Stella’s POV
The elevator doors opened.
I stepped into the fifth floor.
I knew I wasn’t supposed to be here,
But nobody warned me.
The floor was completely silent,no employee, no computer beeping,no footsteps.
Just the sound of my own breathing.
I tightened my grip around the access card.
Then I heard footsteps behind me.
one week earlier.
It was finally here the day I took that bold step, I put on my good luck shoes and dressed in a black suit as I headed to the location.
My heart started beating fast and my hands were shaking in fear.
Right in front of me was the door that had the answers to my questions. I took a deep breath as I arranged my tie and suit.
I pushed the door entering the building. I looked at the place as I walked straight to the receptionist table, I felt everyone’s stare from where I stood, but I kept my head up high and reached the receptionist table with confidence.
She welcomed me to Cruz Holdings
“Good morning ma’m ,how may I help you”.
I told her I was here for my Job interview,she asked me to follow her and she led me to a waiting room till I’m being called to come to the boardroom for my interview.
After I waited for over an hour I was finally called to come to the board room,” ma’m please your called to the boardroom for your interview”
It was a big room with a large table at the centre and chairs around it, I was expecting the full management crew to be there but it was only a lady who sat at the other end of the table. She introduced herself,
“Good day, Miss harper i am Miss Titi Bennett the executive assistant to the CEO of Cruz Holdings, and you're welcome, please take your seat”
I found it a bit odd that she was the only one interviewing me but didn’t think much of it and quickly took a seat.
“Miss Harper, I see you have a very good record on your CV here, it shows you have 11years of experience as a financial analyst ,”
“Hmm, impressive”
I smiled at her for the compliment, then she asked me a question,
“Why, Cruz Holdings?”
I replied immediately, “I love what I do ma’m and with my level of experience over these past 11years can help in tracking the company's financial status and make sure that I calculate how long it would take to recover any investments made.”
She smirked at me; I didn't exactly know a good or bad smirk but ohh well I hope I did good.
She took some time to go over my papers before she finally spoke,
“You're smart and I like that”
“That's what we need here,”
She stood up and walked up to me as she stretched her hand towards me,
“Welcome to Cruz Holdings, Miss Harper your hired”
My eyes widened up and my face brightened up with smile , I reached out my head to hers but she pulled back and left me hanging while she walked away. My mood changed and I dropped my hand down, i was very confused why she switched off her mood like that because a minute ago she praised me now she gave me cold shoulders. I found that very weird but I didn't think much of it,
Because I was one step to getting answers to my question, nothing was going to stop me now from achieving my goal.
I stood and left the hall for the receptionist to take me to my table.
“Ma’m this is your table the documents you need to start with will be brought to you shortly” The receptionist left the office.
The place was very professional and clean, i blew out a sigh of relief.
“I can finally set up my desk”
I didn’t know how things were done in the office, I paid attention to details and observed things.
At the office announcements were made through the speakers that hung on the walls of each office room.
I was about to set up my things when I heard an announcement that was made, I heard a lady’s voice similar to the lady that interviewed me earlier,i wondered what she wanted to say and paused what I was doing to listen to the announcement.
“ATTENTION!!! ATTENTION!!! ATTENTION!!!”
“Please pay attention everyone, our CEO, Corbin Cruz has been seeing how hard-working everyone is and commends everyone for that.”
“New employees are expected to read the handbooks placed in their desk drawers and adhere to the rules. That will be all for now you may continue your duties for the day”
The microphone went off,everyone continued what they were doing.
But I noticed everyone’s sudden silence when she mentioned the Ceo’s name,their moods changed and their faces looked scared. I didn’t think much of it and continued setting up my desk.
I was done setting up my desk,I walked back slowly with a rising smile on my face , everything was organized and well arranged.
I almost got carried away and remembered that I had to read the handbook that was announced earlier during the announcement.
I reached out to the desk drawer and pulled out the handbook,
“Hmm let’s see what these rules are here”
I giggled under my breath,
“Let’s see, okay rule number 1, employees are expected to be at work on or before 8:30am”
“Hmm that’s easy”
The rules were easy to comply with, well so I thought until I saw the last rule in the book.
“Employees are strictly prohibited from entering the Fifth floor.”
Out of curiosity I asked my colleague why no one is allowed on that floor.
“Hi, I’m Stella Harper a new employee here.”
“Ohhh hey Stella nice to meet you, your the new financial analyst right?”
We exchanged a friendly handshake and a smile.
“Yeah, and you are?”
“Noah Carter”
“But you can call me Noah”
“Ohh okay Noah and what is your position in Cruz Holdings”
“Well I'm the IT manager of the company”
“And if you need help with anything feel free to ask me”
I see he knows something about this place, he would be ok good help in getting some information.
I smiled at him, gradually pulling back after the handshake.
I took the opportunity,
I asked Noah
“Why isn't anyone allowed on that floor?”
His smile disappeared.
“I don't know”
“You don’t know?”
“No.”
He looked around before lowering his voice.
“But what I do know is that place isn't for employees like you and me to be in.”
I stared at the handbook in thought.
“Why would that floor need so much protection,”
I whispered under my breath.
“Unless something is hidden in there”
Noah snapped her fingers in front of my face.
“Hey, what are you thinking?”
“Ohh no nothing”
I laughed awkwardly.
He looked at me with a straight face.
“What?”
“It's not like I could just walk right into the elevator and go to the fifth floor”
I laughed again.
Noah shook his head.
“Not funny, Stella.”
“Nobody survives working directly with the CEO.”
I watched him leave.
That sentence stayed in my mind.
“What exactly did he mean?”
I waited until Noah left to get coffee, I secretly placed a tiny recorder inside the drawer and placed the handbook back.
At 5:30pm,
It was almost closing time,
I packed up some files I needed to work on at home in my bag and I left the office when I was done.
On my way out of the office door, I noticed an elderly cleaner lady by the door staring at me as I approached the door.
Once I got to the door.
She leaned towards me and quietly whispered to me,
“If you value your life…”
She paused.
“Never ask what’s on the fifth floor.”
I turned around.
“What?”
Before I could question her another employee called her away.
I stood there confused.
But i didn’t think so much about it.
Then I quickly left the building
And I headed home quickly.
When I got home, something immediately felt wrong.
My apartment door wasn’t properly closed.
I slowly pushed it open.
My heart dropped.
Someone had been inside.
I checked everything.
Nothing seemed to be missing.
Then I remembered my leather notebook.
I ran up to my bedroom.
I pulled the small box from underneath my bed.
The notebook was still there.
But someone had opened it.
My hands started shaking.
“Ohh no”
“No”
“No”
“This isn't good”
Someone had seen my notes.
Someone knew I was investigating Cruz Holdings.
I sat on the edge of my bed.
“What am I going to do?”
My phone suddenly buzzed.
It was a message from an
Unknown number.
I stared at the screen.
My hand trembled as I opened the message.
I stared at it, my hand trembling before I even opened the message.