High School Again: The President's Secret Lady Boss

It's yet another morning for everyone in the Middleton estate.

Everyone has gathered around the dining table for breakfast. This time, though, one of them will not be able to join. August has gone to work earlier than usual, so he will not be around for today. It's the first since he and Winter started living there. He still doesn't completely trust the other members of the family, which is why he has always made sure to be there with her whenever they're around.   

But even when she finds herself left alone with a calculating elder sister, a stern uncle, and an obnoxious aunt, she's nowhere near fazed, and that's because, to begin with, she's the one who owns this place.         

"Excuse me, Young Miss, do you like to have more? Or maybe something else?" 

"Is the food to your liking, Young Miss? The chefs made sure they're of the finest quality."

"Young Miss, please let me take away some of the tableware you finished using."

Winter smiles to herself, a little amused. 

The maids seem to be getting better and better at pampering her. With how they keep serving her to the best of their abilities, they fail to pay attention to the others at the dining table – or at least, they're not putting as much effort on them as they do on her. 

'They're obviously desperate to win me over…' she thought, finding it quite entertaining. 

'Well, I guess I do look like a dictator for firing more than twenty of them for the past month. I would've kicked everyone out if I hadn't been having too much fun messing with Bianca lately. She always looks very displeased when those who once served her show favoritism towards me.'     

Grace had once protested against Winter's dismissal of some of the house workers. 

But of course, she makes sure that she has her reasons for firing them. It's either they performed poorly in their given duties or they showed a kind of misconduct that couldn't be pardoned.

"Uncle, I recall there's something you want to announce today," Bianca called out to Cyrus all of the sudden, stealing Winter's attention.

She looks her way, surprised and confused. 

It appears like Bianca is in a good mood today. Her smile, though, is not the usual smile she always shows everyone – instead of amicable, it's meaningful. Perhaps, Winter has just gotten better at reading her expression or she has already given up on pretending to be on friendly terms with her. Regardless of the reason, it perturbs her for a bit. That's especially when she notices Grace grinning knowingly.

These three are onto something.

"Right. I almost forgot. I've got something to tell everyone today…" Cyrus began, regarding Bianca for a moment before turning to look at Winter in contemplation.

"Since Winter is already of legal age, I've been thinking of finding a marriage partner for her."

Rather than an announcement, this feels more like a reminder for her.

Now, she remembers that it's around this time that her family has started discussing her marriage life – a matter that she didn't get to have any say at all. However, for some reason, she's getting the impression that August's absence has something to do with the timing on this one. If he's around, he'll definitely protest even before Cyrus further explains it. They probably know that, which is why they choose to do it now.

"I know it's a little too sudden, but I believe you've already been oriented about the importance of marriage for people of our status. As the heiress, you have to understand that this will help you and our family as a whole. We must find a suitable candidate for you as early as now," Cyrus continued, smiling encouragingly.

Winter has it in herself to refuse this time.

She can turn it down and reason out that she doesn't need a man to do what she has to do for the family, but when she thinks about who she'll be married with, she starts having second thoughts. Back in the past timeline, she was stiff silent when she heard about the news. Now, however, all she feels is the loud thumping of this crazy little thing inside her chest – an exhilarating, thrilling sensation that she can't possibly ignore.

Marcellus will be her future husband. Winter is almost certain. 

'Yet why do I feel like a toddler who's about to open up a birthday present? This won't be a surprise anymore. I should be calm and cool about it – not excited,' she told herself, perplexed as to why she was feeling this way.

It probably has something to do with what happened the other day.

Ever since Marcellus kissed her for the second time, she began avoiding him like the plague. Winter didn't answer any of his calls or messages, much less see him in person. On his part, it may seem like she's mad at him for doing such a thing without her permission. But in reality, she was just too absorbed in her thoughts and feelings. They're nothing but a huge mess at this point, and she still can't understand a lot of things about it.

That being said, Winter isn't sure if she can really stay calm and cool once Cyrus mentions Marcellus – the memory of that kiss might end up taking over her mind again. 

"Bianca has suggested a list of eligible bachelors…" Cyrus said meaningfully, sharing a brief glance with Bianca and Grace.

"I say, the one who suits you the most is Mr. Neil from the Schwartz family."

"Huh…?" Winter blurted out, wide-eyed.

"Y-You mean, that… Neil Schwartz?"

That did more than throw her off guard.

Her breath hitches for a couple of seconds there. With her mouth slightly agape, she blinked a few times as she tried to take it in. 

She had been too naive. This one is on her. She should've considered that things will not always go the same way as it has before. Some things will go off rails in one way or another. 

'Not only was it someone I was not expecting at all, but it also had to be 'him' of all people…' Winter grimaced, recoiling at the very thought of marrying Neil instead of Marcellus. 

'That man is a molester. He'll be charged with sexual assault at one point in the future, causing him to be banished from the Schwartz family and thrown to jail but only to be released on bail.'

There's no way she'll let herself get married to that kind of person or anyone else for that matter. 

She can't tell Cyrus that she doesn't want to be involved with Neil because of his criminal charges. No one even knows about that yet. Still, there must be some nasty rumors about him. Considering that it's Bianca who came up with the list of possible candidates, she's almost sure that she's aware of those. Her picking randomly is close to impossible. There must be reasons why she chose those she chose.

'Now, I understand…' Winter contemplated, feeling like sighing out loud at that moment.

'Bianca must've already known that I'm close to Sir Lexington. Otherwise, she would've still recommended him, considering his playboy image, our age gap, and the fact that our marriage can benefit the Middleton family in a lot of ways. Now, though, she went for someone who's a thousand times worse instead.'

It's not that she's saying Marcellus is any bad because he sure isn't – at least in this current timeline, he's not. Neil, on the other hand, is the worst choice out there. 

No matter what, she should never get involved with him. 

"I decline, Uncle Cyrus. I don't plan on marrying anyone yet…" Winter calmly opposed.

"I want to be the one to choose. Please, don't decide for me." 

"Didn't you hear what your uncle just said…?" Grace muttered sharply.

"You have to understand the importance of marriage in this family, especially since you'll be the next head-"

"I do understand, but that doesn't mean I should be obliged to do so."

"You should at least give it a chance, Winter…" Bianca piped in, smirking.

"Our uncle didn't say anything about getting married away. Try to have a marriage interview with Mr. Schwartz for now. That'll be a good first experience."

"Bianca is right, you know…" Cyrus seconded, clearly disappointed.

"You should get used to this kind of thing as early as now. This is still just marriage. In the future, you'll find yourself in more situations like this."

With that, all three of them ramble on and on.

Winter decided to mute them out, focusing on finishing her breakfast instead. As if Bianca's make-show of encouraging her wasn't annoying enough, Grace also kept up with her preaching. Cyrus talked from time to time to support what they said. 

She can see that the maids are concerned for her.  Whether it's genuine or not, she doesn't know. Still, their reaction is quite reasonable since she does look like she's being ganged up on at that moment.

It does nothing but aggravate Winter, though.       

"No matter what any of you say, I'm not changing my mind…" she said as she stood up from her seat and prepared to take her leave, astonishing the three of them.

"So, please, excuse me.. I still have a morning class to go to."