Chapter 16: Success

"Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort."

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

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Nicolai Petropoulis' POV

2 years later ...

"...as the Chairman and CEO of the Italy's Financial and Investment Group or IFIG, for more than half-century, IFIG has became my life and even forget to find my suitable mate to share my wealth... *laughters*.. because I thought IFIG completes me, but I was very much wrong. No offence to all IFIG employees.. *audiences laughing*... You guys meant so much to me, it's just that, I released what I am missing. Now that I'm old, I realized, it's hard to grow old ... alone."

He then look around and his eyes settled to me. Mr. Vincenso Agnelli, the Chairman and CEO of IFIG, a 85 years old man, who became my second father and mentor in the cruel world of business. He thought me how to fight and became one of the tigers in financial investments.

Just two months ago, I was acknowledge as one of the 2015 business tiger in the world, courtesy of the World Fortune Global list.

My eyes drifted back to the man in the podium. "... he became my son." I could feel the loved in his deep voice. He was indeed my father when I move here in Italy, that day I left, supposedly my wedding. "For two years, I found a son that I never thought would complete me. He was everything that I never thought I would long for. If only I could turn back time, and marry the first girl who propose to me.. *laughters* ... I will."

He looks around the crowd inside the hall where the 100th anniversary of the IFIG is being held. "Ladies and gentleman, my time as the CEO has come to an end, but I won't leave without making sure that someone as capable as I am would lead this company." Then his eyes landed back to me.

My heart is full of pride. I've been workaholic for two years trying to get where I am now. "I know most of you knew him well. Since he started working with me and for two months I've seen his potential. He became my right hand and for the years he works with me hand in hand, he manage to bring the IFIG to the top of it's game. IFIG was now the first economic group in Italy for sales volume." Pride is his voice is vivid and everyone applauded including me. I felt so proud of course. It was me all the time who works hard to reach this. "Ladies and gentleman, I want to thank all of you and especially to our newest Chairman and CEO, Nicolai Petropoulis, who made IFIG the 8th richest company according to the 2015 Fortune Global 500 list. Congratulations.." He proudly said as he flung his one hand to my direction and applause filled the hall, as everyone stood up looking at my direction.

Mr. Newman beside me tap my shoulder lightly with respect and I stood up so he is and the rest of the directors and shareholders in the table and shook my hand in total respect. I gave them all a small smile with the same respect and I fix my suit and tie before walking to the podium while shaking every hand extended as I walk by, to where my second father and mentor, Mr. Vincenso Agnelli was awaiting.

"Congratulations, figlio." He beams at me and pulled me for a hug. I return the gesture with respect and love. "Thank you, zio."

I look around the crowd and I never felt so proud in my entire life until now. Here I am standing as the CEO of one of the largest and richest financial investment group in the world. "Good Evening everyone. I would like to thank Mr. Vincenso Agnelli for believing in me. The day I came for an interview in his office, I never thought that the shark would see in me that my father didn't see." I cleared my throat as I look around. The thought of the people I love who sees me nothing but an irresponsible kid made me feel angry and bitter. "That day, a new chapter of my life started. He became my second father and then my mentor. With him I learned a lot. I work hard. Applied what I learned from him and added some of what I know and learn from realities. I've come to find the best solutions to every goals, and of course because of everyone's help, we had reach where we were now. Though the game is not over, now that I'm the new CEO, I will promise to do better and will not stop until we were at the very top and I hope I will get the support of all the IFIG supporters."

A loud applause came after and all the crowd rise. Hoots and clicking of glasses, bottles filled the hall.

"Thank you everyone for believing in me, and this is just the start. I don't promise, but I know, by working together-and only together-do we succeed." I ended the speech and as I walk down the podium, people came to congratulate me. Some were happy, and some were not, but I wasn't here to please anyone. I am here to prove that I am a businessman and I do business, I mean business..

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"Sir, the contracts for the Economist Group shares is here. They just fax it now." My secretary, Kerrie Dobbs. A twenty six years old, with auburn hair, with a barbie face and slender body. She just started three weeks ago and she was coping quickly with the routine in my office.

Since zio Vincenso's secretary Dulce also retired.

"Good. Send the copies to the directors and let them know that we owned the three-fifths of the Economist Group shares currently owned by Bachman BLT."

"Right Away, Sir." With that, she turned on her heel towards the oak door.

"And Ms. Dobbs, you can go." I added.

"Thank you Sir and have a good night." She smiled before closing the door behind her.

It's been four months since the anniversary and announcement of the new CEO and the profits of the IFIG kept increasing. Nothing can stop me now. I'm also now one of the stockholder of IFIG. My goal is to buy zio Vincenso's share. He doesn't have any family left. He was an only son of the late Agnelli and he dedicated his life to run this company. Now that he's old and he's sick, there's no family to inherit his share.

Zio owns 51.68 percent of the company, Giovanni Santorini of the Santorini's Holdings owns 33.89 percent, I owned 11.35 percent and the IFIG SPA owns 3.08 percent.

I stood up and walk behind my high back swivel chair. Shoving my hands in my pockets, I walk closer to the mirrored glass wall and stared at the dark sky. My office is at the top of the IFIG 50th story building in the downtown of Milan. It is used to be the office of zio Vincenso, but now it is mine. The whole top floor is my office.

It's stature is made of glass and was built by the most well-known architect and who happens also my father's friend, Zandros Mailov.

I heaved a sigh as the thought of Elle flooded my mind again. Since I left, I focused myself on working. I have no time thinking. I was then dubbed as the workaholic businessman. I start working at five and done at ten. When I get to my penthouse, I will hang out with my only friend, jack daniels then hit the bed. The same routine for the past two years. I do sometimes hit some girls whenever Shayne Bane -one of my director and a friend from IFIG- hit the bars, but mostly just to satisfy my libido.

A lot had tried to trapped me in a serious commitment, but I have no time for that.

Again, the deal we made and theio Demetrio crosses my mind. And since last year, I've been mulling to go back, but then I realized I hadn't made a name. Yes, I bought 11 percent of the company, still it's not an achievement. I thought it's just a crap of their billions.

Now that I'm the CEO of the IFIG and was rewarded as one of the tigers in the whole industry world, I'm close to my goal. I can buy zio Vincenso's share now, but I knew it was too early.

Apart from working at IFIG, I also kept on investing on stocks which I did since I was in teenager. No one of my families knew about it. My first investment was the Northern Athens Airlines which was sold to Athens Global Magazine, then ultimately sold to Mcmaster. I simply invested in that company because it was the only company I'd heard of with its stock selling for less than $5 a share.

I remember I ended up tripling my money as a result of the acquisition, however, in the few years, I too was met with failures. It didn't take me long to lose money in the markets and learn about how difficult it is to be right and the costs of being wrong.

But then, Warren Buffett principles hits me and I kept it in my mind which led me to kept on buying.

"Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful."

And last year, I made my first billion, in the stock market. And I learned, only those who are fearful to take the risk could only beat the market.

The incessant ringing of my cellphone drags me out of my train of thoughts. I walk back to my table and took my phone. I stared at the name of my sister blinking on the screen, calling.

Last year, I contacted my sibling except my dad. Mom was happy to see me now so as my grandparents. Dad, he is happy, but he's still disappointed that I'd rather work with someone's company than ours.

That day I left, my mom begs me to stay and work in our company, but I declined the offer and left them with my promise to come back with pride and dignity.

I decided to connect the call.

"Nico' s Speaking." I held that longings that's swirling inside me and kept my cold neutral tone.

"Nico!" My high-spirited sister screech as soon as I spoke. "Oh God, I'm glad you decided to take my call ass." I've been declining her call lately.

"What do you want?" sighing.

"God, don't you miss me? Okay, I get it, you don't miss everyone. But me?" She said dramatically. I rolled my eyes.

"I do, alright." I resigned. I know she won't stop until I say yes.

"Good, good, because I missed you so much. And guess what?" Her excited voice is too contagious that I found myself smiling.

"Yes, what?"

"It's my birthday!" she screech again and I had to pull the phone away from my ears.

"So?" I teased lazily, pretending to sound bored.

"Oh God, you are so cold and ass. I'm your sister!" She started throwing tantrums and I could hear her voice rasp and I know when she sounded rasp, kind of throaty. She's crying. I was just teasing her. "Aren't you going to show up and be a good brother and attend to your baby sister's 22nd birthday?" She stressed out melodramatically and I shook my head in dismay.

Am I ready to go home?

Will Elle be there?

Since I left. I had no knowledge about her. I know she was fine when I left and after that, I tried not to hear anything about her and focus on my goal, because one day, I will come back and win her.

I guess it's about time.

"Please come home. We misses you, especially mom. She always cries whenever she remembers you. When we went there last summer you didn't even show up." She whined and I know she's right. I talk to them on the phone and email, but I never saw them yet since the day I left.

"Yes, Nat. I will be there." I promised and with that, I ended the call.

Just as I put down my phone and about to continue working, the phone rang. I snatch it from it's receiver and place it close to my ear.

"Nico's Speaking,"

"It's zio, Nico." I heard zio Vincenso on the line.

"Is something wrong, zio?"

"Just wondering if you can join me on dinner tonight?"

"Of course, zio. I'm just going to finish signing the last pile of contracts and then I'll head to your place." I said calmly.

"It's almost nine figlio. That contracts could wait. You have to loosen a bit, son. You are forgetting there's other life other than the office." He lectured and when he sounded like that, I know I won't win.

"Alright, zio. I'm packing now and leave."

"I'll see you then shortly." And with that, the line ended.

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"My best friend, Reed Dailey had been bugging me to move to New York, since his wife died four years ago and now he's living alone. His kids has their own life and they come visit him rarely." Zio Vincenso took the piece of steak in his mouth and chew it with grace, then made a tentative sip of his 1995 romanee-conti, worth a paycheck of his butler.

I've been listening to him but haven't get the slightest clue what he needs me for.

"That's nice. So you planned to move to New York. For how long?" I asked as I put down my fork and knife and wipe the corner of my mouth with the cream colored table napkin and then lay it flat back on my lap.

He run his finger on the stem of his wineglass as he stared at me. "Soon if I'll find a suitable and nice place to live. A place close to my friend's house so we could hang out all the time and doesn't bother to drive all the way." He responded.

"Well, that's nice." I commented. "Reed must have been so close to you." I added on. I resumed cutting a piece of my steak and pop it in my mouth.

"Yes, he is." He paused as he made a sip. "He was like my brother. We went in the same school until university. We only separated when he went to New York and I was left here- basically to run my family's company, the IFIG." He elaborated further. I could feel the love and adoration in every words. "Well, the reason I wanted to see you because as you can see, I'm still sick. This flu hasn't left me." He started. I look at him and waited for his next words. "I was supposed to meet this realty agent in New York who will help me find a suitable house within the vicinity of Central Park Square, where my friend is. I was hoping you could meet her instead, and check on the possible houses and just pick one." He explained.

"Well, that is not hard to do zio, but the problem is, I don't know what type of houses that you would want?" I asked him as I put down my wine on the table and let my fingers rested on the temple.

"I trusted you, Nico. Just go with your instinct. I'm sure you will pick the best." He trustfully said and I acquiescely  nodded.

"When do I meet the agent?" I asked as I need to make sure I will be at my sister's birthday party.

"I already settled your transportation. The IFIG private plane will take you tomorrow night, incase you will agreed." I think it's perfect. By the time it's done, I can fly straight to Athens to attend my sister's birthday party. "And Reed will come pick you up. He also set a place for you to stay while you're in New York." He added on. I wanted to say that I have penthouses in New York that belongs to my family, but then again, I realized it's better if I will not use any of it.

"Alright. I will finish all the documents and contracts tomorrow, then I can head straight to the tarmac.  I'll fax all the property documents once it's done done, then from there, I'll fly to Athens." I explained and he looks at me with deep curiosity.

"Is your family alright?" Zio asked.

"Yes." I nodded my head in agreement. I took the table napkin and crumpled it then deposited it next to my empty plate. "It's my sister 22nd birthday and she wants me to be there." I explained briefly.

"That's great. I'm glad you finally decided to visit your family, Nico. Life is short, figlio." He smiled satisfactorily.

Zio Vincenso raise his glass half full of red wine, proposing a toast. "To your success."

I raise my glass, too. "And to your happiness." I said then our glass made a clunking sound.

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Eleanor Pallos' POV

"Congratulations, Elle. Another condo has been sold under you." JJ beams at me as he raise his bottle of beer. I raise my flute of champagne and thank him with a cheeky proud grin. The glasses made a clucking sound that also merge with the soft sound of the music coming from the DJ in the bar.

Her team were celebrating their success this month for selling ten condos and one mansion here at Beer&Drill Bar and Lounge, just one of his  chains of bars here in downtown Manhattan.

It was one of the billionaires and millionaire's casual hang out.

JJ and my friends in my team -Jacelyn Swank a blonde hair, bubbly Russian, Anya Guillory, a chinese who just got married to Kenneth Guillory, which were both in my team- headed to the dance floor leaving me and Starr Tejada. Among them, I get along well with Starr. She's Brazilian and maybe because I have a little Brazilian blood running in me, that's why we cliche right away. She's three years older than me, but that didn't stop us to get closer.

She was the first one who approach me, when I started working at Baumgartner Realty Brokerage.

I remember when I first arrived in New York. I was crawling since I never been to myself in my entire life. There's always my parents to assist me, or my friends.

JJ and uncle Jude helps me to get a six months residential realtor course. After that I got my license as a certified realty agent. Right after I got my license, I first sold a condo at fifth avenue after three months. From then on, my sells increases and my confidence increases as well. How I manage to convince my clients to buy the condos or houses, or mansions, also depends on how I manipulates them through talking by the power of convincing.

I would say, for the two years being away from my family, I've learned what things I'm capable of doing. I could be a master of my own game. In my job, I've learned how to talk and persuade people of different lifestyles to agreed to me.

I have gained so much confidence for the last years and I matured a lot. I'm no longer the timid, shy Elle. Living alone without my parents indeed made a huge impact to me. At first it was hard, my rheumatic heart had attack me a lot of times, and the people who accepted me and took care of me, the Baumgartner, continuously help me with my medication and recently, it was confirmed, I overcame my illness.

And six months ago, uncle Jude had convince me to do the laser for my eyes to rectify my cornea and never use my glasses anymore. And now, with all their help, I can see without the use of the glasses or contacts. My eyes is as normal as all the other parts of my body.

I heaved a sigh as I recall all the things that happened in the past.

I made a successive sip of my champagne as I watch my friends from a distance. "So you're going to meet the billionaire Italian, Mr. Vincenso Agnelli tomorrow, right?" I heard Starr ask.

I look at her. She was sitting across me in the VIP lounge.

"Yes. Actually, I'm meeting the new CEO of the IFIG, since he can't come himself." I smiled. I'm excited to add another sale in my portfolio.

"You know, you need to take a rest, huh?" Starr stared at me. I know since I started working, I work every time, and only I get a rest when times like this, where we celebrate for our success and this happens rarely.

I shouldn't be here if not for JJ who almost begging me to come with them. I forget my love life, all I did was working. A lot had given me some hints, but I just ignored them.

"I am resting. You see, I'm here with you guys." I grinned.

"You know what I mean, Elle. For just two years, your very successful. You lived in an ensuite condo, drive a BMW sports coupe, but zero love life." Starr pointed out matter-of-factly.

I just smiled at her attempt to push me to date these guys their trying to set up with me. I tried, but none of them really caught my interest.

Because you're still in love with him?

Shut up! I chastised myself.

It's really frustrating that until now, I still loved him. And the thought of him, maybe happily married now with my sister, still hurt me like hell.

"Hey ladies, mind if we join you?" Two guys in their crisp business suit approach us. They don't look harmful or ugly either. They seemed nice.

"Sure, though we are with some friends. They are just at the dancing hall." Starr cocked her head to the direction of our friends and the two nodded.

"Well, if you guys don't mind, we don't mind at all." The brown haired guy. His dimple on his right cheek made him looks more appealing.

"I'm Dion Andrus," said the brown haired guy with a dimple. "And this is my friend Ardenn Clemmons." He pointed to the guy who seems to forget what smile means. His lips are purse and it seems like Dion forcefully drag him here.

"The Clemmons & CO Law firm?" Starr's eyes widened with recollection and her eyes sparkles with admiration.

Andrus nodded his head in amusement as he stared at Starr's reaction. Ardenn was just staring at me darkly. I don't really know what he was thinking right now, but I don't really care less. I was just watching the changing of pleasantries with boredoms.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm Starr Tejada. And this is my friend, Eleanor Pallos." Starr smiled sweetly.

"The Pallos-Petropoulis Hotels?" Andrus eyes widened this time as he stared at me.

I almost shot him a raise brow, but I kept my well defined brow at place and nodded my head lightly.

"Great! It was nice meeting you Eleanor, or El." Andrus extend his hand and I took it acquiesced.

"Same here." I returned the gesture curtly. Ardenn shook my hand, and he lightly squeezed it. I swiftly pulled my hand and shot him a confused stare which he just shrugs it off.

His hot stare didn't leave me until we left that bar. He didn't talk much the whole time. After he found out where I work, he was quiet the whole time.

On the way home, JJ bombarded me with questions about him. It was funny, because he was acting like my big brother and I love it. I felt that he truly cares for me, so was his dad.

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I woke up with a headache. When I check the time, it's already ten. I have to meet Mr. Vincenso Agnelli's friend in an hour.

I had the quickest shower in history. I decided to wore something more classy to impressed this CEO. They say, first impression at last.

I quickly donned a white sleeveless button down shirt and tuck in my green pencil cut skirt. I really love green in me. I know I look stunning with it.

I just wore a nude Louboutin pumps and put a light make up on and just applied a pink lipgloss. I just completed my looks with my rose gold versace watch and a single swarovski's ivory pearl earring.

I check myself on the mirror and I was satisfied. With my classic straight bob hairstyle, I look fiece yet classy. The long wavy hair is gone. The natural dirty blonde is now a shade of darker brown. Gone the innocent looking Elle.

I was now the modern, glamorous Elle.

I sigh as I throw another look at myself once again.

When I remember I had a meeting at eleven, which is in ten minutes, I quickly grab my tan MK hamilton purse and dashed to the door.

After like a decade battling with the traffic, finally I reach the restaurant where Mr. Agnelli's friend was waiting. I was praying inwardly that he's late, because I'm already three minutes late.

"Argh.. I really curse that night. Why did I ever agree going with them to the bar?" I mumbled to myself as I parked my car at the empty spot in the parking lot of the Le Bernardin restaurant.

As soon as I park my car, I quickly strode to the entrance in haste, but still with grace. "I have a reservation with Mr. Vincenso Agne-"

"Right this way, Maam." The lady host about my age cuts me off and led me the way to the very corner of the elegant restaurant. My eyes scanned the room surreptitiously trying to look for familiar faces.

The lady host stops at one of the table. The man was sitting with his behind on us.

"Mr. Petropoulis," she calls for the man sitting on the chair.

No it can't be him?

When he stood up and face us, all the blood seems to drain out of my system.

"Nicolai?"

"Elle?"

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A/N: Sorry guys I thought I could make two chapter today, but I had to do our laundry and some house chores.

Anyway, hope this make it up to all of you...

Please do ignore all the errors as I'm too lazy now to rectify just even the little issues.

Please show your support too by voting and leaving your comment. I love reading them... thank you!