With Mandi’s latest bit of $60,000.00 she showed her determination to win when she set her mind to it. Aside from loving the competition, Mandi’s determination sparked a desire in Sergio and it was rather surprising to him. He suddenly wanted to see her happy and smiling, not worrying about whatever concerns she had going on her life. Mandi reminded him of what Olivia was like when she was younger, and it was fascinating. Her spirited passion and lack of hesitation to make smarmy faces at Olivia, and show her that she didn’t rule the roost was absolutely enchanting. He wanted to see more.
At that moment, Sergio knew that he wanted something more for Mandi, and he knew that all the money in the world would not deliver it. He needed to offer more if he really wanted to see that. If he helped her it would be by giving of himself, not his checkbook, and he’d have to show he had a genuine heart and purpose. Although she was grown and composed, Mandi seemed to wear her heart on her sleeve, and you could just see it in her fiery green eyes that when she got consumed by passion or a desire for something she did not hesitate.
Now the question Sergio needed to ask himself was if he could be the man to do that for Mandi? It was risky, but it was worth a try. One thing that Sergio could trust was his instincts.
It looked like the opportunity Sergio hoped for was about to come because without warning, Olivia shouted out she conceded and stormed off in a huff. A group of willing comforters followed her around, ready to help sooth her wounded pride in any way she demanded.
As Sergio turned toward Mandi he saw the smile of a woman who enjoyed the thrill of victory. How interesting that he was the prize. Mandi may have won the auction, but Sergio had a feeling that he was the true winner in this situation and he couldn’t wait to see what it brought.
Chapter 5
Mandi couldn’t believe how amazing it felt to win that auction. She tried to tell herself that it was in honor of Sophia and how protective she was of Sergio, but deep down Mandi knew that some time with Sergio was something that she wanted to explore, and she welcomed it. She’d always had a bit of a crush on him when he was younger, but now she saw a mature man, a reliable man in front of her. Okay, a gorgeous reliable and sexy-as-hell man.
In all the chaos of the auction and getting wrapped up in beating that Olivia at her own game, Mandi didn’t even take the time to find out what the date would actually be. She was fairly confident that any date with Sergio would be memorable, enchanting, and highly tempting to stray from any cautions that may exist in regards to physical boundaries. It had been easy to avoid that in the past due to a lack of serious relationships or dating opportunities.
Sophia stood up on stage, and thanked everyone for participating in the auction for such a good cause and proudly stated that they’d earned $325,000.00 for the children’s hospital ward. It was indeed a successful evening.
Mandi listened to her friend, noticing that Sergio was talking to Andre in the distance. She suddenly felt nervous because she saw them glance at her. What were they saying and talking about? Her legs suddenly felt wobbly, like they couldn’t support her in her sexy insanely high gold heels. Wow…this night had really turned out to be something different than what she’d thought it would be.
Suddenly Mandi realized that Sophia was talking about her up on stage. She said, “Our final person in the auction, Miss Mandi Jenkins, will no longer be participating since she is on her way to a great date with my brother, Sergio.” Mandi turned beat red as she heard groans from some guys in the crowd. If she could have moved she would have left the room, but she seemed to be frozen in place. Was it embarrassment, or the fact that Sophia’s words solidified that she was actually going to be going on a date with Sergio. She glanced at Sergio again, and couldn’t help but admit that he looked absolutely scrumptious, and being seen by his side as a date would be a thrill.
Sophia walked up to Mandi smiling brightly. She couldn’t have looked happier, or more proud of herself. Mandi smiled back, and asked what the date was going to be.
“It’s much more than a date, Mandi. You and Sergio are going to be heading to Rome, Italy for a week. It’s a combination of business and pleasure, but I am confident you’ll find a way to bring out more of the pleasure side of Sergio than he’s shown in quite some time.” Mandi couldn’t believe it. She’d always longed to go to Rome, and thought of how her mother had always wanted to go too, but had fallen sick on the year her dream was finally supposed to be realized.
“When would we leave?”
“Tomorrow,” Sophia said.
Mandi’s heart sank immediately. She knew that she couldn’t take off and leave the gallery for a week, especially on such short notice. It was a business with one employee, and that meant that her options were limited—very limited. Plus, she hadn’t really won or paid for that prize, just helped out Sophia and Andre. It was disheartening because it was another opportunity that was blown because of her profound discipline for the priorities in her life.
“Oh Sophia, I’m sorry. I can’t go. There’s no one to run the gallery.”
“That’s nonsense, Mandi.”
Mandi knew that when Sophia was determined she’d stop at nothing, but even Sophia was out of her league with finding someone trustworthy to run the gallery for a week. “I just don’t see how it’s possible on such notice, Sophia. I’m sorry.”
The disappointment in Mandi’s voice couldn’t be hidden. She should have asked what the date was first, and the entire situation would have been avoided. Sure, Sergio would have had to go on vacation with Olivia, but if anyone could handle themselves, it was him. What had inspired her to think she needed to save Sergio from anything? Okay, that answer was easy—it was Sophia and her persuasive ways. You didn’t take much persuading. Admit it that you want more…physically if anything.
Mandi looked over to Sergio, and she felt a slight pang in her heart for him. She just didn’t understand how someone could be so heartless to a great guy like Sergio. She knew everyone made mistakes, but didn’t think that people like Olivia knew how lucky they were to find that special person—the one that would care for them. It was something that her and Sophia longed for, and had spent many a night talking about while they were in college and even now that they’d graduated and entered into their careers.