Chapter 30: A Daring Search for the Truth
1602words
Her phone made a noise again. Another message arrived from someone she does not know, but this one is even harder to understand: "The truth lies within, hidden beneath layers of dust." Olumide Archives, file X-13. Tread carefully."
Eki felt a tiny hope grow inside her. Maybe there was a secret file that could solve the Moonlight Lease mystery—she knew this was a chance she must take. But the Olumide Archives were like a puzzling labyrinth, full of very old papers and lost records. How could she ever locate this mysterious file X-13?
Suddenly, I recall something. Mrs. Ademilola, the nice receptionist who worked at the company for a long time. Maybe, just maybe, she could offer some guidance.
The next morning, Eki arrived at the office early. Her heart was beating quickly in her chest. Inside the Olumide building, the air was cold and very clean; it felt so different from how she felt inside—very chaotic. She hurried herself to Mrs Ademilola's desk, which seemed cozy and familiar like a safe spot in the middle of cool business surroundings.
"Mrs. Ademilola," Eki spoke, trying to keep a smile on his face that took effort to maintain. "I wanted to ask... Do you maybe know something about the Olumide Archives?"
Mrs Ademilola's eyes, normally shining with laughter, now show a bit of concern. "The Archives, child?" Why do you ask?"
Eki hesitated. How much could she reveal? "Just… some research," she mumbled vaguely. "Family history stuff."
Mrs. Ademilola gazed at her for some time, with a clever sparkle in her eyes. "Past can be hard to deal with, Eki," she said gently. "But sometimes, it's best left undisturbed."
Eki pressed on. "I have to try, Mrs. Ademilola. It's important."
A deep sigh escaped Mrs. Ademilola's lips. "Very well," she said finally. "But you must take care, young one. The Archives are very ancient and not in good condition; they have many secrets and a lot of darkness inside." And some secrets are better left buried."
Eki, feeling sad but also very determined, walked following Mrs. Ademilola's confusing directions. Her steps made echoing noises in the dim hallways. The air begins to smell like old paper and lost memories. Cobwebs hang from dirty ceilings and look like spooky curtains. The blinking fluorescent lights made everything seem frightening, shining on the rows of filing cabinets that seemed to go on forever.
Finally, they reached a secret spot marked "Restricted Access." Mrs. Ademilola handed Eki an old, tiny key and stared at her with very serious eyes.
"Listen, young one," she spoke in a very soft voice, almost like the gentle wind. "Sometimes being too curious can bring problems."
Eki swallowed nervously. "Thank you, Mrs. Ademilola. I won't forget."
As Mrs. Ademilola slowly walked away, leaving Eki alone with the high stacks of files, Eki began to feel very squeezed and trapped. It was like a small ant trying to find its path through an old grave that everyone had forgotten about a long time ago. Her fingers felt the cold metal of the cabinet door knob, and her hand began to tremble. The moment is here. The point of no return.
Eki took a deep breath and opened the cabinet. She began searching through it, seeing many manila folders inside. Each folder can be an important clue for discovering the past. Time was moving slowly, and hours seemed to mix as Eki carefully looked at each old label one by one. Her eyes felt tired and sore because of looking too long. She began to feel hopeless—was there truly a file?
Then, almost when she was ready to stop looking, her fingers found a folder that felt not like the others. It was thicker, covered in old leather material, and had just one letter on it: "X". Her heart beat strongly against her chest as she took it out, the expectation turning into a tense feeling of fear in her stomach.
But before she could open the file, a voice cut through the silence. "Eki? What are you doing here?"
Eki stopped moving and stood very still. In the doorway was Dapo with eyes wide open, showing surprise and doubt together.
Eki's mind raced. How much did he see? Did he believe her flimsy excuse about family history?
"Dapo," she said with a shaky voice, trying hard to smile. "I… I was just… looking for something."
Dapo frowned and slowly looked around the room. "Employees who don't have the right permission cannot go to Archives," he said in a serious tone. His voice held an edge of formality that she hadn't heard before.
Eki felt a little bit annoyed. "Come on, Dapo," she answered, her voice becoming slightly louder. "Don't give me that official line. You know this place better than anyone."
Dapo's face did not show clear emotion. "That does not mean I can just let you come in and look through secret papers."
Eki grabbed the leather folder more firmly, her fingers turning white. "These are not secret papers," she said slowly and carefully. "Just… old stuff. Family stuff."
Dapo's eyes went fast to the folder she held. For a short second, something like he knew it showed on his face but then was gone again.
"Eki," he says, his voice becoming a bit quieter, "please tell me, what are you looking for?"
Eki stopped. Dapo ever was a friend and person she could tell secrets to, but now, after hearing Olajumoke's strange words and seeing Dapo suddenly acting very serious, Eki is not sure who to believe or trust anymore.
"It's nothing important," she lied, her voice barely a whisper.
Dapo does not look convinced. He comes closer, hand reaching out like he wants to grab the folder. Eki instinctively backed away.
"Don't," she said, her voice gaining a newfound firmness. "This is private."
The air was full of quiet pressure. Dapo stared at her for a long time, feeling the stress between them. At last, he stepped back, his shoulders falling as if giving up.
"Alright, Eki," he sighed. "If you won't tell me, then fine. But just promise me one thing."
Eki watched him warily. "What?"
"Be cautious," Dapo said, his voice sounding very worried. "The past is a place full of danger." Sometimes, things are better left buried."
Eki could not stop hearing Mrs Ademilola's warning echoing in his words. Perhaps both were hiding something? Was there more to Dapo's story and his connection with the Olumides than what he was sharing with everyone?
A sudden clang of metal doors echoed through the hallway, breaking the tense silence. Eki and Dapo both jumped, surprised by a loud noise they did not expect.
"Someone's coming," Dapo muttered, his gaze darting nervously towards the source of the noise.
Eki realized she must leave immediately. If someone found her in the Archives, especially with a secret document in hand, it would cause serious trouble.
"We need to go," she hissed, shoving the leather folder into her bag.
Dapo stopped for a moment, then nodded his head to show agreement. They left the Archives quickly together, feeling the weight of the secret file and all the questions that still had no answers.
When they reached the main hallway, they turned a corner and unexpectedly saw a man in a tidy security uniform. He stood with his back to them, not seeming aware that they were there, as he watched very closely at a security monitor.
Eki halted without warning, noticing her heart racing quickly. The man who stood there was tall with broad shoulders; his head was completely shaved, and he seemed very stern. But it was something else that made her blood run cold.
A silver feather, shining a bit in the dim light, was on his security jacket's lapel.
Dapo made a shaky cough, catching the security guard's attention. The guard turned his head and looked at them with one eyebrow up and a face that showed he did not know who they were.
"Can I help you two?" he asked in a gruff voice.
Eki and Dapo exchanged worried looks. They understood that explaining why they were in the Archives was not possible, especially for this person.
"Just… looking for the restroom," Dapo stammered, pointing vaguely down the hall.
The security guard made a quiet noise in answer, gazing at Eki a little longer than normal before he moved his eyes back to the screen.
Eki and Dapo move quickly past him, smiles forced on their faces. Their steps become faster with each moment. They stopped only when they reached the busy office again. The bright lights and familiar sounds of people talking were very different from the frightening dark place in the Archives.
When they reached a calm place, Eki turned to Dapo and spoke in a very gentle voice. "Did you notice that?"
Dapo nodded, his face pale. "The feather… on his uniform. What does it mean?"
Eki wasn't sure what to say. But after discovering something frightening in the Archives and noticing the mysterious security guard, she felt certain about it.
The Olumide legacy, the Moonlight Lease, and family secrets that stayed hidden for many years – all these things were much bigger and more dangerous than she ever believed. Now it seemed like someone inside the Olumide company was watching every move they made.
