Chapter 142 - Start Of The Homecoming Party

At long last, the much-awaited homecoming party of the former head of Lexington Empire has arrived.

Many prominent personalities and affluent individuals are invited to attend the event. It will be held tonight in a deluxe cruise ship that the Lexington family owns. Just like the guests, the nephew of the star of the night as well as the event organizer himself is now in the middle of preparing for the occasion. 

Marcellus had taken Winter to the city's top beauty salon where he'd made a reservation days prior.

He has entrusted her to their most in-demand stylist, and as of this moment, he is patiently waiting for them to finish at the other side of the dressing room. With his legs crossed, arms draped over the back of the couch, he sits there in silence and stares at the door ahead of him. 

He's already wearing his attire for tonight – a sumptuous grey-and-white formal dinner suit with golden adornments. His white hair has also been combed backward, giving it a sleek, well-groomed look.

"Mr.. Lexington, thank you for waiting…" the stylist announced moments later as she stepped out of the dressing room and flashed him a smile.

"Ms. Middleton is now ready."

On that mark, Winter finally made her entrance.

She is dressed in a gorgeous grey-and-white A-line gown with golden embellishments. Her sheeny brown hair is styled into a messy bun with tiny little curls draping from the sides. She is also wearing the snowflake-inspired accessories that he has given her before. 

Winter can't help but show a timid look, feeling a bit bashful as Marcellus stares at her intently. 

He appears to be in a reverie at that moment, speechless and astounded. Even though this is not the first time he has helped her choose an outfit for an occasion, she is still not used to the look of awe and wonder that he always makes every time this happens. 

"I shall leave you two for now. Please, excuse me," the stylist said for the last time before making her way out of the dressing room and leaving the couple behind.

Right then, Marcellus finally stands up from the couch and approaches Winter. 

With one of his hands shoved inside his pocket, he spreads an endeared smile, his gleaming, half-lidded eyes brimming with fondness. She herself is captivated by how he's all dressed up for tonight – to think that he can still be more dashing than he already is, she can't deny she's more than impressed.

"You look very beautiful, Winter," he started, reaching out for her cheek and brushing the back of his fingers on it.

"Thank you, Marcellus. It's because you picked this outfit for me. The design is so pretty," she beamed up at him, grateful and elated, especially as she recalled that he made one of the country's top designers customize the gown for her. 

Winter was expecting some sort of response from Marcellus but ended up with none.

She tilts her head in confusion as he falls silent again. A smitten look has surfaced on his expression, then. Somewhat mesmerized, his eyes keep darting all over her face as if appreciating every lovable detail they can find.

He then leans in and wraps his arms around her waist, enveloping her dainty figure in a tight embrace. Her eyes went wide in surprise while her hands grabbed the fabric of his suit jacket. For some reason, the gesture is kind of uneasy – almost like he's worried about something. 

"Though I'm quite ecstatic to show the whole world that you're finally mine, I still can't help but feel anxious – not only because of what'll happen later tonight but also because you look so stunning that you might end up charming more guys." 

Winter stills at that, astonished to hear his low, raspy voice utter such words. Marcellus tightens his hold around her, grasping her possessively. 

They stay that way for a fraction of time until he does something unprecedented again.

He pulls away and spins her around out of nowhere, catching her off guard and making her squeal a little. She still hasn't even recovered from the surprise when he proceeds to push her to the wall and corners her there with both of his arms stretched out on her sides. Her back ends up facing him while the side of his face draws close to hers.

"M-Marcellus? What are you doing-"

Winter got cut off by the sound of her zipper being pulled down.

Her breath hitches at this, and her face flushes bright red. Marcellus seems to be intending to undress her right now. This gets her shuddering a little - even more so when his fingers start to brush against her soft, smooth skin.

The thought that she's not wearing a bra under that gown made her blush even more.

"H-Hey, M-Marcellus?"

Despite how much her body is reacting to his touch, he continues to unzip the back of her dress, and as soon as it reaches halfway down, he starts trailing warm, sweet kisses on her bare skin, making her back jolt and arch slightly. Feeling her move abruptly, he snatches both of her wrists and pins them on the wall above her, nonplussing her yet again. He restrains her like that while he keeps riddling kisses all over her naked back.

"Gosh, you're so irresistible…" he whispered breathlessly in her ears, voice deep and smoky.

"Winter, tell me if you don't like what I'm doing."

Winter didn't utter a single thing, choosing to focus on his breathing and touches instead. Marcellus smiles to himself, taking that as her way of giving him permission.

And so, he carries on with his display of affection. This time, with an intoxicated look gracing his features, he starts showering kisses all over her shoulders and nape before going all the way up to her jawline and cheek, thoroughly savoring the moment. Beads of sweat form on her forehead as she bites her lower lip to keep herself from moaning and whimpering in pleasure. Even though she's practically writhing in embarrassment, she can't find it in herself to make him stop – 

Because she knows for herself that he doesn't want him to stop. 

"I love you, Winter. I love you so, so much," he muttered in her ears along with other sweet-nothings. 

Starting from that moment on, Winter had a strong feeling that tonight would be a steamy, passionate night, especially considering how Marcellus was acting like a helpless romantic so early in the evening.

---

The return of Harold Lexington is an anticipated event in the world of trade and commerce.

The special occasion gathers a lot of attention, considering that the star of the night is one of those important figures who marked the ample upsurge of economic advances and industrial development. Because of that, the visitors aren't the only ones attending, but the media as well. 

As soon as a lavish limousine pulls up in front of a red carpet that leads to the entrance of the cruise ship, an ocean of flashing white lights greets the passengers from the outside. They still haven't even taken a step outside, but they're already catching everyone's eyes.

"T-That's quite a huge crowd out there…" Winter stammered in a bit of a panic as she looked out of the car window and found a mass of people waiting for them. 

"S-Say, do we have another way in?" 

"Winter, look at me…" Marcellus called out from beside her, cupping both of her cheeks.

"Just stare ahead or focus on me, alright? You only have to walk like you usually do. Don't pay them any mind."

"I understand, b-but…"

"What is it?"

She trails off, her eyes glistening with worry, and looks back at the sea of flickering illuminations that await them out there. Her heartbeat picks up pace as her anxiety shoots up in an instant. 

Winter was no longer comfortable with cameras after 'that' happened.

She's somewhat traumatized since then – by the sounds of shutters and the flashing of lights, more particularly. They've become one of the things she can't stand the most. It'd still be bearable if she's not the one being taken pictures of, however. She'd fare well enough at the sideline. 

'But I need to go out there myself. It's important for us to make this kind of entrance as it is part of our plan tonight…' Winter thought to herself before looking back at Marcellus.

'I can't avoid this one, and I can't continue being pampered, either. He has worked so hard in preparing for tonight. Seeing the plan through is the least I can do for him in return."

Veiling her fears, she smiles up at him to reassure him, though he's not at all convinced. He can sense that she's keeping something to herself, going by how she's acting calm and poised despite how cold and pale her face has become.

"Don't worry. This'll be a breeze," he told her softly before kissing her forehead tenderly, making her eyes flutter closed.

With that, the couple finally walks out of the limousine and shows up before the crowd.

Right then, the bright flickers and flashes of camera lights have gotten more intense. The sight overwhelms Winter almost immediately. Even still, she forces out a straight face and steels herself beside Marcellus.

And alas, they stride forward, hand in hand.