Overpaid writer

Kendi stood on the balcony of a modest hotel in Mumbo's village, gazing out at the vast expanse of rural fields stretching into the horizon. She had traveled hours from the city for this. Her law associate firm which was tiny and clientless was her sanctuary. Though she had the means to do absolutely nothing with her life, thanks to the generous allowance from her enigmatic family, she refused to succumb to that privilege. She was determined to build something of her own, even if her parents didn't approve.

Her parents, cloaked in their wealth and influence, had tried to dictate her life in every way possible. The final straw had been the arranged marriage they proposed. The man who was a charming businessman with pristine credentials, was everything Kendi detested. She had walked away from that argument, refusing to let anyone choose her path.

When she stumbled upon Mumbo's work, it was as though the universe had sent her a sign. His stories resonated with her, stirring the embers of justice she had sworn to uphold. But this wasn't just about his case. Kendi needed something else, a shield. Her parents were relentless in pushing her to settle down, and what better way to silence them than to show she was already in love?

It was a win-win scenario. She would help Mumbo seek justice for his family, and in return, she would ask him to act as her partner, an unspoken agreement that would keep her parents at bay.

Unbeknownst to Kendi, Amanda, the daughter of a powerful tycoon, had also been captivated by Mumbo's writing. Amanda wasn't looking for justice; she was looking for love. His words had struck a chord deep within her, every sentence speaking to a longing she couldn't quite name.

While Amanda was lost in the allure of Mumbo's prose, Kendi was focused on the legal battle ahead. She had reached out to Mumbo, and to her surprise, he had agreed to meet her under one condition: his identity had to remain a secret.

The next morning, Kendi met Mumbo in a secluded spot near the edge of the village. He was cautious, scanning the surroundings before stepping closer. His demeanor was guarded, but Kendi could see the spark of determination in his eyes.

"I'll help you," she began, her voice steady. "But I need you to trust me."

Mumbo nodded slowly. "And you'll keep my identity hidden?"

"Absolutely," Kendi assured him. "But I need a favor in return."

When she explained her predicament, Mumbo was taken aback. Pretending to be in a relationship with a lawyer he had just met seemed absurd, but the logic was undeniable. If Kendi could help him win his case, this arrangement might be worth considering.

With their agreement in place, Kendi wasted no time. She began gathering evidence and preparing her case. That afternoon, she marched into the local police station, her sharp heels clicking against the worn tiles.

The station was a dingy, chaotic mess. Officers lounged at their desks, barely glancing up as Kendi entered. She walked straight to the front desk, her presence commanding attention.

"I'm here to speak with the police chief," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

The officer at the desk raised an eyebrow. "Do you have an appointment?"

"No," Kendi replied, her gaze unwavering. "But I have a case that involves police misconduct, and I'm sure your chief would want to address it before it escalates."

A few moments later, the police chief emerged from his office, his face a mixture of irritation and curiosity. "What's this about?" he asked gruffly.

Kendi handed him a folder, her expression cool and professional. "Your officers conducted an unlawful raid on a family's property, destroying their livelihood and confiscating livestock without cause. This is a violation of their rights, and I intend to see justice served."

The chief barely glanced at the documents before tossing them onto his desk. "Look, miss," he said dismissively, "you don't understand how things work around here. We act on the information we're given, and if there were damages, that's unfortunate. But it's not our problem."

Kendi's jaw tightened. "It is your problem," she shot back. "You're responsible for the actions of your officers, and if you think you can brush this under the rug, you're mistaken. I'm prepared to take this to court, and trust me, the media will be very interested in hearing about how the police are abusing their power in this village."

The room fell silent. Officers who had been pretending not to listen were now paying close attention. The chief's expression darkened, but there was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.

"You think you can come here and threaten us?" he said, his voice low and menacing.

"It's not a threat," Kendi replied calmly. "It's a promise. Either you settle this matter now, or I'll make sure the entire country knows what's happening here."

The chief leaned back in his chair, studying her. Kendi didn't flinch. She had faced bigger men with bigger egos, and she wasn't about to back down.

"We'll look into it," he said finally, his tone begrudging.

"Good," Kendi said, standing. "I'll expect a response within 48 hours. If not, I'll proceed with legal action."

As she walked out of the station, Kendi felt a surge of adrenaline. The battle was far from over, but she had made her presence known. Mumbo had been waiting outside, and when she joined him, she gave him a reassuring nod.

"They'll think twice before trying anything now," she said.

Mumbo couldn't help but smile. For the first time in a long while, he felt like he wasn't fighting alone.