Chapter 17: Déjà vu

A/N: Please check the picture above ⬆️, credit goes to krutij for the awesome collage!!! These are the characters of my EBS Series.. Please do check it out if you haven't read them all...

"The water is clear, but your wrist is stained. Your face says happy, but your eyes says pain ..."

- Unknown

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Nicolai Petropoulis' POV

"Mr. Petropoulis-" I heard the lady host called my attention behind me, so I stood up to meet the agent whom I didn't get a chance to ask her name. I pasted a smile in my face to leave a friendly impression, since I know when I gave them a neutral look, I get them intimidated.

When I came to see her face to face, I felt like the world stops, and everything faded ... and then, there's only us.

"Elle?" I mumbled and felt that dejavu upon seeing her again. My heart beats like a drum and for two years, I felt alive again. All my blood rush through my heart, and pumping so hard inside. My dead inside, suddenly resurrected upon seeing the face I've been missing for a while, the face I've been dreaming every night to see and hold.

Damn, I felt suddenly fall into a deep abyss and then I couldn't pull myself back up. The confidence of winning her back was now slipping away as I stared to the new Elle standing in front of me.

The people surrounding us dispersed from my vision and there's only her.

"Nicolai?" She mumbled and hearing her saying my name is just overwhelming. We even forget the presence of the lady host who was patiently waiting for us.

"Well, Prim will be your waiter." Was all she said when she noticed I guess that none of us were initiating a move to sit.

We were just staring at each other and, shock is plastered in our faces, then morphs into an unknown emotions. It feels like we stared for along time, but it wasn't. It's just that, that feeling of longings, love and adoration rushes to your blood when you see your love after a long time, it felt like everything is slow moving.

She sat across me and now her face is skillfully mask with any emotions. Void emotions was plastered in her stunning face. She doesn't look a bit of the Elle I know.

She has this classy timeless look. With a straight bob cut hair, no traces of waves, her dirty blonde is now dyed with darker shade of brown making her look more glamorous. No glasses as well. I'm guessing she learned to wear contacts.

Just wow.

I was so surprise.

The way she carries herself, is far from the simple Elle two years ago. My eyes surreptitiously scanned her. She's wearing a green pencil cut, top with an sleeveless white button down shirt, neatly tucked in her skirt.

She had grown up stunningly, and it felt surreal seeing her again, with different aura.

Gone the sweet innocent one, here she is, the fierce; classy Elle.

She looks so successful and so confident.

I'm not surprised. She's smart.

I felt like it's going to be a challenge to win her over, but no matter what, it's going to be worth a fight. I've gone too far just to let her go. Not this time.

"So how have you been, Mr. Petropoulis?" Her neutral tone made me squirmed inwardly. She looks unaffected, but I didn't let her tone affects me.

It's funny, I should be the one to cut the tension and control the conversation, not the other way around.

"So formal, sweet pea." I smirked.

Probably she's fiercer now in bed than before. The thought of her that night barging in my room trying to seduce me was really shocking yet so turning on. And just now, I'm feeling my friend stirring to life as I remember her on her cream night gown clinging to her sexy curves.

"Don't call me that, Mr. Petropoulis. I'm not that naive, innocent girl anymore." She shot me a cold look, then she grabs the glass of water that's sitting in front of her, then made a tentative sips.

"Thirsty, huh?" I commented, ignoring her vexed retort as I watch her throat when she swallowed the water, but then I regretted it.

Her smooth sexy neck made me feel thirsty.

I involuntarily grab my wine and made a successive sips, then place it down on the side. I felt like my throat suddenly ran dry, and I could practically taste my parch throat.

I look at her, ignoring the erotic effects of her presence. "You may have change sweetpea, but I know the sweet girl I had love is still there, hiding behind that mask." I smirked. She can't fool me. I could see a tinge of longing in her beautiful gray eyes that I love.

She heaved a sigh, before she opens her beautiful tempting mouth. I've been trying not to look at it because, it's just so hard to just stare without doing anything. "Let's just get to business, Mr. Petropoulis." She opens the folder she has been holding a while ago, and slides it in front of me.

Feisty.

"Of course! ..." I took my wine and made a sip, with my eyes still glued to her. " .. but only if you will say yes to a dinner tonight." I negotiated, then I place the glass back on the table delicately. Maybe getting things into business approach would finally make her succumb to my will.

Her face disgruntled, then again, her poker face settles back. "Not a fat chance, Mr. Petropoulis." She folded back the folder, then pulled it back to her side. "Look, I came here to do business. If you are not willing to be a professional," she took her purse and hoisted it in her shoulder, then she grabs the folder. I was just watching her, still entrance how she became fiercer, I've never thought she would.

Seeing her here in New York was really surprising, but it really surprises me how she looks like right now.

So poised and classy.

New York really did good to her.

"..then I must leave, Mr. Petropoulis. Good day!" She stood up and about to leave when I found my voice.

I felt alarmed. "Aside from buying a condo for Mr. Agnelli, I'm buying a penthouse too." She stops on her tracks, then she thought for a second before walking back to her seat.

"What do you say, Ms. Pallos?" If talking to her in a businesslike tone would make her stay, then I will- for now.

I'm desperate and when Nicolai Petropoulis is desperate, there's now way in hell I won't get it, even if I had to go through hell.

She sat back in her chair and then place all her stuffs on the chair next to her.

"Just one dinner?" She ask, propping her elbows on the table. Her well-define eyebrows were a bit slanted, vexation is clear in her eyes.

I nodded. "One dinner."

She agreed.

I almost flip in happiness.

..........................

"So what do you think of the condos? Have you pick any?" She asked as soon as we sat down on the table. I wanted her to sit next to me.

She showed me the five condos that's on the market, and actually I'm still debating between a two.

"It's too loud in here, Ms. Pallos. I can't barely hear you. Will you please sit next to me?" I look at her, and her eyebrows almost connected, as she shot me a disparaging stare. "I really can't hear you." I feigned, in a nonchalant voice.

"You are not really serious about this thing, are you?" She glares.

"I'm sorry?" I asked, faking I can't hear.

She puffs out an air in frustrations, as she stared at me in disbelief. I just stared back at her with nonchalance. Finally, she decided to move to my side.

I smiled inwardly in victory.

"Move away, you're too close." She warns me when I scooted closer to her.

"I can't still hear you." I fake. She rolled her eyes, then gave me an incredulous stare.

"Mr. Petropoulis, you are not being serious here!" She snapped sternly. How I love to stare at her when she's annoyed.

"Oh yes, I am." I wriggled my eyebrows and she widened her doe eyes in warning. "I'm sorry... it's just that, it's hard to think when I'm looking at you." I grinned mischievously. She gave me a confused look. "You see, whenever I stared at you, you're clothes seems to disappear and I could see ... you know?" I teased, wanting to melt her cold exterior.

Her cheeks turned crimson red, her nose flaring in anger. "Mr. Petropoulis, I was expecting you to be at least professional. I didn't know that, for two years, you became more of an asshole!" She grit out, with her eyes burning holes on me.

I felt like I was kick in the gut of her statement, but I didn't let her, affected me. I guess I am an ass to her. "You're no fun at all, Elle. I'd rather like the simple, naive Elle, than the glamorous Elle now. You're too tight!" I smirked deviously. I like it when her cheeks are red. She looks hotter that way. "Do you have your PMS?" I asked, stifling my laughters.

Looking at her now, with her eyes as sharp as a razor, annoyed is understatement on how she feels right now. Her hands are curled into balls and lips are in thin line.

"I don't have a PMS!" She grit out, and I could feel the venom in each words as she spits it out.

"I see. .." I nodded my head and grinned lopsidedly.

I folded the menu and then propped my elbows on the table and leaned forward, with my eyes trained on her. "You really have change, you know?" I remark.

She opens her mouth to say something, but then she quickly close it back, and purse her lips again.

Then a silence settled.

The waiter came and we ordered our food. When the waiter left, the silence took over again. Only the clicking of the glass and murmurings of the other eaters around us. We were both sensing each other.

"How have you been?" I asked, breaking the awkward silence.

She heaved a sigh before she responded. "I've been doing pretty well. I've found what I want to do ..." She said a bit too tight. She was running her finger on the stem of her wineglass.

"I see that." I mumbled inaudibly, "I've lost a lot of time .." and made a sip of my wine.

She only stared at me deeply.

"It's good that your parents lets you work here, on your own, alone in this big city?" I asked, as another silence is going to take over.

"I ran away." She simply said and I looked at her in confusion.

Wow. I didn't know that she ran away? She really surprises me.

"Why did you ran away?"

She stared at me for a moment. Then she averted her eyes to her wineglass and stared at the thing like it's more enthralling than me. "It's the only solution. From all the embarrassment I was in, I needed to get away. I met some wonderful people and they help me." She explains briefly.

"Have you ever thought that maybe you're family is worried sick about you?"

She suddenly looks at me and I saw sadness flickered in her gray eyes, before it vanishes quickly. It seems like she never thought about it.

"How about you? How is Greece?" She smiles, dropping the subject. My heart fluttered. Since this morning, I never saw her smile. I felt like the simple Elle is slowly resurfacing. "How is Natalia?" She asked. I saw the sadness again and this time it settled in her eyes. She didn't bother hiding it.

"It's her birthday next week." I responded shortly.

The waiter arrived with our food. Then we started digging. I occasionally watch her eating. Even when she eats, she's graceful. She really change a lot.

Now that she's close to me, it still feel so far.

She seems unreachable now.

"Oh Yes, it's her birthday in five days." She mumbles.

"Have you talk to your family yet?" I asked.

"No. But I did send them cards on Christmas, and on mom and dad's birthday." She explains briefly and I nodded.

Then after that, we ate in silence.

The waiter already cleared our table and I paid it already, but I don't want to leave yet. I felt like the time is too quick and I don't want her out of my sight yet.

"Will I see you tomorrow?" I asked.

"Yes. I will show you the two penthouses that's on our list, and I'll check if there's new as well. I'll email you the photos and locations. I'll meet you there." I was watching her as she spoke and I was so awed how confident she is now.

She's so stunning.

I agreed.

We both walk out the restaurant, and walk to the parking lot where our cars was park, when two men in their suit a bit shorter to me approach us.

"Eleanor Pallos, right?" The man with dimple smiled broadly, eyes glued on her.

Jealousy surges throughout my system, and I clenched my jaws.

"Hi. Yes, and you're Dion, right?" She gave the flirty guy a small smile.

"Yes, yes.. I'm glad you still remember me." He grinned. "Remember my friend, Arden?" He pointed to the guy beside him.

"Aha," she nods her head.

The way the two stared at her, like they wanted to eat her whole, didn't suit me well. I know that kind of stare, and it really starting to piss me off. She seems enjoying talking to him that she forgot about me.

I walk to her side and snake my hand on her waist possessively.

Sorry dude, but she's mine!

She looks at me in disapproval though she didn't object.

"Who is he?" The Dion guy, asked. It seems that the Ardenn guy is too quiet. Though his eyes is too readable.

"I'm Nicolas Petropoulis, and she's my-"

"The new CEO of IFIG?" I nodded, and my eyebrow thrusted up with amusement, as I watch how his face turns into admiration.

"Wow, what a coincidence? I never thought I'm meeting the younger tiger in the financial investment industry here." He proclaimed. I felt so proud. I didn't know I have fans out here.

Elle only looks at me with deep curiosity.

"Well, I'm Dion Andrus, and this is my partner, Ardenn Clemmons of the Clemmons&CO Law firm." He extend his hand and I took it, so as the Clemmons guy.

So the two were successful lawyers. And knowing both likes Elle, is unnerving.

"So how did you meet my girl friend?" I asked trying to emphasize the last word and to give them warning that she's mine. I felt a nudge on my side and when I look on Elle, she wasn't happy at all.

"Oh ... at the bar," I heard Dion replied and I nodded.

"Well, it's nice meeting you guys, but my girl friend has a long day today." I said and the two just nodded and after we bid good bye we left them.

"Why did you say that?" She snaps as soon as we reach her car.

She looks so hot when her face turns red in anger or frustrations.

"Because you are mine?" I said casually.

"Mine?" She repeated, tone dripping with disapproval.

"Yes. That night you tempt me, you're mine!" I said.

She fell into silence for a seconds, then she looks away and I knew she's hiding her embarrassment.

"That was wrong. I was drunk and I'm frustrated ..."

I look at her deeply. I felt that twinge in my heart. I wanted to hear her that she still likes me, but I think I'm assuming too much.

"It's too bad sweet pea. Your eyes says differently." I smirked. And before she climbed in her car, I swiftly pulled her to my chest, and capture her tempting lips, I've been dreading to kiss since this morning.

She push me in protest, but when I bit her bottom lip and suck it sensually, a soft moan escape her lips. I grinned inwardly. She still likes me just as I predicted.

I felt her hands curled around my neck and my aggressive kisses gradually became passionate. My tongue slid inside her mouth and dances with hers. She moans softly as I massage the walls with my tongue, swirled around her tongue just the way girls likes it, and occasionally, I catch her tongue and suck it.

My whole body's temperature rises momentarily and my boner is throbbing underneath my pants. My crotch is becoming uncomfortable and it's getting tighter.

I pulled her away from me with my hands still on her soft waist and she stared at me still in haze. Eyes full of lust matching mine. Her body is so hot, and I know it's the effect of our kisses.

Gosh, how I wanted to take her there and then.

"You're mine, sweet pea." I kissed her forehead and that's when she realized what happened. She pushes me, and tried to pull herself off my hold.

"It's just a kiss, Nicolai. And I admit, you're a good kisser. And in addition to that," she looks away. "I haven't laid for a month." Then she quickly climbed in her car and started the engine.

I was still standing on my spot, with my foot rooted on the ground. I can't believe what I just heard.

"I haven't laid for a month."

The thought of man touching her made me really angry. No, right now, angry is understatement of how I felt. I'm enrage, furious... My heart pumping loudly in my chest. I wanted to rip every man's limbs whoever touched her.

Gosh, I haven't felt so murderous before until now. I wanted to kill whoever that guy touch my Elle.

Oh Fuck! I hissed loudly, making the other people in the parking lot looks at me in bewilderment. I ran my hands through my hair in frustrations.

My jaw clenched, with my hands curled in ball as I walked to my car. I wanted to scream in frustrations.

Her words kept reeling in my head and I was so furious.

I quickly climbed in my car and drove off. I saw her car, and I followed her. Starting today, I will make sure that no guy is enough for her!

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A/N: Sorry guys, my schedules was changed. I'm on afternoon shift... so it's hard to write when you're sleepy...

Anyway, I hope this chapter makes it up to all of you.

Please do ignore the errors. I know it's hard, but I'm too lazy to rerun it and I'm also looking for reliable editors.. well I found some, so just sit back and someone will edit it.

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