Chapter 151
“I’m so sorry, Douglas. I saw someone outside and just p>
Liliana looked flustered. Bursting in without knocking was indeed rude.
“It’s alright.” Douglas Sewell put down the phone and smiled at her. “I was just finishing up anyway p>
But the world wasn’t full of such perfect coincidences.
Who just hangs up on someone while they’re still in the middle of talking?
Liliana still felt embarrassed. “Next time, let’s not meet in your office. You can just message me p>
“That was my oversight. I shouldn’t have asked you to come to my office and made you uncomfortable p>
Douglas pointed to the chair across from him. “But since you’re here today, we can’t waste the opportunity. I happened to bring lunch, and it’s getting cold p>
On his desk sat takeout bags from a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
He opened them, taking out several dishes he had chosen on the way, specifically to Liliana’s taste.
“You arranged for lunch too?” Liliana hurried over. “I already ordered lunch p>
Since she was asking Douglas for a favor, it was only natural that she treat him to lunch.
Douglas immediately said, “There’s still time to cancel it. Otherwise, we won’t be able to finish everything, and it’ll be a waste p>
“Douglas, if you keep doing this, I’ll be too embarrassed to ask for your help next time,” Liliana said honestly as she canceled her order.
Too much food would be a waste, so canceling was the right thing to do, but she still needed to make her point.
But Douglas always managed to strike the perfect balance, never making her feel overly uncomfortable while ensuring she would graciously accept.
“How do you know I won’t have times when I need your help? If you draw such a clear line, does that mean you don’t plan on helping me in the future p>
Liliana couldn’t help but smile. “Of course not p>
Douglas smiled gently. “Sit down. Let’s not waste time. Tell me about your design drafts p>
The dishes were all laid out, and the office filled with the fragrant aroma of food. His office had a completely different style from Cedric Forrest’s.
The pale cream-colored desk and cabinets, along with the light-toned sofa, were bathed in the strong midday sun, creating a very warm atmosphere.
Added to that was the man before her, with his gentle features and a constant smile in his eyes.
Liliana unconsciously relaxed, discussing her work with Douglas as they ate.
“Your draft does have some flaws, but it’s more than good enough to pass the preliminary round. Personally, I’d advise you not to present something too perfect to the public right from the start,
Her work did have some minor imperfections.
But it was far superior to that of the average designer.
A piece that was too stunning from the get-go would create high expectations, putting a lot of pressure on her for the subsequent stages of the competition
“Is it really okay?” It wasn’t that Liliana was a perfectionist who nitpicked every detail.
She just lacked confidence in herself, afraid of being eliminated in the first round. “Don’t put so much pressure on yourself. Believe in yourself,” Douglas encouraged her. After a moment’s thought, he added, “Are you available this weekend?” Liliana nodded. “Yes, what’s up p>
Douglas opened the drawer on his right, took out two invitations, and slid them across to her.
“This is the National Interior Design Exhibition It happens to be this weekend We can go together. You cab took for some inspiration and prepare for the upcoming rounds of the competition p>
She had seen news about this design exhibition; all the designs featured were from renowned designers.
She would love nothing more than to go and feast her eyes.
“Okay, see you this weekend p>
Liliana’s eyes curved into crescents, her lips forming two small dimples.
Her brilliant smile was reflected in Douglas’s eyes, and the gentle look in his gaze softened even further.
After lunch, while there was still time before work resumed, Liliana quietly left his office.
Douglas wasn’t well-known in the domestic design scene, but Liliana knew he had been working in the design industry abroad for the past two years.
Since he thought her design draft could pass the preliminary round, the anxiety she’d been holding onto finally subsided.
Submissions could be turned in early, so she returned to her desk and submitted her design draft right away.