The company director fired me in front of everyone. Two hours later, he called and said, “Dress nicely and meet me by the lake. Don’t tell anyone we’re meeting.” When I arrived, he asked me to take a photo with him… and the next morning, that photo was hanging on the door of his office

My direct supervisor, Mark, lowered his head.

Karen, who had been trying to get my position for years, couldn’t even hide her smile.

I packed my bag, my notebooks, and the small framed photo from my desk, then walked out of the building.

The moment the elevator doors closed, I started crying.

I had worked for that company for almost five years.

For the past two years, I had stayed late week after week. When the company was going through financial difficulties, I had barely even taken vacation days.

And now they had simply thrown me out.

The screen showed:

Mr. Wilson.

For a moment, I thought about ignoring it.

But I answered.

“Emily.”

His voice sounded different.

Softer.

“Yes?”

“Come to the east dock at Hart Lake tonight at seven.”

I froze.

“Why?”

He stayed silent for a few seconds.

Then he said,

“Dress nicely. And don’t tell anyone we’re meeting.”

I literally pulled the phone away from my ear and stared at the screen.

“Mr. Wilson… I don’t understand.”

“I know. Trust me for a few more hours.”

Then he hung up.

At that moment, every terrible possibility crossed my mind.

Why had he fired me in front of everyone, only to ask me to meet him secretly afterward?

Why by a lake?