He's deliberately nitpicking. He's trying to provoke you.
"Very well, Mr. Blackwood." I made a note, my voice terrifyingly calm. "But I must warn you, this will compromise the design's aesthetic balance."
"I'm paying. I decide." He said carelessly. "Is that a problem?"
Damn rich people.
"None whatsoever." My pen pressed hard across the paper, nearly puncturing it. "I'll revise according to your specifications."
"Good." Kayden nodded with satisfaction. "Next?"
I flipped to the 'Breaking Free' bracelet design.
"The 'Breaking Free' bracelet uses platinum, inspired by a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. The main body features flowing, organic lines..."
"Why platinum?"
Great. Here we go again. My temples started throbbing.
"Because platinum's cool tone perfectly captures the theme's sense of stark transformation and the moment of metamorphosis..."
"I want rose gold."
"Rose gold will make the tone too warm," I said, struggling to maintain professionalism and not shout. "It'll destroy the design's entire artistic concept."
"I want rose gold." Kayden leaned back, amusement flickering in those silver eyes.
"No problem." My voice took on an edge. "Rose gold it is."
The next half hour was pure torture. Kayden nitpicked nearly every design detail in completely unreasonable ways.
The setting was too traditional—he wanted innovation. The chain too delicate—make it bolder. The engraving too minimalist—make it elaborate.
I patiently explained each point, offered professional alternatives, and cited supporting data. But he rejected everything, as if he didn't care about the design quality at all—he just wanted to see me lose control, even if it meant watching me curse him out.
But I wouldn't give him that satisfaction.
"Also," Kayden's long fingers tapped the 'New Life' earring design. "This look—"
"Represents the pulse of new life and the continuation of hope," I cut in before he could finish, then flipped to another page. "I know you're going to say it's too minimalist, not ornate enough, so I've prepared an alternative."
I pushed the second version in front of him.
I'd quickly sketched this during the gaps between his harassment, for exactly this moment.
"This version adds pavé diamond accents to the original base using the micro-setting technique, totaling 0.8 carats. More luxurious, and better suited to your aesthetic expectations for the 'New Life' theme."
Kayden froze. He stared at the design for several seconds, then slowly raised his eyes to meet mine.
Was that... defeat?
"You already knew?"
"I'm a professional designer, Mr. Blackwood." A surge of satisfaction filled my chest. "Anticipating client needs is part of my job."
The café fell quiet for a few seconds. Kayden's gaze remained fixed on me, unmoving. Just as I was about to break the silence—
"Impressive," he said softly, with genuine admiration. "Seven years have changed you so much."
