She Made a List of the Perfect Man — Then Fell for the One Who Failed Every Rule
Chapter 5
Michael confronted Jessica on a rainy Tuesday morning.
“Close the door.”
Jessica’s stomach dropped.
She sat across from him.
Michael placed a folder on his desk.
“Your resume.”
Jessica swallowed.
“I can explain.”
“I hope so.”
He opened the folder.
“The internship you listed doesn’t exist.”
Jessica said nothing.
“The university qualification is also questionable.”
“I was desperate.”
Michael looked at her.
“That’s not an explanation.”
“I know.”
For the first time since she started working there, Jessica looked genuinely frightened.
“I wanted the job.”
“So you lied.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
She couldn’t tell him about the article.
Not yet.
“I thought I could prove myself once I got here.”
Michael studied her face.
“You understand that I could terminate your employment.”
“I do.”
“Then why aren’t you asking me not to?”
Jessica looked down.
“Because I know I was wrong.”
Silence.
Finally, Michael closed the folder.
“I’m giving you one chance.”
Jessica looked up.
“What?”
“Stop lying.”
“I will.”
“From now on, your work has to speak for you.”
Jessica nodded.
“Thank you.”
She stood.
Then Michael added:
“Jessica.”
She turned.
“You’re actually very good at this.”
Her expression softened.
“Thank you.”
When she left, Michael remained alone.
He wasn’t sure why he had let her stay.
Perhaps because underneath all her mistakes, he saw something genuine.
Ambition.
Fear.
And a determination he recognized.
Neither of them realized how much that decision would change their lives.
