And if I continued to make smart investments and was careful, I might never have to work again.
When I was skipping lectures at university to work on my app, I hoped that it would be successful, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would be able to retire at the age of twenty-seven.
Of course I had no intention of stopping though. I was just getting started.
What I needed was anewchallenge.
Now I had proved that I could build and sell a successful business, I had to do it again and again. Just like Nico had.
He started with a hair salon, then created a range of luxury electrical hair tools. After that Nico moved into property and invested in multiple businesses which cemented the growth of his empire and wealth.
That was exactly why I had to keep going.
I had to create something even more lucrative than my app.
Then I could buy a bigger apartment. With a gym, an office and an even better view.
Oui.Once I had more success I would no longer feel empty. I was sure of it.
‘What changed?’ I asked, ready to soak up his words of wisdom.
‘She is sitting right here.’ Nico faced Cassie. ‘I thought that I had it all, the money, expensive cars and the penthouse, but the truth is that none of it mattered until I fell in love.’
‘Oh,’ I said, my stomach sinking.
I was expecting Nico to suggest that I look for new investments and challenges to turn my millions into billions like he had, butlove?
That was not a helpful answer.
‘Awww.’ Cassie kissed Nico on the cheek. ‘I still wake up every morning and pinch myself because I can’t believe I found such an amazing man.’
‘And I cannot believe that I found such an incredible woman.’ Nico leant forward, brushed her curls away from her face then kissed her softly on the lips.
I shuffled in my seat, not sure where to look. It was not unusual for them to be affectionate. Naturally, I was happy that they had found each other, but I knew that Nico and Cassie were the exception, not the rule.
So many entrepreneurs I had met struggled to maintain romantic partnerships. They always ended in expensive and messy divorces.
And it was not just about the money. It did not matter how rich or poor you were, relationships never lasted. So what was the point of getting attached to someone and believing you had a future together, when you knew that sooner or later, they would leave?
I was better off on my own. Life was much simpler that way.
‘That’s what you need!’ Cassie smiled. ‘The love of a good woman.’
‘Non.’ I shook my head. ‘I do not need the pressure.’
‘Pressure?’ Nico frowned.
‘The expectations,’ I clarified. ‘I was in a relationship for four years, with Sybille, and it was just one long list of expectations that I could not live up to.’ My chest tightened.
When we were together, some days I felt like I could not breathe. I was already under a lot of pressure with getting my business off the ground, so her constant comparisons to her friends’ partners was exhausting.
In her eyes they all had ‘better’ jobs than me and were more successful. ‘Everyone’ except her was engaged or married, had children or were trying for them and ultimately, she decided I had nothing to offer her, so she left.
I should not have been surprised. She was not the first woman to walk out, but I would make sure she was the last.
‘When you find the right woman, life is not aboutpressure, it is aboutadventure,’ Nico said. ‘With your soulmate, even boring tasks feel enjoyable.’
‘It’s true!’ Cassie added. ‘The idea of going for a run at six in the morning used to make me break out in a cold sweat. There was no way I’d sacrifice an extra hour in bed, to wake up at the butt crack of dawn and pound the pavements in the freezing cold. But then I met Nico and before I knew it, I wasvolunteeringto go running with him! Because we were together, somehow it was more fun. Plus, the treats he gave me afterwards helped.’ A mischievous smile tugged on her lips.
