My Billion-Dollar Account Hates Good People

1. Messed Up List

Hi,

I am Lawrence, you have never me and we just met but I know you wont like me. I love money but I have none, I like women but my girlfriend just left me today and I never even got a chance to… you know? But what can I say, for a poor students working at strip club…

Yes I work at a strip club but I am not the stripper, I am the cleaner, well I was the cleaner because I got fired today too. Its is funny isn’t it? No its not.

So who wants to be with a guy like me? I cannot even be with a guy like me. When I thought the worse had already happened today, I got a call from my roommates outside of campus, apparently they were going to kick me out of the room because I had not contributed to the rent.

I tried to raise the money, I did. I worked extra shifts, and I saved over two hundred dollars, but then my girl now my ex said she wanted a proof of my love so I bought her a necklace worth two hundred and ten dollars, yet she left me and now I owe the store, I owe the school and I owe my room mates else I am out. You might think that I am stupid, but have you ever met a man in love… I liked her, I really did and it made me stupid.

“Fuck!” I exclaimed, a white car had just ran past me, at high speed, splashing the water from a nearby puddle all over me without stopping to apologize for it so now I am drenched, adding to my frustration.

Rainwater dripped from my hair onto my face as I stood frozen on the sidewalk, watching the white car disappear into the night like nothing had happened. Its red taillights blurred against the heavy rain, growing smaller and smaller until they vanished completely, leaving me standing there soaked like a stray dog. “Sorry I didn’t mention that I was in the rain earlier”

People passed by me under umbrellas without sparing me a second glance, some laughed. One girl even covered her nose as she walked past me with her boyfriend. Fair cos that water splashed on me smells like shit

My cheap white shirt was now transparent from the water, sticking tightly against my skin. My old sneakers squished every time I shifted my feet, and the cold wind made me shiver. The black trash bag hanging from my shoulder contained everything I had taken from the strip club after getting fired. Two shirts, one torn hoodie, a pair of jeans and the instant noodles I had been secretly taking home from the staff kitchen for the past week, what a life.

I let out a bitter chuckle and rubbed my face tiredly.

“Perfect,” I muttered. “Absolutely perfect.”

My phone vibrated again inside my pocket, and already knew who it was before checking. Damien, one of my roommates.

I stared at the screen for a few seconds before answering.

“What?”

“Lawrence, where are you?” Damien asked immediately. “Bro, the landlord came again tonight.”

I closed my eyes. “And?”

“And he said if your part isn’t complete by tomorrow morning, all of us are out.”

“Damien, I told you I’m trying.”

“You’ve been trying for three months.” His tone changed slightly, becoming more frustrated. “You think we’re rich too? Everybody’s struggling here.”

“I said I’m trying!” People nearby turned to stare at me after I shouted, so I lowered my voice immediately.

Damien sighed deeply from the other side. “Look, man… I defended you for as long as I could. But the guys are angry. If you don’t get the money tonight, don’t come back.”

The call ended. Funny enough, I wasn’t even angry at them because if I were them, I would probably hate me too.

Twenty-three years old.

Poor.

Jobless.

Behind on school fees.

Behind on rent.

Dumped.

And now homeless.

It almost sounded impressive when listed together, sorry I had to repeat that, but you really need to understand what I am going through here.

I started walking again without any destination in mind, my hands shoved deep into my pockets to fight the cold. The streets were alive despite the rain.

Luxury cars glided past me smoothly while music poured out from expensive clubs and bars lining the road. Rich kids around my age laughed loudly under neon lights, dressed in clothes that probably cost more than my entire semester’s tuition.

Some girls wearing tiny dresses stumbled drunkenly into black SUVs while men in suits smoked outside casinos, everyone looked like they belonged somewhere.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the remaining cash I had to see if I could eat one last meal before I die of starvation. But all I had was three dollars, so I stared at the wet bills in silence. “Three dollars to my name.”

Meanwhile somewhere across the city, my ex-girlfriend was probably lying in another man’s bed wearing the necklace I nearly killed myself to buy for her.

“Vanessa.”

Even thinking about her name made my chest tighten painfully. I remembered how excited she looked when I gave her the necklace two days ago. She kissed me, called me sweet, told me I was the only man she wanted and just like that, this morning she dumped me for some rich businessman who picked her up in a Mercedes.

Love truly makes people stupid. Me, specifically.

My phone buzzed again this time it was a message from an unknown Number, it contained only one sentence.

“Do you wish to become rich?”

I stared at it blankly for a few seconds before scoffing. “Scammers are working overtime tonight.” I shoved the phone back into my pocket and continued walking. But almost immediately, another message arrived.

“You were seen today at Velvet Mirage Strip Club at exactly 8:43 PM after being terminated from employment.”

My footsteps slowed and a third message appeared before I could process the second.

“Your girlfriend, Vanessa Miller, cheated on you three times before leaving you this morning.”

I stopped walking completely now.. “How the hell?”

Another message.

“You currently owe:

$10 to Lux Jewelry Store.

$1,870 in tuition debt.

$600 rent contribution.”

I typed quickly.

“Who is this?”

Seen. Then another message arrived instantly.

“Answer the question carefully, Lawrence.”

My fingers hovered over the keyboard, a car honked loudly nearby, making me flinch.

“This had to be some sick prank, maybe Damien?” Or someone from the club. Yet… how would they know about Vanessa cheating?” My throat suddenly felt dry.

I typed again.

“What do you want from me?”

The reply came immediately.

“Nothing.”

Three dots appeared again.

“But wealth wants something from you.”

I stared at the screen with a deep frown. “Wealth wants something from you? What kind of nonsense was this?” I was about to block the number when another message appeared.

“Check your bank account.”

I almost laughed, but i didn't have to open my bank app, the notification was all i saw and... and..

I froze.