Loriel could only swallow his desire to cuddle with Elise while they were watching TV. He told himself that the time would come. He just had to be patient. He had waited for her for such a long time. He surely could wait a little more, right?

***

The annual Christmas gala was a very important event in the Sanderman Group.

All of the employees looked forward to it and they were eager to spend their evening in splendor, lavish and exciting events that fulfilled one's night. It was a great opportunity for the company, and for the employees, to enjoy all sorts of festivities.

The organizational committee of this event had worked hard to draw up an exciting program and soon the people drew up to the hotel.

Everyone was waiting in the large hall of the hotel. This year they rented the venue at the ballroom of the Continental Hotel. It was one of the fanciest hotels in New York.

When one arrived, they were given the view of a lush red carpet meant for formal events. Marc Sanderman thought it was great for the employees to feel like they were all celebrities and stars in this fine evening.

The Sanderman Group did not hesitate in throwing a gala that would be talked upon by many for days. Marc even proposed that the hall be decorated with beautiful chandelier lights that glimmered and sparkled like snowflakes.

Alex and the others in the committee took his feedback and presented many of the employees of what may have been their most extravagant gala as of to date.

The place was decorated with red carpets, crystal chandeliers and a never ending fountain in the middle of the room to set the mood and atmosphere.

Alana and her other friends were already in the halls of the hotel, drinking wine and sharing stories together. Not everyone of them had dates, so the women all stuck together to gossip and talk with each other.

"I wonder when Elise will come here." Alana whispered to her colleagues in the Finance Department. "She promised to bring her boyfriend this time, so I'm looking forward to it."

"Haha, or else we'll still be bound to think that it's our boss who's with her?" Another said. "I can't wait to see what he'll be wearing during his welcoming speech. I think I can stare at him all night long."

"I do hope that our boss wins the most eligible bachelor award though, although I can't help but think that Elios Linden might win it this time."

"I'm not sure if our boss will win anything when Elise seems to have a boyfriend that's top bachelor material if he were single." One of the women sipped her drink.

"Huh?"

Each of the women looked at the grand entrance of the hotel and rubbed their eyes.

Both Loriel and Elise arrived together and they appeared like A-list celebrity couples.

It wasn't only Alana and her friends that found themselves looking, other people in the party seemed to have their gazes turning to the two people.

Elise looked very elegant that day in a white silk dress. It had an embroidered neckline with a few pearls around the neckline, and it hovered above her knee and she looked very elegant in the dress.

Loriel stood beside her and he wore a dark suit that complimented his date's white attire. Both of them stood out from the crowd of guests as they walked inside the premises of the hotel.

"He really is so handsome." One of the women's jaw dropped in surprise.

"Look at what he's wearing, I think that's some luxury suit... cashmere, maybe?"

"It seems like Elise has quite a rich boyfriend."

Alana wagged her finger at them. "They're coming this way, be on your best behavior."

But right before Elise and Loriel could head towards her friend's direction, they were quickly greeted by someone they knew. The employees eyes bulged when Marc Sanderman and Alex both walked up to them and greeted the man.

"Gosh, it seems like our boss knows the man!"

"I mean it makes sense now."

"What do you mean?"

"Marc Sanderman knows Elise's boyfriend, so that's why he has always been so kind and attentive to Elise. How lucky and fortunate!"

"I wonder if we can also meet him." One of them wondered with a sigh.

"Well, let's find out, shall we?" Another tugged at her colleague so they could meet up with Elise.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us this evening for a night of enjoyment and splendor. Welcome to Sanderman's Annual Christmas Gala, the program shall soon begin." A host announced from the center of the stage.

It seemed like Alana and her friends could only meet up and join Elise later.

"Ah, I'm so glad that the two of you could make it!" Marc said and smiled at the two of them.

"Thank you so much for throwing this wonderful gala for the employees," Elise said and tried for a smile. She looked at Alex. "You guys did so well in organizing this."

Alex smiled lightly at Elise. "We do this every year in order to celebrate. I hope that the two of you can enjoy and relax tonight."

Marc answered and motioned to one of the front row tables. "The tables are reserved in the front for the two of you to join us. I'll be giving a speech quite a bit before the festivities all begin."

Marc Sanderman was actually eager to show his grand-uncle around the area to show that he did his best to create a gala fit for a king and queen. He also made sure that Alex was aware that the two of them treated Loriel with the utmost respect.

Loriel shared a look with Elise and he smiled a bit. "I think I'd like to take a seat where Elise would like to be. As far as I remember, I'm supposed to meet with your colleagues, am I right?"

Elise looked at the tables in the front row and then found her colleagues near the middle area of the hotel. Everyone seemed to have seated based on their respective offices and departments.

She promised them that they'd meet her boyfriend.