She Made a List of the Perfect Man — Then Fell for the One Who Failed Every Rule
Chapter 10
The meeting was a success.
Investors praised the company’s presentation.
Michael’s new image received compliments.
Jessica’s visual direction was exactly what the company needed.
But afterward, Michael asked her to meet him privately.
“I owe you an apology,” he said.
Jessica looked surprised.
“For what?”
“I was angry.”
“You had every right.”
“I still shouldn’t have assumed everything you did was fake.”
Jessica smiled sadly.
“Most of it was.”
Michael almost laughed.
“At least you’re honest now.”
Jessica looked down.
“I am.”
There was a long silence.
“I like you,” Michael finally said.
Jessica’s heart stopped.
“But I don’t know how to trust you.”
She nodded.
“I understand.”
“I need time.”
“Of course.”
Michael looked at her.
“And I think you need to decide who you are without an assignment telling you who to become.”
Those words followed Jessica home.
That evening, she met Nina.
Jessica expected to be fired.
Instead, Nina smiled.
“I read your article.”
Jessica looked nervous.
“So?”
“It’s good.”
Jessica blinked.
“Good?”
“Very good.”
“But I failed.”
“No.”
Nina closed the manuscript.
“You started with a story about finding a perfect businessman.”
“Yes.”
“But that’s not what the article became.”
Jessica frowned.
Nina leaned forward.
“You went looking for a perfect man and discovered that perfection was a fantasy.”
Jessica remained silent.
“You lied to get a job. You dated a man who lied to you. You judged another man by his appearance. And somewhere in the middle of all that, you met someone who saw every flaw you had and still gave you a chance.”
Jessica’s heart began pounding.
“Michael.”
Nina smiled.
“Exactly.”
