Electricity is expensive.
Especially when you're twenty years old, living alone, and your greatest talent is getting fired.
My name is Clark Evernight — professional "bad luck magnet." I'm smart, energetic, and hardworking… but for some reason the universe keeps kicking me where it hurts. And this morning was no exception.
---
8:10 A.M. – at my now ex-office
"CLARK EVERNIGHT!" my boss barked, spit flying like holy water.
"Yes, sir?" I smiled nervously, holding a stack of poorly stapled documents to my chest.
"You broke the new copier, deleted the client files, and spilled coffee on Director Valencia's crotch — all in one morning!" he howled.
"That was an accident," I whispered.
"GET! OUT!"
And three minutes later, I was unemployed. Again.
---
9:00 A.M. – walking with a plastic bag of shame
I trudged down the sidewalk, already practicing my next "Lola, I lost my job again" speech in my head, when my foot suddenly slipped on something glossy.
"Ack—!"
I caught myself on a lamp post and looked down.
It was a newspaper page, half soaked from last night's rain.
"OBLIVION HOLDINGS INC." the headline said in bold. Underneath it… a picture of a ridiculously handsome man in a sharp suit, eyes glowing red I blinked twice. That guy in the photo... his eyes were red, like vampire red. The headline was all about some grand expansion, but all I could focus on was that piercing gaze from the photo.
"Oblivion Holdings Inc."
The name sounded fancy, but I didn't care much. I had other problems, like the fact that I was unemployed, again. I glanced at the paper, then back at the empty street, and sighed.
In my typical fashion, I did what any person with no other choice would do. I shoved the newspaper into my bag, thinking it was just one of those "things" I could chuck later.
---
12:00 P.M. – At Home, or What's Left of It
When I got back to my apartment, I realized the worst part of the day hadn't hit yet.
There was no electricity.
The power had been cut off again. I stood in my doorway, staring at the darkness in frustration. A cold chill in the air settled around me, but it wasn't the type I was used to. It felt… off.
"Great," I muttered under my breath. "Maybe I can send a formal complaint to the electricity company when I'm done crying in the dark."
I had two options: go out and try to get my job back, or figure out how to pay the overdue bills.
But neither of those sounded like they were going to happen anytime soon.
---
3:00 P.M. – Sitting on My Bed, Staring at the Newspaper
A couple of days had passed, and I was stuck in a cycle of anxiety and dread, avoiding the reality that I couldn't make rent this month.
As I sat on my bed, my eyes wandered to the crumpled newspaper I had shoved into my bag earlier. The sight of that Oblivion Holdings Inc. headline caught my attention again.
Something about it nagged at me.
The guy in the photo. The one with those eyes. They looked almost like they could pierce through your soul. But the more I stared, the more I felt the urge to look up this company. Maybe—just maybe—there could be a way out of this mess.
I grabbed the newspaper, flattening it out against my bedspread, and examined the rest of the article. The company was reportedly hiring top-tier executives for some high-profile positions. But one part stood out:
> "Oblivion Holdings Inc. seeks only the most skilled, ambitious individuals. Only those with the highest potential will be considered."
I snorted. That sounded a bit much, even for a company as powerful as this. The standards seemed ridiculous, like they were hiring someone who could literally change the world. I wasn't about to waste my time dreaming about something so far out of my reach.
But…
The CEO.
His face. His eyes. There was something about it that made me hesitate. I should have let it go. He was probably some cold-hearted businessman, someone who didn't care about people like me.
But…
I couldn't shake the feeling. What if? What if this was the perfect job for me, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?
---
7:00 P.M. – The Decision
I couldn't believe it, but the more I thought about it, the more desperate I became. There was no choice left. My savings were gone, and the electric company had stopped taking my calls.
I grabbed my phone and typed up the application. The job title was simple: Personal Assistant to CEO Diablo Von Bloodick.
My fingers hesitated over the screen. Diablo Von Bloodick. That name alone sounded like it was ripped from some dark fantasy novel. But I had no other choice. If I could impress them with my skills, maybe—just maybe—I could get a chance at something bigger.
With a deep breath, I hit send.
---
8:00 A.M. – The Interview (And the Unexpected)
Three days later, I stood outside the sleek, almost intimidating building of Oblivion Holdings Inc. The building itself towered above me, its glass windows reflecting a dark, yet majestic sheen. I could feel the nerves in my stomach twist into knots.
The moment I walked into the lobby, I was greeted by an assistant who led me up to the elevator. No one spoke. The silence in the elevator was almost oppressive. When the doors finally opened to the top floor, I was ushered into a stark, modern office.
Diablo Von Bloodick was waiting for me.
He was exactly as I imagined. His hair was dark and perfectly styled, his suit tailored to perfection, and his cold red eyes… they were even more mesmerizing in person. I could feel the weight of his gaze as it slowly slid over me, making me feel both uncomfortable and oddly drawn to him at the same time.
"Clark Evernight," he said, his voice deep, commanding. "You're here about the assistant position."
I nodded, my mouth suddenly dry. "Yes, sir."
He didn't smile. In fact, he looked at me like I was a piece of paper, something he was considering throwing away. "Let's get one thing straight. I don't tolerate mistakes. I expect perfection. If you can't handle that, don't bother with this job."
I tried to hide the way my heart thudded at the harshness in his voice. I wasn't used to people being so… blunt. But somehow, I found myself holding my ground. "I can handle it. I'm good at what I do."
He looked at me then, his red eyes flicking with something I couldn't quite read. For a split second, I thought I saw the faintest hint of amusement. "We'll see," he said, turning to the desk. "I've seen your resume, Clark. You're intelligent, energetic, but your luck is… not in your favor."
I forced a smile, but my anxiety was creeping up again. "I'll prove myself."
There was a long silence. Then, without warning, he spoke again. "I'll take you on, but… under one condition."
I leaned forward, my curiosity piqued.
"You'll be my assistant… but you'll learn on the job. And if you mess up, you're gone."
I felt a wave of relief. "I can handle it," I said again, more confidently this time.
---
9:00 A.M. – The Unexpected Accident
Later, after a quick tour of the office, it was time to meet the other applicants. I was nervous, but I couldn't back out now.
I was just standing in line when the unthinkable happened. I tripped. My foot snagged on a chair, and I stumbled forward, my hands flailing to catch myself.
And where did I land?
Right against Diablo Von Bloodick's thigh.
His body stiffened at the contact, but I could feel his breath freeze, as if he wasn't expecting that at all. I quickly stood up, a deep blush creeping across my face.
"I-I'm so sorry, sir!" I stammered, panicking. "I didn't mean—"
The room fell silent. The other applicants stared, shocked and wide-eyed. I thought for sure that I was done for. There was no way I was going to get this job now.
But then, something happened that made everyone in the room freeze.
Diablo Von Bloodick… smirked.
"You're accepted," he said coolly, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. "Starting today. Welcome aboard."