Chapter 84 - Night Of The Prom

Seeing how displeased Marcellus seemed to be, Winter suddenly felt like faltering and taking back what she said. 

Now that she thought about it, she realized that she must have come out rude. Then again, she's supposed to be thanking him for such a pleasant birthday surprise, not bringing up his history with other women, which she knew was not something he was proud of. Because of that, his mood had taken a downturn - she could tell just by seeing how gravelly serious he looked.     

"So, is that all you have to say?"

Marcellus is now talking through clenched teeth and giving Winter a glare.

Of course, he would not be pleased - not because he felt like she didn't appreciate everything he's doing for her, but because he couldn't get through her at all. He may be a short-tempered guy, but he can also be patient if he wants or needs to. That's why he remains steadfast and relentless in pursuing her.

However, after hearing that she still doesn't want to believe in his feelings for her, he suddenly feels cornered - it's like there's yet another wall to overcome. She keeps building all these walls around her. And he feels like he'll never get through her no matter how hard he tries to take them down.   

There are just so many things that Marcellus wants to say. Winter really is too stubborn for her own good.

"No. That's not all…" she huffed, not yet finished.

"You can't get mad at me for having insecurities. How am I supposed to know that you're not messing around with me? I don't want to get hurt anymore. That's why I'm afraid."

"So, is that all you have to say?" he repeated with a calm yet icy tone.

When he didn't receive any response from her, he grabbed her wrists and pinned her down on the seat behind her, much to her surprise and confusion. Without giving her a warning, he got on top of her and trapped her in between. He then leaned down to her, taking away her personal space.

Winter went silent still the moment Marcellus showed her a pained expression.

"How many times do I have to tell you?" he whispered to her before inching his face closer.

He could feel her unsteady breath hitting his skin. The thing in his chest is going crazy. But he tries to hide it and stays calm. He wants to make her understand how he truly feels about her – not have an emotional breakdown.

But even if he says it with words, he doubts she can ever understand how deep it is.

"If I didn't like you, I wouldn't be here with you. It's true that I played around before, but I'm not like that anymore. You need to get that clear in your head. You changed me. Don't you understand that? What else am I supposed to do to show you that I love you?"

Right then, Marcellus just surprised himself as much as he did to Winter.

He had said it out loud. For the first time in his whole life, he had used those words.

Stunned, he then slowly looked back down at her while she continued staring up to him. Both of them are quiet for the next seconds to come. It seemed like he had really gone and done it – he had really said he loved her.

With that realization in mind, Marcellus smiles at Winter and releases his grip a little. His gaze becomes affectionate while his expression turns soft. It's a look he rarely makes – one that is only meant for her.

That is exactly what he feels about her. At last, he has accepted his true feelings. He loved her, and he never wanted to let her go – never in this lifetime around.

He knew that she went through a lot during her previous one. He could tell just by making sense of her present actions - her desperation to grow up as soon as possible, her willingness to take bold risks, her fixation with certain people of high society, her odd sense of purpose, her drive to form connections with individuals who should've been out of her reach if it wasn't for her knowledge of the future, and the pain and loneliness he often sees on her whenever she thinks he's not looking.

Marcellus may still not know the whole story behind Winter. Even then, he is sure about what he feels for her.

"I love you."

Her face flushed bright red this time. Embarrassed, she tries to look away to hide her face. But he holds her chin and makes her look back at him. From that moment on, he only continues staring down at her ever so lovingly. All she can do is stare back and blush harder, making him smile even more. 

"I hope one day you say that to me too."

---

"Winter? What's wrong? You're zoning out again."

Hearing Violet's call, Winter forced herself to snap out of her thoughts. 

The much-awaited Senior Prom has finally come. At the moment, she's helping her out with the final preparations. She volunteered to do her make-up and style her hair, which she reluctantly yet happily accepted. If it wasn't for her suggestion to get her personal stylist instead, she would've not let her go all through this trouble for her.

"Thank you so much for doing all of these for me, Ms. Violet. You even helped in choosing my prom dress. I hope we're not bothering you too much," Winter expressed her gratitude, smiling at her through her reflection on the mirror.

"It's no bother at all. I'm more than happy to help you out. Besides, I'm also grateful to you for accepting Ace's offer to take you to prom," Violet said with a smile of her own while she continued to put on the last touches to her hair.     

"Well, I just thought that it would've been weird if we'd go there separately. After all, our hotel rooms are literally next to each other. He's also a good friend. I can't see why I should refuse."

At least, that's what Winter was trying to tell herself the whole time.

Even though she'll be escorted by Ace after this, she still keeps getting flashbacks of what happened with Marcellus last night. No matter how much she tried to forget it, she couldn't get it out of her head. Just like at this moment, she would find herself repeating that scene in her mind over and over again. 

'Because of how embarrassed I was and how dangerous he was acting at that time, I had to make a hasty retreat. I ran all the way out of that place even though I just got there. So much for his birthday surprise. Now, I feel more ashamed than ever...' Winter brooded over for what seemed like the hundredth time, recalling how she just went and left Marcellus behind after he made his love confession.

'Right now's not the time for that, though! I've gotta focus and deal with that later! Tonight's the big night, after all!'

After Violet finished making a masterpiece out of her, she finally let her meet up with Ace and August who were waiting at the hall outside. 

---

For the first time in the school's history, The Senior Prom of Marie Claire High School has been designed as this grandiose celebration that marks the approaching end of the last semester of the current school year.

Thanks to their generous sponsor, the event is set up in this five-star hotel's historical venue that has a grand ballroom. For this year's theme, the school would be conducting a prom that was centered around a Victorian masquerade. That said, all the attendees are encouraged to dress up in vintage clothing that reflect the mainstream of that particular era.

As soon as night time fell, a myriad of breathtaking illuminations lit up the whole ballroom. At the same time, people also begin to arrive little by little. Everyone's wearing their own definition of Victorian - prim and sophisticated for the girls, debonair and charismatic for the boys.

For a while, the students enjoy one another's company. They also take pleasure in the splendor of the setting - an enormous golden chandelier serving as the centerpiece, a white staircase acting as the entryway and extending from above the dance floor, and a stunning wall interior. 

Half an hour later, everyone's attention suddenly drifts away from either the stately set-up or the idle talks. It just happened that one of the most anticipated parts of the event is finally taking place - the entrance of this certain group of seniors whose striking features alone are able to turn people's heads.

At this very moment, the most popular students at school are making their way in, carrying quite a prepossessing air as they descend the stairs.

"What a sight this is~"

"Just as I thought, Ace's gonna look twice as handsome tonight."

"Xander is quite the eye candy in that style too."

"Even that infamous delinquent is with them?! Who knew Maxine could actually be such a babe!"

"Courtney is looking extra pretty as well~"

"Hmm...? Wait, who's that other one?"

As the crowd continues to behold their show-stopping entrance, one certain someone appears with them all of the sudden, standing out as this charming beauty whom they all used to deem as untouchable before.