Chapter 49 - Women Treat Men Too

Winter meant well when she said that she wanted Marcellus to fall for once.

That way, he wouldn't go around breaking hearts anymore. Even if he's only being a playboy for a whole different reason from a typical playboy, he'll definitely quit that once he finds someone he truly cherishes. He'll resort to other means instead because he'll be loyal to his beloved. What's more, he'll most probably change for the better.

With all that said, she does mean well. But then, for some reason, he turns back to being serious, which isn't really the reaction she's expecting.

"Say, Ms. Agreste..." Marcellus called out in a low, weak tone, confusing Winter for a little.

"What exactly do you mean by falling for someone? How would you even know that you did?"

Now, that's quite a problem.

She stiffened as soon as he asked that. Despite all that big talk she did, she herself had no idea what it felt like to be in love. She used to crave for attention and affection back then, but because she never ended up receiving those things no matter how much she worked herself to death, she lost her faith in love. 

But for his sake, she had to try to believe in it once again at the very least.

"W-Well, ummm... What it means to be in love, huh...?" Winter started and tried to stay in her composure, thinking of filling in the role of some love counselor.

"It's kind of hard to explain, especially since there are many ways a person can fall in love. There are the signs, though. But you're the only one who can notice them and understand what they mean. You also probably wouldn't get the reason why you fell in love in the first place. You'll just know that you did when it happened."

She doubted that someone like Marcellus would take such a petty advice seriously, but at the very least, she did try. 

Yet despite her effort, she didn't get to receive any response. He remained silent until then. And it's somehow getting on her nerves. She doesn't know if he's already bursting out in laughter and making fun of her inside his head. Then again, her advice does really sound petty.

"Oh, who am I kidding? Of course, you'll know better compared to me..." Winter then began ranting, feeling both frustrated and mortified.

"I haven't even experienced crushing on anyone before."

"Huh? You haven't?" Marcellus blurted out, taken aback.

"Yeah, I haven't. Now, take pity on me all you want."

"I don't really find that pitiful, though."

Again, she doubts that.

Her lack of experience wouldn't really be making her feel all timid and meek if she wouldn't compare it to his. With all the women he took on dates and got to know, she found it impossible that he would not have a clue or two about what love was supposed to be all about. Between the two of them, he would have more ideas.

"So, then... If you haven't had a crush on anyone before..." he then added out of nowhere, suddenly straying away from the main topic.

"Does that also mean you never had a boyfriend too?"

"No, I never had such a thing," she replied with a flat look.

Winter did have a husband, though.

But of course, she would not say that. 

Besides, Marcellus already seems to be satisfied by her answer. He didn't stay unresponsive this time. Instead, he smiled a beaming smile. She's not certain whether he's being sarcastic with that or he only had nothing to say. But because he didn't try to tease her, she just decided to let him off the hook.

"Anyway, are we finished now? Can we go and eat somewhere? I'm starting to get hungry," she continued before she turned back around and entered the dressing room again, leaving him out there to change back in her school uniform.

"Yeah. We're good. Let's go and eat..." he said and grinned, still thinking about what she had disclosed to him a moment ago.

"So, she still hasn't dated anyone before, huh?"

Unbeknownst to Winter, Marcellus felt really glad and relieved when he heard that.

---

Time and again, Winter found herself nowhere impressed at how Marcellus was trying to make her feel the opposite of that.

After finishing their business back at the clothing store, he decided to take her to a five-star restaurant, which happened to be located near the mall where they had come from. All the imposing decorum and even the posh setting as a whole was already making her tense and stiff just from looking at it. It's no fun eating at this kind of place - and she really had enough of making him pay for her all the time.

"Hey, I've got a good idea..." Winter told Marcellus right then.

"Why don't we try out something different?"

Though a little baffled by her sudden suggestion, he decided to play along. She did insist, after all. He's also not up to the idea of taking her somewhere she actually doesn't like. So, from that point on, he let her take the lead. 

And with that, they soon find themselves in a local cafe. 

"Hey, Marcellus Lexington."

"Yeah?" 

"Are you underestimating me?"

"Huh?"

"What's with this single cup of coffee? You ought to buy more or else you'll starve!"

"But I couldn't possibly let you pay that much-"

"You're being too modest! Here, I'll buy you some more!"

"Wait, you can't be serious!"

Marcellus was mistaken if he thought that only men could pay for women. Winter had her savings and allowances, which were more than enough to take him out somewhere to eat. 

Both of them had been standing in front of the line for some time. It just happened that he was still hesitating to let her pay for him - she still did in the end, anyway. And though against his will, she decided to order some of those she knew he was fond of.

After placing their orders, they settled down at the table beside the window. For that entire time, he still had the look of someone who just had his dignity as a man made fun of.

"Why did you want to pay for me that much? I'm the guy here..." Marcellus complained in frustration, slumping for a bit as he sat across from her.

"I already told you I don't mind buying things for you."

"You already bought many things for me. The clothes that I'll be using for the party are more than enough. Let me treat you every once in a while..." Winter reassured him with a smile.

"Though I'm still a student, I can do this much. No need to worry about it."

In all actuality, he never experienced getting treated to anything like this before. It's so casual and simple - almost like they're only hanging out like what friends do. He doesn't feel required to entertain her or be some sort of host. Their conversation is free-flowing, and their actions are not restrained.

They're just themselves - and that kind of makes him happy.

"Excuse me, Sir Lexington. I'll just go to the restroom," she said at one point in their exchange, feeling like taking a breather for a moment.

"Sure. I'll wait here," he replied, spreading yet another smile.

In a little bit of a hurry, Winter stood up from her seat and made her retreat to the comfort room. Not wanting to make Marcellus wait for too long, she decided to keep her absence short. They still had several things left to talk about. And she also had to go home early to keep August from worrying again. 

'Oh, right! August! I'm planning to join him for dinner tonight-'

Too caught up in her thoughts, she failed to notice that someone was about to turn to a corner and bump into her at that very second. 

Winter immediately snapped out of it as soon as she felt someone staggering back from the impact. She, on the other hand, had to deal with a whole other problem - she just got her school uniform dirtied from the strawberry milkshake that whoever this was had been carrying.

Even then, Winter still finds the need to apologize for not looking.

"Oh, no! I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there!" she said as she looked at the person she bumped into, disregarding the stain on her clothes in the meantime.

Then, she froze.

As soon as Winter saw who this person was, she was thunderstruck on her place. Not once did she ever think she would meet this certain someone so soon. To begin with, she had no idea why an individual of high status and affluence would be in a local cafe - not that there was a law that said they could not be there, though. 

At any rate, Winter would've really never prepared herself for this rude awakening.

Apparently, this certain someone turned out to be none other than her adopted elder sister.

'Bianca?!'