After the Thanksgiving weekend came to an end, it was time for Nikki to refocus her attention to her impending final exams for the fall semester. She wasn’t terribly worried considering she was headed for yet another 4.0 GPA.
While she was consistently at the top of the class, Nikki was not an active participant in classes. She would come in, take her seat and sit silently, unless called upon, otherwise she would not raise her hand or volunteer to answer questions.
When Nikki went to hand in her final paper for one of her advanced business courses in the professor’s office, she was offered an interesting invitation. Just as she was about to leave the office, Dr. Stevens called for her attention.
“Miss Perrillo, I must say that you are one of the most unique students I have ever had,” Dr. Stevens said.
“Um, thank you?” Nikki responded, unsure of how to take the comment.
“I mean, you are one of the first ones to come to class each day, your work is impeccable, but you never actively choose to participate and you are the first one out the door when class is over,” Dr. Stevens said.
“If I could smoke in class, I’d stay longer,” Nikki laughed.
“I’d like to know what your goals are when you are done with school,” Dr. Stevens said as if he didn’t hear her last comment.
“Well, I already own a business,” Nikki answered. “I just know there is always more to learn. Having a degree -- especially from a school like this -- is always an advantage. Plus, I know I can make a ton of contacts here.”
“What kind of business do you own?” Dr. Stevens asked.
“A high-end restaurant and club,” Nikki said.
“Well that’s quite impressive for a college sophomore,” Dr. Stevens admitted with a look of surprise on his face.
“Thank you,” Nikki said.
“Well, I have an invitation for you that may help you make some contacts,” Dr. Stevens said. “There is going to be an opening in Manhattan this Friday night for a friend of mine that just opened a restaurant. There will be some other business owners, celebrities -- just about any type of contact you can imagine. Are you interested?”
“Sure,” Nikki responded simply.
“Good,” Dr. Stevens said. “I hope that you can find it useful. You are quite a gifted young woman. I hope you choose to be more active in class discussions the rest of your college experience.”
After getting the details from Dr. Stevens, Nikki exited the office. On her way out of the building, she passed the same girl that taunted her on the first day of school. Considering they had the same major, they shared a number of classes, which led to the occasional remark. Oddly enough, Nikki always chose to not to retaliate.
“Oh, look it’s the little biker girl,” She sneered. “I hope you know you can’t turn in a finger painting for your final paper, right?”
“Keep talking, honey,” Nikki said with a smile as she breezed by the girl without even breaking her stride.
____________________________________________________________________________
Nikki was a bit excited to attend the party on Saturday. Not knowing quite what to expect, it tapped into her curiosity. She would take any chance that she could get to make new contacts that would potentially have the opportunity to expand her business and she was also in the market for another legitimate business.
Esposito would naturally be her plus-one for the night, and rather than finding parking in the city, they decided to take a limousine.
For the night, Nikki decided on a black cocktail dress that went to the middle of her thighs, along with her customary gold jewelry and her knee-high black leather boots with a five-inch stiletto heel.
Once dressed, she went downstairs to wait for Esposito to finish getting ready and to make sure Stefania had everything she needed while they would be gone. As soon as she lit a cigarette, Esposito walked downstairs, wearing an immaculate navy blue suit with pinstripes.
“Well, well, there’s my handsome date,” Nikki smiled when Esposito entered the room.
“Yes, between the two of us, I’m the one everyone will notice,” Esposito said sarcastically as Nikki walked up to him to deliver a kiss.
“You could marry an ugly girl if you wanted to,” Nikki joked as she put her cigarette between her lips and allowed it to dangle while she straightened his tie, causing her large Rolex to slide down her wrist in the process.
“Or maybe one that’s not always right,” Esposito quipped.
“Good luck with that, Daddy,” Stefania chimed in, causing everyone to roar with laughter.
“All right, it’s time to go,” Nikki said, still laughing as she put on her black leather blazer. She handed Esposito his long blue pea coat, stubbed her cigarette out in the ashtray on the counter and grabbed her purse.
Once they were in the back of the car and on the way to New York, Nikki turned to Esposito and asked him if he had any advice for the night.
“What do you mean?” Esposito scoffed. “Just be yourself. You don’t have to give everyone equal time, but make sure you listen to everything during the time you give.”
“Makes sense,” Nikki nodded as she lit another cigarette.
“I would also suggest not screaming or beating anyone up tonight,” Esposito mocked, resulting in a large amount of smoke blown in his face by Nikki.
“Does that apply to the car ride?” Nikki cracked back.
When they arrived at their destination, Esposito stepped out of the car first and then held out his hand to Nikki as she climbed out, cigarette in her left hand. Just before entering the two-story restaurant, she flicked the cigarette into the street, pausing briefly as she exhaled a large stream of smoke before going inside.
While Esposito went to get them drinks from the bar, Nikki surveyed the room and everyone in it. Everyone there appeared well-to-do, which she knew would be good for making contacts throughout the night.
Nikki mingled with several people during the party, including many who knew Esposito through various functions. She was beginning to grow bored, however. Small talk was not one of her favorite things nor was pretending to be interested in something she found to be droll.
Needing a break from the party, Nikki stepped outside onto the upstairs balcony and lit a cigarette, tilting her head back and blowing a perfect stream of smoke into the cold December air, the collar of her leather blazer creaking in the process. Two drags in, the door opened and she received some company.
Out walked a woman, likely in her early to mid-50s, with an unlit all-white cigarette in her mouth. She was elegant, wearing an expensive dress and fur coat. She lit her cigarette and then noticed Nikki standing in the corner.
“Getting some fresh air, dear?” The woman asked.
“Something like that,” Nikki responded.
“So what brings you to a party with a bunch of boring old people?” The woman asked again.
“My professor thought it would be good to make contacts for my business,” Nikki said bluntly.
“Ah so you are student?” She inquired.
“Yes. I’m a sophomore at Princeton,” Nikki answered.
“Oh, that’s fantastic!” The woman exclaimed. “My daughter is, too.”
“Oh, that’s cool,” Nikki said as she pulled on her cigarette.
“Do you run your business out of the dorms?” She asked.
“No,” Nikki replied. “I own Perrillo’s Bar and Grill.”
“Wow,” The woman said in amazement. “I know that place. It’s been booming since the new owners took over. I had no idea it was run by a college student. Impressive.”
“Thanks,” Nikki said politely. “What do you do?”
“My husband owns several Italian restaurants in New Jersey and New York. Perhaps you’ve heard of Pacelli’s?” She said. “We have one in Princeton actually, but he’s looking to sell that particular one. We’re getting to a point where it would be nice to retire.”
“Well, maybe we could talk about that,” Nikki said as he eyes lit up all of a sudden. “I have been looking into buying another restaurant.”
“Robert is right inside, dear,” She said as she put out her cigarette. “I’ll introduce you.”
Nikki crushed her cigarette underneath her boot and followed the woman inside. She was excited to see what type of offer this guy would be looking for. It didn’t take long for Nikki to impress Robert and they set up a time the following Monday to take a tour of the place, and if she liked it, to make an offer on it.
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The following day, Nikki briefed Al, Greta and Erica on her new plan. Al would be in charge of running the restaurant, while Erica would market the place if Nikki decided to buy it. All were intrigued by the thought of having another business, this one being legitimate, as it was decided nothing illegal would occur inside.
On Monday morning, since her school semester was finished, Nikki had time to go to the restaurant to take a tour. She decided on a tight navy blue long-sleeve shirt, tucked into a pair of gray bootcut jeans, tied together with a thick brown leather belt and a pair of brown leather boots with five-inch heel that rose to the middle of her calf underneath her pant legs. She tossed on her black leather blazer and headed to the car, where Jasmine was waiting with the back door open.
When they arrived, Nikki waited for Jasmine to open the door and she stepped out, half-smoked cigarette in her left hand and a large brown leather purse in the crook of her right arm. She flicked her cigarette to the side, exhaling a large plume of smoke before entering the restaurant with Jasmine in tow.
Robert was waiting for her when she walked in. The place didn’t open until lunchtime, so there was time to take a tour before anyone arrived. Nikki had heard good reviews about Pacelli’s and as she took the tour, she could envision herself eating there. Once they were done, Nikki decided she wanted to make an offer.
At first, Robert attempted to give an asking price that was simply too high for what the place was worth. Nikki immediately shot it down and made it known she wouldn’t be tricked. She made another offer and Robert accepted, making Nikki the new owner.
Once everything was wrapped up, Robert walked Nikki back through the restaurant, where workers were beginning to file in. One of those workers was a bit stunned to see Nikki with Robert.
“Ah, Nicole,” Robert said. “Let me introduce you to my daughter. She attends Princeton also.”
The girl Nikki was introduced to was the same one that taunted her at orientation the year before and at various points since then, most recently the week before coming out of the office of Dr. Stevens. Nikki ignored the shocked expression on her face and reached out to shake her hand.
“Nicole is now the owner of this place,” Robert beamed.
“Seriously?” The girl stammered.
“Yep,” Nikki smiled. “You’re welcome to stay on the staff when everything is turned over to me.”
The girl simply stared at Nikki in shock. She had played the long game with this girl, knowing physical aggression would not work with her, and it paid off. Nikki had won.
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