Chapter 33\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cedar\u2019s POV\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beyond the door was a stylish lounge with a beautiful dining table at its center. The room smelled of sandalwood and expensive leather\u2013clearly the executives private dining area. But given my situation, I barely had time to appreciate these luxurious details.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the brightly lit bathroom, the stain looked even worse under LED lighting. I had to unbutton my blouse partially, exposing my undergarments to better\u00a0<\/p>\n
treat the stubborn coffee mark.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPerfect start to my first day\u2026\u201d I muttered, scrubbing furiously at the persistent stain.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Completely focused on salvaging my blouse, I didn\u2019t register the sounds outside until the bathroom door suddenly opened. I realized too late that I\u2019d\u00a0<\/p>\n
forgotten to lock it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ridley Sterling stood in the doorway, his expression transforming from initial surprise to cool suspicion.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I shrieked, instinctively trying to cover myself. An awkward silence enveloped us as time seemed to stop.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMs. Wright, this is the executive area, he stated flatly, arms crossed as he remained in the doorway.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI spilled coffee and was desperate to find a bathroom,\u201d I explained frantically, trying to rearrange my clothing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIndeed?\u201d His tone dripped with skepticism. \u201cI\u2019ve seen many arranged \u2018chance meetings,\u2018 but this approach is certainly creative.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Heat rushed to my face. \u201cI\u2013I was looking for somewhere to deal with this,\u201d I gestured to the coffee stain. \u201cIt was an accident.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018Indeed?\u201d His eyebrows rose slightly. \u201cAccidents seem to follow you with remarkable consistency.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t know this was the executive area,\u201d I explained, fighting to keep my voice steady despite the humiliation burning in my chest. \u201cI was just trying to\u00a0<\/p>\n
find a bathroom or break room to clean this up.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you thought an unmarked door in an unfamiliar hallway was the most logical choice?\u201d His gaze was clinical, assessing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The condescension in his tone made me want to snap back, but I bit my tongue. It was my first day at Nest Design, and Ridley Sterling was essentially my\u00a0<\/p>\n
boss\u2019s boss\u2019s boss. I couldn\u2019t afford to make enemies, especially not at his level.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018I apologize for the intrusion,\u201d I said stiffly. \u201cI\u2019ll find my way back.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ridley moved to the doorway, effectively blocking my exit. He pressed a button on his phone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAlbert, bring a woman\u2019s suit, to my office. Immediately.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My eyes widened. \u201cThat\u2019s not necessary-\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is if you intend to be taken seriously in your new position,\u201d he cut me off. \u201cA Senior Design Director can\u2019t walk around with a coffee\u2013stained blouse. It undermines authority.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018I appreciate the gesture, Mr. Sterling, but I can manage-\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
3:58 pm D M\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 33\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis isn\u2019t a debate, Ms. Wright. His tone was final. Professional appearance is non\u2013negotiable at Sterling Design Group.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I wanted to argue, but part of me recognized the practical reality\u2013I couldn\u2019t spend my first day as director looking like I\u2019d been in a fight with a coffee machine. Still, the high\u2013handedness of his approach made my teeth clench.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ridley stepped aside to let a young man enter\u2013presumably Albert\u2013who carried a garment bag.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For Ms. Wright, Ridley said, then turned to me. \u201cAlbert will show you to a private room where you can change. The next time you wish to see me, schedule an appointment with my assistant rather than orchestrating elaborate coffee accidents.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My jaw dropped at the accusation. \u2018I wasn\u2019t-\u00a0<\/p>\n
But Ridley had already turned away, dismissing me entirely as he returned to his desk.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Albert led me to a small adjoining room, hanging the garment bag on a hook by the door.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease take your time, Ms. Wright,\u201d he said with unexpected deference. \u201cThere\u2019s a private bathroom through that door if you need it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once alone, I unzipped the garment bag to find an exquisite gray suit. It was easily the most expensive piece of clothing I\u2019d ever held.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I emerged, Albert was waiting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt fits perfectly,\u201d I said, unable to hide my surprise. \u201cHow did Mr. Sterling know my size?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Albert\u2019s expression remained neutral, but something flickered in his eyes. \u201cMr. Sterling has an excellent eye for detail,\u201d he said carefully. \u201cThough he rarely\u00a0<\/p>\n
purchases clothing for anyone, Ms. Wright.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
That statement hung in the air between us, heavy with implication.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope this doesn\u2019t create any\u2026 misunderstandings,\u201d I said cautiously. \u201cI\u2019m just a new employee who had a coffee accident.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, Albert replied smoothly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then he escorted me back toward the interior design department.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I returned to my department, conversations halted mid\u2013sentence. Eyes tracked my entrance, taking in the obviously expensive suit that had replaced\u00a0<\/p>\n
my coffee\u2013stained outfit.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNice upgrade, someone muttered as I passed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I heard whispers behind me: \u201cTwenty\u2013six and already design director?\u201d \u201cI heard she was in the executive wing earlier,\u201d \u201cMust have some serious connections.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Melissa, the Harvard graduate I\u2019d seen yesterday, approached my desk directly. She had impeccable credentials and two years of experience at a prestigious company before joining here.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWright, isn\u2019t it?\u201d she asked, her smile not reaching her eyes. \u201cI was looking at your resume. State university design program? That\u2019s\u2026 interesting. Most .directors here have Ivy League backgrounds or international design school training.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Another designer Victoria, who had also been hired after yesterday\u2019s interview, immediately chimed in as if on cue. \u201cExactly. I heard the design directors at the Drake Hotel are all Pratt Institute graduates. A project of this caliber should be led by someone with comparable credentials, don\u2019t you think?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 33\u00a0<\/p>\n
I met her gaze steadily. I appreciate your interest in my background, Melissa. But I\u2019d much rather you judge me by my portfolio and ideas than my alma mater. I\u2019m looking forward to working with all of you to create exceptional designs.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her smile tightened. \u201cOf course. We\u2019re all very curious to see what\u2026 qualities\u2026 earned you this position.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
As she walked away, I felt the weight of every doubtful stare in the office. They all assumed I had connections, or worse. None of them believed I\u2019d earned my position based on merit.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I straightened the jacket of my new suit and opened my laptop. I would prove them wrong. I had to.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Sky Remembered the Touch of Our Uninished Goodbyes by Lysa Orion Rehn 33 Chapter 33\u00a0 Cedar\u2019s POV\u00a0 Beyond the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[88],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30432","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-zero-stars-for-daddy-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30432","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30432"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30432\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30432"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30432"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30432"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}