Bring Your A Game, Mr

Chapter 189 Not One to Be Trifled With

“I think that the fabric of the dress could be better since it’s weighing me down and extremely tight as well. I believe there may be ways to make it a lot more comfortable.” As soon as these words tumbled out of Elise’s mouth, Brendan’s smile faded.

He was a fashion designer, after all, and as far as an artist’s ego was concerned, he couldn’t stand having others criticize his work, especially one which he held with esteem. However, given that the present critic was Elise herself, he suppressed his injured pride and asked with forced patience, “In that case, what fabric do you suggest we incorporate?”

Although Brendan sounded casual enough, there was a trace of disdain in his tone that seemingly implied that she had no right to comment on the making of the dress, given that she was not an expert.

Elise, on the other hand, did not bridle at the hostility underlying his question, and instead replied mildly, “I personally think that a fiber-based tulle would be a better choice and there should be some adjustments to the skirt to make it weigh less. It might help with the aesthetics, too.”

At that moment, he was sure that the girl was besmirching his design. While keeping his resentment at bay, he bit out, “Well then, since you’ve said so, I guess I’ll just try to tweak the dress.” With that, he gestured for his assistant to help her out of the dress.

Upon sensing his disgruntlement, Elise quickly explained, “Don’t get me wrong; I love your design and how beautiful it is. Whatever I said earlier was merely a suggestion.”

Brendan hummed curtly in response. “That’s fine. If you think the dress needs some tweaking, then I’ll just go along with it.”

Not wanting to further prod the bruise on his artist’s esteem, she conceded and changed out of the dress, which was later taken away by his assistant.

Meanwhile, after having observed the slightly tense exchange, Alexander knew instantly that Brendan was very much offended by Elise’s remarks. Fashion design was not his forte, but he understood Brendan’s temperament and he was only too familiar with Brendan’s intolerance toward any criticism about his work.

“Brendan, I don’t think it’s a bad idea to make a few slight adjustments, but if you don’t want to go along with it, why don’t you let Elise take charge instead?” Alexander placated while delicately selecting his words.

presumptuous to have nitpicked on his design when she wasn’t even a fellow designer, but Alexander’s words made sense.

walk in the park. A hint of contempt sneaked into his voice as he drawled, “You know what? I think you’re right, Alexander. Elise, if you have better ideas for the dress, then you’re welcome to make all the adjustments

she heard it, Elise paused in thought and finally agreed,

that she might become flustered and turn down his offer, but exasperation seized him when he saw how confident she looked. How could

added, “Then, I’ll leave the dress to you, Elise. You can come to me if you need any help, or would you prefer I dispatch two assistants to lend you a helping

replied, “I think one assistant should suffice. I’ll drop by tomorrow and start on the tweaking if that’s

but he did not. When she and Alexander made their way out of Brendan’s office, they piled into the car. Alexander peered

the first time she had heard anyone making such promises to her. The five syllables strung together into a simple assurance, but it made her tingle with warmth nonetheless. I’ll be there for you. As the words reverberated in her headspace, she smiled and responded,

heartstrings. It was as if he had discovered the true reason behind his attraction for her; he could see the same stubbornness in her that he used

Elise showed up at the atelier alone. Unlike yesterday, everyone at the atelier was too preoccupied with their own work to notice her presence. She paid no mind to this and found her way to Brendan’s office, thereafter knocking cursorily on his

“Come in.”

voice,

he looked up and when he saw her, he stiffened. “Oh, you’re

get started on the

surprise; he hadn’t expected her to actually turn up, believing that she was nothing but a big talker at that time. Then again, he’d like to see how she was going to ruin the dress now that she was

her down the hallway and when they came to a stop at the end, he declared, “You can work on the dress here. All the tools are in

thanked him and went through the door. She was immediately greeted by the sight of the dress, which hung on the mannequin’s frame. As she walked toward it, she appraised the dress from all angles and began to sketch something on a

his office when Molly entered. “You wanted