Elsa. Let me be free from your protection. I need to grow up."
"Anna…." Elsa couldn't resist her tears anymore. She choked as she whispered, "Try to understand…." She grasped her sister's hands tightly and pulled her closer, "I do not pity you…"
"No… I don't trust you." Anna stepped back. Then she freed her hand from hers and ran.
"Anna…" Elsa followed her, but before she could reach her, she slipped over the smooth marble floor. Hans quickly rushed to Elsa's side, only to find her sitting on the steps, looking helplessly at Anna's car wheeling away. Two tears rolled from Elsa's eyes, she didn't wipe them away.
"I'm sorry, Elsa." He whispered softly. Anna was out of their sight already.
"We need to find her. I can't let her go." Elsa said, quickly regaining her posture, and then gazed at Hans. "Will you help me?"
"Of course." Hans nodded and he led Elsa to his car. While Elsa tried to reach Anna over telephone, Hans tried to track Anna's car. Anna's phone kept ringing and ringing, but no one picked it up. Elsa kept looking at the busy traffic, trying to spot any familiar car, but Anna's car was nowhere to be seen. Hans rang the police, Elsa rang home and some of Anna's friends, but she was nowhere to be found.
It was an endless search. Elsa didn't know when she fell asleep with her head on Hans' shoulder. She was so messed with emotions and worries that her brain decided to shut down for a while. She woke up by Hans' firm shaking.
"Elsa, wake up." He said. "We've found Anna."
Elsa jolted back to the reality. She rubbed her eyes, and looked around her anxiously, but her anxiety soon turned into worry when her gaze fell on Hans's face. His expression was grim to death.
"Where?" Her voice shook as she asked him the question.
"There." Hans shifted his gaze to the white, gloomy building in front of them. Elsa followed his gaze, and her heart stopped beating when she recognized the place.
A morgue.
Review? Fave? Follow?
Errors are all mine. Plz consider them nicely.