Chapter 155 - A Love That Is Too Big

Marcellus felt like soaring after hearing Winter's confession. 

Surely, she still doesn't know how much he loves her. That should've been his line. 

With a smile, he let out a sigh before leaning closer to her and kissing her on the forehead - then on her nose, cheeks, and lips. She sighs to herself, blushing. As he looks down at her again, she immediately turns away and hides underneath the blanket to hide her flushed face. 

"You're really something else, Winter…" he said, standing up from his bed before putting his hands on its side and inching his face closer to hers, their eyes locked at each other.

"Thank you for those words. Those mean the whole world to me."

Winter sat up and gave Marcellus a pout. 

Her cheeks are already hot enough as they are. She really didn't need him to make it worse. Still, she loves the way he says those sweet, kind words to her. He sure knows how to make her feel special. 

She snapped out of her thoughts when her stomach suddenly grumbled - a bit too loudly for her own liking. 

"So, uhhhh…" Winter blurted out, a bit embarrassed.

"Maybe I'll get something to eat?"

"You're crazy if you think I'm gonna let you get up…" Marcellus muttered, standing up straight and crossing his arms. 

"You had a fever last night. If it wasn't for the medicine that Ms. Miller and the others brought, your condition wouldn't have gotten better. I'm not gonna let you risk it."

"Huh? Ms. Violet came by?" 

"Yeah, she came with Mr. Ratri and Ms. Smith. They brought a whole bunch of stuff, and I think Ms. Miller even cooked some sort of homemade soup for you. Your friends from school also wanted to see you, according to Sir Agreste, but we told them that they could just come once you're awake."

Touched to know that many people are worried about her, she can't help but feel very grateful. She'll have to return the favor to them one of these days, but for now, she'll have to stop troubling them. 

"Well, I'm feeling much better now. So, I'll go eat some of that soup, and then maybe, I'll start on some paperwork from the company. I have to study for our midterm exams, too-"

"Wait, what're you saying? You're not going to do no paperwork…" he cut her off, shooting her an incredulous look.

"You don't have to worry about studying too because you're not going to school tomorrow. What if your fever comes back? That'll just make you do worse! You have to stay put and rest."

The way Marcellus told her to rest made him sound like a strict guardian. Very similar to how August does it. Winter appreciates his concern - glad that she has someone like him to take care of her. 

However, she can't let them continue to do all the work. Contrary to what everyone's probably expecting, she's fine now. 

"Marcellus, I'm feeling much better..." she reassured him once more, smiling. 

"You're worrying too much. I'll be okay. I promise."

"Don't be stubborn. Just let me take care of you…" he grumbled, acting stubborn himself, which made her pull out her most effective persuasion techniques – her sparkly, doll-like eyes. 

"Ughhh…. Okay. Fine. If that's what you want, I guess I can't stop you. Wait here while I go get you something to eat."

Winter nodded and watched Marcellus leave in silence. 

---

Marcellus was relieved that it only took a day for Winter to wake up.

He thought it would be worse, considering that she almost died back there. The condition he found her in was so bad that he put aside everything else just to wait for her to open her eyes again. He refused to leave her side, and for what seemed like an eternity, he sat there next to her bed, watching her sleep and breathe away. 

The only times Marcellus did leave was when August took his turn to watch over Winter and when Harold demanded his presence in his office.

"I'm pretty sure that Grandpa and Grandma ordered him to do that so they could hog Winter all to themselves," he deadpanned. 

Soon, Marcellus returned with the soup that Violet made - only to find Winter sitting on her bed, already surrounded by a whole load of paperwork. 

Now, he's starting to regret letting her do this. She looks quite eager to get started. He shook his head to himself as he stepped inside the room.

"Okay. Let's begin," Winter enthused.

"Shouldn't you eat for now? Aren't you hungry…?" Marcellus chimed, holding up the tray. 

"I think you should put the papers aside and fill your stomach first."

To his surprise, she nodded and reached her hands out to take the tray from him. She then placed it on top of the dresser before turning back to him and saying, "I'll eat and work at the same time."

If that was her answer, Marcellus knew that she was probably going to end up forgetting it.

Winter took a document from the pile and began to read.  In a matter of seconds, she seemed to be in another world, only focusing on her work. He watches her with a frown as he leans his body against the dresser. 

Marcellus then turns to look at the soup. If Winter lets it sit there any longer, it will get cold.

Without saying anything, he picks up the bowl and sits down next to her. He scoops a spoonful of broth and holds it out to her. 

"Here, Winter. Open wide."

"Huh? But I can eat on my own."

He ignores her and continues to hold out the spoon, waiting for her to just give up. She just stares back at him until she realizes that her cheeks are slowly heating up. When she finally decided to open her mouth, he can't keep himself from smiling in triumph. 

"See…?" Marcellus started, smirking. 

"Was that so hard? You should let me spoil you every once in a while, especially right now that you're sick."

"I already feel okay, though, and I'm not really sick. My fever's long gone…" Winter reasoned out.

"You really don't need to feed me." 

She pouted, looking back down to her papers, but when she saw him get another spoonful of broth, she grunted and opened her mouth. She ate it slowly, savoring the soup carefully. 

"Don't expect me to let you do this every day."

Sometimes, Marcellus feels that his love for Winter is too big for him to carry.

He'll do everything and anything for her. In the past, not once did he ever do something like this. Now that he thought about it, before she came, he never did anything mushy with anyone since it always seemed lame and pointless to him. Back then, any affectionate gestures held no meaning – just purposes. He did it to those he dated before in order to get close to them and nothing else. 

'Right now, though, I guess I'm even fine with becoming her servant. Just what did love do to me? I can never understand,' he thought. 

Marcellus continued to feed her. Every time Winter would open her mouth, a blush would form on her face, and he couldn't help but think how cute it was. 

They continued like this until she finished it all.

"Thank you, Marcellus. This kind of reminds me of the time I took care of you. It wasn't that long ago. We're even now, I think," she giggled. 

Marcellus didn't respond, too caught up in Winter's melodious laughter and beautiful smile.

Instead, he leaned close to her again and encased the sides of her face with both of his hands, brushing his thumbs against them, caressing her cheeks. It seems that it's getting more and more frequent - his impulses would take over him and make him want to do things that he didn't plan. 

As he continues to stare into her eyes, he finds himself slowly running out of breath.

"Winter," he whispered as he threatened to give her another kiss. 

Marcellus didn't know how much he could take anymore. Whenever he's with Winter, he always controls himself, but now that they're alone together, he doesn't know if he can still resist her. 

"Winter."

Drawing closer and closer, Marcellus ended up cornering her with the bed and getting on top of her. Winter looks up at him in puzzlement, a shaky, nervous smile spreading on her face. 

He can hear a heart pounding loudly, but he doesn't know if it's hers or his. 

"M-Marcellus? W-What are you doing?" 

He didn't answer her question - he couldn't since his lips were already placed on hers. He begins kissing her, eager and passionate, not bothering to ask her for permission. In each passing second, he would deepen it and go further. Then, before he knew it, he's already pinning her down on the bed. 

Still, she wasn't protesting. She's slowly kissing him back and burying her hands on his hair. If she's willing to go along with it, then he wouldn't stop. She's too irresistible, and he wants her - so, so much. 

Marcellus wants Winter more than anything in the world.