The Faceless Writer

Prologue

May 13, 2021

10:00 AM

"Thirty minutes."

Cameras flashing. Photographers were trying to get a glimpse of her face. Calling her name. Repeatedly. Getting louder and louder after each time. Members of the press are readying themselves to throw questions and eat her alive.

"Ace! Is this a sequel to your previous novel or an entirely new story?"

"Why show your face now?"

"Anong tinatago mo?"

"Magpapakilala ka ba talaga?"

"Is this some strategy for your novel to top-sell?"

Hindi niya maiwasang mapangiwi sa sunod-sunod na tanong ng reporters. They could not wait until she was seated before hurling personal questions towards her. It only added to the spite she had towards media men.

Mandy, her editor, guided her to the middle seat. They walked past the publishing house's representative and other important individuals who need to be beside her today. The reason for this was still unclear to her. All wore suits as if trying to make an impression.

Her hand automatically reached for the black wide-brimmed hat when she sat down. It almost fell and revealed her hair. A shiver ran down her spine at the thought of numerous cameras focusing on her face. The media would surely have a field day. The headlines would be a delight to read on the other hand.

She adjusted her black oversized glasses and made sure the straps of her black masks were perfectly tucked behind her ears. A smile crept across her face as her best friends' trolling faces appeared in her subconscious.

'Those two are making fun of me now for sure.'

Lilith checked her watch. Twenty-five minutes.

Mr. Ang did the formal presentation of the event followed by the perfunctory introduction of everyone at the table. It did not take long before the reporters commenced on firing questions. The majority of those were addressed to her. More than half were directed to her still covered face.

"Please, friends, we hold this event to celebrate the launch of Ms. Ace's new novel. If we could all please focus on it." Mandy offered while giving her a knowing look.

"Will you really reveal your face when the draw is over?" A male voice echoed from the back.

Of course, they would go after the mystery that was her face. There was nothing new about that. What she could not wrap her head on was the company's insistence to hold a book launch when there really was no need for it. The name Ace had long been established as a celebrated faceless author based in the Philippines. For years, she had maintained her freedom. Her fans had stopped stalking her for a picture. No one knew who she really was and what she looked like.

That is, not until that loony for a publisher came into the picture and decided to raffle off her face in that equally crazy sales pitch he formulated with the marketing team.

"Asshole."

A sole camera flashed. All of a sudden everyone's eyes were glued on her. She wanted to smack herself for not paying attention.

"Pardon?" There was unbelief in the reporter's tone. "Did you say 'asshole'?"

Umiling sya. "As a whole," she trailed off. Her editor's lip was twitching trying to hold off a laugh.

"As a whole, this project is one of JPARK Publishing and yours truly's way of giving back to the consistent love and support of the fans. The whole team has thought of this with everyone's best interest at heart. Not only will a significant percentage of the sales go to our selected charities and help those in need, but will also give an opportunity to aspiring young authors to seek possibilities in publishing companies."

She wanted to sing a chorus for that firm and cool voice that came out of her own mouth. Mandy was giving her thumbs up from under the table.

"So I really hope that you'll support my novel," she ended.

To be honest, if the reporters pushed more queries unrelated to her novel, she would not be able to answer them any more.

'Ang baliw na 'yun.' Lilith could still hear that mad man's laugh. He took over his dad's position just over a few weeks ago and everything's turned upside down.

She wanted to kick him. 'Mukha ba akong bulate? Why am I used as bait for this project?' It was a good thing her face was covered or they would see how irritated she was. Mukha siyang bulateng inasinan.

Her phone then buzzed.

Your black aura reached me. Smile.

She scanned the many faces in the hall. Her target? A more evil aura than hers. There. Leaning on the farthest side of the hall. He even had the audacity to cooly wave his phone above his head. Andrew freaking Park in all his glory.

'Asshole.'