Bidding on the Billionaire (Bad Boys Billionaire Bachelors Club) by Rachel Angel Page A

with the phone and whispered,
“This is going to be awhile.  You just finish without me and I’ll see you at
breakfast tomorrow.”  Without so much as another word he affectionately patted
Mandi’s shoulder, grabbed his plate, and took off somewhere.
    Well, that was
that, Mandi thought. If being in a relationship with a workaholic was like this
she was beginning to understand why that Olivia may have strayed after all.  It
seemed like it might be pretty lonely.  Were a few passionate moments really
worth it?  Yet to be determined!
    The
next day brought Mandi new hope of a more enjoyable day with Sergio, but it
turned out that he was out the door way before breakfast started and Mandi was
once again left to be entertained by Diedre.  She was nice and most lovely, but
she was not Sergio.

 
    Chapter 10
     
     
    T he next day Mandi and Diedre went to have
lunch together because everyone else was busy.  Mandi wasn’t exactly sure what
was going on, but she had a hunch that Diedre wanted to share something with
her.  Hopefully she didn’t think Mandi was a gold digger like Olivia had been. 
She didn’t even know if Sergio had ever taken Olivia to Rome and didn’t want to
ask.  Thoughts of her, someone who’d had Sergio’s heart and more, were like
poison in her thoughts, ruining what should be an exceptional adventure.  Of
course, having Sergio by her would have helped.
    When
the waiter came over to take their order, Diedre asked him for a few minutes
and he quickly turned around.  Mandi was impressed, reflecting on how a waiter
in New York would treat a customer who said that.  They’d probably spit in their
food and make the service exceptionally lousy. Not in Italy though…the land of
gentle grace and reassuring patience.
    “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