THE STRANGER.

CHAPTER 9: THE STRANGER.

"I'm sorry, but there's no room for more employments. We've reached our maximum employment capacity for now. If there's anything opening, I'll reach you." The production manager of a manufacturing industry in Manhattan told Trevor.

Truthfully, there were slots available for employment, and Trevor knew. But the production manager felt threatened that Trevor had all the qualifications needed for an even more prestigious position in the industry, and as such, he'd be given a position that out ranks his. So, he cunningly did away with his threat, Trevor.

"Alright. Thanks for your time." Trevor got himself up, his duffle bag strapped on his right shoulder, and walked out of the office. This was the second rejection he encountered this week. It had been a while since he brought himself back into the job seeking scene. Just because he was used to being rejected didn't mean it didn't hurt.

It had been a week since he moved out of his house. Away from Elizabeth and her parents, he could finally have some peace, and not live on edge whenever they were around.

Trevor stood in front of the office complex, looked both ways, sighed, and walked away. He loosened his black tie and unbuttoned his first two buttons of his formal white long sleeved shirt.

Manhattan New York is a city that never sleeps, day or night. Heck, that's the hub of commerce in the world. Everyone there was up and about, trying to make ends meet.

Walking down the bustling streets of Manhattan, he didn't seem so different from everyone else. He was just some guy. Sounds of automobile traffic filled the air, from luxurious vehicles, to trucks, icecream vans, and police sirens. New York indeed is city that never sleeps.

"Hey! Watch it, will you?" Trevor exclaimed as some funny looking guy bumped into him. He was a petty thief, trying to pick pocket Trevor, but Trevor was no fool. He had sighted the petty a block away from where he was and moved whatever he had to duffle bag, knowing the tactics of such unscrupulous folks. Doing so, he saved himself the loss of his wallet.

As Trevor walked on, he passed by stores of brands like Louis Vuitton, Tommy Hilfiger, and Gucci. He window shopped through the glass, admiringly looking at the clothes on display. These were clothes he used to be able to afford a couple of years ago. Those days seemed like ages ago. Trevor smiled, as he shook his head gently, left to right, walking away from the stores.

This all seemed like Trevor was starting his life all over. Indeed, he was. It was going to be a new beginning for him. The constant rejection and frustration seemed daunting, but Trevor was ready to take the bull by the horn.

A few blocks away from where he encountered the pick pocket, he arrived at Starbucks. "What the hell." Trevor raised his shoulders, shrugging off his doubt, as he went in to take a shot at securing a job, any job at all. He was desperate.

"Excuse me. Please, I'll like to see the manager." Trevor politely asked the blonde barista decked in a official green apron behind the counter.

"Do you have an appointment with him sir?" She calmly replied, asking.

"Yes, I have." Trevor didn't know when he lied.

"Okay. Your appointment with him is for what purpose?" She asked further for clarification.

"Umm, it's business related." Trevor was unsure of what to say exactly. He just needed an audience with the person in charge. He assumed that the barista wouldn't let him see the person in charge if he doesn't have a valid reason. Hence, the lies.

"Well, am sorry, but you can't see him right now." The barista declined his request.

"Look, it's very important that I see him." Trevor insisted.

"Sir, you unfortunately can't see him." She retorted, wearing her official compulsory smile. Trevor got pissed that she still wore such a smile whilst denying him access to the person in charge. But he was a gentleman, and wouldn't vent his anger and frustration out on someone else. He knew better.

"Sir, you either can buy something, or kindly leave our premises." The barista said, still wearing that smile.

Trevor sighed in frustration and disappointment, "I'll have one hazelnut cappuccino."

"Coming right up." The barista went ahead to the drink served, as Trevor sat on at an unoccupied table, waiting to be served.

'What a day it has been.' Trevor sighed, thinking to himself.

"Here you go." The barista carefully had the drink placed in front of Trevor, as he thankfully received it. He took a sip, and the deliciousness of it was one he'd never get too fond of. The foam stuck to his moustache from his first sip, but he had it wiped with the paper towel that the cappuccino was placed on.

It took him a couple of minutes to finish up that cup of cappuccino. He savored every moment he gulped down the drink.

Finishing up, Trevor got to take his leave and head back home, to Paul's place, when he came upon the sight of a man spilling his hazelnut cappuccino.

"Crap! What a waste of good food." The elderly stranger lamented, seeming helpless, holding a copy of the Daily Times newspaper.

Trevor felt obliged to assist him. "Excuse me. We'll need to have this cleaned please. And we'll have another cup of hazelnut cappuccino." Trevor instructed, taking charge and responsibility of what happened.

"Thank you son. But you don't need to do all of that. I can take care of it." The stranger said.

"No can do sir. Let me take care of it, I insist." Trevor stood his ground.

"It is greatly appreciated son. Thank you." The stranger appreciated.

The janitor was sent and he had the spilled cappuccino cleaned, and another cup of hazelnut cappuccino was served the stranger.

"Now this is one hell of a drink." The stranger sipped on the cappuccino childishly, making Trevor smile pleased that he was able to help out someone, although needing help himself. Awkwardly, the stranger looked intently at Trevor for a bit after the first sip, when Trevor smiled.

"So, it seems you've been having a bad day." The stranger asked.

"Is it that obvious?" Trevor giggled.

The stranger chuckled saying, "Son, I've been long enough on earth to be able to read people's expressions, and yours had frustration written all over it. What could be the problem?"

"Hmmm, I don't know where to start from. But here's all of my ordeal in a nutshell." Saying that, went ahead to narrate all he's been through, briefly mentioning he was in the foster care system, and skipped where's he's from, and went straight to when he got married up until that moment.

Trevor felt comfortable opening up to this stranger. He felt secure opening up his hurt to him. And the stranger gave him a listening ear.

Trevor noticed how the stranger watched him while he spoke. 'Why is he looking at me like that?' Trevor thought within himself while he was narrating his ordeal to the stranger.

"So, there it is. Story of my life." Trevor sighed, as he was done talking.

The stranger humphed, "That was quite a lot to take in. And a whole lot more for a person to go through."

"But here you are, still trying to build your life again. You've not given up, and that's very admirable." The stranger complemented Trevor, who smiled in appreciation.

While the stranger spoke, he got a call. "Alright, bring the car over. Yes, am at Starbucks." Trevor's curiosity was pricked when he made that call, he wondered who he was. He wasn't looking beggarly, he just looked simple.

A convoy of three bullet proof Lincoln Navigators pulled up in front of Starbucks, few minutes after the stranger made the call. Four men in black suits and black glasses walked in to where the stranger sat. Everyone in the establishment watched, wondering who they came for.

"Boss." They greeted as they approached the stranger. The stranger nodded in acknowledgement.

"Is everything in order?" The stranger asked the men in suit.

"Yes sir. Everything's in order." The man closest to him answered.

"Okay then. Let's proceed." The stranger said to the men in black. Getting up from where he sat, he reached into his pocket, and brought out a beautifully custom made business card, and handed it over to Trevor, and said, "Come see me the day after tomorrow. If they question you, show them this card."

Trevor watched this stranger walk out of Starbucks, and saw how the door to the passenger's side of the second car in the convoy was opened by another man in black suit who waited outside, and they drove off.

"What the...!" Trevor exclaimed. Looking at the custom made business card, he realized that the stranger was the CEO and President of JB Corp, Mr Jim Brady.