CHAPTER 1
"Welcome to the Writers Golden Award Ceremony. I am Casey, and we are live this lovely evening outside the Royale hall, " A reporter shared before the camera.
Outside the Royale hall, gathered multitude of writers and fans to witness the award ceremony.
A Rolls Royce pulls up at the entrance, followed by the sounds of crowds going wild.
"It's them!"
"Yes! It's the girls!"
A group of bodyguards came surrounding the car, preventing the crazy fans from getting close.
The reporters came flashing their cameras at the Rolls Royce, as the car came opened, and three young ladies stepped out, putting on the latest designer dress, showing off their beauty.
At the sight of the girls, crowds went wild, calling out their names.
"JESSICA! FAITH! BELLA! " They chanted.
The presence of the trio left most of the writers staring at them nervously.
This trio are famous writers with millions of followers reading their stories both online and offline.
They also have hard copies of their books, which makes it easy for fans to have a part of their work in their hold.
The trio waved their hands with a smile, as they catwalked into the large hall with their bodyguards.
The crowds kept screaming crazily, trying to get nearer, but no chance.
Once the girls where in, fans and writers were soon allowed to step inside the hall, showing their gate pass.
"Hurry up! "
"Easy there, Chi-Chi. You act like we'll be locked outside."
"Just hurry! "
Behind the crowds, across the road, came running a young lady and a tall handsome man.
Matthew and Chi-Chi, cousins, came running towards the hall to meet up with the ceremony.
Chi-Chi is a young upcoming writer that feels she lacks talent. She took part in the writing contest three months ago, all because of her cousin, Matthew.
As a candidate, Chi-Chi has to be present for the ceremony to see who the winner is. She wouldn't have showed up if Matthew wasn't around to force her.
"You are so slow! " She groaned at Matthew, dragging him while crossing the busy road without care.
"I'm slow? You're the one who didn't want to attend out of fear!"
"I changed my mind afterwards, didn't I? " She said, dragging Matthew.
Matthew is a graduate of the Higher Class University. Yet to secure a better job, after getting rejected from two companies, he comes over to stay with his little cousin, Chi-Chi.
He learns of the contest and gets attracted to the price money, getting his little cousin to take part in the hopes of winning the price.
When the D day for the winners announcement came in, Chi-Chi got scared to attend.
The only way Matthew could get her out from the house was by telling her of her idols.
Jessica, Faith, and Bella are Chi-Chi's idols.
Hearing one of the girls is among the contestants, Chi-Chi dashed out of the house with Matthew.
"Waw!" Chi-Chi exclaimed on seeing the Rolls Royce her idols came in with.
"They are here! " She shrieked excitedly, jumping with Matthew's hand in her hold.
"Can you let go before you render me armless? " Matthew rolled his eyes at his cousin.
"Quit being so annoying. The ceremony is about to start, let's go, " She said, pulling Matthew along.
They both join the queue, until they where in.
They take their seat, waiting for the ceremony to begin.
"There they are! " Chi-Chi points out to the front.
Matthew looks and sees the trio; Jessica, Faith and Bella, sitting on high seats with bodyguards around them.
"Hmm. They are indeed famous," He said.
"That's Bella Rust in a blue dress. She's the one taking part in the contest, " Chi-Chi pointed out to Matthew.
Her cousin hums but doesn't show his interest on the girls.
"Good for her, " He said, facing the stage.
"If I can just get an autograph from them, I'll be so happy." Chi-Chi sighed with delight in her eyes, but Matthew hummed once again, saying, " Good for you."
Chi-Chi frowns at him.
The ceremony starts with a beautiful performance from a famous musician called Tara Blaze, followed by the list of every stories that came in, appearing on the screen.
Chi-Chi shrieks in fear, holding her cousin's hand.
Matthew could sense her worry. He patted Chi-Chi's hand, assuring her that she'll be among the winners.
"Thanks Matt, " She appreciated.
The announcement started.
The judges called winners from the fourth to tenth, getting Chi-Chi nervous by the minute.
"For our third runner up..." The judge takes out a bronze envelope, opening it up. "Cara Simon!"
A girl among the audience screams out, running forward to receive her price.
Chi-Chi felt her body shivering. She tightened her grip on Matthew, feeling her heart pounding.
"Hey, relax. Don't panic, " Matthew whispered to his cousin. But Chi-Chi wasn't feeling relaxed one bit.
"This is the third winner, Matthew. I don't think I'm among, " She doubted.
"Are you just going to accept defeat? Come on Chi-Chi."
"You can see for yourself, Matt. There are a lot of tough writers here, and to top it all, Bella Rust is among." She navigates her eyes to the three famous writers, sitting majestically.
Again, Matthew tells her not to lose hope.
"Let's be patient cousin. I'm sure you won, " He encouraged her.
Just then...
"Our second runner up goes to..." Judge opens a silver envelope. "Cindy White! "
"I won! " A girl sitting beside Chi-Chi screams out in joy, running out to the stage.
Chi-Chi watches with fear. She carefully lowered her head down, holding Matthew's hand.
The second runner-up takes her prize and stands beside the third winner.
"And now, the moment we have been waiting for. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in congratulating our winner..." He takes out the golden envelope, opening it.
Chi-Chi kept her head down, feeling sad. Her behavior made Matthew unhappy.
He's about to pacify her when...
"Chi-Chi Power! "
"What?!" Chi-Chi and Matthew exclaimed out.
Chi-Chi's story appeared on the screen. This got her screaming in joy, as she hugged Matthew tightly, screaming.
"See, I told you, " Matthew laughed.
Chi-Chi let's go of her cousin, running out to the stage to get her price.
"Congratulations," The judges all celebrated her, shaking her hands.
Just as the price is about to get her, a man came forward, taking the mic, saying, " Sorry, there has been a mistake."
"What? " Matthew uttered, looking confused.
Chi-Chi is confused as well.
"Our apologies, Chi-Chi Power, but you aren't the winner. "
"What the hell?!" Matthew yelled from his point.
Crowds are astonished to hear this, but Chi-Chi? She felt her heart pounding and her body shaking.
"The real winner is Bella Rust. There was a mix up, so sorry," The man announces.
"It's okay. Mistakes do happen, " Chi-Chi said, trying to hide her sadness.
She stepped back, watching Bella Rust walking towards the judges to take her price.
Shame took over Chi-Chi. She could hear people laughing at her.
"Look at her, she thought she won. "
"How sad. "
"If it's me, I'll hide my face in embarrassment."
They laughed.
Chi-Chi felt like crying. She hid her sadness behind a fake smile.
Matthew, who was watching this, rises from his seat, yelling out, "That's not fair!"
His voice attracts everyone, including the judges, and Bella Rust.
"Matthew." Chi-Chi stared at her cousin.
"How is that a mistake? I thought you guys were highly skilled professionals? How is this a mistake?" He questioned.
"Young man, we advice you sit down or we get the security guards to throw you out. You are interrupting the ceremony," A judge threatened.
Matthew wants to fire back some more, but Chi-Chi apologizes on his behalf, returning back to her seat.
"You can't take that, Chi-Chi. You won. "
"Matthew, please." She pulled him down to avoid any more embarrassment.
Anger filled Matthew's heart. He didn't want to stay any more, but Chi-Chi pleads with him to wait.
"One of my idol is being awarded, " she smiled, staring at Bella.
Matthew wasn't happy.
They watched Bella Rust being awarded before all. She giggled with joy, taking the mic to thank everyone.
"It's not easy being the best writer. I feel so proud of myself."
"Hahaha. Best writer you say? " A voice interrupted Bella's speech.
Bella looked straight ahead and met a lady in a dark hoodie, staring at her.
Everyone saw her as well.
A trace of her skin couldn't be seen. She wore black all around.
"Um... Sorry, who are you? " Bella asked, trying to see the face of the lady.
"Who am I isn't important. The question that matters now is..." She lifts her head, taking off her hood. "Are you indeed the best writer as you said? "
On seeing the lady, everyone began panicking, including Bella.
Her eyes widened at the sight of the pale skin lady, having red eyes and pure white hair, gazing at her.
"Dark... Dark Tale? " Bella shivered.