***

Gossip and rumors spread fast in the Sanderman Group's company. It started with one department and then scattered across other departments that even the clerk on the ground floor would look at Elise funny sometimes.

Before Elise even knew about it, people were already calling her the boss's mistress after the situation with Tessa and Julian. Not only was it something that became a well-loved topic amongst colleagues…

It was something that people weren't even afraid to tease her with.

The nickname stuck with Elise all throughout the following days and weeks, even when the time when Tessa and Julian visited was already way past them.

It even stayed when the last month of the year came up and Elise was working a good chunk at the company. That day, Elise was running some errands for Alex to help her out when she came across some people relaxing in the hallway.

The Sanderman Group's building held a lounge for its employees to relax during their break time. It was one of the earliest adopters of a work-life balance regimen that gave its employees precious hours to unwind whenever necessary.

Right now, some of them were getting some drinks in a vending machine and talking with each other before they saw Elise arrive.

People already liked her enough to not be exactly swayed by the rumors, but it didn't mean that they let it die at all.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Sanderman!" One of the women called out to her.

Elise sighed inwardly as the rumor did get old to her. She eventually raised her brow and paused in her tracks. "What is it?"

"Aww, she's not even denying it anymore." Another one of the people laughed and even clinked soda cans with the person standing right next to them.

Elise crossed her arms over her chest and rolled her eyes. "I don't think you guys will be convinced even if I say otherwise."

"Yeah, but we'll obviously shut up if Alex or the boss is around." The other people nodded in agreement.

While they enjoyed teasing Elise in good humor, they were aware that something might happen if they dared to call Elise as Marc's mistress when the man or his assistant was around.

Luckily for them, or maybe they knew it, Elise wasn't the most confrontational type. She didn't actually report them to Marc or Alex. Perhaps Elise should have, but being a snitch was not something she wished to do.

There was also the feeling that her coworkers would really dislike her if Elise was to do that. It meant that she was truly accepting the role of 'Marc's woman' and she didn't want that at all.

"Hey Elise, since you're new here--we'd just like to inform you to take it a bit easy. Christmas is coming up soon!" A woman smiled at her.

Elise blinked. "Yeah… paid leave?"

Elise was actually looking forward to catching a break and maybe preparing something special during Christmas. What kind of treats could she make for Loriel? It was the least that she could do for him after all this time.

"Not just that, but we will also have the end of the year gala!" Another person said happily. "There's booze and music!"

The woman elbowed the guy. "Don't mind him, he's just a heavy drinker. Since this is your first year, you have a lot to look forward to. Even when the company makes us work hard, they also know how to treat their employees during the gala."

"We'll be taking part in raffles. One of the people in the accounting department got a vacation for two in Hawaii! The other in the legal department got an actual car. The Sanderman Group doesn't hold back at all during prizes."

"And if you're not lucky with draws and raffles… then there's naturally the bonus salary and awards night."

"You've been working so hard, I wouldn't be surprised if you got the Best Staff or Best Assistant Award, Elise."

"Although, that last one always belongs to Alex."

"Quit kidding with Elise. That one doesn't exist at all."

"Were you even actually paying attention during the awards ceremony or were you so busy gorging on the food that you couldn't hear anything?"

"But who knows? Maybe that's the time when our boss finally reveals Elise as his woman during the gala? Wouldn't that be utterly romantic Elise? The two of you can go down the red carpet together--"

"Guys, you know I'm not his woman," Elise said. "I'd really appreciate it if you guys quit calling me that."

"But there's not enough proof for that. Everything you're saying is going against you. Don't you remember how our boss literally burst out of the stairwell to come and defend your honor from those lunatics back then? I don't think our boss would do that for anyone at all."

"He's a great boss, but he's usually scary and intimidating."

"Plus Alex is so kind to you when she usually just barks at us and swallows us alive with her criticism." Another one pointed out. "She knows that you're the special lady to our boss so she treats you well."

Elise rubbed her forehead. She thought this gossip really needed to be put to rest. Her mind quickly thought of an excuse.

She looked at them with a tired expression, and said, "Here's the thing, it's impossible for me to be the boss' woman when I have a boyfriend."

"What?!" All of the women in the group turned to her in surprise.

"It's true." Elise smiled. "I have a boyfriend and he'd be really upset to hear that I'm being thought of as someone else's woman."

"Oh… so you had a boyfriend all this time." Some of the guys present were shocked and even a little disappointed. It was easier to accept rejection when they thought that Elise was someone who their boss claimed.

Everyone was none the wiser.

"Well, we're excited to meet him during the gala then," One of the girls said.

"Huh?" Elise blinked at them.

Another woman nodded and stared at Elise curiously. "If he actually exists that is. I mean you can probably be just saying that you have a boyfriend to hide the truth. How can we actually know if we don't meet him?"