Chapter 86 - Worthy Of Everything

Winter felt her emotions taking over her as soon as she saw Marcellus.

He was alone out here the whole time. It was not only the sight of him being on his own like this that stirred her feelings, but it was also how he looked more distant than ever - perhaps, even sad. Him not appearing in the event hall at any point was enough to tell her that he did not want to be anywhere near her. Knowing him, he would have already bragged to her by making a grand entrance on the stage and revealing himself to be the sponsor.

She already had a strong feeling that he prepared all of these as a birthday surprise for her, but she did not want to admit that because she felt like she was being arrogant or assuming. Then again, there could be other reasons why he sponsored a public high school's prom - it could not possibly be about her all the time. However, it seemed like it did turn out to be about her, after all.

Marcellus did so many things for Winter. But what she did in return was doubt him and run away.

"You're asking me if I enjoyed my prom and my birthday...?" she muttered with a shaky and brittle tone, feeling like bursting out at that very moment.  

"Well, yeah, I enjoyed them. Much too much. And whether you believe it or not, it's the happiest I've ever been in both my first and second lifetime." 

His eyes widen in surprise at how her own started to brim with tears.

That's when he finally looked at her directly. For a fraction of time, he couldn't believe what he was seeing. He has no idea why she's tearing up all of the sudden, and for once, he's not sure of what he should do. Comforting a lady is something he's supposed to be good at - he can do that anytime at all. But because this one in front of him right now is not like any other ladies out there, he finds himself at a loss.

"I'm happy because August took three days off from his work just to celebrate my birthday with me. I'm happy because Ms. Violet supported me all the way. I'm happy because Ace and my other classmates have let me experience how fun high school can actually be. I'm happy because I'm not as alone as I used to be..." Winter continued, already breaking down in tears.

"I'm also happy because Sir Lexington is there with me."

"Ms. Agreste," Marcellus breathed out, astonished.

"But then, I don't think I can take this much happiness. It overwhelms me, and it makes me doubt things. It makes me want to run away for some reason. I keep wondering if I should be experiencing all of these in the first place. I keep thinking if I did enough to make myself worthy. Then again, I used to work extra harder in my previous life. I worked so hard - so, so hard. But in the end, I never felt this happy. So, that made me question things. Do I deserve this happiness even though I wasn't working myself to death like before-"   

"Ms. Agreste."  

Hearing how thick and vehement his voice is, she goes stiff and falls silent. 

It was as she thought - she could not control her emotions anymore. She said things she did not plan to say, and she even let herself cry in front of him. It was not her intention, though. She never intended to open up her feelings like this.

What Winter wanted was to know how Marcellus felt last night - not confess her past.

She wanted to apologize to him and clear up his misunderstandings if there was any. However, she felt like that won't be enough. She felt like she had more to say, but she didn't really know what and how she would do it, which was why she ended up crying.

'Stupid, stupid! Pull yourself together already...! This will only make things worse...' she scolded herself, starting to panic as more of her tears kept on falling.

'My make-up will get ruined at this rate! Ms. Violet's hard work!'

While Winter is having her internal dilemma, Marcellus is in his own set of thoughts.  

As if seeing her cry for the first time is not enough, he also heard something he was not prepared to hear. Saying that he is shocked will be an understatement - he is more than that. He is perplexed, distraught, appalled, and perhaps, enraged. 

'You worked yourself to death? Why would you do such a thing? And the happiest you'd ever been, you said... Just what kind of life did you have before...? Is that why I always find you lonely and sad whenever you think I'm not looking? Is that why you are so desperate sometimes? I find you odd, you know. But I never question your actions because you promised you'd tell me everything at the right time,' was what Marcellus wanted to say to Winter right then.

Now, he understands why she is so doubtful of almost everything. He finally understands why she wants to run away. And it's all because she's afraid of being too happy. She fears a lot of things. 

"A-Anyway, this is not about me! Let me start over...!" Winter started again, going back to the main topic.

"I told you not to hide what you thought of me last night. You think I've been rude, right? Of course, you do! I did leave you behind and never thanked you, after all. I made it look like your efforts were wasted. You must've been really disappointed-"

"I'm not disappointed. I also don't think that you're rude. If anything, I believe that you're just embarrassed..." Marcellus said with a smile, much to her surprise. 

"I did say all those embarrassing things to you. If you think about it, it's kind of my fault. That's why I gave you space. Since I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable, I didn't show up to you at any point tonight. I want you to enjoy your prom and your birthday to the fullest."  

"B-But you went through all these troubles for me. I-I didn't appreciate you enough. Even if I'm... e-e-embarrassed... like what what you said, I could've at least thanked you properly."

"Seeing you have fun is better than a 'thank you' to me, Ms. Agreste. My efforts are not wasted at all. Besides, I can do it again whenever I like to - take you to a hotel suite, I mean."

"S-Sir Lexington!"

Seeing how she caught on that and got embarrassed, he couldn't help but laugh.

Although he badly wanted to talk about what she revealed regarding her past, he chose to hold back for a while longer. He could see that she already had enough for tonight - she is already overwhelmed.

He'll just have to wait for this 'right time' that she said. Once that comes, he'll no longer hold back like this. He'll definitely learn about everything that happened to her before she traveled back in time. 

'For now, continue being the eighteen-year-old that you're supposed to be. Enjoy your youth. Live the way you want to. We can deal with the future at another time. Together.' 

With that, Marcellus draws closer to Winter and leans down to her, taking her aback.

He then places his hands on the sides of her face, lightly stroking his thumbs against her cheeks. She blushes at the gesture and the smile he makes - warm, sweet and tender. Her heart begins to go wild right then, still not used to this kind of intimate moments. 

He can tell that she's getting flustered again, but he's happy that she didn't run away this time. Thinking that she must still be feeling bad for doing that last night, he takes this opportunity to express how he feels.

He's not going to let her go again. He's not going to let her think of all that nonsense again.

"Thank you for wanting to give me credits. And thank you for enjoying what everyone wanted you to enjoy..." he told her with the softest, gentlest of smiles.

"You don't have to feel that you're not worthy enough just because you didn't work yourself as much as before. We're all here for you now. You already did great by letting us enter your life." 

As Winter ends up crying one more time despite her will, Marcellus continues to reassure her with words of encouragement, and because he is deeply endeared at that moment, a kiss on her forehead that made him see more of her bashful reactions. She blushes harder from the kiss, which does nothing but endear him more and earn yet another laugh from him. 

"You're worthy of everything, Winter."   

When Marcellus said that with the most genuine look that Winter had ever seen on someone, she didn't doubt that she would remember it for the rest of her days in this lifetime. And thus, even when the day that the Middleton's came for her had finally arrived, those were the words that kept echoing in her mind - telling her to be brave, be strong and be the one to win this time.

Two months after her eighteenth birthday, and a month before graduation - the current head of Middleton Corporation had appeared at the doorstep of the Agreste's residence.