Chapter 59 - Night Of The Party

Marcellus waited outside the mansion of the Ratri's residence alongside a certain someone he really doesn't want to be with.

It turned out that the Miller's were also invited to the party. With that came Ace who happened to have arrived not even a moment after he did. He told him that he'd be waiting for Violet and Winter at the entrance just like him. Much to his not-so pleasant surprise, he learned earlier that his sister actually took her to a salon when he'd been planning to do the same for ages. 

'These siblings just keep getting in the way. Why do they always have to appear in the picture?' Marcellus could not help but brood over out of frustration.

He then stares at the palatial residence that George owns but doesn't say anything. The truth was that he wasn't really in the mood to go partying or socializing. All he wanted was to stay at home and catch up on his sleep since Winter had been taking it for the past several days.

Marcellus let out a sigh as he shoved his hands in his pockets, feeling like talking to Ace for once.

"Hey, do you know why they're taking so long? The party already started," he began without so much as glancing at him.

"Oh, sure I know, Sir Lexington. After all, I've got both of their phone numbers," he teased and smirked at him, implying that he probably did not have the privilege of getting his classmate's phone number.

"I've been trying to call Ms. Agreste, but the last time she answered was almost an hour ago. I'm thinking if there's any luck with Ms. Miller," he said and stayed calm, though he could feel his brow twitching in annoyance.

"Right, right. I just got a message from her. She said they're already near."

"Why didn't you go with her, by the way?"

"Would you rather have me go with 'them' instead?"

Once more, his brow twitched at that.

This eighteen-year-old highschooler is really starting to get on his nerves - he, a twenty-four-year-old multi-millionaire.

It's clear to Marcellus at this point. Ace can't be messing around with him like this if he still hasn't realized that he also has feelings for Winter. But as for how he figured it out, he could only wonder. Perhaps, he has gotten too obvious with it these days.

Nonetheless, Marcellus doesn't like this guy one bit. There's a lot of things about Ace that don't settle with him - and coming out as first in that list is his crush on Winter. Because of that, he seems to have gotten fond of competing with him everytime he sees him.

"Well, I wouldn't mind if you went with them. It's not like there's any meaning to that..." Marcellus quipped and took his turn to smirk, not minding taking the challenge.

"You can actually make a good bodyguard."

Ace scowled at him right then.

He was about to make a retort but suddenly came to a halt when a limousine pulled up in front of them. They straightened up at once and stared at it expectantly. Then, not even a minute later, one of its doors flung open.

"Hey, guys! Thanks for waiting. Did we take too long?"

Violet stepped out of the vehicle first, revealing herself in a messy braid hairstyle and an exquisite-looking evening dress that fits her figure.

Smiling, she waved at them in greeting while they did the same in return. She noticed how they would glance at the door then back to her as if expecting someone to follow after her. Trying to keep herself from grinning, she only turned to where they're looking at and told the person they've been anticipating to step out.

"Let's get going now, Winter."

With that, Winter finally came out of the car.

Marcellus could feel his chest tighten as soon as he caught sight of the ethereal-lookint goddess before them. Her hair hangs loose on her shoulders, laying gracefully with wavy cascades at its ends. She had put on some light make-up, and she had worn the dress he bought her the other day.

Marcellus was too spellbound that he could only stare at Winter the whole time she was making her way to him. He then caught a glimpse of her forest green eyes - those breathtaking emeralds that never fail to make his heart flutter. Just when he thought it's not going to get any better than this, she locked eye contact with him all of the sudden, making his heart pound even louder than ever.

The world around him seems to still for a fraction of time, but that's until someone interrupts that dream-like moment and burst his reverie.

"Hey there, Winter!" Ace greeted out of nowhere and stole her attention, much to his dismay.

"Hi, Ace. It's nice to see you," Winter greeted back with a smile, deciding to talk with him first. 

Marcellus turned away and tried to hide how peeved he was when they went ahead and engaged in a conversation by themselves. Violet found him looking down while stalling at the entrance of the mansion. Such a rare sight didn't fail to catch her attention and pique her curiosity.

"Is there something wrong, Sir Lexington?" she asked as she walked closer to him. 

"No, there's nothing," he simply answered and looked away. 

It's unusual of him to act so reserved, and though she wants to ask more, it'll probably do her more good if she lets it slide. 

Eventually, Winter finished talking with Ace. Thinking of figuring out what's wrong with Marcellus on her own, Violet decided to take her brother with her and went ahead of their other companions. Although he opposed to this at first, she did not relent and made sure to see it through. 

That's when Violet found Marcellus brightening up at long last - even more so when Winter approached him.

'Oh, now I get it...' she thought to herself and smiled a knowing smile. 

'Seems like you've got quite the competition here, little brother.' 

---

Winter can feel her cheeks flushing with the lightest shade of pink, feeling a little too conscious that she keeps pulling her dress down to cover at least her knees. 

"Good evening, Ms. Agreste," Marcellus started with a smile. 

He keeps his cool as he admires her stunning beauty in silence. Though he has always seen her as beautiful, the way she looks tonight is just downright transcendental. The pristine whiteness of her apparel as well as the lightness of her make-up make her appear pure and saintly. 

"Good evening to you too, Sir Lexington..." she replied while she placed her hands behind her back.

"Sorry for making you wait for too long. Ms. Violet practically dragged me to the salon at the mall. Then, she got too caught up in shopping with me that she almost lost track of time."

"No worries. As long as you're able to enjoy what you did back there, it's more than fine for me to wait..." he reassured her before clearing his throat and scratching the back of his head.

"To be honest, I really didn't want to come at all. I didn't feel like entertaining anyone tonight. I bet I'll be catching attention again. Since we're already here, though, we might as well go in and enjoy it."

"I myself don't know if I can do this. It's been a while since I've been in one of these parties before. I guess I'm kind of nervous."

"You've been in a party like this before? A party with guests of high status?"

Winter slightly flinched at how Marcellus managed to take notice of such a small yet consequential detail. Tensing up, she then raised her hands and flailed them about in panic. 

"N-No! Not really...!" she said a bit nervously, thinking of making an excuse. 

"I meant a social gathering in general."

He remained silent for a moment before he smiled at her and patted her head.

Bringing out the gentleman in him, he then offered his arm for her to hold on to. She was taken aback at first, but she eventually smiled at him and accepted his offer. He took another moment to stare at her, admiring her features once more. 

"Do stay by my side tonight, Ms. Agreste."

Her eyes widened at that while a tinge of pink kissed her cheeks. She then nodded and smiled again before she tightened her grip onto him.

"Okay. I will," she told him with a small giggle, deciding to humor him. 

But Marcellus is serious - he is determined to stay beside Winter for that whole evening.

That's especially because she looks cute enough to eat. He's not about to let some crazy dude hit on her at any point. If only he can, he will snatch her by the feet and take her somewhere he can have her all to himself.

He doesn't want anyone to look at her the way he does. He wishes he can just leave with her, but they are already there and there's something they have to do. Violet and Ace might also start looking for them if they are to leave. With all that said, there's really nothing he can do but stay by her side.

'That's right. It's all I can do.. And truthfully, I don't have any complaint with that,' Marcellus thought while staring at Winter through the corners of his eyes.