In the large banquet room there was assigned seating and full wait staff service, serving the best champagne and appetizers. Everyone was laughing, animated, and excited. It clearly showed that it was a big day.
Sergio hadn’t left Mandi’s side since they’d arrived at the festival and when he excused himself to take a call Marshall didn’t hesitate to slide into his chair. “You and Sergio seem very…intimate.”
“We are having a wonderful week,” Mandi said, not wanting to bring up the mysteries that were currently surrounding their relationship. She wanted to change the subject. “What I’d like to talk about Marshall is the little conversation that you and Sergio had about Sophia. What’s going on there?”
“She’s obviously an amazing and lovely woman, but I am in no place to have a serious relationship.”
What a surprise, Mandi thought. “Why not, Marshall?”
“I’m quite dedicated to never falling in love again. I got a broken heart once and suffice it to say, it has not mended and part of me doesn’t want to forget the pain.”
“Rather poetic point of view, isn’t it?” Mandi asked.
“That’s the way us creative sorts are,” Marshall replied. For the next ten minutes the two continued talking away and Mandi found a fun and casual friend in Marshall. He’d dropped his Casanova airs and talked to her like a friend. She appreciated it and saw a really down to earth fun guy under his professional persona.
Sergio was still not back. Mandi wondered if he was talking with Olivia.
Leroy came up to Mandi and Marshall, interrupting their conversation. “Mandi, would you like to take a walk with me outside briefly before we sit down for a few hours watching the artistic lot of the world receive their due credit?”
“That sounds nice,” Mandi said. She hoped that she could see Sergio on her way out and find out what was going on. She’d know if he was talking to Olivia by the look on his face and the way he was pacing. I cannot believe how much I’ve learned his mannerisms in such a short time.
The venue’s back patio area was so beautiful and it overlooked the gondolas on the canals of Venice, something the city was renowned for the world over. Mandi sensed that Leroy was watching her closely, trying to figure out what to say. She gave him a break and said, “The canals are every bit as beautiful as people say, aren’t they?”
“Yes, they are,” Leroy said. He was smiling and acting a bit nervous. “So, how’s your date with Sergio going this week?”
“I’m enjoying it a lot,” Mandi said. She tried to sound happy, but could tell she didn’t pull it off because Leroy looked at her suspiciously.
“That, my dear, was not a very convincing endorsement of your Italian dream date.”
“Oh, it’s a long story. As things turn out it seems that Sergio and I may end up just being friends after all.” Mandi couldn’t believe she’d said that out loud. It was embarrassing to her to show that she was acting like a simpering heart and it would probably be embarrassing to Sergio too. Disclosing it to Leroy, who she suspected was quite the playboy, was also unwise.
“And you expected more?”
“I don’t know what I expected. It’s really not important anyways, is it? We are at the festival and it’s a special occasion. Hopefully Marshall’s film wins something.”
“Let’s get back in,” Leroy said. “Everything will be starting soon.” He placed his hand on the small of Mandi’s back and couldn’t wipe the smile off his face. Mandi noticed his peculiar expression and wondered what he wanted. It didn’t take her long to figure out that she was the target of Leroy’s interests…or at least the newest one.
Chapter 18
The ceremonies were long and made Mandi realize that she really needed to see more of these cultural films. She’d only seen a few of them. About halfway through the show the first award that Marshall was eligible to win came up. It was the Best Director award and it was for his documentary Amber Distortion, a riveting story about a power house man who’d reached his decline due to his drinking addiction, ending up homeless.
Everyone was looking up at the emcee with anticipation as they listed who the jury had chosen as the winner of Best Director. They started with the jury prize winner and everyone clapped. Then they announced the Silver Lion Winner and that’s when everyone heard the name they hoped they would—Marshall Kent and Foothill Studios for Amber Distortion. The BBBBCers and Mandi all clapped and she was so excited for Marshall that she didn’t even hear who won the Golden Lion award
About fifteen minutes later the documentary also won a Golden Lion for cinematography. What a great day for Marshall in his first trip to the festival. Mandi couldn’t help but be annoyed by Benjamin’s response, who seemed to want to take the credit. If that was what investors were automatically entitled to do Mandi would definitely not work with investors as she branched out into different projects down the road—at least not include Benjamin.
The awards were done and the parties were about to begin. They were all going to be staying for the party at the venue and Mandi was excited to dance and have some fun. She no sooner spun her first step with Marshall, who’d requested the honor, and she nearly fell over. Olivia was standing there. Was she talking with Benjamin though? No. She was hanging all over Sergio, acting like a desperate simpering cad.
Mandi couldn’t believe it and Marshall looked at her uncomfortably, not sure what he could say to help eleviate her anger. “If you’ll excuse me, Marshall. I have to go ask Benjamin something.”
Benjamin was standing in the distance and Mandi saw a man who looked every bit as pained and annoyed as her. “What’s going on there? I thought Olivia and you were back together.”
“She dumped me about five days ago—again, and without explanation.” Benjamin’s words were as pained as his eyes.
“You love her, don’t you?”
“Yes, but as you can see she doesn’t quite feel the same way about me as she does others.” Mandi looked at Benjamin and felt just as defeated as he sounded. She desired to go over to Sergio and fight for him, but she didn’t have a claim on him either. Sadly, Olivia’s was stronger due to their history—which was more than six days long.