The Last Man Standing

Chapter 3

Clio's hand grew cold as she inserted the key into the lock of the small apartment where she was staying. The heat that had clung to her skin after a day she was not home seemed to suddenly disappear. She immediately went inside and leaned against the door after closing it. She shut her eyes closed as she gripped the small piece of paper tightly. Her heart was beating rapidly and her mind was in chaos.

The envelope that Lilith gave her contains an invitation. If she read it right, it was an invitation for a celebration. But what caught Clio’s attention was the cash prize. She looked at the black paper in her hand for a few seconds before she expelled a deep sigh. “Calm down. Calm down,” she murmured to herself. Eventually, she found the strength to move her shivering feet.

Clio hurriedly turned on the small lamp on the only table in the apartment’s small living room. The lamp was the only source of light in her house now that their electricity was cut off. The lamp flickered several times before its light became steady. She immediately went straight to the old sofa and sat down. After taking a deep breath, she opened the black paper in her hand. Her racing heart went to a halt for a few seconds upon seeing the gold letter printed on the invitation.

She examined the invitation with a mixture of doubt and amazement — each letter was printed in a gold and aesthetic gothic font. The theme of its overall design was black and gold. The invitation was printed on scented paper. Even if Clio didn’t carry the paper in her nose, she could inhale its fragrant scent, like the sweet and sensual smell of jasmine. If it just didn’t have a crease on the right corner and was not folded in four, it could be mistaken for an invitation to a fancy banquet. “So, I’m not really mistaken,” Clio’s gaze darted at the stated jackpot prize, “Five million… Dollars? As in dollars?” She whispered to herself with sincere shock. The cash prize was almost worth two hundred fifty million in Philippine peso. That’s what surprised Clio the most.

She tucked her hair behind her ears before bringing her face closer to the paper. The cash prize was really five million dollars. “Really?” She then pinched her cheeks several times to test if she was dreaming with her eyes open. “This is really a party offering fun games and a large amount of money in dollars,” she told herself, her hold on the invitation tightened.

She knew Lilith's family was wealthy but she did not expect her friend to suddenly give her an invitation for a party that was obviously for the rich. Lilith’s parents were religious and were known in their city for being members of an elite church institution that Clio was not really sure about. Clio met Lilith’s parents once and she already inferred that they were the traditional and conservative type. Nevertheless, she had a good experience with them because they treated her warmly. Lilith also introduced her to the people from the church organization to which she belonged and all of them were kind to her.

She covered her mouth after realizing that what Lilith gave her could really be an invitation to a gathering hosted by their church, judging how the invitation ended with a remarkable ‘God Bless you’. Clio smiled. Her gaze then went to the line stating a password and code name. “Knave?” she uttered, realizing how exclusive the party was to actually require a password and a code name.

Was she going?

Clio thought that if people like Lilith's mom were to attend this party, maybe it wouldn't be that dangerous. Instead, the party might be a charity work hosted by the church where Lilith belonged to. The kind of help that rich people extend to poor people like Clio every Christmas, the season of giving.

Clio heaved a deep sigh before glancing at the wall clock hanging on the wooden wall of the apartment’s living room. It was only an hour before twelve midnight.

Did she have to go?

Clio bit her bottom lip as her mind weighed the situation. She was not sure about this party. But she was in desperate need of money.

She stared at the invitation for a few seconds before taking a deep breath. This was not the right time to refuse the opportunities coming her way. With enough determination, she took her phone from her jeans’ pocket. She stared at the paper for some more time. Something inside Clio was telling her that the invitation was not for her.

But five million dollars …

Clio looked at the flickering lamp on the table. She thought of the things she could use the money for and the days and nights she had to work just to earn the same amount of money. Even if she dies working, she would never earn five million dollars.

But now an opportunity awaited her. An opportunity that could change her miserable life.

She wondered what would happen at the party. Maybe it's just a little gathering and fun for the birthday of the person they worship, the man they call God. Just a simple treat for Christmas.

She stared at the slightly crumpled paper in her hand. The opportunity, even though uncertain, was tempting Clio.

A knock brought Clio back to reality. She looked at the door and immediately frowned as some papers slipped through the small opening at the bottom of the door. Those papers were other bills to pay. That was how the landlord gives the water bill to each tenant.

"Just cut our water off!" Clio shouted jokingly, definitely half-meaning what she said.

“Pay the rent at the end of the month! This is a hard reminder, Clio! It's been two months!” the landlady shouted back from the outside of the door and Clio pursed her lips. “I will evict you in my apartment if you still do not pay this month!” she added before Clio heard the landlady’s receding footsteps.

"Second chance, last shot," Clio murmured, remembering it was the same situation she had with her university’s dean.

Clio was tired of begging other people for a second chance. She was even more tired to live her life like a beggar. She was sick of people pitying her and looking down on her because of her financial status.

“Give me a break!” Clio groaned when her cellphone rang. She was immediately nervous when she saw who was calling. The call was from the nurse who was in-charge to take care of her aunt at the hospital.

Clio's knee seemed to turn soft jelly and she sat weakly on the floor after the call. Her aunt's maintenance for diabetes was running low again. She also had to pay the nurse for the days she stayed and took care of her aunt. She got an electricity bill and a water bill to pay. And before December ends, she had to pay for the apartment’s rent.

Just as Clio placed the cellphone back to her jeans’ pocket, she got ahold of the promissory note for her unpaid tuition. She was stunned for a while before she expelled the heaviest breath for the day. Under the flicker of the faint light from the old lamp, Clio, the young victim of cruel destiny, sighed. Tears welled up in her eyes the moment her own stomach growled.

“Just what the heck is this life?” She was confused and tired. She did not know what to do or where to start.

In what hand of God would she take the money to pay for the successive expenses on her plate?

God.

Conversion.

Apology.

Instrument.

Clio quickly picked the black paper that was given by Lilith. That was the answer to her problems.

‘You have paid all your debts to me from now on.’ Clio remembered what Lilith had said earlier. She also remembered her meaningful smile.

Her friend really knew how to help her. That was what Clio realized. Lilith gave her the invitation to give her a chance to win the five million dollars since she repeatedly told her that she was tired of borrowing other people’s money. Clio's chest tightened in intense gratitude to her good friend, Lilith.

She quickly took the invitation and tried to iron the creases with her hand. She set aside all her doubts about the party referred to by the invitation. She knew how kind Lilith and her family were. She trusted her and she knew that Lilith would not bring her any harm.

Clio believed that good people only stick with good people. So, she had nothing to worry about this party since it was organized by a church. Instead, the party and the five million dollars was the key for Clio’s sorrow, suffering, and loneliness to come to an end.

With teary eyes, Clio smiled. Her heart swelled for the overwhelming hope she was feeling. She would do anything to win that five million dollars.

She returned the invitation to the black envelope and put it in her handbag. Then, she made a quick motion to go to the bathroom. While dressing and preparing for the upcoming party that she has to attend, Clio’s smile never left her lips.

“Thank you, Lilith. Thank you for the new hope.”