Chapter 1: Why Is Luck So Bitter?

“Do you think the bookstore next to Wixon still has it?” Valencia leaned on the kitchen counter near the sink, tapping her fingers on the ceramic surface. “Yeah, trust me the last time I visited that bookstore down on 2nd street was 2 days ago. it was a recent visit so I’m sure they still have a few left in the Non-fiction section.” The voice on the phone said.

She shrugged her shoulders as she bobs her head, “Alright, I’ll try to search for that book later.” Valencia replied, “It's better if you start finding it now than wait later, that book is very limited in stocks, Heck! When I realized that I needed that book I crammed all night to search for it online but they're all sold out, I really regret not buying it earlier.” They groaned.

There was a surprised expression evident on her face “Really?”

Valencia continued, “I wasn’t expecting that, then I should change my clothes and get going then.” She left the kitchen in a hurtle and stridden directly to her bedroom on the 2nd floor.

She made it to her chamber and said, “Can we talk later Cherry?” she asked holding her phone with her right hand while her free hand opens the wardrobe to scavenge for an outfit to wear, “Sure~ Sure~, we can talk later.” Cherry stated in a sing-song tone, “Okay, talk to you later.” Valencia taps her phone screen ending the call.

Valencia threw her phone on the bedroom bench before rummaging through her cabinet until she pulled out a long brown slack, and a black satin spaghetti strap shirt. She abruptly took off her clothes and Hastily wore the ones she chose.

She went to another cabinet just beside the clothing wardrobe that she previously opened, Valencia pulled the handle revealing boxes of shoes that were displayed on each rack. She extended both her arms at the red box in the upper right corner before closing the cabinet.

She opened the box revealing an Almond-colored mid-heel sandal, “These heels are good enough.” she muttered.

Valencia immediately wore the sandal after taking them out of the box and placing them in the corner next to the shoe cabinet. She marches to the coat rack where her Beige sling bag is hanging along with her jacket and hats.

she grab the door’s handle and twisted the knob until she jostled, “I forgot my phone!” she turns around and went to the bedroom bench and snatches the phone before she completely leaves

her bedroom.

Valencia carefully walks down the stairs at a constant speed, when she made it to the ground floor she glanced at the wall clock just a few meters above the T.V, it was 9:43 am in the morning, “The bookstore opens at 9:15, I hope they still have that book left.” She bit her lower lip hoping that Cherry’s words are correct.

She pushed the door lever downward and stepped outside, Valencia then, pulled the handgrip outside to make sure it will close.

She hasten her steps until she stop in front of the elevator, her long slender finger presses the button with an arrow pointing downward, the elevator door slid open and Valencia went inside. She then pushed the button with the letter G and the door closes automatically.

Valencia impatiently taps her left foot with her arms crossed on her chest, staring with anticipation at the black rectangular screen above the door waiting for the letter G to appear.

Valencia jolted when she heard a ding sound inside the elevator before the door opened, unveiling a couple of individuals waiting to get inside, she struggled a bit to pass through them trying not to get mould as they went inside all at once. “Excuse me, going through.” she murmured.

She let out a sigh after making it through the amassing crowd before walking towards the entrance/exit door. As she steps outside the building she hissed at the sun’s rays after stepping out of the shades, “Damn it, I forgot my Sunglasses.” she raised her right arm above her eyebrows to protect her eyes from the sun.

Valencia sprinted towards the pine tree to get shaded against the heat of the sun, she then raised her right arm mid-air raising her thumb to call for a taxi.

A couple of seconds passed 'till a yellow cab stopped right in front of her, she pulled the grip and went inside, “Good morning ma’am, where are we headed to?” A young-looking man who seemed to be in his early 20s asked her while glancing at the rearview mirror, “Do you know the bookstore next to Wixon? The newly opened outlet store in 2nd street.” Valencia describes.

The young man wondered for a short moment before an evident beam in his eyes gleamed in his light blue pupils, “Ah! Yes, I just passed that store an hour ago; the bookstore’s name is Jenna’s Liberia, right?” Valencia nodded vigorously as she lean slightly forward, as if they were in a guessing game.

“Yes! God, I can’t believe I just forgot the name of that store.” She plopped her back on the car seat crossing her arms with a huff. the young taxi driver let out a light chuckle from her little tantrum before starting the engine.

Valencia remained quiet the whole ride, fixated on her phone after it left the condominium, “Ugh! Even the book is sold out in Linkers.” she grumbled shoving her phone into her bag.

“Ma’am, we’re here.” The young taxi driver said, “Do you accept credit cards?” Valencia asked, the man nodded with a grin, “Yes.”

She unzips her bag and took out a rectangular brown leather purse and lent him her blue-coloured credit card, the young man took the card and swipes it on the credit card swiper attached to the armrest before giving it back to her.

She grips the door panel and pulled the door open, Valencia raised her chin staring at the large rectangular sign board that says Jenna’s Liberia, “I hope they still have stocks left.” She balled her fist with a bursting hope perceptible in her eyes.

Valencia went inside the store and was immediately immersed in the newly constructed interior that seemed to be in renaissance antique theme.

The shop was unrecognizable from the moment she stepped inside, she recalled how there was only one floor now it has two, and the dim lights that were always flickering are now changed with 4 electric chandeliers and wall sconces in each pillar wall.

Valencia could go on and on with the lists of changes from the bookstore however, she didn’t come here to evaluate the shop but to Find the book she is looking for.

She looked at each of the hanging signs meticulously reading the text on each board, trying to find the Non-fiction Sign where Cherry told her the book was located, she spans and spans around as she saunters in the hall foraging for the sign.

But, Valencia’s inattentiveness in her

surroundings made her befall in a collision against a solid surface and fell on the ground with a thud “Argh!” Valencia Groaned before she rubs her lower back, “Are you blind?” a deep yet cold voice reached her ears making her shiver from the harsh tone.

Valencia craned her neck to see who it is and when she saw the person she bump into she felt like her life was sucked out of her fingertips, “I guess luck isn’t on my side today.”