I am a liar because of you

Steven gazed at Julie and thought she was the most troublesome woman he has ever met. What was he going to do, there was no position open in his company? But Julie did not know that. "Here is the situation. Our human resource manager's mother had an accident. Her accident was not major, but she's in the hospital. So he needs to be with his mother to help her recover. Therefore, he will be absent for six months. His position is open if you are willing to be a substitute worker at the company." Steven explains to Julie, hoping his voice sounds convincing to her.

"That's acceptable to me. Then, I will come again tomorrow for the interview." She replied. He took his eye off her and placed his focus on the paper on his desk. Steven felt mad that he expressed his feelings, but got no answer, and he had to lie again to please her. Yet, Julie feels more distant than before.

"There's no need. I will ask Kate to bring you to the interview room. I will make someone available to examine you. If he believes you are not qualified, then you wouldn't get the job. Is that all right with you?" Steven replied in a softer tone. Julie felt the sadness in his voice, but she did not want him to recognize that she's troubled, that he feels upset and cares about his pain. "Great, I agree. I will not take most of your time, then. I can see you have a lot on your plate this morning." She answered him and left his office.

Steven picked up his office phone and dialed Kate up. "Hello, Kate. Please notify Jack, our human resource manager, to pack his stuff because he's fired. Tell Melvin to interview Julie for the spot. Inform him that Julie should not fail this interview under no circumstances." Steven said. He tapped his pen against his lips. "Yes, boss. I understand." Kate replied.

"Do you love this job, Kate?" Steven asked her. She pauses for some time, then answers. "Yes, sir. I love working at this company." The pen stops at his lower lip, and Steven smiles. "I am glad you do. If anyone ever finds out about what we just discussed, specifically Julie. You will be the next person clearing your desk. When Julie asks about Jack, tell her that his mother is ill, and he has to take care of her. Make sure every employee says the same. Pay Jack off. Do not let him and Julie meet before he leaves the building. Do you understand me?" Steven told her, putting down his pen and laying back in his chair.

"I understand, sir!" Kate answers. Then she hangs up the phone. "What's so special about you that made my boss act like a jerk? Whatever, I need this job." Kate murmured as Julie approached Kate after a few minutes. "What can I help you with?" She asked when Julie reached her desk. "Steven sent me to you," Julie answered. Kate moved from behind her desk and led Julie into a room. She told Julie to wait. Kate also notified her that Melvin would be with her shortly.

Kate went into Jack's office. He was working on some papers when she entered. "Jack, I hate to be the bearer of unpleasant news. But the boss stated that you should clean your desk. He fired you." Kate told him. Jack lifted his head in shock. He stood up and struck the desk with force. "Fire! Why? I did nothing wrong. Why is Steven laying me off?" Jack asked Kate. He seemed enraged, but Kate did not feel pity toward him. She knew he had it coming when he was jeopardizing the company last year.

"Jack, come on. The entire office knows that your head has not been in the game recently. You have been making big errors lately. And the chief said he allowed it to slip because he was too lazy to fire you. Now he has found the right motivation to act on his word." Kate explained and gave the check to him.

Jack accepted the check, got a box, and packed his belongings. He appeared agitated, though he understood Kate was right. "I did those things because I needed the money. I did not mean to hurt the company. Using that money to fund my brother's college fees is worth it. Plus, I won't regret what I did. Because I supported the person I love the most." He explained.

"Boss knows the financial constraints you are facing. That is why the money on that check is enough to assist you until you find a fresh job. Plus, that's the only reason he did not put your crime in the system and allow you to work until now." Kate said, then taps him on the shoulder as he walks out of the office.

Kate waited for Jack to leave the building before calling for a short faculty meeting. She explained why Jack had to leave his job. She designed her statement accurately as to how Steven informed her. The gathering ended. However, not everyone believed the information Kate presented to them. Still, they thought it sensible to keep their opinions to themselves.

Kate called Melvin aside and told him. "The boss needs you to interview a substitute for Jack. She is expecting you in the conference room. Plus, Melvin, failure is not an option for her. It is a direct order from our boss." Melvin's mind grew wide with curiosity and questions. He could not help his meddlesome habits.

"Is she the reason Jack got laid off?" He questioned her. Melvin craved to apprehend the truth. Yet, he assumed that Kate would not give him the information he needed to discover. Nevertheless, he gives it a try. "It would be healthy for your job if you knew less and stopped asking troubling questions. You love your job, right? Then stick with the original story. Because Melvin, nothing helpful comes out of poking in matters that don't concern you." She explained to him. Melvin did not reply. He stormed out of the office mad and went to the conference hall.