Chapter 51 - Falling For The Unexpected

It was the first time Winter called Marcellus by his first name.

The way she said it was not like how he imagined. For some reason, it stood out to him among all the other times he was called on a first-name basis. To begin with, not many people use it without the honorifics - and he really can't do anything about it. For this one, though, she makes him feel as if there is something special about it - something worth smiling at like what she is doing at the moment. 

'Seriously, this girl...' Marcellus thought and let out a sigh as he only continued staring down at Winter. 

'This is really not the time and place for that. Can't she ever get a good timing for once? She literally just got shouted at in front of all these people.'

But then, this is her he's talking about - she's always been one who does what she wants whatever the circumstances are. 

It was similar to that one certain occasion. When she got cornered and bullied by her schoolmates in the hallway, she did not have a hard time shrugging it off and moving on with her day - it was almost like that kind of scenario was already common to her and that she was used to it. He saw how she defended herself, and ever since, he found her as nothing like some damsel in distress. 

Although that's one of her admirable feats, he doesn't like her situation even for a bit. Something like bullying should not be romanticized only because she managed to respond well to it - in the first place, it should not be happening to her or anyone else for that matter. 

That being said, he will not back down here either. 

"Ms. Middleton, is that it...?" Marcellus started once more, scowling at Bianca all the while. 

"You know, I will not think of introducing myself in this kind of situation. I mean, with the attitude that I showed earlier, I would not have the guts to involve my family name in this. Or perhaps, you're just really not aware of what you've done? Are you that blind?"

Taken aback by how Marcellus roasted Bianca with ease, Winter kept herself from gaping at him. 

She didn't expect that he'd actually see it through. Though somewhat flattered by his intention to defend her, she didn't want him getting into a mess because of her. Even though the Lexington's are on a higher level than the Middleton's and the Minerva's in terms of wealth and influence, heating up this exchange will do him more risks than merits. 

'Besides, should I even allow him to show up with me like this...?' Winter then began to ponder, thinking about the not-so-far future once again.

'Will it be alright if Bianca and Sir Minerva find out that I have a connection with Sir Lexington this early on? I mean, I'll be betrothed to him in the future and all. While I do plan to avoid marriage as much as possible, there's still a high chance that I'll be arranged to marry him again.'

Since she didn't really expect that she wouldn't meet Bianca and even Jacob at such an early point in time, she hadn't thought much about the consequences. 

However, she thinks that letting this situation escalate will do her more risks than merits as well - whatever they may be, that is. She should probably put an end to this before news spread across social media and eventually lead to baseless rumors. 

"Ms. Middleton, I have to say that I'm quite disappointed about our first meeting..." Marcellus continued with an icy-cold glare, making Bianca shudder and lower her head in shame. 

"I saw everything, you know. Nice first impression, I must say."

With the amount of sarcasm in his tone, Winter can't help but grimace in her sister's stead. Marcellus is seriously mad. He's even glowering at her at this point, and he's not holding back at all. 

"M-Marcellus..." Winter called out in almost a whisper, making Marcellus turn to look back at her.

"I'm already getting cold. Can we leave now? Please?"

His eyes widened at that. 

It is unusual for him to see her plead like that - in such an adorable way too. His heart takes a leap at the sight of her endearing pout while his gaze softens up at how cute she looks while staring up at him. At this rate, it is going to be hard to return to his ogre mood. 

Then, he caught sight of her dirtied school uniform - no wonder she is getting cold. While seeing the mess that the strawberry milkshake did on her made him flare up even more, he had to keep it in and control himself this time. He has to think about her first instead of what he feels. 

"Let's get you back in the car. We can buy some clothes for you at the mall," he then murmured back to her at last, earning a small smile from her. 

"Sure. Thanks."

Without sparing one final glance at Bianca and Jacob, Winter swerved around and made a beeline to the door. On the other hand, Marcellus took a second to glare at them for the last time before he swiveled back to the direction where he came from and trailed after her. With that, they had been left in that place in a dumbfounded state. They can only wonder in silence how and why they suddenly came to decide to retreat like that.

Then, as soon as Winter and Marcellus were no longer in sight, Jacob finally got rid of his facade - his smile curving down into a scowl. 

'So, that really is Marcellus Lexington, huh...?' he thought and glared at the direction where they left off to.  

'And who is that girl exactly?'

---

"Hey, mind if I take off my uniform for now?"

"Say what?!"

Out of all the things that Winter could have first said the moment they entered the car, it would have to be this - of course, Marcellus was more than caught off guard.

She asked that question like it was the most normal thing to do. He looked at her with an incredulous expression in response. She only stared back at him in return. He still hadn't even properly settled down on the driver's seat, but he already felt like staggering right then.

"Are you seriously saying you're gonna undress? Here of all places?" he asked.

"Well, yeah. Where else should I do it?" she answered.

"Look, let's get to the mall first. I know it'll be cold, but you can just borrow my jacket-"

"Then, it'll get dirty too! Come on, there's nothing wrong with this-"

"It's everything wrong, Ms. Agreste. Have you got no sense of awareness?"

"But it's just you. I'm fully aware that you won't try anything funny. Besides, I'll be in my camisole. You're overreacting."

Despite his opposition, she went ahead and started unbuttoning her vest.

His face flushed red at that very moment. And as he gets to see more, he blushes even harder. Only when he got a glimpse of her white cami top did he remember that he could just look away. He did it in a haste right before he could have a full view of her dainty little figure in a thin piece of clothing.

'Just how can she do this so nonchalantly?! She's all alone with a guy for crying out loud!' 

Then, Marcellus recalled what Winter mentioned earlier.

She said that it was 'just' him. And now that he thought more about it, he found himself coming up with various interpretations. For one, it can be that she only trusts him that much, which is something he can't help but be glad about. But then, there's also that - 

It can be that Winter isn't seeing Marcellus as a man this whole time.

'Then, what am I to her?'

He could be wrong, but for some reason, he was starting to get the feeling that the only reason she was comfortable around him was that. Other girls would either fall for his charms or be all timid and bashful in front of him. There are also some who respect him too much that they never dare to act casual or informal. She, on the other hand, is different.

'Not only does she seem to know me better than anyone, but she also treats me like I'm someone she can be on friendly terms with all the time...' Marcellus mused to himself as he looked at Winter through the corners of his eyes.

'And she always acts this loose and unguarded - her defense is all over the place.'

For the reason that it might be because she never sees him as a man, he is disappointed a lot more than he thinks he will be. No woman has ever regarded him like that - after all, they always see him as someone overflowing with charms and appeal. But then again, he should have already expected the unexpected when it comes to her. 

Much like how Marcellus never expected that he would ever fall for Winter.