In the police car, I pinched my wrist to make sure I was awake.
At the station, I was denied a phone call, and the officer kept giving me menacing glares.
Thrown into a dank holding cell with mold-darkened walls, I was desperate. My neighbor was supposed to pick up Kenny after school, but beyond that, he only had me.
After what felt like hours, another officer walked past my cell.
“Please,” I begged, rushing to the bars. “I need to make a phone call.”
She agreed and led me to the payphone. I called my best friend Mia, who’s an attorney. I knew I couldn’t afford her services, but she was my only hope.
“Mia,” I said urgently, “I’ve been arrested. I need your help.”
Mia arrived at the station and was allowed to see me immediately.
This is where things took a turn.
Mia took on my case without hesitation.
“There’s something off here,” she said after talking to a few officers—some voices were raised in the process.
Eventually, she secured my release, and I went home to Kenny. Then Mia began her investigation.
It turned out that Mr. Williams had orchestrated the entire ordeal. He had bribed the officer to arrest me. According to our company contracts, if an employee is arrested or suspected of criminal activity, their contract is terminated, and the company claims any outstanding salary.
In my case, that meant my unpaid wages.
“Are you sure?” I asked Mia when she came over, explaining everything, including emails from Mr. Williams to the officer.
“Yes,” she confirmed, helping herself to some dinner. “It’s all sorted. Mr. Williams will face the consequences.”
I breathed a sigh of relief.
Mia had selflessly saved me from prison without charging me a cent, and Kenny and I were forever grateful.
To avoid a lawsuit and salvage their reputation, the company paid me $40,000 in compensation, admitting that Mr. Williams had acted alone.
Though I spent only a few hours in the holding cell, it was more than enough to terrify me. I’m thankful for Mia’s faith in justice because, without her help, I would still be waiting for answers.
Now, I work with Mia, handling her firm’s marketing and PR whenever needed. It’s a stable job where I feel secure, and most importantly, I can provide for my son without worrying about my employer.
Has anything equally outrageous ever happened to you at work?