15 Anxiety

Since the interview was not live, there was no immediate backlash for Rocky as it would be a week until it aired on national TV, however, after the things Rocky said on that interview, he felt genuinely afraid to head back home.

On the bright side, he had received 5 body strengthening potions that would help improve his physique by leaps and bounds, however, on the downside he now had to face Amelia and explain to her as to how after all the kindness she and the guildmaster had shown Rocky, he proceeded to stab them in the back on national TV.

On his way back home, Rocky felt genuinely restless and anxious, as he did not feel too good about the things that he said, he had difficulty sitting in one spot and was constantly shuffling on his seat as he racked his brains about how to explain this situation to Amelia.

He knew better than to reveal the presence of the system to anyone, as he realized that whoever came after his sister might also come after him if they found out that it was him who possessed her treasure now, however, without introducing the system in his story, Rocky could not think of any other excuse that would sound convincing enough.

Deep down in his heart he knew that he truly did believe every word that he said and that if someone from the Elites did turn out to be a backstabbing serpent in hiding, Rocky would take him on, even if it meant taking on the whole True Elites guild, but, having no proof of this heavy accusation that he made, Rocky felt like shit as for all he knew, this could cause unnecessary rift inside the guild and lead to Karna and Amelia hating him.

'Stupid system making me do things I don't want! I knew they called the great god Shakuni a mastermind strategist, however, isn't this too much?' Rocky wondered, as he silently cursed the system in his head,

Soon, he was driven back home by the chauffeur as he entered Amelia's apartment with a heavy conscience.

Once back home, Rocky wondered if packing his things up and running away was a smart choice?

Rather than facing Amelia and confronting her with what happened, Rocky felt that it was easier to just run away, however, running away was what a coward would do and Rocky was no believer of that stupid cult.

His father always taught him to face problems with a straight spine and hence Rocky decided to be upfront about this incident and talk it out with Amelia once she returned from work, later in the night.

To pass time, Rocky decided to complete his pending tasks for the day trying hard to keep his mind occupied, however, the anxiety of the impending confrontation did not allow him to fully focus on any task at hand, as he felt stressed and restless all through the day, until Amelia eventually returned home, late at night.

"Rocky, how many times have I told you to not wait for me to have dinner?

It's not good for a young kid like you to eat your dinner so late, it doesn't give your digestive system enough time to break down the food" Amelia complained as soon as she returned home and saw that yet again Rocky had not eaten dinner, waiting for Amelia to return.

Although she complained about it everyday, secretly Amelia was very happy that Rocky waited up on her on a daily basis as it made her feel like family.

"Aunt Amelia, I have something to confess-" Rocky said shakily, as he wasted no time once Amelia returned in pleasantries and cut right to the chase.

Amelia raised an eyebrow and picked up the food from the dinner table to re-heat it while gesturing to Rocky to go on.

"Today at the interview, I kind of criticized the guildmaster and the guild, I insinuated that someone from within the guild was torpedoing the investigation related to my sister and that I was training hard to bring the guild down should it be proven true" Rocky said as he fit everything wrong that he spoke into two-three lines.

"Hahaha, of course I've already seen your interview Rocky, Sunny's staff has already sent me the uncut version….. I'm the secretary of the biggest guild in the world. Do you really think anyone can air the guild's criticism without my approval?

What you said was quite brave and I like your guts to be willing to fight a guild like the Elites for your sister, however, I'm not sure you fully understand just how much backlash you will get for this interview.

While guildmaster Karna is not afraid of a child's criticism, nor is the guild, the commoners and other climbers within the guild won't see it that way.

I don't know why you lied in the interview, claiming that your sister knew her assailant, when you've told the guild that she did not.

But you're playing with fire here Rocky and if I were you, I'd be careful not to burn myself" Amelia said, as she seemed very casual about what Rocky said in the interview, as if it did not matter to her at all.

" I…. I, don't care about the backlash from the people. I just don't want you to misunderstand me.

I'm very grateful for everything you do for me.

I know how busy you are, how late you come home from work and how early you leave, yet every night after dinner, you cook a lunch for me to carry to school and refrigerate the dinner.

I don't show it, but it means a lot to me" Rocky said sheepishly as he felt relieved that the thing that he was so anxious about was no big deal to Amelia.

A soft smile broke on Amelia's face, as she felt her heart warm a little when Rocky revealed his true feelings and she found it cute that her opinion mattered so much to the kid.

In reality, even she and the guildmaster suspected that someone from within the guild was involved in Riva's kidnapping, however, uptil now they had no proof to back this belief.

Rocky's interview was a welcome relief to them as it was bound to stir up trouble within the guild that could provide an opportunity to breakthrough, however, she could not reveal these plans to the kid.

All she could do was share a warm dinner meal with him while assuring that she was not mad at him as she knew very well that Rocky was in for a world of trouble in itself when the interview aired a week later.

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/// A/N - This bonus chapter is sponsored by patron Cervantez91, please thank him in the comments for the same ///