Chapter 72 : OFF LIMITS TO DAY SHIFT

Rakiza's pace was fast as he stepped onto the Reign-Bridge Publishing. She had to see Miss Brinson. Upon entering the office filled with almost a hundred cubicles, she halted to see a few workers in their cubicles working on the computer. They were on a hectic schedule. Everybody was obviously so nailed on each assignment that they didn't have a minute to tilt their heads for intruders. Rakiza, and Theo were following Chin, who was scheduled for the final interview. And Theo was her recommendation, and Rakiza was a comeback AWOL worker. Rakiza went to the manager's office while Chin and Theo entered the applicants' area. and entered after knocking twice. The secretary's table was empty, and the manager's final door was locked.
As Lyra entered, the door from outside opened, and she was surprised to see Rakiza. "Oh my, where have you been?" Her eyes were swollen with dark circles. Perhaps from a lack of sleep or crying. "I've been calling and trying to reach you, but you were nowhere to be found," she explained as she drew Rakiza into her office. Lyra appeared nervous; her hands were cold and trembling.
"Miss Brinson, what happened?" Rakiza was sitting on the office couch.
"Our boss has gone missing," Lyra lamented. "Mr. Augustus had been missing, and Tessa Augustus, his mother, was now in charge of the company."
Rakiza's heart raced with fear, but she needed to act quickly. "Do you know where Mr. Augustus is now?"
"There were rumors that he was being punished for an unforgivable crime," Lyra cried again. "We have no idea what crime Boss Nikolas committed. It all happened so quickly. We discussed... you, and then he was demoted and punished."
"Was he imprisoned?" Rakiza was curious as to where Nikolas was being held. "Do you know what kind of punishment he's facing?"
Lyra locked her gaze on Rakiza. She had something in mind that she wanted to say but couldn't. She averted her gaze and fell silent for a few moments. But then Lyra grabbed Rakiza and led her into the conference room, where Rakiza was being interviewed for the first time. Lyra never let go of Rakiza's hand as she drew her into the room's glass wall. She pushed a black button on the wall that appeared to be an ordinary decoration, and a glass door slid open, allowing them to enter.
Rakiza's mind became clear at that point. It was no coincidence that she was offered a job. Nikolas had set her as his target. The old magazine she discovered on the dorm's doorsteps with Reign-Bridge Publishing advertisements was intended for her. She mumbled, "This is a two-way mirror." She trembled a bit, "And during my interview, Mr. Augustus was right there watching and listening to us, and he decided to hire me, which set me apart from the others."
Lyra had no choice but to answer Rakiza's questions, and she was forced to tell her the truth. Rakiza had been watched and studied for weeks before they decided to hire her, and she was a target because she was the cure. "Mr. Augustus has made certain that you will be subject to his authority. But, recently, the abrupt change in the company's policy and movements gave me a headache. Madam Tessa Augustus is driving me insane, and..." she sighed, then smiled nervously. "Rakiza, I need your help and support," Lyra sobbed.
"What happened?" Rakiza sensed Lyka's urgency. She had seen how devoted she was to her boss, Nikolas. And now she's confirmed it. "How can I assist you?" Rakiza asked, "Do you know where we can find Sir Nikola Augustus?"
Lyra's eyes widened with excitement; "I've been waiting for my secretary to return; she was sending reports to the main office in "A Tower." You know, the main office wanted a face-to-face report and was ignoring the power of the computer. They were traditional. And I'm hoping she can pull out something new about Sir Nikolas' whereabouts. " She sighed. "There are so many secrets in this company and the owners that I can't reveal; I'd be dead if I did."
"I knew Nikolas Augustus was keeping a deep secret." Rakiza said solemnly.
Lyra looked at Raliza and said lamentably. "You did? What secret have you heard? "
"He's not like us," Rakiza stated emphatically.
"Oh my, thank you. I thought I'd be dealing with this thought alone," Lyra gravely, "but tell me about what you've got about Sir Nikolas' secrets. Was it personal or...?" She paused, "What do you mean he's not like us? Of course, he's too rich and... tell me then."
Rakiza inquired, "How long have you been his manager?"
Lyra stepped back and opened the drawer. She read some papers out of habit as she reflected on the past. "I've been with this company for quite some time," she said quietly. "I was seventeen at the time, and Sir Nikolas took me in from the street, gave me hope, sent me to school to finish college, and then... that's when I became a manager, and at the age of 30, I discovered something about Sir Nikolas."
"What is it?" Rakiza inquired.
"He didn't age," Lyra said quietly, "he was still the same young boy I saw the first day I saw him, and I asked him once how it happened, and he said "He is different from all of us." She was silent and added, "And then..."
"Then what?"
"He's a vampire, you know." Lyra murmured, "Because he's not one of us, he hasn't aged at all. That's why he kept this hidden room behind that two-way mirror to keep an eye on us all. Oh no, what have I done?" she said as she covered her mouth. "I promised Sir Nikolas that I would keep that information hidden from myself. But..."
Rakiza stated unequivocally, "I knew who they are." She said, adding, "You must also assist me in locating Nikolas."
Lyra gave her a look. "Are you serious about learning what happened to Sir Nikolas?"
"Yes," she stated unequivocally. "That is why I'm here today. I'm worried about him. I owe him a lot. And I'm willing to take the risk of saving him. "
"Did you say "saving him?" Lyra's eyes widened.
"Yes, I wanted to see him and repay the debt I owed him."
"How did you owe him?"
"He saved my life. That's all I have to say to you."
"Are you willing to die for him?" Lyra asked, clutching Rakiza's hands.
"Yes," Rakiza replied. "So, please tell me what else I should know about him, or where they may have kept Nikolas."
"Come with me," Lyra grabbed Rakiza's hand again and led her out of the conference room and into the west side of the building, into the red-carpeted lobby leading to the forbidden part of the building, where Lyra paused in front of the door with the sign, "OFF LIMITS TO DAY SHIFT," and she turned to Rakiza. "This publishing house's mystery is hidden behind that door."
Rakiza approached the door and touched the control panel. She then placed her ear against the door and heard nothing and murmured, "There's no one inside; it's so quiet in there. Have you entered this room? "
"Twice," Lyra clarified, "It was a long time ago. I opened the door because I was curious, but I was reprimanded. "
"Do you have the key to this room?" Rakiza asked.
Lyra pulled out a key from her trouser pocket and handed it to Rakiza.
Rakiza knew that this was the only way to find Nikolas, and to secretly explore their domain regardless of what was inside the room. Her heart pounded erratically as she clicked the door knob open, the door ajar an inch. This is her opportunity to learn more about some of Augustus' secrets. When she remembered Theo and Chin, who were waiting in the applicant's area, it was too late. She simply can't expose their connections. She then decided to take the risk by entering the mysterious door as she pushed it open. And then the pitch-black room was revealed. She took a step forward, and the light came on.
"This is the entrance hall to their first floor working area," Lyra explained as she closed the door behind her.
The environment was a carbon copy of the day shift working cubicles. Lyra explained, "No one was working here during the day. Night shifts will arrive at 5 p.m. However, no one will report tonight because they were given forced vacation leave. "
"All of them?" Rakiza wondered. "What's the reason for their forced vacation?" she asked cynically. "Is it necessary to give all employees a vacation?"
Lyra looked Rakiza in the eyes and said, "I don't know, but I have a thought. He is going to be punished, and I heard he was being held in a deep underground chamber in this building."
Hearing about the underground triggered something in Rakiza's system. "Where's that underground, you're talking about?" Rakiza inquired.
"The door is right in front of you, Rakiza," Lyra said, looking at Rakiza nervously.