The Cursed King

There weren't a lot of people at the company when Elise came to work. 

It seemed like a vast majority did want to spend their vacation with their family, but for Elise who didn't have much to do, going to work was what was best for her. 

The number of people who came was so few that they even stayed in one lounge office together. Elise also realized that the workload was so much lighter than she expected.

It was possible to do all of this work next year, but the Sanderman Group wanted to welcome the start of a new year completely prepared. 

There were people that Elise knew who happened to be around like Sarah and Alex never seemed to be the type to take a break at all either.

Elise found herself chatting with them and talking about what they'll be doing during Christmas.

"I'll probably have to go visit my family that day," Sarah sighed. "I would have rather spent it with my boyfriend but he also needs to stay with his family."

"Have you not introduced both families to each other yet?" Elise asked. "A joint party sounds lovely."

"Haha, I don't really think we're at that level yet to do something like that. But what about you Elise? Will you stay with your boyfriend or are you going to visit family too? I'm sure they must love Loriel."

Elise didn't want to tell Alana that the only family that she had left was Tessa York and her family. People who couldn't care less about her, only the fact that her father's will was named solely to her.

These people were probably also going to spend Christmas together so they've stopped from trying to harass her to even enjoy the holiday seasons.

"I'll probably stay in the city with Loriel," Elise said.

"How romantic," Alana gushed. "Did you think of a gift? I bought my boyfriend a new jacket. It's a little tricky to find a nice gift nowadays, but he can't complain about it. I was being considerate since it's so cold this time of the year."

"That's really nice. I was thinking of making him something. I'll be baking a cake for him." Elise smiled. She realized that usually at Christmas, people would spend time with their loved ones and exchange gifts.

Since she didn't have anyone, and so did Loriel, it was a no-brainer that they would spend Christmas together this year. She had been thinking about the gift to give the man.

When she did her shopping with her colleagues two weeks ago, she thought of buying him something from Bloomingrose.

However, after she thought about it again, she realized she wanted to gift him something personal. Something that she made with her own hands. Finally, she decided to make him a cake.

"Woah, you must really like him a lot. I don't think I have much time to spare to do that." 

Elise was excited about baking him the cake and the look that will be on Loriel's face when she'll give it to him.

Elise thought back to how Loriel had always cooked dinner for them and almost always prepared breakfast too. He really took good care of her. And what touched Elise's heart the most was how he handled everything so well when Elise lost her adoptive father.

The three days that followed were hell and Elise was drowned in sorrow. Yet, Loriel didn't bat an eye. He stayed by her side and took care of her during that tough times.

Ahh… he was truly a dream boyfriend.

That was once again another reason as to why Loriel seemed like the type of man that many women would want as a partner. 

"But on another side note, I'm glad that there's not so much work… I was almost afraid that our boss would give us a ton of paperwork." Another one of their colleagues said.

Elise raised a brow. "How come?"

"Didn't you watch the news or go online on social media? The results from the world's most eligible bachelor award came up… and man did our boss really go off." One of the employees stopped speaking.

They weren't inside of the lounge office, but the appearance of the boss and his assistant was obvious.

"You're dead now, I wouldn't be surprised if you get sacked today," Sarah teased the guy who spoke up.

"Oh shut up, he didn't hear anything. Those polls or voting whatever doesn't seem to make sense at all either. We all know who's the best boss and that's what matters. Aren't I right, guys?"

Elise couldn't help but smile at her coworkers' conversation and teasing. But she glanced towards the window and didn't see Marc as they said.

He must have only passed by the lounge?

It was a shame since Elise wanted to see Alex. 

***

It wasn't every day that Marc Sanderman himself came down to meet with his employees, but he needed to check on Elise for Loriel. At least make sure that she was doing fine during her overtime hours.

But now Marc Sanderman knew that even his own employees were talking about him and his failure at keeping up his rank in the world's most eligible bachelor award.

His eagerness to work again instantly kind of gave up.

"Alex, make sure that everyone in the office is doing fine and alright," Marc whispered to Alex beside him. "Don't let them work too hard. It's the holiday already."

His words just now made Alex batted her eyes in confusion. Was her boss abducted by aliens and they replaced him with a reptile monster who took a human skin and posed as Marc Sanderman???

She knew Marc was a vicious CEO when he wanted to be. He could work his people to the bone to ensure that the Sanderman Group continued to be a success.

Alex was the brunt of all his requests as his assistant. So, she knew how demanding Marc could be when it came to work matters. But, today, he wanted his employees to work less?

Alex thought Marc's mood swing must have something to do with the result from Ritz Gala last night. So, she cleared her throat. 

"I don't think that the opinion of many people is that important. Just because everyone believes that something is true, doesn't make it right at all."

"Huh? What are you trying to say, Alex?" Marc Sanderman asked.

"I think that you're already quite a well-sought after bachelor, Mr. Sanderman," Alex said. "Who cares about some stupid award from the Ritz Foundation."

Alex then quickly reached for the door to the office where Elise was and stepped inside. She turned to Marc and smiled sweetly. "I'll get right to the task you requested and will report later." 

Alex left Marc Sanderman outside of the hallway with furrowed brows. There were quite a few times that Alex ever spoke and attempted to cheer him. This must be one of those attempts.

Marc muttered in annoyance under his breath. Gah..! Alex must think Marc's sudden kindness today was caused by his disappointment for losing the award, when in fact he just wanted to make sure Elise didn't overwork herself to make extra money, as per his grand-uncle instruction.

He was trusted with a mission to watch over his future grand-aunt. Of course, he would do his job as well as possible.

Marc Sanderman scratched his head and walked away while rolling his eyes. He felt so misunderstood.

Until he picked his phone up again at a call. "A-ah, uncle, she's doing great and wonderful at work as usual. There's nothing to worry about at all."