Trapped in Chain Love
Envy feeling.

...Nicolas likes Elise even though Elise says they don't like each other. It felt like Oliver was like a fool for intending to express feelings to people who liked other women, he had already lost before even advancing....

...^^^————^^^...

Two days have passed since Elise spoke to Oliver. He is currently in one of the restaurants Julian ordered to celebrate his girlfriend's birthday, as well as giving appreciation to the design department.

Elise sat in the middle. Not too front or behind, it is a strategic place for him, after all, Elise was not going to attend but she decided to come because of the request from Oliver.

"Is my appearance neat?"

Oliver asked while occasionally fixing the location of his hair was nervous that he had felt since. Nicolas hasn't come yet, so he has a lot of concerns in him, whether it's about his appearance or something else.

Elise understood why Oliver felt so, therefore as a good friend she sought to appease Oliver by giving words of support to him.

"That's good. Don't worry"

"But, what if Mr Nicolas feels uncomfortable with me?"

"Keep assured, everything will be fine. *You're just little uptight"*(You're just nervous)

"You're right. Maybe I'm just nervous, thanks Elise for helping me"

At the end of the thin smile Oliver felt grateful because Elise wanted to help him to talk to Nicolas. While Elise is happy because the two friends could be the new couple in the office, maybe gossip about them will be known by other employees if it happens because Nicolas is quite famous.

The sound of the glass clinking, making the attention of the people who were already present there staring forward—right towards Julian who was holding the glass in his hand.

"Thank you because you can all be present at this pickle."

Julian opened the show smoothly. Speaking in front of all of his employees, he looked authoritative and confident. Elise stared in amazement at Julian's figure like this, not often she saw him with a positive side like this.

'Well, at least he was being kind and fair to his subordinates'

Good and fair, except for Elise.

At the end of his speech, Julian smiled faintly. A business smile but it felt sincere, it seemed like he was really happy because the crowd present at the show—including Elise.

A moment when they looked at each other, Elise could see Julian's shocked expression staring at her. Not too long, but Elise knew Julian didn't expect that he would be there.

Maybe he thought because this was a gift giving event at the design department and Fiona's birthday then Elise would not attend, but in fact she was present there not even late.

The lined glass displays the night view of New York very well. Even though it was in the middle of winter, but their night view was still just as beautiful. There Julian gives a gift to Fiona, as well as a kiss on her forehead and cheeks that makes the people there cheer happily.

Elise only helped with a small applause. It felt like there was a needle piercing his heart as he looked at it.

Some employees give Fiona a gift. Coupled with a birthday wish, it seems Fiona is happy. Elise still noticed that from her stool, she just kept quiet while occasionally answering Oliver's words that invited her to speak.

Nicolas is out there, too. In addition to his High School friend with Julian, it turns out that he also has a friendship with Fiona because he also gave gifts to women that— is not as luxurious as a gift from Julian in the form of the latest output bag and expensive diamond necklace, and, but it was still a gift from his friend.

After that it was a free and relaxing event. Those who want to eat start enjoying the food available and others do other things such as taking pictures or just chatting lightly.

Julian and Fiona were apparently still busy chatting with other employees there. Fiona always holds Julian's hand spoiled and the man does not reject her. The word couple goals is perfect for them.

'i have to admit they do fit in'

Elise knew that, so she hoped that their engagement relationship would end soon so Elise would not see their friendly behavior again later.

"Can we change places? I want to sit down with my friend"

Nicolas' voice seemed to awaken Elise from her daydream. The bespectacled man easily sat down in front of Elise, displaying a gentle smile as usual.

"*Here you are, Elise. I was looking for you earlier, I thought you weren't coming" *(You're here as it turns out)

Nicolas spoke briefly as he looked at Elise who was smiling awkwardly. Actually Elise had sent a message to Nicolas, but it seems that the man forgot or he did not open his phone.

"I'm coming, of course." Elise paused her speech for a moment, as if just remembering something she immediately introduced Oliver who had been sitting next to her—Oliver was not comfortable interrupting the conversation of Elise and Nicolas, therefore he just kept quiet since then.

"Oh yes! He was my friend. Oliver Giroud's"

Oliver smiled as he extended his hand.

"My name is Oliver Giroud, nice to meet you Mr. Nicolas"

Elise was happy because she thought they had a match. Because it was time for him to leave to let his two friends talk comfortably together.

"I'm going to the toilet for a minute. Enjoy the time you two!"

After saying that Elise immediately left, without noticing the somewhat disappointed face of Nicolas as Elise left him with Oliver there.

Oliver glanced at Nicolas. His current appearance also fascinated him, he even felt the heat because he was close to the person he liked.

Not wanting to let the opportunity presented by Elise go to waste, Oliver starts a conversation with her.

"What does Mr Nicolas like? Sometimes I get curious about it."

Nicolas was silent for a moment, thinking of the answer to Oliver's real question that didn't take long to answer.

"Film and book. I think those two things are what I like the most"

'Of course if it concerns someone then Elise is the answer'

Nicolas did not say the last words clearly. He still does not want to show his feelings that like Elise to anyone, let alone the employees who work with him.

Oliver nodded in understanding. Already he guessed from the serious figure of Nicolas, the man must have liked books.

Luckily Oliver had prepared a good book present. He reached into his bag to pull out a neatly wrapped and beautiful gift, but his hand stopped immediately when he saw the disappointed expression of Nicolas staring at the screen of his device.

"Mr Nicolas's? What's up?"

He asked because he was worried. Nicolas looked at Oliver briefly, then a faint smile was seen on his face.

"Oh, sorry. Elise said she wouldn't be here anymore, too bad I wanted to talk to her"

Elise will not come there again. He knew it was because what Elise was doing was their plan.

Oliver will ignore his thoughts and still express his feelings for Nicolas. But, looking at her expression just now made her heart ache.

Nervous and unsettled, he asked the man.

"Mr Nicolas, do you like Elise?"

Tacit. Nicolas did not answer.

"Why do you ask that?" Ask Nicolas briefly.

Just stop! I can't say it. Oliver wanted to stop himself from asking any further questions and considered Nicolas's expression to be the wind. But, it seems that his heart is losing to the ego and forcing him to figure out Nicolas's true feelings.

"Just, your gaze when you look at Elise is very different. You seem to have liked him for a long time, but can't say what you want to him that's why you're still friends" Oliver paused his remark for a moment "I'm right?"

Nicolas wanted to deny it but he was caught this way, so he answered Oliver's question with a short nod without saying anything.

"Please keep this a secret from Elise, Ms. Oliver"

Nicolas likes Elise even though Elise says they don't like each other. It felt like Oliver was like a fool for intending to express feelings to a man who liked another woman, he had already lost before even advancing.

Oliver smiled knotingly. Convincing himself not to cry right then and there.

"I'll definitely keep it a secret. You guys do look a lot right."

"Thank you"

After that their conversation continued. Most of them were talking about Elise and the man seemed to enjoy their conversation about the idol.

That's all Oliver did. He came back with a hurt feeling. Elise Anderson was not wrong, just that she did not know where to go with this pain so as not to make her suffer.

Oliver is jealous of Elise. Envy that ends up being a hatred for him.

"You didn't help Elise Anderson at all"

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