Chapter 23: "Peace Can Come From Silence"

Rakiza's joy at being a part of the Reign-Bridge Book Publishing team was palpable. However, she had noticed something peculiar about her surroundings. She was still alone in the waiting room.
After a few moments, the door opened, and the middle-aged secretary smiled and invited Rakiza in, then motioned her into the manager’s office.
Manager LYRA BRINSON (was on the wall).
She knocked and opened the door. "Good morning, Ma'am," Rakiza exclaimed, delighted to see the manager.
"Sit down," Lyra Brinson urged, motioning Rakiza to the chair across from her. "Nice to see you again."
"I'm pleased to be here, and thank you." Rakiza smiled.
"Anyway, you're not supposed to come here and physically expose yourself as a novelist, but you're exceptional," Lyra grinned.
"However, as you can see, there are always exceptions to any rule."
"How did I become exceptional?" Rakiza became perplexed.
Lyra smiled, "The owner of a book publishing company was captivated by your story line. "
"What do you mean?"Rakiza inquired.
"Where did you acquire the concept for the Blood Stone of Sheba? I've read the plot and a few chapters of your novel. "
"When I was a kid, my grandfather, Joseph Zanier, told me about the blood stone myths. And it went under my skin and wouldn't let go since I was a kid, and I love vampire fiction. "
"With regard to the place you mentioned in your narrative, where did you get the name "Krekan realm" from?"
"Well... it just popped into my thoughts, and I wrote it down. I simply enjoy creating things that were previously unknown to me." Rakiza smiled.
"All right, now it's time to show you every part of the building. And, by the way, you currently belong on a day light shift. "
There were two shifts in book publishing: the day shift and the night shift. It was a publishing company that was open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They feature daily magazine issues as well as local news.
"In addition to authoring a novel, you will also be granted a back issue corner of the magazine. Your featured story will be assigned a slot. It's another way to make money. And you're expected to come in three times a week to work here physically and three days a week to work on your manuscript at home. And this is your pay, "Lyra handed Rakiza a small piece of paper with her salary written on it.
Rakiza's heart leapt for delight when she saw the amount reflected on the small piece of paper. It was enough to cover her education fees, which would relieve her mother from having to work too hard. "This is excessive."
"Then show our employer that you deserve that amount." Lyra stood up and gestured for Rakiza to follow her.
Rakiza noticed a few bulky workers in several rooms as they walked through the building. The writer's room was the largest and busiest of all the departments. Rakiza had a table near the glass wall that overlooked the water.
"Do you appreciate your table?" Lyra inquired.
"I'm at a loss for words..." It's too good to be true. Even in a dream, I didn't expect this. I assumed I would simply work from home and send my narrative," she shrugged and whispered.
The foyer where Lyra led Rakiza to another area of the building was different from the first part they entered. This section was desolate and silently scary with the red carpeted lobby.
"PEACE CAN COME FROM SILENCE"
Lyra read it aloud, "Peace can come from silence," adding, "Can you deduce what it means?"
"I believe it indicates no one is permitted to speak or cause a disturbance in this area of the building."
"Yeah, you're right. Nobody from the daylight workforce will be allowed to wander over here and converse from here to the end of the lobby, "he added," indicating that location was off-limits. Let's return to the office so you can sign a contract. "

Rakiza's thoughts were fixed on the area of the red-carpeted lobby that was off-limits to day light employees as they walked back. In the office, she carefully examined the contract.
"Can I just write a novel and continue my studies? That way, I'll be able to graduate earlier in a normal-length academic year. Please understand. I enjoyed the offer, and it was wonderful that it favored me, but I can't really compromise on my studies. I promised my mother a diploma, Miss Brinston. "
Lyra Brinson looked at Rakiza and grinned, "OK, then I'll give you a different contract just for your novel writing. But if you change your mind, please contact me. By the way, can you make me a promise?
"Yes, what is it?"
"Don't tell anyone about what I showed you inside this facility. Not even with your friends. "
"I vow that what I saw and heard will remain here." Rakiza promised.
"Good girl," Lyra said with a smile.

Rakiza was heading down the road to the dorm a few hours later. She got off the bus on the highway and chose to walk back to her dorm. The road was nearly completely covered in withering leaves from the trees that stood tall along the path.
"How are you, my love?" said Alex Moran as he emerged from the trees.
"What are you doing here, Alex?"
"Well, to tell you the truth, you should be proud of it. I'd been looking for you at school, but you weren't there. Where have you gone? "
"First, I don't have a duty to tell you where I've been, and second, I don't enjoy your disturbing the solemnity of my mood when strolling."
"I'm sorry, but I need to remind you about our date tonight."
"What are you talking about?"
"Oh no, have you forgotten what you promised me in return for Theodulf's address?"
"I'm afraid I won't be able to accompany you; I have more essential things to do tonight. As a regular student, I need to stretch myself in order to keep up with my studies. And I can't enjoy myself if I only have a few coins in my pocket. "
"However, a promise is a promise. Some people perished as a result of violated promises. "
"Are you threatening, Alex Moran?"
"I'm not, but I was wondering whether you lied to me. And failing to keep a commitment can mark you as a liar and a con artist. "
"I'm weary, Alex, just leave me alone," Rakiza was going to continue walking when Alex grabbed her hand, causing Rakiza to flare up and punch Alex in the face.
"You slapped me, bitch," Alex said in a rage. Stunned by the punch, Alex drew Rakiza deeper into his body, holding her arms against her, causing her to scream in anguish.
"Let go of me, Alex!"
"No woman can ever do that to me!" Alex screamed.
Rakiza's ears rang angrily as Alex tightened his grip on her arms. However, a strong punch to Alex's face sent him flying and slamming onto the ground away from Rakiza.
Alex fell to the ground, curling in pain.
"Don't you dare touch my girl?" Theo yelled and turned to Rakiza. "Didn't I tell you not to roam around without me?" Theo grabbed Rakiza's arm and reprimanded her. "You're such a hard-headed woman. Take a look at what happened to you. "
Rakiza was in a state of shock and was terrified of what would happen next.
Alex regained his equilibrium and immediately climbed to his feet, punching Theo in the stomach. But it didn't give Theo a ditch. It just served to fuel Theo's rage, and he delivered another fist to Alex's jaw, causing him to fall as he dropped to the ground and collapsed.
Rakiza screamed, saying, "You killed him."
"If he dies, it will be because of you," Theo raged.
Rakiza could sense it. But Alex, who was lying on the ground, made her nervous. What if he actually killed him with a single punch?
"Alex?" Rakiza knelt to examine Alex. And Alex took a jolting breath from the depths of his collapse.
"Don't feel sorry for him. He's a scumbag! " Theo warned Rakiza.
"You're a jerk, Theo!" Is it legal for you to punch him in the face during an argument? What if you murdered him? Oh, God, use your wits instead of that... that egoistic monster within you, Theo! "
"Are you going to defend him even if he wants to rape you?"
"We agreed on something that I should respond to and do my part. And please, Theo, stop bothering me with your rage. I'm sick and weary of you being so close to me. Most of the time, you gave me a headache. Go away!"
"No! I'm afraid not! " Theo just gazed at Rakiza.
"Return to your lady!"And please leave me alone! " Rakiza screamed.
"Are you jealous of Ajella?" Theo frowned.
Rakiza was red-faced with rage.
"Well, she's more civil than you are," Theo added.
Rakiza was taken aback and glared angrily at Alex. "Leave Alex; meet me at the park tomorrow at five o'clock," she said as she hurried away.
Rakiza was furious with Theo and ran as fast as she could. But she was even angrier with herself for feeling jealous.