Zero to the Greatest and Richest

Chapter 7

Prostitution and gambling, two occupations that have persisted through the ages, remain unaltered by the march of time. These endeavors, frequently viewed as swift avenues to riches and equally rapid ways to lose wealth, maintain their hold on the human psyche, their appeal deepening with each successive era.

It was June 10th, the onset of the 1998 FIFA World Cup, and though my knowledge of football was limited, I was certain of one thing: the final showdown would be between France and Brazil. These titans, I believed, would effortlessly vanquish their adversaries, claiming victory in every match.

As high school commenced in early June 1998, I found myself wandering the familiar corridors of my new school. Despite it being my first year here, a strange sense of déjà vu enveloped me. I could navigate its halls with my eyes closed, knowing each hidden corner and secret rendezvous spot.

A wave of nostalgia washed over me as I settled into this familiar yet new environment of my class. I