Chapter 108
Anathea finished the last bite of her breakfast and drove to the studio for work that day.
Although her floral designs had been removed from the upcoming exhibition, one day had been enough for her designs to attract the attention of many. As a result, Eden Studio had gained newfound fame, albeit on a lesser scale, following the
exhibition.
The studio had received a huge number of orders. Anathea had also been appointed by name enough times for her orders to overwhelm the studio.
“Nat, you’re getting a little too famous for us!” Evangeline was grinning from ear to ear. “I knew you could do it! Screw the guy who said you weren’t a ‘good fit‘ for them!”
A good–natured laugh escaped Anathea’s lips.
“By the way, I know you’ll have a tough time taking on all these orders, so just pick the ones you want to work with. As for the rest, I’ll take care of turning down the orders on your behalf,” Evangeline said thoughtfully.
With Anathea gearing up for the International Floristry Competition, Evangeline wanted her to focus on more important things than handling orders.
“Got it,” Anathea said. She glanced at the offers and picked one that suited her style. “I’ll take this one then. I can meet the client today.”
“That’s a good one.” Evangeline nodded in approval after glancing at the offer. “It won’t be a major, complicated design that requires a lot of effort on your part, and the price they’re offering is the highest too.”
Anathea hadn’t checked the price at all, but now that she looked at it, she realized the client was offering more than double the usual rate, At first glance, it was obvious the client was unfamiliar with the industry standards. Only an amateur with too much money would offer to pay that much.
She couldn’t help but be curious about who the amateur was, though. However, when she arrived at the agreed meeting spot and saw the person in the seat across from hers, she was overcome with the urge to get up and leave.
“You’re going to leave when you just got here and barely took your seat?” Theo asked disgruntledly. “Is it because you saw me sitting here?”
At the very least, he’d been kind enough to lend her a handkerchief, hadn’t he?
“No, I just wanted to adjust my chair.” Anathea flashed him a courteous smile. It just so happened that she’d washed his handkerchief. She took it out of her purse and handed it to him. “Here you go. Thank you.”
“I’m kind of tired of hearing those two words.” Theo took the handkerchief and casually set it on the table. “Don’t you have anything else to say?”
“Of course,” Anathea replied. She stared at him, sounding mildly surprised as she said, “I didn’t think you’d ask for a floral arrangement.”
“Can’t I be interested in artsy stuff?” Theo countered. “You got a problem with that?”
However, he regretted his words as soon as he said them. He hadn’t wanted to come off as so prickly and brutish, but for some reason, his mouth betrayed him the moment he opened it.
“Of course not.” Anathea maintained her smile, treating Theo just like any other client. She asked him what the floral arrangement was for, given that different occasions called for different designs.
“My bedroom,” Theo answered.
“Bedroom?” He’d hired her services at an astonishingly high price and she’d believed he wanted the floral arrangement for a fancy banquet or the like. But instead, he wanted it for his bedroom
“What, you got a problem with that too?” Theo’s brows furrowed.
ZU DURUS
“No.” Anathea gave him a polite smile. “In that case, what sort of flowers do you like, Mr. Harrington? I’d like some references
to work with.”
“I’m good with any flower. You can call the shots.” Theo had no specific request in mind. After all, he hadn’t met with Anathea today to talk about floral arrangements. His gaze fell on the purse set beside her hand. As expected, she was still using the purse he’d squashed out of shape.
He pointed out, “You married into money. You can’t tell me that’s the only purse you have.”
Anathea was baffled by his remark. “Is there a problem?”
“Yes, there is. I find your purse to be an eyesore,” Theo said stiffly Before Anathea could reply, he stood up. “So, I’m going to give you a new bag as compensation.”
He never liked owing favors to others.
However, Anathea rejected his offer outright. “No, thanks. My purse is still good-”
She barely finished speaking with Theo took out a black gift box and slid it toward her. She went still, not at all expecting him to actually give her a bag.
“Open it and take a look.” Theo prompted her. “I can exchange it if you don’t like it.”
When Anathea didn’t move, Theo opened the gift box himself and took out the bag. He then shoved it into her hands.
It was a Hermès Faubourg Birkin Snow, which cost about 400 thousand dollars–several hundred times more expensive than Anathera’s purse.
