The Cursed King

Loriel closed his eyes and enjoyed the moment as they were slow dancing to the music. Instinctively, he pulled Elise's body close to his. He could feel her heartbeat and it made him feel extremely good.

If he could freeze time so he could have her close to him like this forever, he would. Unfortunately, he didn't have such power. He could only enjoy this fleeting moment where he could touch her and have her in his embrace.

"Don't you think they look like the perfect couple?" Sarah asked her friends. "I wonder where they met."

"She said she lives with her boyfriend. Elise comes to work on foot, right? If they live around here, it means, he must be really wealthy."

"Ahh… she is so lucky. She seems to have everything! A beautiful face and stunning look, a doting, and wealthy boyfriend… I am jealous."

"But I still don't get it. If her boyfriend is really that wealthy, what is she doing working at Sanderman Group? Couldn't he support her financially? Or is he one of those stingy boyfriends?"

"Who knows, maybe he did offer, but Elise wants to be independent. Not all women are like you who only want to date men for the money."

"Oh, shut up!"

The people kept talking about Elise and Loriel, trying to speculate about their relationship, how they met, etc.

"It works," Elise whispered to Loriel's ear when she overheard their conversation. "They really think you are my boyfriend."

Now, she didn't have to worry about being gossiped about as Marc's mistress or sugar baby.

"But I will still come to pick you up from time to time, to ensure that they won't doubt our relationship," said Loriel with a smile. "I don't mind."

Elise blushed at his words. She nodded sheepishly and replied, "Okay."

When the songs finally ended, Loriel reluctantly let go of his embrace from Elise and they went back to their seats. 

"You look so good together," Sarah commented. "Do you have a single friend or brother, Loriel?"

"I do," said Loriel casually. He glanced at Marc who was sipping his wine at the table of honor.

Sarah's face beamed when she heard this. "Oh wow... is he handsome?"

Loriel nodded. "He is."

"Will you introduce him to me?" Sarah became so excited.

This time, Loriel shook his head. "No, why should I? He won't be interested in you anyway."

Sarah spouted her drinks in embarrassment. Loriel really didn't hold back his words.  The other people at the table didn't talk to Loriel after his salty remarks and he couldn't be happier.

Meanwhile, Elise only hid her smile. She knew Loriel meant Marc and she agreed with him. Marc would not be interested in dating his employees.

However, she quickly saved the awkward atmosphere by saying, "He is just joking."

Loriel was not really joking, but everyone thought he was. When they heard Elise said Loriel was only joking, they laughed and clapped. John even said, "Hahaha… that's a good one."

Elise pinched Loriel under the table. The man just grinned and didn't say anything.

***

The end-of-the-year gala of the Sanderman Group actually occurred before Christmas. It happened like that in order for the employees of the company to enjoy a beautiful party before they enjoyed the final weeks of December with their family.

Last night to her seemed like a dream.

But it actually happened and everyone was now on their work break. It was going to be Elise's first Christmas without her family. She could no longer spend it with her father, but that didn't mean that she was going to be alone.

And there was something that she wished to do for Loriel.

Elise wanted to bake him a fruit cake.

There were a lot of ingredients available in the penthouse and all the latest appliances, but Elise wanted it to be a surprise to Loriel.

Thankfully it so happened to be the last day of her baking course with Chef Lucy, so she could do it there.

"Ah, Elise, where are you going today?" Loriel asked her. He stepped out of his bedroom and was actually wearing a white shirt that showed off his physique. "I thought you didn't have work today."

Elise couldn't believe that this was the same man who held her in his arms last night during the gala.

"Elise?" Loriel asked again.

"A-ah, I'll be meeting with Chef Lucy tonight and I want to work overtime during this week. Marc is paying double for those who can attend after the party." Elise smiled at him. 

There was a blush in Elise's cheeks before she raised her eyes to look him in the eye. Somehow, what her father told her at the hospital seemed to have made her extremely aware of Loriel.

Every little thing that Loriel did and him simply just being Loriel made her self-conscious. 

Elise quickly turned around and waved at him, "See you later at the office."

"Take care, Elise," Loriel replied. He furrowed his brows. Why did Elise said 'see you at the office'? 

Actually, Loriel thought that he'd have the entire day with just Elise and him, but he forgot about the chef and work.

Elise made her way to the door before she suddenly glanced back. "But ah, if you have plans with your colleagues or anything, then it's alright too."

"What do you mean?" Loriel raised a brow.

In Elise's mind, someone important like Loriel would get invited to a lot of banquets and galas… and yet he still made some time for her and attended as her boyfriend. Elise didn't want to say it aloud because it was obvious that someone like Loriel was busy.

But she stopped at the door.

"I mean... if you had any plans with your business associates and you cannot pick me up at work, it's okay. I think my colleagues will understand if you're a little too busy to pick me up today," Elise said.

Loriel suddenly remembered that he promised to pick up Elise from work to show her office mates that he was really her boyfriend. This made a smile curve up on his handsome face.