Chapter 119 - The Clumsy And The Strict

After spending the rest of the morning and afternoon with Bianca and Cyrus in the headquarters, Winter sneaks out as soon as evening falls to meet up with Marcellus.

Because of what happened during the last time she visited, she failed to do what she initially went there for. She didn't get to tell him about Wynonna's first public disappearance, her conversation with Lacey, and what Bianca was planning. Since she'd promised him that she would let him in on everything she'd do for her grand scheme, she couldn't keep him in the dark for too long.

Having that said, Winter has to see Marcellus again whether she's ready or not. 

She just needs to be professional about it. Act calm like usual, and talk business like usual. While she knows that he meant what he did to her that time, she doesn't want to take it seriously. Their relationship is already perfect as it is. She's too afraid to go beyond the boundary that her heart has set, especially since she herself is still confused about her own feelings.

Winter should get it together. Marcellus must not see how that kiss is getting to her.

"Sir Lexington!"

Her call rings out across the hall that leads to his office. 

She hurries towards him, acting a little too hasty that it's a bit odd. He simply puts on a smile like always, keeping his delight of seeing her again hidden underneath it. Putting his thoughts aside, he then calls back to her, "Hey, wait, don't you think you should slow down a bit?"

"Kyaaa!"

Almost as if his words were a prophecy, at that moment, her foot slipped out of nowhere, and she ended up pitching forward, her eyes wide in shock. 

From the side, Claude moved in an attempt to catch Winter. But luckily, she had tripped mere feet away from Marcellus. He was in a position to easily intercept her fall. Instead of hitting the floor, she fell into his waiting arms. Despite the ease with which he caught her, his heart beat a little bit faster, and he felt a bit irked at her carelessness.

Marcellus spoke to her in a low voice, his expression frozen in a smile. 

"Winter, didn't I just tell you to slow down?"

Winter looks up to him then, surprised to hear him using her first name. Yet as soon as she notices how displeased he is, she suddenly feels apprehended.

"Y-You did, Sir Lexington," she blurted out nervously.

"And do you now see why I said that?" he calmly asked.

"I-I do."

"Besides, don't you think a lady should be more careful about where she's going?"

"I-I… Yes. You're right." 

Winter looks suitably chastened. For once, she feels like a child around Marcellus. She used to always see herself as someone his age. That's why she can't help but feel embarrassed right now. 

'Hey, Claude, I know what you're thinking…' Marcellus thought the moment he noticed Claude giving him a dirty look from the side.

'This is for her own good, okay? There's no such thing as me being too strict with her.'

Ignoring the judgmental glare of his secretary, he gently sets her back down on her feet. She straightens up, taking some time to collect herself again. He then inquires, "What were you in such a hurry for, anyway?" 

"Oh, that's right…!" she chirped, brightening up immediately. 

"Sir Lexington, I completed some absolutely splendid scheming the other day!" 

She put her hands on her hips in a make-show of triumph, flashing what he's sure she meant to be a villainous look. She's very adorable.

"Did you now?" he chuckled out.

She nods firmly. He slightly turns in the opposite direction and says, "Well, I have to head back to my office. Would you mind walking with me while you tell me about it?

"Oh, sure. I wouldn't want to take up too much of your time." 

"It's not a problem. You can monopolize my time as much as you want to-"

"N-No. Really. This won't be too long." 

A bit flustered, Winter fell into step with Marcellus. Claude walks behind them, giving them enough space to talk in private. 

When they turn to a corner, she begins telling him about her escapades. 

"You see, I appeared in public as Wynonna Snow!" she declared, much to his surprise.

"Isn't that alias supposed to be one of your ultimate weapons? Why use it all of the sudden?" he questioned, and from that point on, she proceeded to narrate what happened that eventful night at a karaoke bar. 

Winter talked about how she drove Lacey to the wall. Because of that, she started making efforts to be independent soon – all for her secret lover, Jared. She admitted to Marcellus that she felt like a villainess for going around her back and 'bitch-talking' her at some point. It's already over when she realized she must've gone overboard. 

Nevertheless, she smiles proudly at the end of her narration.

'Villainess, you say? But isn't that just you pointing out something that's true? That Lacey of the Park family could've already been at the top of social circles in high society if she decided to use her knowledge and abilities for her own gains. Her having to choose between her family and boyfriend probably has more to do with her insecurity than your attempted bullying…' Marcellus thought.

'Oh, well. She's cute. I'll just leave it at that.'

Amused, he just silently watches Winter's proud look. She notices him staring for a while now, which makes her blush despite her will. That's when she suddenly stumbles forward and pitches sideways. With a loud screech, she drops straight towards a stairway.

"Winter!"

He darted forward swiftly, but she had already begun to fall down the stairs. 

Without thinking, he dove after her and caught up to her progress quickly. He then cradles her body to his. Once he had her secured, he reached out to grab a hold on the railing, using it to arrest their fall. They stopped descending with a jolt. 

He clutches her even tighter at that moment, wary of her tumbling downwards again.

They came to a rest in the middle of the stairs. All is silent.

That's until Marcellus heard giggles from a little ways away. He spotted two female employees across the hall who're staring at them and whispering behind their hands. He sent them a glare that was full of all his pent-up emotions from Winter's near-fall. 

They both turned white and scrambled away, not daring to look back. 

Marcellus turned his gaze to Claude. 

He flicks his head towards the two female employees. Understanding what he meant, he wordlessly nodded and went after them. He would make sure they knew what would happen if they dared to laugh at her again.

Having dealt with this issue, he then focused on the bundle in his arms. He kept a tight hold on Winter as he walked her back up the steps and said in a quiet voice, "Winter, didn't I just tell you to be careful?"

Marcellus felt her body shiver as his voice resounded next to her ear. She didn't lift her head up to look at him as she nodded.

"Winter, that's not an answer."

"I… I'm sorry, Sir Lexington."

Irritation pricked at him. This never happened before. She was never this clumsy and inattentive. Her not telling him what's wrong is not only making him worry but restless too. 

"Sorry? And what good would that have done if you had fallen all the way down the stairs and gotten yourself hurt? You're lucky that I was here to catch you this time, and that Claude was ready to back up. Don't think that we'll be around every time you go near a staircase. You need to pay a bit more attention and have some awareness of your surroundings."

Winter was taken aback. Marcellus had really gone and scolded her. 

Despite her surprise, she nodded miserably, her head stooped low. 

'This wouldn't do at all.' 

He let go of her waist and reached both his hands out to her. He then cupped her cheeks, tilting her head up so he could look at her.

"S-Sir Lexington? What are you-"

Not waiting for her to finish, he went on to pinch her cheeks, catching her off guard. He pulled gently on them before letting them go. She gapes at him, dumbfounded. 

"What do you think I would do if you got injured…?" Marcellus asked softly. 

"Please make sure to be more careful."

Winter is quiet for a moment. Then, she finally answered him seriously, looking straight at him, "Yes, Sir Lexington."

"Good…" he said with a smile before he scooped her hand up and placed it in the crook of his arm. 

"Now, hold onto me like this while we walk. I wouldn't want to lose you to a flight of steps."

Her face turns red then. This will be bad for her heart.

Winter should really snap out of it and pull herself together. Marcellus is even trying to act the way he usually does. 

Rather than pretending that the kiss didn't happen, though, he gives more importance to her comfort. Knowing him, he would've already been gushing about it at this point. But instead, she's the one who ended up making things awkward. 

'Get a grip already, Winter!'