The festivities were suddenly sour and there were many different tales unfolding. Marshall was networking with new people, Benjamin was slamming down shots of whiskey like they were water, and Sergio was fighting Olivia off and finally surrendered. The two walked off together. As for Mandi, she never felt so alone and would have given anything to be back home where she was in control of her life and more protective of her heart. Italy definitely didn’t end up being the romantic place of potential that she had thought it might be.
Leroy walked up to Mandi and asked if she was okay. She looked at him and didn’t have to say a word for him to get her answer. Her eyes were expressing, you are kidding, right?
“Is there anything I can do?” Leroy asked.
“In fact there is. I am ready to be done with this week long date. Do you think you could get me back to Benvenuto to get my things and on a flight to NYC, where life is normal.”
“I’m on it. I’m so sorry this has happened to you, Mandi. You don’t deserve it,” Leroy said. He leaned in and gave her a warm hug. It made her want to cry, but she fought back the tears. No one could see her emotional state, especially Sergio.
Mandi went to the restroom to organize her thoughts and when she came out Leroy was standing nearby. He announced that he had everything ready and they could leave.
“My company’s jet is all ready and we’ll be stopping by to collect your things and then making way back home.”
“Thank you so much,” Mandi said and she couldn’t have been more sincere either.
“I’m so glad I can help. Sergio is my friend, but he can be a real jerk at times. I don’t know what gets over him.”
“Yes you do,” Mandi said.
“I suppose. Olivia just seems to have some sort of spell over him. It’s too bad because she is not a good person, not like you are anyways.”
Mandi was aware that Leroy really didn’t know her well enough to state that, but she didn’t care. She was torn apart and emotionally shredded. Any kind words were welcome.
Chapter 19
Mandi walked up to Benvenuto, praying that it would be vacant. She didn’t think she could bare to see everyone’s faces. They had all been so kind and inviting to her and now she was trying to sneak out like a thief in the night to avoid any additional awkward moments.
She made it to her room with only having to say hello to some of the servants that were bustling around, cleaning and doing their other tasks. She quickly packed up her single bag and didn’t put anything in there aside from what she’d left for Italy with. The last thing she wanted was the things that Sergio had bought for her, including the beautiful butterfly necklace. They made her feel trampy and were painful reminders of what she had thought was an amazingly special day.
Leroy waited down in the foyer for Mandi and as she made her way downstairs she ran into Diedre. “Mandi, where you are going?”
“I’m sorry. I’ve had an emergency and I have to get back to New York. Leroy was kind enough to help me because Sergio was…wrapped up in something.”
Diedre gave a knowing smile, but let Mandi’s excuse pass without question. She hugged her closely and said she was welcome back any time, with or without Sergio.
“Thank you so much. You’re welcome to visit me in New York City too, although my place is certainly not even a fraction of this place.”
“Bigger isn’t always better,” Diedre said. Mandi laughed and turned to walk out of the door and out of Sergio’s family home forever. She couldn’t leave soon enough.
Forty-five minutes later, Leroy and Mandi were on his jet and making their way back to New York City. Mandi was exhausted and sat there, somewhat quietly, drinking a glass of wine and trying to erase all thoughts of Sergio from her mind. The ones of Olivia hanging on him were painful, but not as much as the ones of them getting alone so well—seemingly connecting on a deeper level than what the “arrangement” had allowed for.
Leroy was a perfect gentleman on the flight and talked freely to Mandi, sharing stories of his life with her. She talked about her past a bit, her mother’s death, and the gallery—a topic they both had in common. He mentioned how he still planned on visiting the gallery and purchasing some art work from Mandi. Honestly, Mandi thought he was going to follow-up with a date offer for after, but he didn’t do anything like that. He was there for friendship and to help her feel better. She was so grateful for him doing that and it meant so much to her. She’d been duped and fooled…actually felt like she was a fool more than she’d been fooled.
Mandi dozed off for a bit and was glad that she didn’t drift off into any compromising dreams like she had on the flight to Italy with Sergio. Her head was resting against Leroy’s shoulder and he was also sleeping. They both awoke to the announcement that they’d be landing at JFK in twenty minutes and were starting their dissention. Mandi looked down at her iPhone and it was 2 in the morning.
“That went fast, considering,” Mandi said.
“It did. Good company like you always helps a long tedious flight,” Leroy said.
Mandi looked out the window, happy to be back on the familiar turf of New York City. She was eager to blend into the landscape and become an anonymous person and heal her heart.
By the time Leroy and Mandi got back to her flat they were wide awake and Mandi invited him in for some coffee. He’d been so kind to her. Leroy accepted and she unlocked her door, gesturing for him to go in.
It didn’t take long for Leroy to show Mandi what was on his mind on a bit more personal level. He gently placed his hands on her face and caressed it softly. Mandi looked at him in his beautiful blue eyes and saw his emotions clearly expressing themselves.
“I haven’t thought of any woman since I met you last week at that auction. It just about killed me when you bid on Sergio. I would have bid anything to win a date with you.”
“Oh,” Mandi said. Her heart was racing and she was at a loss for words.
“Sergio is so lucky and he doesn’t deserve you. You deserve better. You deserve someone who sweeps you off your feet and keeps you flying high.” With those words Leroy leaned in and kissed Mandi softly and passionately. It was intense, but not rushed. It was one hell of a fabulous kiss in fact.