An Italian’s Escort Lover

Flashback Continues…

Niccolo Point of View

“Mr. Russo, Mr. Willems is not so keen on partnering with us. He seems to be considering our offer for quite a long time.” Laura, my PA stated looking at the contract drafts we made.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

I nodded my head looking at the background documents of Mr. Willems. He seemed like a fair person and a good businessman but I have to agree with Laura regarding the amount of time he is taking to conduct a meeting and decide on the project.

Though this is very frequent happening in businesses and nothing strange, but he is taking his sweet time deliberately.

“There is someone else who is trying to double crossing us.” I said flipping the pen around my fingers and my eyes frowned in a deep thought.

Someone must be out there who is trying to get this deal for themselves, or their motive can be to spoil my opportunity to make this deal.

Something seems to be off, now that I think about it.

“Ah, yes Mr. Russo. Now that I think about it, I think I saw an executive of Mr. Fernando Russo shaking hands with Mr. Willems’ PA.” Laura said as her eyes widened a little and brows knitted together in thought.

“Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?” I asked her casually because though I am furious about this second hand dealings Fernando is making, I also guess it is not so bad for me.

“I’m sorry, sir. I just saw a glimpse of them two days ago and I did not think much about it.” Laura bowed and apologized sincerely but I brushed off her apology giving her a nod.

“It’s okay. Prepare to fly back to New York by this evening after dinner and also call Mr. Willems and inform him that we are retreating back from this deal; also send him our special wine bottle with a simple note.” I ordered. Laura cleared her throat and looked at me hesitantly as I was closing the files and getting ready to go to my hotel room.

I raised my eyebrow to which she cleared her throat again, “Do you want me to prepare another quotation for this deal, Mr. Russo. A better one than before.” She asked me hesitantly to which I chuckled out looking at her uncomfortable stance.

“No.” I replied back and noticed Laura giving me a curious frown.

“When I think I understood you a little, you take me by surprise with your unexpected decisions, Mr. Russo.” Laura expressed tapping a finger on her head as if she was trying to analyze me. It was amusing how she is so expressive like a theater artist. “It would be a huge disappointment if we do not go through with this deal and still you don’t seem to be that disappointed.” I nodded and sat back in my chair and pointed a chair across me for her to sit.

As she sat she rubbed her hands in great expectations which made me even more amused. Laura is a good girl, a decent one. Though she is an irritating question bank, she is good at her work and most importantly, she is not unreasonably and blindly attracted to my so called heavenly God like looks.

She’s a hardworking woman which makes me trust her with her assistance and makes me want to teach her more about the business.

“I am disappointed, Laura but I am more victorious than upset.” She scrunched her face in a comical way. “Fernando is an impulsive man, Laura. He is very proud of his wealth but he is nothing but a destructor.” I told her getting a slight nod of mix of understanding and curiosity.

“You mean, if our guess is right and if Mr. Fernando Russo is really up to take this partnership then he will not keep it up with it?” I smirked at her and snapped by finger when she is following along my plan.

“Exactly. Mr. Willems’ chocolate brand is very famous for its taste, quality and variety but right now what they need is a source to expand their business to other parts of Europe and America. Considering Fernando’s impulsive and over-confident actions, not to forget his experience in taking impressive wrong decisions, it will make this chocolate factory loose its worth and profits by the end of next year.” I explained with a victorious smirk.

This is rather good to me and my company. It is actually better that Fernando take this offer and try to prosper for a year if he can.

He surely got wealth from inheritance but he did not receive the capability to maintain it from the family.

“But sir, how are you so sure he will spoil the brand name? Isn’t he one of the top businessmen in America?” I nodded my head to her in agreement but the triumphant smile did not leave my face. When a good opportunity is knocking on my door so incessantly then I should use it immediately.

“Yes he is one. But he is only tagged as one because he was handed over a well built empire into his hands which can live even on passive management for good few years. But nothing in this world can be active without a good guidance and policies, and Fernando lacks them. He hardly has any experience in taking corporate decision as he mostly spent his time in enjoying his wealth. He is no way a leader.” It is true that even though he is my father and a son of Russo family, his greed for luxury hasn’t given him any useful talent.

His company is already loosing many good prospects and I don’t think he would stay in the market as one of the top businessmen for more than three or four years and soon in not more than two years he would swallow all the great wealth he has.

It is just the matter of time that he fall down hard from the ladder of status and money. He will be on roads in handful of years and he is the only one responsible for it. Bella was right to stop me from avenging him months ago because I don’t have to do anything at all. He is writing his ill fate all by himself.

Like Bella said, he would pay for his wrongdoings even if I get involved or not.

“But still it doesn’t cover up our loss, sir. His down fall is his issue and his company’s issue then how is it advantageous to us?” She asked looking at me in awe because by the look in her eyes I think she understood that I have a plan. Years of working for me, she came to know me better than anyone in the company.

“Laura, I have a job for you. I will give you five months of time and I want you to study everything about Willems’ chocolates and confectionaries market as a whole in America and Europe. Prepare full report and case study by the end of the given time period.” I instructed handing over the Willem’s company details to her for help. Laura gasped at me nevertheless took the files and glanced them over once.

Her face scrunched in confusion which later transformed into realization and her eyes widened in understanding. “You are going to buy the Willems’ out?” She exclaimed in shock which was later replaced by a wide smile.

“You are planning to wait till Mr. Fernando ruin everything of Willems’ and then you heroically go and save them by buying the whole business. You plan to put a little more than usual investment later and get the whole business for yourself.” Laura exclaimed in admiration. She clapped her hands and gave me exaggerated thumbs up.

This girl should have taken theatrics major rather than going for business administration. She is full of expressions and reactions that make you amused.

“I understand why people call you a cunning shadow. You are very clever yet you don’t let it be noticed. Wow great plan Mr. Russo. But one last doubt…” Her excitement turned into confusion suddenly like she is a multi personality person. I nodded my head encouraging her to ask her question and get this done with as fast as I can so I can go back to my Bella.

Damn these two weeks were like hell to me without seeing her and touching her. I almost flew back the second day I arrived here but Laura stopped me reminding me that I should work hard here to bring back good chocolates for my Bella.

I wonder how these two girls became friends. Laura is a painfully talkative girl whereas my Bella is a quiet one.

“What if Mr. Fernando Russo fails to fail the business? What if he succeeds in this new merger?” She probed looking at me with wide expectant eyes as if I have all the answers for her questions.

I chuckled at her and gave her my infamous crafty smile, “Even if he lucky succeeds too, still the ball is in our court. Trust me; Fernando doesn’t disappoint fans like us. He is an avengers hero of self destruction.” I responded to which she nodded her head with a smile. “Now start working on the assignment I gave you and go meet Valdemar at his office this coming Friday with your first weekly report on Willems. He will be guiding you with this project from now onwards.” I said silently laughing at her pale horror stricken face.

“Oh no, not again! Mr. Russo, can I not report it to you please?” She pleaded me folding her hands in a prayer. I was highly amused at her reaction as I know I would enjoy this more in the future.

“I’m sorry, Laura but Vald sacrificed his important work to guide you in this project. It is still a wonder to me that he accepted my request to help me with it. He first refused me straightforward but when I told him you would be the one who would be struggling with this, he immediately felt sorry for you and very kindly accepted my offer just for you.” I explained with a straight face but I’m fighting away my smile.

I wonder what is going on between Vald and Laura that he gets so excited to meet her but on the other side Laura gets highly frustrated.

Interesting…!

~*~*~*~*~*~