My boss called me at 11 p.m. and said, « Come to the hotel with me tonight. If you don’t come, you’re fired—and don’t tell anyone. » I went… But when I opened the door, saw him waiting for me inside, and heard what he wanted, I couldn’t believe my ears.

« If you don’t come, Emma, ​​you’ll be sent home. »

I had a knot in my stomach.

I worked for him for six years. I never received a reprimand, I never missed an important deadline, and I never gave him any reason to threaten my job.

« What are they talking about? »

He fell silent.

Then he said something that scared me even more.

« Don’t tell anyone where you’re going. »

The conversation is over.

I remained frozen on the bed for a few minutes.

Everything inside me screamed not to go.

But I had rent to pay, bills to settle, and I couldn’t afford to lose my job.

So I got dressed and took the car to go to the other side of town.

Upon entering the almost empty hotel lobby, the receptionist looked me straight in the eyes.