High School Again: The President's Secret Lady Boss

A week passed by - and eventually, the day before the Senior Prom arrived.

As part of August's birthday treat to Winter, he decided to book a room in the hotel where the event will take place and spend three days there with her. They went on the morning before the day of the prom, and they would be staying in that place until the evening after that. This way, she could prepare for the occasion without needing to go back and forth, which she admitted would indeed lessen the hassles.     

"But still, is this really okay, August? I think you're spending a bit too much. This is a five-star hotel, after all. It must've costed a lot," Winter asked, a little concerned.

"What're you talking about? This is your eighteenth birthday. I would've gone on a trip with you on a beach or even abroad if only your Senior Prom was not on the same date..." August answered, reassuring her.     

"It's alright. Don't worry about it. Just have fun."

She couldn't help but want to tear up at that, moved by how much he changed.

Back then, all she got from him on her eighteenth birthday was a two-stories, vanilla-flavored cake. Even though it's nothing compared to his presents this time, it already made her very glad. Then again, being able to spend her birthday with him at that time was more than enough for her.   

But now, he literally took her to a five-star hotel, bought her a prom dress, and put aside his work for three days just to be with her. 

"Thank you, August. Best birthday gift ever."

As Winter said that, she looked up to August and held his arm.

She leaned her head on his side for a bit, and with overflowing gratitude, she smiled at him with all that she's got. Taken aback, he falls silent and stares down at her for a moment. He then eventually gave her a smile of his own, stroking her head at the same time.

"Oh, dear, will you look at that~"

"What a good big brother."

"Not only is he handsome, but he's nice too~" 

"His little sister is also cute."

"What a lovely pair of siblings~"

Everyone who's in that hotel elevator with the Agreste's can't keep themselves from looking at them, touched by the familial affection they have for each other. 

---

It happened on the night before the Senior Prom.

Winter was about to meet up with Violet and Ace in the hotel's lobby. Apparently, they also decided to book a room there and do the same thing as they'd do, which was initially August's suggestion. He said that she should spend her eighteenth birthday with at least her closest friends, and with the Miller's being the first on that list, he didn't hesitate to give them a call earlier that day.

At the moment, she is walking down the hall and making her way to the elevator. That's until she felt someone come up to her from behind and grab her by the waist out of nowhere. Startled, she tried to squirm her way out and turned around in a haste, prepared to punch whoever this was square in the face.

"Let go of me!" she exclaimed, alarmed and panic-stricken.

"H-Hold on! It's me-"

But it's much too late.

Winter already landed a blow the moment she realized that it was only Marcellus.   

She ended up knocking him out just enough to make him stagger backward and let go of her. While he lost his balance and dropped on the floor, she let out a loud gasp in surprise. She then rushed over to him and kneeled on the ground, thrown into a panic once more.

"I'm so sorry, Sir Lexington! I didn't know it's you...!" Winter apologized frantically, fretting over how he seemed to be hissing in pain while he had his head hanging low.   

"It's partly your fault, though! I got scared for a moment there!" 

"Right after apologizing, you went straight to scolding me - how typical of you, Ms. Agreste..." Marcellus muttered underneath his breath, making her tense up for a bit.

"That hurts, you know. You're quite strong."

"I'm really, really sorry! I didn't mean to-"

"I'll accept your apology in exchange of a kiss. How's that?"

As he said that, he finally looked up to her, flashing her a coquettish smirk.

Dumbfounded, she only kept quiet and blinked a couple of times. She couldn't believe he was just playing around - how childish of him, indeed. Not at all amused, she then scowled and glared at him. He continued smirking even then, looking smug and playful.

"You're so petty, you know that...?" Winter deadpanned with the flattest expression she could manage, making Marcellus laugh out loud in amusement. 

"Quit laughing or I'll punch you again."

And he stopped at once.

---

With Marcellus appearing all of the sudden, Winter had to make excuses to Violet and Ace for arriving later than they expected.

To her relief, they didn't pay much attention to it. She's also able to talk Marcellus out of his plan to show himself up to August. Apparently, he didn't come there for nothing. She still wasn't sure what he really wanted to do, so she just agreed to meet him again after she's finished with the others. 

"But why in a deluxe suite of all places, Sir Lexington?"

Later that evening, Winter sneaked out to talk with Marcellus in secret but only to find herself in one of the most luxurious private rooms of that hotel. 

That kind of explained why he had that meaningful look on him when he led her inside that place. It's one big surprise after another - and for some reason, she's starting to feel like she'd rather have a simple birthday present for once. She had the impression that this was not his only surprise for her, though. Knowing him, there's bound to be more.   

"I reserved this hotel room just for us..." Marcellus said as he took Winter further inside the deluxe suite, holding her hands and smiling to himself all the while.   

"Since everyone else already had the opportunity to celebrate your birthday with you - and of course, you'll be too busy for your prom tomorrow, this is my only chance to surprise you with all that I've got. So, happiest eighteenth birthday, Ms. Agreste." 

While the outside is already imposingly impressive, the inside of that deluxe suite happens to be more resplendent. 

Greeting them the moment they reach the living room is this row of wall windows that gives them a picturesque view of the cityscape. There is a crystal chandelier that is hanging by the ceiling at the center. The wall interior is embellished with ornate adornments as well. It is also furnished with lavish furniture and fixtures, ranging from the soft lighting to the posh decors. 

"Woah, this is so beautiful!" Winter beamed in delight, staring out to the window and beholding the evening scenery.

"As I expected, you'd come to like the view up here. It's a good thing I chose this place," Marcellus chimed in from behind her.

"Really, you shouldn't have gone through all this trouble. The thought is more than enough."

"But I want to. You only turn eighteen once, after all."

She turned around and looked at him again, a little surprised to see that his smile never left. With a gentle look in his soft gaze, he continues to stare at her as if she is his entire universe.  Her heart beat picks up pace right then, pumping blood all the way up to her cheeks. 

"Hurry and grow up already. I can't wait to make you mine and take you away with me."

Taken aback once again, Winter had to double take at what Marcellus just said.

He knows that she is supposed to be the same age as him in the present – at least, in the inside, that is. But still, he is treating her as if she really hasn't reached the legal age yet, and he is quite serious about courting her too. In reality, she is almost eighteen-year-old already.

Despite his romantic gestures, she has her doubts. They may have shared a relationship before she went back in time, but with how he kept giving her the cold shoulders back then, they were as good as strangers. Now that she is younger and has less appeal, it will be all the more unlikely for him to develop feelings for her.

"Are you really serious about me…?" she asked with a downcast gaze.

"You're the head of a conglomerate and I'm just an ordinary schoolgirl. Everybody would think that you were only messing around with me – even I do."

"What are you talking about? You're looking down on yourself now of all times…?" he snorted incredulously, disappointed at the thought that his genuine efforts to court her had made her think like that.

"I've told you a million times what I feel about you. I thought we went over this already. Why don't you believe what I say? If I didn't like you, I wouldn't be here with you-"

"You used to play around with girls. You don't like to be tied down, and you hate being committed to somebody. Isn't that why you don't want an official relationship with any woman despite being a huge flirt? You've always been like that. Even before we got to meet each other, you always had the fame of being a heart-breaker."

For some reason, Winter found herself confessing her feelings all of the sudden - still afraid to trust Marcellus despite all the things he did for her.