The single bulb hanging precariously from the ceiling cast a sickly yellow glow across the room, highlighting the peeling paint on the walls.
The space was small and cramped, with an old, small bed by the corner lying on the floor. It wasn't home, it was only but a shelter that gave the man who lived there a sliver of privacy.
A young man groaned from one corner of the room, tossing clothes aside from an old, small bag as he searched for what to wear. Nero was frustrated, hoping to find good enough clothes to wear to the lunch he was having with his best friend, Daniel, today.
As Nero finally settled for a faded t-shirt and his most presentable jeans, the light in his eyes dimmed. Once upon a time, he had everything. Seven years ago, he was the heir to countless riches and his parents had effortless power in the business world.
A bitter taste filled his mouth as he recalled his parents tragic accident that led to their deaths. The fake sympathy on his relatives face, legal documents he didn't understand since he was just ten years ago, whispered agreement and everything they did till he was stripped bare, leaving him penniless.
And now it's been seven years, seven years of scraping by.
Everyone had abandoned him. The only person that still had his back was Daniel, who had managed to climb a few steps up the ladder of fortune.
In a rush, Nero wore his clothes and left the house.
Minutes later, he arrived in front of the luxurious restaurant he was supposed to meet Daniel for lunch. When Daniel had told him they would be meeting here, Nero had felt out of place. He didn't belong to this kind of places anymore.
Moreover, he never imagined Daniel himself would be able to afford such, but then again, he was happy for his friend's continuous success and hoped for his one day.
Once again, Nero glanced down at the clothes he was wearing. No matter how hard he tried to over look it, it just wasn't fit for a place like this...and this happened to be the best he has. From his worn out looks to his exhausted slim statue, anyone who saw him would instantly know he was from the slums.
"Are you Nero? Nero Jiang?" A man who had been standing in front of the restaurant approached him. He was dressed in a black suit, and Nero didn't miss the disgusted, yet clarifying look in his eyes as he gave Nero a once over.
"Yes?"
"Mr. Kingsley told me you were coming. He is waiting for you inside,"
Nero followed the suited man into the restaurant and judgeful eyes of it's inmates dressed with riches dripping off every word followed. As they got went in further, Nero caught sight of Daniel with his dirty blonde hair laughing with a bunch of people.
They were seated in a round chair, with champagne and expensive looking dishes all around them.
Hmm, Daniel never told him they would be having company.
"When did you say the dirt bag will be here again?" Nero heard one of Daniel's company ask.
"He should be here any moment from now. I cannot wait to finally get rid of him," Daniel replied.
Nero paused in his steps, a gnawing feeling crawling up his chest.
"Why did you even get close with a pauper like him? I get that he was once rich, but now he's nothing. What did you say his name was again? Zero?" They all understand the joke and laughed.
Daniel picked up a drink and twirled it around his fingers, "I guess I thought he still had some insane wealth he was hiding and staying close to him long enough would make him warm up to me and tell me about it," Daniel sighed, clearly disappointed, "But I was wrong. He has nothing left. He is nothing, and I wasted valuable time with him," He scoffed, "You should see where he lives. Everything is barely holding on. One push, and it'll all come crumbling to the ground,"
Everyone burst into heaps of laughter, and Nero's hand tightened around him till his knuckles turned white.
The man who followed him had gotten to Daniel and whispered something into his ear, and Daniel seemed to pause for a second. He calmly dropped his drink, casually turned around like nothing had happened and flashed Nero a bright smile, "You're here,"
Daniel has always smiled at him, but now Nero knew just how fake they were.
"Daniel," Nero called, his voice shaking slightly, "I heard everything, you know,"
Daniel chuckled, and stood up. They were the same age, and same height but Nero had scruffy red hair that seemed to be losing it's colour as time passed by. His lips curved into a small, almost defiant smile, "You did? That's so great,"
"And?" Nero prompted, hoping he had misheard it all.
Daniel crossed his arms, his gaze wavering and unapologetic, "You're funny, Nero. Did you ever think someone like me actually thought of someone like you as a friend? Don't you know how the world works? People with my status aren't supposed to be seen talking with people...of your...," Daniel gave him a once over, "Well come on, don't let me say it,"
And right there, Nero snapped. He went in and grabbed a handful of Daniel's shirt, squeezing hard, "How could you, Daniel?" Everyone present in the room turned to them, whispering among themselves.
The man in suit quickly came forward and pulled Nero away.
"How couldn't I, Nero?" Daniel spat rudely, "You're trash and I don't want you to stain me," He added a big smile filled his eyes, "Especially now that the Qin Enterprise has decided to collaborate with my company on the new project we are working on,"
Nero's eyes widened. Qin Enterprise was the new Jiang Tech. They had changed the name after they had stolen everything.
"Nero Jiang," Daniel calmly stepped forward with an amused look in his eyes, and patted Nero's cheeks as a form of disrespectful gesture, "Forever remain in the slums, because that is where a man like you belongs. Now get out of here!"
Most people around chuckled, and the reality of his best friend's betrayal sunk in with brutal clarity. His cruelty burned into Nero's skin, and as Nero was dragged out of the restaurant, he swore under his breath.
Back then, he was only ten years old and was clueless. Now, the full effects slammed into him hard.
The betrayal of everyone stung hard, and he promised himself that if he ever got a chance, he would make them kiss the ground he stood on.
This...was only the beginning.
.
.
.
09 - 18 - 32 - 27 - 28 ~~~~40
09 - 18 - 32 - 27 - 28. ~~~~40
09 - 18 - 32 - 27 - 28. ~~~~40
The numbers kept appearing in his dreams like he was being haunted. Nero barely dreamt whenever he slept, but for the past few weeks these specific set of figures have been coming on nonstop in his dreams. Even after he woke up, it was all he could still see.
What could they mean? It was very strange.
Nero stood up from his bed with a tired look, and crawled up to grab his tiny phone. This was something he had found sitting in the corner of the city one day with no damage done, like the owner just didn't want it anymore.
The Model was very old, and the phone cost barely anything. It was what Nero has been using for a very long time now.
Tonight was the final draw of the lottery, and Nero pulled out his ticket from the tiny space he had shoved it in.
The numbers 09 - 18 - 32 - 27 - 28 ~~~~40 were imprinted on it, and once again doubted gnawed at his chest, and he questioned himself why he had chosen to use the same numbers that have been following him everywhere.
A hunch, Perhaps?
It didn't even matter. It wasn't like he was gonna win the lottery anyway, it was just some clumsy desperate hope, that the reoccurring dreams meant something, and the numbers would be the exact same ones as the winning draw.
"Don't be too disappointed when you find out you got your hopes up for nothing," He murmured to himself as he turned on his phone and logged into the website where the winning draw was currently being streamed.
The screen read boldly, and Nero whispered it out in pure disbelief "09 - 18 - 32 - 27 - 28 ~~~~40"
Huh?
His phone buzzed all of a sudden, and a notification popped up, reading:
Credit Alert
#90,000,000,000,000,000,000 credited to your account.
Account number: xcxxxxcxxx
Description: Transfer received from Xcxxxxx & Soul reaper.
Balance: #90,000,000,000,000,000,010.
Nero's jaw dropped.