“You know, Mandi, this entire community owes so much to Sergio. He has really made a difference in so many people’s lives, stopping them from a life of despair and tough times.” Diedre’s eyes welled up with emotion as she spoke.
“What did he do?” Mandi asked. She knew Sergio was a good man and an excellent business man, but she couldn’t really understand Diedre’s strong emotions that came with her statement.
“The Leon family has always been an aristocratic family and successful at business. However, they have always thought locally. I saw this on a minor level when I moved from southern Italy to marry Marcel. The subtle differences in accent and the way we presented ourselves was there and they didn’t understand it at first…but that’s a story for a different day.” Mandi smiled and Diedre continued. “Sergio brought everyone hope. When he took over for the family business it was in dire straits. People were getting laid off from the factory and it was very challenging for La Bella Donna to stay afloat. There was so much competition. After Sergio’s father retired he took over the company and brought new energy and perspective to it. From that point on, what was slowly dying began to quickly thrive. That’s all a reflection of Sergio’s talents and not only the family, but the town are so thankful to him for what’s he’s done. Sophia’s mother has never been a business woman. She’s more of a socialite like Sophia.”
Mandi smiled. She knew that Sergio was incredible, but the way Diedre talked about him showed that he was a man of passion and dedication too. “Thank you for sharing that with me. It means a lot, Diedre. It really does.” However, mentioning Sophia’s name made her miss her best friend badly. They didn’t get to see each other as much as either would like, but they always managed to talk every few days.
“Sergio tells us that you and him are a couple. You’re a lovely young lady and we couldn’t be happier for the two of you. How long have you been dating?”
Mandi gulped, not knowing what to say. Not only had Diedre surprised her with the statement, but she didn’t feel comfortable lying to her. She was saved in a nick of time. “Surprise,” a lively voice boomed out from behind her. Mandi turned around and saw Sergio standing there with Marcel, Frederic, and Angelica behind him.
“We decided to come and join you all for lunch. The maitre de is preparing a larger table. Hopefully we’re not intruding,” Sergio said.
Mandi didn’t wait for Diedre to say anything and smiled grandly, truly feeling excited about it. “What a great surprise. Lucky us!” So, we’re a couple, are we. I like it.
“Wonderful,” Sergio said.
“If you’ll all excuse me for a moment. I need to use the restroom,” Mandi said. She went to the rest room and pulled out her cell phone. She suddenly had the urge to hear Sophia’s voice and acknowledge that she’d arrived safely.
“Mandi, I’m so glad to hear from you,” Sophia said when she picked up the phone. “I take it you arrived safe.”
“I have and your family home, as well as your family, is just lovely. They are amazing.”
“Sergio isn’t shoving you off on them to work, is he?” Sophia asked. She is too perceptive at times, Mandi thought.
“We’ve only been here for a day and a half. I can tell you that many people are demanding of his time, but that makes sense since he is the CEO of a major international fashion company.”
“Blah, blah, blah. Mandi, I need you to do me a favor and really make an effort for Sergio to have some fun. He cannot obsess about business and he needs to get some spark back in his life. And frankly, you do to. I know you’ve had a rough go of it lately, but before your mom got sick and you had to take over the gallery you used to be the most positive person I’d ever met, letting nothing hold you back from the joy of life. You need this as much as Sergio does.”
“Have I changed that much?”
“It’s getting there, but I still see the real you in there,” Sophia commented.
“I’ll do my best. It’s hard to compete with a factory, a town, and an anniversary celebration.”
“You can do it. Well, I’ve got to go. Andre and I have an appointment with a customer at the gallery in a few minutes and have got to prepare.”
“Okay, love ya’.”
“Back at you, Mandi. Arrivederci.”
“Ciao,” Mandi shot back, showing her limited grasp of the Italian language.
Just like that Sophia had hung up, but her words lingered with Mandi. Sergio had surprised her for lunch. Yes, his family was there, but it was still something and a chance to be by Sergio, and hopefully alone with him by day’s end.
The words that Sophia planted in Mandi’s ear helped her make one determination. This trip was a gift, one that welcomed her to go wild and go for it. It wasn’t the time to hold anything back because action was what was needed. If it didn’t work out at least she tried. It wasn’t like she ran into Sergio on a daily basis anyways.
A fantastic lunch of Italian style pizzas came and Mandi was having a wonderful time. Mandi had always loved a great slice of za in New York, but Italian pizza was so different. It was equally scrumptious but seemed more like something besides pizza, maybe a flat bread or something.
Marcel and Diedre opened up, sharing stories of Sergio’s youth, and even some funny things that Sophia had done over the years. They really helped Mandi get to know more about the Sergio that he didn’t easily show anyone else. It turned out that Sergio and Sophia were the first descendents of the Leon family to be born and raised in the States. That fascinated Mandi, who really didn’t know anything about her heritage. Her mom had once told her they were fourth generation removed Germans, but there was no real documented history from back in Germany available. Here, talking with this family, showed that they embraced their history and it was a part of who they were through and through. She loved it.
However, when lunch was done things got even better. He said his goodbye’s and claimed he was kidnapping Mandi to show her that he hadn’t abandoned her for work. Mandi couldn’t believe it and in an instant all of her paranoia and fears that she’d carried the day before and even that morning were gone—vanished!