We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Cedar’s POV

I walked through the revolving doors of Nest Design, stepping into a spacious marble lobby flooded with autumn sunlight that streamed through floor–to- ceiling windows. The light gleamed off the numerous design awards and patents displayed on the walls. This interior design company had established itself in Chicago over a decade ago and commanded significant respect in the industry.

When I was still the associate designer director at Wright Creatives, I’d desperately wanted to collaborate with Nest Design. I even drafted a comprehensive proposal myself. But they were expanding too rapidly to consider partnerships with smaller design firms like ours. Now I stood here as a job applicant

instead.

The lobby bustled with activity, filled with prospective candidates. Most wore tailored suits, carrying leather portfolios, their expressions betraying a mixture of anxiety and hope. According to the notice board, Nest Design had only opened two positions. The competition would be fierce.

After completing my forms, I received a card with ‘37‘ printed on it and followed directions to the adjacent waiting room. It featured an open–concept design with several clusters of low–profile modern sofas surrounding glass coffee tables. I chose a spot by the window, noticing a group of women engaged

in quiet conversation nearby.

“Can you believe it? I just saw someone with a Harvard degree applying for a mere junior interior designer position!” whispered a woman in a navy blue suit.

“Shows what you know,” responded another with a sleek bob haircut. “Nest Design is a subsidiary of Sterling Design Group. Do you have any idea how many

people would kill for an opportunity at Sterling? A Harvard degree is nothing special there–they’re swimming in credentials.”

“Wait–this is a Sterling company? The third woman gasped. “God, am I completely out of my league?*

“You’re here now. Might as well try. Stranger things have happened,” Sleek Bob shrugged.

I clutched my number card, feeling my heartbeat quicken. Sterling Design Group–Chicago’s premier design conglomerate with thirty years of history.

operations spanning architectural design, interior solutions, product development, and global offices. This design powerhouse ranked among the world’s top

ten design firms–not somewhere just anyone could walk into.

Perhaps even their receptionists had more impressive qualifications than mine. I was probably just here to make up the numbers.

Still, since I’d made it this far, I might as well see it through.

I sat quietly in the waiting area, watching candidates ahead of me enter the interview room one by one, each emerging with increasingly tense expressions. The atmosphere grew heavy with anxiety as everyone silently reviewed materials or stared at their hands, the air thick with nervous energy.

Text candidate, Cedar Wright.”

Hearing my name, my chest tightened. I took a deep breath, smoothed my pencil skirt, and walked toward the interview room with as much composure as 1 could muster. After a gentle knock, I pushed the door open.

To my surprise, the spacious office contained just one middle–aged man. He sat behind an expansive glass desk adorned with several intricate architectural models. When I entered, he offered a friendly smile.

‘Ms. Wright, hello, I’m Thomas Coleman, General Manager of Nest Design.”

“Mr. Coleman, it’s a pleasure.” His warm demeanor helped ease my tension as I returned his greeting.

“Please, have a seat. Mr. Coleman gestured toward a contemporary chair facing him while opening my resume. Ms. Wright, I see you previously served as Associate Designer Director at Wright Creatives. You must have substantial relevant experience?‘

I responded modestly, ‘Not substantial, but I’ve developed a solid foundation that allows me to adapt quickly to similar responsibilities.”

“Well then- Mr. Coleman looked up, meeting my eyes directly. “Would Ms. Wright be interested in trying for the Senior Design Director position?

I’m sorry? My eyes widened, struggling to process what I’d just heard.

The Senior Design Director position offers a salary of $100,000 annually, plus performance bonuses and benefits. If Ms. Wright has no objections, you could

start tomorrow.”

Hearing Mr. Coleman’s words, I swallowed hard. “Could you… possibly repeat what you just said?”

“I’m very impressed with your capabilities and experience, Ms. Wright. I’d like you to join Nest Design and help create a brilliant future for our company.”

His voice remained gentle but determined, without a hint of humor.

I sat frozen, unsure how to respond. Coming to interview for a junior designer position only to be offered a design directorship–this kind of thing simply

didn’t happen in Chicago’s competitive design industry.

Everything seemed too perfect, too easy.

I collected my thoughts and found my voice: “I’m… extremely grateful for your confidence, Mr. Coleman. But may I ask–why me? Especially considering all

the qualified candidates here today.”

“Your portfolio demonstrates exceptional strategic thinking, particularly your campaign for the Lakefront Apartments renovation. But more importantly, I see

someone who understands both creative vision and practical implementation—a rare combination.” He leaned forward slightly. “We need someone who can

translate Sterling’s design philosophy into compelling market narratives. Your background makes you uniquely qualified.”

I emerged from the interview room in a daze, my mind still processing what had just happened. The waiting candidates immediately turned their attention

to me, their scrutinizing gazes following my every move.

“Another one bites the dust,‘ I overheard a woman in a plaid blazer whisper to her neighbor. “Her interview was so short–that’s never a good sign.”

I didn’t feel the need to correct them, instead moving toward my seat to gather my belongings and leave.

Just then, a woman in a charcoal gray suit approached me with purposeful strides.

“Ms. Wright?” Her voice carried clearly across the waiting area, causing heads to turn. “Mr. Coleman would like you to complete some onboarding paperwork.

You can start tomorrow.”

The waiting room fell silent. I could feel the weight of everyone’s surprised stares.

‘Onboarding paperwork? A man with wire–rimmed glasses couldn’t contain himself. “She got hired?”

The secretary smiled politely. “Yes, indeed.”

The candidates exchanged bewildered looks. I shared their disbelief–this still felt surreal.

The secretary then called out, “Next candidate, Victoria Chase.”

3:51 pm

Chapter 26

Victoria, a woman with auburn hair tied in a sleek ponytail, looked confused. “I thought you’d already filled both design positions. Why continue

interviewing?

“We’ve currently filled one junior designer position and the newly created Design Director position, the secretary explained. “We still have one junior designer position open.”

“Design Director? The room erupted in astonished murmurs.

“Someone actually landed the Director position? Who could possibly a young man sputtered.

“It must be the Harvard graduate, someone else chimed in. “She’s the only one qualified. She worked at that prestigious firm in New York for two years.”

“But she’s still sitting over there,” another candidate pointed out.

One by one, all eyes turned to me, their expressions a mixture of shock and disbelief.