The Runaway Girl and The Billionaire

Chapter 4: Anything Serious

The day had gone exeception well for Xy. After his meeting, he had closed a few deals on the new product launch, lining up vendors that wanted to sell his latest pet accessories. Over the years, he had learned that there was very little that dog owners wouldn't do for their furry children, and when new lines were designed, he often thought the possibilities were endless.

Initially, Xy's company focused on catering to smaller breeds of dogs, since their owners had the tendency to buy more costumes and accessories. What he had learned was that large dog owners also wanted to accessorize their pups, they just didn't know how.

The new line for larger breeds was projected to increase sales dramatically, and Xy was excited to see what new opportunities it would lead them to.

Sitting at his fine mahogany desk, he typed out the last of the emails, thanking those who attended the meeting. As he said in the email, it was an exciting time and he was grateful to have all of their ears and eyes dedicated to a project that had been years in the making.

It was only a matter of time before the market research alerted his research team of other gaps in the market place, and he looked forward to dominating every field he could get in. Xy wanted to be the face of pet accessories, regardless of the animal or breed.

Dogs were only the beginning, and the more opportunities he identified to grow the company, the more excited and aggressive he became. Clients were already sending their suggestions and requests, which was always a good sign.

When someone didn't like a design, there wasn't much you could do to change their mind. But alterations meant that there was a way to change the product into something that would be more useful or beneficial.

Scrolling through the emails, Xyrus read every word of feedback, always dedicated to learning as much as he could about his products, and providing the best customer service. He enjoyed being a personal CEO, a rarity in any industry.

Truthfully, he worried that his success would change him. It was important that he remain the same ambitious kid just looking to create a useful product. It was that drive and ambition that motivated him to keep pushing, to continue setting and reaching new goals.

Most people would be satisfied with the incredible level of success he had achieved, but not him. Those things didn't matter to him. It wasn't about having the biggest house, or the newest car, but instead he wanted to be the best in the business.

Competition was fierce in the pet industry, so he could never take his foot off the pedal, or his eye off the road. New developments were constant, so he always tried to stay ahead of the curve, keeping the smartest people around him.

As if on que, Akira appeared in the doorway of Xy's office, slowly knocking on his door three times as she nervously looked across the room at the boss who was more like a friend.

"Come on in, superstar," Xyrus called out to one of his oldest friends.

It had been Akira's idea to branch out to larger breeds, so he liked to give her the credit. Her paycheck reflected how valuable she was to the company, but in many ways Xy felt he could never repay his assistant for all that she did.

Watching her closely, he wondered what was bothering her. Akira was so easy to read, always wearing her heart on her sleeve. Xy assumed she must still be worried about how late he had been to the meeting, so he prepared himself to read her the great feedback he had received, hoping to put her worries to bed.

"I just wanted to talk a little," Akira explained, settling into the leather loveseat across from his desk.

Her short and stout frame fit comfortably in the expensive furniture as she crossed her ankles while rubbing her fingers together.