Dread and Sadness

If unluckiness were a person, that person would be Kevin Lee, twenty-four. He had absolutely no luck in this world, if he were to ask for a passed job interview, he'd fail. If he wanted a green shirt, every other color would be available. Even with looks, he was unlucky. He was a small man of five-five and was a bit mousy, he had no pursuers growing up. Love was something unspeakable to Kevin, it was so unfathomable to him that he didn't even consider the prospects of it happening. A simple fantasy. The only thing that he wanted was to go to work every day with the hope he wouldn't get fired.

If luck were a person, it'd be Mark Lu, Twenty-Seven. He had all the luck in the world. Such as, being the youngest CEO of one of the biggest companies, the looks of an actor that made anyone who passed take another glance, and of course, the luck of love. Unluckiness? What's that? He would never understand such a thing. He had never considered himself not receiving everything he'd want. The only thing he found difficult to understand was how he had ended up with such a messy, dimwitted, unlucky employee whom he couldn't bring himself to fire.

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Six months ago. Kevin is sitting at the dining table of his small, shabby apartment. It really was the shabbiest thing to ever exist. The wallpaper was peeling and there were stains from who knows what on the ceiling. No matter how much he cleaned, it still looked as if there had been a tornado that went through. He couldn't stand the place but it was the only thing he could afford with his penniless pockets and it was better than being on the streets.

Kevin groans and rests his head on the table, he had lost his job and he didn't know how he was going to pay the rent that was due next week. If only I had luck, he thinks. If only I had luck then I wouldn't be living in this dump. Maybe I'd have an amazing job with an amazing life. Who knows, maybe I would have a great wife and kids. He sighs fantasizing.

With an immense feeling of dread and sadness, he gets up and makes his way to the telephone he had left on the coffee table with stains of heavy use. He picks up the old Samsung Galaxy S with a crack in the middle of the screen, scrolling through his contact list before clicking a name. To his surprise, the person on the other side picks up after one ring.

"Kevin? I didn't expect you to call. I thought you were still upset at me…" The person said, a voice full of surprise.

"Amelia, I'm not one to hold grudges… I didn't expect to call either but I need help…" he told the woman, Amelia, trying to mask his exhaustion in his voice.

"Kevin, what happened?" She asks worriedly. The sound of children laughing can be heard on the other side, she was currently at work on break.

"I lost my job and I don't think I'll be able to make rent next week…" Kevin replied, feeling nothing but shame and embarrassment.

"Oh, Kevin… do you need a place to stay? You know you're always welcome." Amelia said quietly, not hiding her pity and it only made Kevin more embarrassed as well as uncomfortable.

"No, it's alright. I don't want to disturb you or your husband but I was wondering if I could borrow fifty dollars…" he hated this, he shouldn't be asking his younger sister, although only by a year, for money to help him. He should be the one helping her if anything. There was a long silence on the other side.

"Amelia it's fine if you say no… It was just a question…" he felt even worse. He gripped his phone tighter in his right hand as he looked at the black TV screen in front of him.

"No Kevin, it's fine. I'll have the money for you tomorrow. Would you like to come get it or would you prefer if I go over?" She finally said. There was no tinge of annoyance or judgment in her voice, Kevin felt his shoulders relax.

"I'll go over and get it. Thank you, Amelia, really." He meant it, if she hadn't agreed he wouldn't know who else to go to. Their parents had decided they would no longer help Kevin in his financial struggles because they felt he was just spending money with no worries. They couldn't understand how their eldest child had started drowning in struggle so they blamed it on the only thing they saw possible, simply throwing money away.

"Don't thank me, Kevin. Just take it as an apology for how I went against you at the family dinner last week. I'm sorry about that, I should've told mom and dad you aren't just wasting money. I should've told them that I know you're truly struggling…" Amelia sighs, guilt weighing her down.

"Amelia… you don't have to apologize. I told you I don't hold grudges. I wasn't upset at you that day, I was upset at myself for the issues I'm having and not being able to stand up for myself. It had nothing to do with you. They're right, even I don't understand how I'm struggling this much on my own…" He would be lying if he said he did. He moved out of the house three years ago thinking that he could do everything by himself. He was naïve and optimistic. He had barely managed to get a scholarship for college and get through. He felt his business degree was useless when he went out to find a job, only to fail interview after interview. It truly was a shame.

"Kevin… I wish I could say more but I have to get back to work… remember to come by tomorrow. Anytime is alright, it's my day off. I'll see you, bye." She said briefly, then hung up.

Kevin sat in silence, the feeling of discomfort wouldn't go away. He knew she didn't want to talk about it. He had really thought life would be much easier than this. Getting up from his patched-up couch, grabbing his wallet from the dining table, he makes his way out the door. He couldn't just sit around and mope about the unfairness in the world, he needed money. The bright sun surprises him, when he walked home from the job he'd just lost not a few hours ago, it was cloudy like his mood. Perhaps this was a sign that things wouldn't be as bad as he thought. He starts walking in a random direction, almost bumping into a man walking in the opposite direction. He was quick to make his apologies.

"Oh, I'm sorry." He stopped to make sure the man was alright. The man was dressed in a creme-colored sweater with a black long overcoat. His clothing looked expensive, Kevin could tell with one glance that the man could buy his life as if it were nothing. The man looked at Kevin with a tired expression. He was handsome and for a second Kevin thought he'd bumped into an actor who had just gotten off from shooting a scene for a movie.

"It's fine, just watch where you're going next time." The man replied before turning and walking off.

Kevin was still stunned by the man so he just stood there for a minute before making his way. He was going to into every building that was asking for help and apply. The motivation was strong and he felt like nothing could get in his way until it did two hours later. Kevin was tired and every shop, business he went into was an utter disaster, he had messed up in some way. He had just left a flower shop where he was instantly denied because he had accidentally toppled a vase full of roses off the counter. How he had managed that, simple, he wasn't looking when he extended a hand to introduce himself. They were quick to say they had no need for new employment but he didn't fail to notice the man who went in right after, receiving the job.

He walks to the park, it was a pretty place with a big walking trail. If it were spring, the flowers would be in full bloom and it would smell sweet throughout. He sits on a nearby bench, contemplating his life and what exactly was the problem with everything he's done. Why did the universe hate him so much? Had he angered the Gods terribly in his past life? He was desperate and would do anything to fix whatever they held against him. He rests his head in his hands, deciding sitting was better than looking and getting nowhere.

After a few minutes of silence, he feels someone sit next to him. He looks up wearily, not that he mind that there was someone else but he just wanted to see who it was next to him. To his surprise it was a beautiful woman, she had long, wavy, dark, silky hair that cascaded down her shoulders and bad. She had to be the most beautiful woman Kevin had ever seen. She had doe like eyes, that were a beautiful caramel color and she was wearing a black suit that showed her perfect figure. She was smiling sweetly at Kevin, although she was breathtakingly beautiful, he was caught off gaurd by what she said.

"I've been watching you."