The Troubled Youth Inc.

I take a sip of my green tea as I looked outside the window from the café that I was in. It was a lovely Sunday afternoon in Lewisburg but I was a bit nervous because of the job interview that was about to take place. The tea helped calm my nerves a little but it’s been so long since I chanced upon a job interview that my thoughts were all over the place. It was now half past two on my watch which means I’d have to wait for thirty minutes more before the interviewer would arrive.   Then I began to wonder what kind of business I was getting myself into as I recalled being randomly contacted the night before by some stranger asking if I would be interested in a job offer. The man on the phone call only told me that one of my acquaintances from college recommended me because I have a Business Administration Degree in Management. He only mentioned about an incorporated business but did not really elaborate further details about the job for he was in a hurry.   A few minutes later, a familiar looking guy who was sporting a blue suit and a gelled up hair fixed perfectly in place approached me and thinking that he was the interviewer, I stood up only to be engulfed in a tight embrace which shocked the hell out of my living soul.   “Clemmy! I love the new hair with the copper highlights. It really makes your beautiful green eyes pop! How have you been?” The guy eyed my hair then my dumbfounded face.   Wait a minute, I know that voice. It belonged to an upperclassman back in college who was two years older than me and used to follow me around out of pure entertainment. Ash McGregor.   “McGregor? Is that you? Wow, I almost didn’t recognize you with the short clean cut!” I eyed his wavy short gelled hair for a minute as I fixed my glasses in place. He used to have a shoulder length hair like a player with a lot of girls hanging around him back in college. He wasn’t really a jerk though but I’d label him as annoying for he was the only one who’d call me ‘Clemmy’ instead of ‘Clement’ which is my preferred nickname.   “Please, call me Ash. God, I missed you! When was the last time we saw each other?” He asked.   “During my graduation, I think. You were there.” Let’s just say he was a very supportive senior of mine.   “Right and when was that exactly?” He asked another question.   “Three years ago.” I replied anyway.   “Whoa, no wonder I missed your gorgeous face! You’re not even active in social media, are you?” He shook his head in dismay.   “Yeah. I’m a private person.” I shrugged.   “I figured. So what are you doing here?” Ash kept on asking away.   “I’m actually waiting for my job interviewer…” I quickly glanced around the café then landed my eyes back to Ash.   “Guess what? I’m the guy!” Ash exclaimed.   “What guy?” I hope he’s not who I think he is.   “I’m the employer, silly. I was also the guy from the phone call last night and decided to keep my identity secret for cheap thrills. I contacted your old number and it turns out that you’re still using it which is just amazing!” Ash talked real fast which is just one of his traits.   “Oh.” Was all I could say.   “Let’s sit and chat for real now. How are you doing and what have you been up to these past three years? Tell me all the juicy details. Scratch that, just to keep you updated about myself, I’ll go first. So I’m still single and loving it and just recently, I’ve decided to open an incorporation.” The rich guy bragged with a smug look on his face.   “Okay, now let’s talk business.” I tried to dodge the personal questions.   “I see that you’re still a killjoy. Alright Miss Clementine Bishop, I’ll go straight to the point as you wish but just answer this one question first… do you have a boyfriend?”   “What?” How is this even related to the job?   “Are you seeing someone as of the moment?” Ash rephrased his personal question.   “No.” I sternly replied.   “Great! Because the kind of job that I’m about to offer you is something that requires full time and attention on your part. It’s the kind of job wherein you’d probably think twice about having kids of your own.” The guy chuckled.   “Just tell me what kind of job it is.” He really likes keeping the suspense up and beating around the bush which is just annoying.   “Yes, ma’am. ‘Troubled Youth Inc.’ is dedicated to help families patch up their relationships with their difficult sons. I’m offering you the manager position and obviously I’ll be the CEO. Here’s the case file of our very first client.” Ash pushes a white folder on the table towards me.   “You mean to say it’s just us two?” I clarified.   “It’s a small business really and I’m just starting out so yeah.” Ash grinned.   It was enough to make me stand up and head out of there for I had nothing else to say to the guy.   “Wait up! So are you in or not?” Ash grabbed me by the arm outside the café.   “Well, I’m not a social worker or a guidance counselor so yeah, I’m out.” He should just hire either of the two, why need a manager for his business?   “I’ll admit that being a case manager isn’t really that easy but I’m here to help you at every step of the way. It’s more like a partnership really.” The guy tried to convince me.   “I know nothing about families, okay? I can’t even fix my own family problems so why should I be good at fixing other people’s family issues?” I snapped at him.   “I know. At least take this case file with you and read it before you make your final decision, that’s all I’m saying.” Ash placed the folder in my hand before we parted ways.