Chapter 4 # The Shadow Behind the Friendship
1271 Words
The morning sun shone through the gaps in the curtains and onto Olivia's face. She slowly opened her eyes as a new day began. After a simple morning exercise and wash, she chose a light green chiffon shirt paired with a white wide-leg pants, looking fresh and elegant. She didn't have to go to work at the magazine office today and planned to sort out some fashion materials at home to prepare for the next issue's magazine planning.
Olivia sat in front of the desk in the study, turned on the computer, and started to browse fashion websites and industry reports. However, her thoughts kept drifting to Evelyn from time to time. Evelyn's frequent presence recently made her feel both warm and vaguely uneasy. She didn't know where this uneasiness came from. She just felt that some of Evelyn's looks and questions seemed to have hidden meanings.
Just then, the doorbell suddenly rang. Olivia got up to open the door and saw Evelyn standing at the door with a bright smile and a beautiful bag in her hand. "Good morning, dear! I made some handmade cookies this morning and brought them over for you to taste." Evelyn said.
Olivia smiled and welcomed Evelyn in. "You're so thoughtful. I'm just a bit hungry."
The two came to the living room and sat down. Evelyn opened the bag and took out a cookie and handed it to Olivia. "Have a taste. This is a new recipe I've developed."
Olivia took the cookie and took a bite. "Mm, it tastes really good. You're such a great baker."
Evelyn looked at Olivia with gentle eyes. "As long as you like it. By the way, what are you doing at home today?"
Olivia pointed to the computer. "I'm sorting out some fashion materials to find inspiration for the next magazine planning. What about you?"
Evelyn sighed softly. "I don't have anything special. I just thought of coming to see you. Actually, I've encountered some troubles in my relationship recently and don't know what to do."
Olivia put down the cookie and asked with concern. "What's wrong? You can tell me."
Evelyn's eyes looked a bit dull. "I like someone, but he doesn't seem to have any special feelings for me. I tried to get close to him, but I'm always ignored. I feel like a failure. Why can others have a beautiful love while I'm always so unlucky?"
Olivia comforted her. "Love can't be forced. Maybe you just haven't met the right person yet. Don't be too discouraged. I believe you will definitely find your own happiness."
Evelyn shook her head slightly. "You don't understand. I really like him. I even thought that if I could be as excellent as you, would he look at me more?"
Olivia held Evelyn's hand. "Don't think like that. Everyone has their own shining points. You are kind, gentle, and talented. These are all very precious qualities."
Evelyn looked at Olivia, and a complex look flashed in her eyes. "Thank you, Olivia. It's so nice to have a friend like you."
Then, Evelyn seemed to have adjusted her mood. She stood up. "Let's not talk about me. Let's have a look at the fashion materials you've sorted out. Maybe I can be of some help."
Olivia took Evelyn to the study. Evelyn's eyes scanned the desk and saw some of Olivia's manuscripts and notes. She pretended to be curious and picked up a notebook and flipped through it. "Are these all your ideas about fashion planning? They're amazing. Every idea is very unique."
Olivia smiled. "These are just preliminary ideas and need to be further improved."
Evelyn flipped through the notebook and seemingly casually asked. "When you plan these fashion events, have you considered cooperating with some emerging designers? Although they are not very famous, they often have a lot of novel ideas."
Olivia nodded. "I have considered it. Actually, I've been keeping an eye on some emerging designers with potential, hoping to provide them with a display platform. Do you have any recommendations?"
Evelyn's heart moved. She remembered an emerging designer who had a conflict with her before, and an evil thought arose in her mind. "I know a designer named Ellie. Her works are very individual, but she is a bit arrogant and not easy to get along with. I think you can get in touch with her. Maybe you can create something different."
Olivia wrote down the name. "Okay, I'll look into it. Thank you for the recommendation."
Evelyn's lips curled up slightly. She knew Ellie's temper. If Olivia cooperated with her, she would definitely encounter a lot of troubles. This was just the first step of her plan. She wanted to slowly get Olivia into various difficulties.
In the afternoon, Olivia and Evelyn went shopping together. They came to a large shopping center where people were coming and going and it was very lively. Evelyn pulled Olivia into a fashionable clothing store. The store was filled with various stylish clothes.
"What do you think of this dress? It suits you very well." Evelyn picked up a red dress and held it against Olivia.
Olivia looked at it. "The color is very bright, but I don't think it suits my style."
Evelyn picked up a black evening dress. "What about this one? It will definitely look very elegant on you."
Olivia tried it on. It really fit well and was very beautiful. But when she saw the price tag, she couldn't help frowning. "It's too expensive. I don't think it's cost-effective."
Evelyn advised. "You are the editor of a fashion magazine. You should have more high-quality clothes like this. And you work so hard. You should reward yourself well."
Olivia hesitated and finally put down the dress. "I'll think about it. I think clothes are not about being expensive, but about whether they suit you or not."
Evelyn was a bit unhappy in her heart. She thought Olivia would buy the dress without hesitation, which could put some financial pressure on her. But she didn't show it and said with a smile. "Okay, you're right. Let's look at something else."
After shopping, the two came to a restaurant for dinner. At the dinner table, Evelyn started to ask Olivia about her family. "You rarely mention your family. Where are they?"
Olivia's eyes became a bit sad. "My parents are abroad. We seldom see each each other. I'm working hard here alone. Although I sometimes feel lonely, I'm used to it."
Evelyn was secretly happy. She thought Olivia's loneliness was a weakness she could take advantage of. "Then you must miss them a lot. Have you ever thought of finding time to visit them?"
Olivia shook her head. "I'm too busy with work and haven't had the time. And I also want to achieve something here and make them proud of me."
After dinner, Evelyn sent Olivia home. At Olivia's doorstep, Evelyn suddenly hugged Olivia. "Dear, I had a great time with you today. I hope our friendship will always be so beautiful."
Olivia hugged her back. "Me too. I'm lucky to have a friend like you."
Evelyn let go of her, watched Olivia enter the house, and the smile on her face gradually disappeared, replaced by a cold and calculating look. She turned and left, thinking about the next step of her plan. She wanted to get Olivia into difficulties in work, relationship, and life, and make her taste the pain of losing everything. And Olivia was completely unaware of Evelyn's conspiracy. She still regarded Evelyn as her closest friend and was immersed in this false friendship.
- Writer
