Chapter 38: This Is Karma

"Now then, I guess some of us here are very much anticipating the questions we are going to ask miss Evans," the host started.

And Amethyst was able to see the little shift in Emerald's face upon hearing the word anticipating.

'It is quite obvious that a few questions would be asked about the change in writing style, and you knew about it because you yourself knew that the story was written by two different people,' Amethyst thought.

Emerald's eyes were actually wandering around the venue as she waited for the question of the host.

Amethyst was glad that she and Slate have seated far from the stage that emerald surely does not see her.

"For our first question, we would like to ask miss Evans. What was she feeling while she was writing the story?" the host gave her first question and amethyst could see that emerald was obviously relieved.

Emerald smiled, "Actually, this story was created basing in a real-life experience. My sister was an introverted person and I want her to have a life outside her room. As I think about this, I thought of myself as well. And I thought that I could be the one to break her out of that shell, to allow her to live a different life. While coming up with a new story these thoughts played in my mind that I actually ended up creating it into my comeback story."

Amethyst didn't know whether to be shocked or to be angry that Emerald actually used her and everything she had said back then in this event.

Amethyst had told Emerald, that living her life inside her room being an introvert was not really that fulfilling for her. That she had created this story to give life to what she had thought she could be if she were able to break out of her shell one day.

Emerald knew very well the reason behind why she had become the person she was. And Amethyst thought that Emerald could understand her. In the end, she couldn't even be that person, the person who could help Amethyst break out of her shell, instead she was the reason why her shell became even harder.

Yet now she actually has the courage to act like a loving sister.

Amethyst clenched her hands into fists as anger started welling up in her heart. Something she had long forgotten because she thought that they aren't worthy, but hearing this now she wanted to stand up and shout just how much of a liar Emerald is.

She snapped out of it when she felt a hand on top of hers.

She looked at her side and Slate was looking at her with his eyes telling her to calm down. She took a deep breath and nodded her head because she wasn't here to listen to these answers but instead to listen to what Emerald will say about the two writing styles of her latest book.

She already knew that Emerald is someone who is cunning and could even betray her own sister for her own benefit. Listening to this now, she shouldn't be angry at all because just like in the past Emerald was not worth it.

As she waited for the questions that they came here for, Slate didn't remove his hand on top of hers. For despite her calm look he wants her to know that right now in this event despite looking at the person who gave her her biggest scar, Amethyst is not alone.

That she is no longer alone and that she has people who support her for who she is and for what she wants to do.

"I never thought that 'Her hidden self' has such back story. I see that Astral really is something when it comes to writing stories that are filled with emotion. Well then, shall we ask the next question..."

The host paused for a bit after reading the next question.

"As we all know, not just authors but also editors are present today. and some of them have actually noticed something in your new story. the next question is... why does it seem like there were two people who wrote this story."

Emerald obviously stiffened after hearing this question. Her smile became strained and her eyes shifted.

There are already a few people who actually asked her this question after reading her story and she knew that this question will be asked today. Despite preparing her answer she still couldn't help but to be nervous because a lot of critics are present as well.

After collecting her thoughts, she smiled again.

"In reality, this story started more than five years ago but then my sister went on her own journey and I had my..."

She sighed before continuing, "My writer's block. For authors, this is normal we all have that time where we have no idea how we will continue to write. Or those times where our motivations would just suddenly disappear. That was what happened to me five years ago. So, as I was staying quiet while I was searching for a new motivation or for how I should continue this story. I just started learning more about being an author. So, I guess that is the reason why half of it... I mean half of the story suddenly had a change in its writing style. Even if I want to continue the way I wrote before I just couldn't because I guess I was influenced by the way I had studied and the books I have read while in my hiatus."

Emerald once again smiled and nodded her head after giving her answer. She didn't want to say more in case those critics would notice that what she had said was actually scripted.

"We understand, I guess miss emerald Evans actually had such a time that was never revealed in any of her interviews. once again thank you miss Evans and congratulations for the success of your new book."

The host ended her question-and-answer portion because that was all that was written in her que card so she didn't need to ask more about it or to pry for they are not in an interview.

Emerald heaves a sigh of relief before going down the stage.

But as she did, she caught sight of a very familiar back walking out of the venue.

She furrowed her brows and her heart thumped.

'It's impossible. But she never contacted us, she never said where she was or even back then she never said where she will be going. could it be?'

And with this thought, instead of going back to her seat, Emerald went straight to where that person disappeared to.

*****

After listening to Emerald's answers to those questions, Amethyst stood up from her seat and went out for some fresh air. Seeing Emerald fidget in stage and seeing how nervous she was, the heaviness in Amethyst's heart was slowly lifted. because she knew that Emerald was in a difficult situation.

Because she also could see that emerald will surely reach the day that she can no longer continue being astral.

'I am not bad right? To think this way, about her current situation. I guess this is karma. a karma she could have avoided if she just stopped when I left.'

She looked up in the sky and took a deep breath watching the stars shine up above.

"What are you doing here?"