NEW BEGINNING (1).

CHAPTER 10: NEW BEGINNINGS (1).

"So all this while, I was talking to one of the greatest business tycoons of our days and never realized it. How did I not realize it?" Trevor scolded himself for not being discerning enough to have recognized he was in the presence of greatness.

Trevor was amazed that he actually rendered help to such an individual, a billionaire at that, who needed no help in the, and as a result, he knew his fortune was about to change for the better. His selfless service just paved the way for his lifting, as he seems to rebuild his life.

Trevor hitched an hour long ride from Manhattan to Long Island, where Paul's house was. "Hey buddy. I'm back." Trevor announced, setting his duffle bag beside the couch he sat, taking a deep sigh of delightful relief, with a smile on his face. He was eager to tell Paul and his wife what had happened earlier on that day in Manhattan.

Paul noticed Trevor's demeanor was exuberant, and was baffled as to why he was that way. He left the house kind of gloomy, but has returned joyful. 'What possibly be the reason behind the change?' Paul wondered.

"You look like you won the lottery." Paul said to Trevor, who beamed with gladness.

"What has got me this way is way more than winning the lottery." Trevor replied, with gladness. "So what is it? Did you get a job?" Paul enquired further.

While they spoke, Paul's wife came out from Michelle's room. Michelle had come down with the flu, so she tended to her, until she fell asleep. "Someone's in good spirits." She said out loud, taking her seat in the living room beside her husband, Paul.

"You won't believe what just happened." Trevor's spirit had come alive once again. For once in his life, his future seemed certain. It was looking up.

"Spill it, will you?" Trevor and his wife said, almost unanimously. Their curiosity was off the charts.

"Okay. The day went normally at first, I was rejected at a manufacturing industry, I almost got robbed by a petty thief, a pick pocket, then I got to Starbucks, and tried seeing the manager to see if it'll be possible to get any job at all, anything. I was desperate. But the barista refused me access to manager, and asked that I buy something or leave the establishment." Trevor began narrating.

"In despair," Trevor continued, "I chose to help myself to a cup of hazelnut cappuccino. When I was done, I noticed an elderly man, probably in his sixties, who spilled his cappuccino. I swung in to assist him and even paid for another cup of hazelnut cappuccino for him."

While Trevor spoke, Paul and his wife nodded in agreement and muttered 'Alright, okay,' as they followed his narration.

"Then, we got talking. The elderly man saw my despair, then he asked what the matter was, but I didn't want to bore him with the story of my life, but he insisted, and I went on to express myself." Trevor continued. "But do you know what the strange thing is?" Trevor squinted his eyes in concern.

"What is it?" Paul and his wife asked.

"I strangely felt comfortable opening up to the stranger. I don't know why, but I just felt comfortable." Trevor explained.

"Well, maybe the stranger looked elder and you subconsciously felt safe talking to someone much more mature than you." Paul's wife explained.

"Well, I guess so." Trevor shrugged it off.

"So is that it? You just talking to some strange old man?" Paul enquired, confused a bit.

"Don't worry buddy. I just got to the best part." Trevor calmed the curious Paul.

"Almost immediately I was done talking, the stranger got a call, and a few minutes later, a convoy of three bullet proof Lincoln Navigators lined up outside Starbucks, and men in black suits came in to where he was seated, and whisked him away." Trevor said.

With that, Paul and his wife got even more curious to know everything.

"But before he left," Trevor continued, "He turned around and handed me a custom made business card, and told me to see him the day after tommorow, and they drove off."

"Looking at the card, guess who I found out that was?" Trevor asked.

"Who?" They chorused unanimously.

"It was Mr Jim Brady, the CEO and President of JB Corp."

"No way?" Paul said in utter amazement. "Yeah, it was." Trevor replied.

"Infact, here's the business card to prove to you that it was actually him." Trevor showed them the card. Without a doubt, they confirmed it was actually Mr Jim Brady.

"Way to go Trev." Paul was excited about it. His wife as well.

"So, it's the day after tomorrow he asked you to come see him at his office right?" Paul asked.

"Yep." Trevor was excited, and it was visible.

"This calls for a celebration." Trevor's wife brought out a bottle of wine, as Paul grabbed the cups.

"Guys. Hold your horses. Let's not get ahead of ourselves." Trevor attempted to calm the celebration. "Let's not get out hopes up."

"Are you kidding me?" Paul objected. "You mean you can't smell the sweet smell of victory already? With all you did for Mr Brady, you think he's just going to let it be, and you'll go unrewarded? Come on Trev."

"Alright then. Carry on with the toast." Trevor concurred.

"So, here's to establishment, in all ramifications buddy. Cheers!" Paul toasted.

"Cheers!" Trevor and Paul's wife chorused back, everyone clinking their glasses, as they sipped on the wine.

"Just know the replacement of this wine is coming out of your pay check." Paul joked. They all laughed as Trevor replied, "That wouldn't be a problem at all."

As they all got sober, Trevor spoke up. "Guys, I'll like to say something." Paul and his wife gave attention to what Trevor was about to say, still holding their glass of wine.

"I want to appreciate you guys for being there for me through the perilous times of my life. You accepted me into your home when I had no where else to go, stood by me and strengthened me when my heart weighed heavy like I carried the weight of the world on my shoulders. You guys have been the family I never had. Thank you very much. I don't know how to repay you guys."

"Come on Trev. Who would rather be there for if not you? We go way back, and during those days, you were there for me. My wife and I are returning the favor." Paul said trying to shrug off any pride that may want to well up in him.

"We're family Trevor. And that's what family do." Paul's wife said, in support of her husband, locking hands with him, as they briefly stared into each other's eyes, smiling.

"Group hug!" Paul declared, stretching his arms wide, as they all hugged each other.

"I love you guys." Paul said, almost tearing up, in that embrace.

"We love you too." Paul and his wife responded.

-------

The day appointed for Trevor to see Mr Jim Brady came, and he was there, bright and early. He left long Island as early as possible, catching the 6 o'clock bus, he arrived after an hour of commute.

Walking into the premises of JB Corp, he was struck with awe at the beauty of the twenty storey glass edifice situated away from the heart of Manhattan. He stood, staring at it for a bit, before proceeding into the entrance of the building.

He met a young lady, elegantly dressed in a grey suit, a white shirt, light make up but a prominent red lipstick, with her hair made into a knot.

"Welcome to JB Corp. How may I help you?" She smiled professionally.

"Hello, I'm here to see Mr Jim Brady please." Trevor politely requested of the attendant.

"What's your name please, or who are you representing?" The lady enquired, looking away from her computer.

"I am Trevor Rowe." He said, while she typed. He didn't know what she was typing, but he guessed it was his 'Scheduled appointment' she checked to confirm.

"I'm sorry, but you're not scheduled to see Mr Brady." She declined his request.

"Oh! I almost forgot. Here, he gave me this." Trevor showed her the custom made business card.

"Alright then. Please proceed to the visitor's lounge, and you'll be notified when he's around. And here's the visitor's pass." The attendant instructed.

"Okay. But where's the visitor's lounge?" Trevor asked.

"Oh. Pardon me. Take the elevator to the twenty fourth floor, then turn right. The third room as you turn left is the visitor's lounge. It's even indicated on the door." The attendant directed.

"Thank you very much." Trevor appreciated, as he followed her instructions exactly, and got to the visitor's lounge.

He looked around in amazement at how beautiful both the outside and inside of the establishment was.

A young lady walked up to him and asked, "Can I get you something while wait, sir?"

"No. I'm okay. Thank you." Trevor refused.

"Are sure you don't need anything, sir?" She asked again.

"I'm very sure. Thank you." Trevor refused, again. He didn't want anything to ruin this new found opportunity.

"Alright then." She said, walking out of the visitor's lounge.

After thirty minutes, she came back and said, "The CEO is ready to see you."