Photographers and fans were outside the AER building patiently waiting for the infamous author JN Leyba's arrival for her press conference for her seventh book. The program will start in an hour.
A black coupe stopped in front of the building and the people waiting started to shout and scream as the author JN Leyba get off her car. Wearing 3-inch black stilettos, plain V-neck shirt tucked in a pair of tailored black shorts and layered with a black boyfriend blazer.
She just passed the people waiting for her with her friend and assistant, Lea Arce, but halted and turned back before entering the building. Facing them, she bent her waist and bowed to everyone with a stoic expression. It's the usual greeting for her and an expression of appreciation to everyone.
The press conference started right after JN's arrival. It usually happens that her interviews are being held earlier than the set time as per JN's preference. She wanted everything to get done once she arrived and the organizers and interviewers are used to that already. That is, they always have time scheduled at 10 AM and the set-up, including the media seated an hour earlier.
A female interviewer, wearing a mini recorder on her neck and ready with her pen and tickler, raised her hand for a question and was allowed.
"Ms. Leyba, what can you say about your books being linked to occultism?"
"I'll say it's a false rumor of course and at the same time, I think it's a compliment for my book as the public can relate."
JN responded frankly.
Snap.
Click.
Ka-chick.
Photos were being taken in every angle. The next question was raised by another female interviewer.
"You were given several names such as 'The Criminal Writer', 'The Killer Writer', 'The Psycho Writer' and 'The Soulless Writer'. What are your reactions to that?"
"It depends, I think. If they say I'm soulless because I never give any happy endings to the characters and even kill them, yes, I guess, I really am soulless. I'd like it to be my alias. I feel like a villain character outside my stories and I'm vehemently affecting my readers, meaning my messages were conveyed."
"Wouldn't it be too much?"
"What do you mean? Killing my characters is of course not just for fun. I guess my avid readers would know what I mean, right?"
JN, with her back, leaned on the backrest now leaned forward, placing his hands on the table, affirmed the interviewer.
"So, you're saying you'd prefer to be known now as the 'Soulless Writer'?
An interviewer at the side put in a word.
"Yes."
JN said downright.
"Since you started writing during college, you've already published six books and another one this year making it seven. The seventh book will be released in a limited edition. Why did you decide to do that when all your books are always sold-out with over a million copies released?"
"This book… is different. You'll find out once it's released."
"Ms. Leyba. What about the rumor that your books are based on your personal experiences and that made you want to kill the people close to you even in your imaginations?"
A male interviewer who apparently just got the courage to ask the question abruptly stood up.
"…"
The author lowered her head a little and smiled thinly.
"What? Did you see that? She smiled?"
"God! I wasn't able to take a shot. Have you?'
"It could have been the center page!"
"Or the perfect headline!"
"It's a waste!"
The photographers and interviewers kept on mumbling and murmuring expressing their shock and dismays. Everyone couldn't help but release an exasperated sigh.
JN is infamous for being mysterious and a cold figure. There are only a few of the fewest people who could know about her. It was indeed a matter of discussion every time when JN's being mentioned. The infamous author with beauty and brains, but heartless… soulless.
"Excuse me, Mr. Your question is out of the line and—"
JN's friend and assistant, Lea, calmly went ahead but she was cut by the former.
"It's fine, Lea."
"But, JN—"
Lea may appear calm outside but she's definitely holding back inside.
"It's really fine."
JN held her hand. Now, looking at the man who asked the question…
"If that was the case, I might not choose the 'Soulless Writer' but have instead preferred 'The Psycho Writer', right?"
Eyeing the interviewer, JN continued in the flattest tone of her voice she could use.
"What do you think? Do you want to be in my next story?"
The male interviewer shuddered in sudden fear. A strange electrifying sensation shivered down his spine. Everyone felt the shiver and the room was devoured by complete silence. It was only when a click of a camera broke the stillness in the room. The shot was directed to the interviewer who brazenly asked the stupid question.
The following day, it was expected to have JN on the cover but unexpectedly being the supporting topic. The interviewer who provoked her was almost on the headline of every spreadsheet, magazine cover, online article, and forums for almost a month; like an instant celebrity. Though not all were bad news about him and he really had no intentions of humiliating or disrespect JN, he opted to do a public apology mentioning he was also an avid fan of the author.
JN didn't mind the issue in reality since she's used to criticisms and lived with them every single day of her life. She could guess some people who just heard the rumors about her would definitely curse her on their minds and will insult her with the purest words they could ever think about. It was the same when she first revealed her identity in her first conference after graduating from college.
The question wasn't considered a direct attack on her if she's to be asked about it. It was rather an understanding of her concealed thoughts and emotions.
"He 'is' really reading my books."