Daniela was petite, but Vivienne could tell right away that she was feisty.
“So how long have you been doing makeup as a career?” Vivienne said.
“I really just started,” Daniela said. “I went to cosmetology school right out of high school, and recently graduated. I’ve gotten some jobs already, though.”
At age twenty, Daniela had her whole career ahead of her. “It’s great that you found your passion. There’s nothing better than doing something you love.” Vivienne sipped her drink, smiling at the younger woman.
“I agree,” Daniela said. “I’ve always been into makeup. As a little girl, I’d make up my dolls. Unfortunately, I had four older brothers, and they weren’t keen on letting me touch them with a makeup brush.”
“I daresay.” Vivienne laughed. “So you’re the youngest sibling?”
“Yep, and my brothers still call me their baby sister, if I let them get away with it.” Daniela nibbled on a cracker laden with cheese. “But I don’t mind; they are just looking out for me. I adore my brothers.”
Jacob was engaged in conversation with a couple of attendees in expensive suits, so Vivienne continued her conversation with his sister. “I guess Gianni is the oldest?”
“Yes, and Jacob is just a year younger than he is. Then there is Stephano, who is also in fashion. He’s a photographer, so he’s in Europe more often than here. And then there’s Micah, who is only a year older than I am.”
“What does Micah do?”
Daniela giggled. “You’ll have to ask my mother that question. She keeps in touch. Micah was always kind of wild, a risk-taker. Whatever he’s doing, it’s not a job in corporate America.”
Sophia had been noncommittal about Micah, too, saying it was a story for another day. Vivienne was increasingly curious about that brother’s story. “I’ve met your parents, but not your other brothers yet.”
“Well, if you can get them all together in one place, let me know,” Daniela said, with a grin. “If one is home, the other one’s gone. It’s the lifestyle, I suppose. And my father traveled a lot when he ran Rinaldi Imports. I guess they were introduced to it at a young age.”
“It would seem.” Vivienne looked up at Jacob when he came over and put his arm around her.
“Is my sister entertaining you?”
Vivienne winked at Daniela. “She is, actually.”
Jacob gave his sister a look , but Vivienne could tell it was all in fun. The event proceeded as expected, and the speech was very moving. It made Vivienne wish she had more to give to the cause, although she had made a donation. Jacob had too, and she knew his was much larger than hers.
When the guests began to disperse, Vivienne gave Daniela a big hug. “It was so great to meet you. I hope we get to see each other again soon.”
“That would be great,” Daniela said. “I’ll look forward to it…if my brother doesn’t keep you all to himself.” She grinned at Jacob, who swept her up in his arms, lifting her feet off the ground.
“Okay, you behave yourself,” Jacob said. “And if you need anything, just call. I mean it.”
After leaving the hotel, Ian drove them to Eleven Madison Park to enjoy Chef Daniel Humm’s French-influenced fare. The amazing art-deco dining room created a sophisticated atmosphere, and the restaurant had become one of their favorites. The menu had a lot to offer, but guests were invited to share their preferences so the chef could design a customized meal.
Jacob discussed some possibilities with the waiter and, after checking with Vivienne, placed their orders. First was a fondue that came in a baked squash serving bowl. A soft pretzel stick, still hot from the oven, was the utensil. Vivienne reveled in the melted cheese, mashing the pretzel against cubes of sweet squash. She imagined that the fondue was a creation straight from the chef’s Swiss heritage.
The sommelier assisted Jacob to pair the food with proper vintages. A glass of champagne was
“So how long have you been doing makeup as a career?” Vivienne said.
“I really just started,” Daniela said. “I went to cosmetology school right out of high school, and recently graduated. I’ve gotten some jobs already, though.”
At age twenty, Daniela had her whole career ahead of her. “It’s great that you found your passion. There’s nothing better than doing something you love.” Vivienne sipped her drink, smiling at the younger woman.
“I agree,” Daniela said. “I’ve always been into makeup. As a little girl, I’d make up my dolls. Unfortunately, I had four older brothers, and they weren’t keen on letting me touch them with a makeup brush.”
“I daresay.” Vivienne laughed. “So you’re the youngest sibling?”
“Yep, and my brothers still call me their baby sister, if I let them get away with it.” Daniela nibbled on a cracker laden with cheese. “But I don’t mind; they are just looking out for me. I adore my brothers.”
Jacob was engaged in conversation with a couple of attendees in expensive suits, so Vivienne continued her conversation with his sister. “I guess Gianni is the oldest?”
“Yes, and Jacob is just a year younger than he is. Then there is Stephano, who is also in fashion. He’s a photographer, so he’s in Europe more often than here. And then there’s Micah, who is only a year older than I am.”
“What does Micah do?”
Daniela giggled. “You’ll have to ask my mother that question. She keeps in touch. Micah was always kind of wild, a risk-taker. Whatever he’s doing, it’s not a job in corporate America.”
Sophia had been noncommittal about Micah, too, saying it was a story for another day. Vivienne was increasingly curious about that brother’s story. “I’ve met your parents, but not your other brothers yet.”
“Well, if you can get them all together in one place, let me know,” Daniela said, with a grin. “If one is home, the other one’s gone. It’s the lifestyle, I suppose. And my father traveled a lot when he ran Rinaldi Imports. I guess they were introduced to it at a young age.”
“It would seem.” Vivienne looked up at Jacob when he came over and put his arm around her.
“Is my sister entertaining you?”
Vivienne winked at Daniela. “She is, actually.”
Jacob gave his sister a look , but Vivienne could tell it was all in fun. The event proceeded as expected, and the speech was very moving. It made Vivienne wish she had more to give to the cause, although she had made a donation. Jacob had too, and she knew his was much larger than hers.
When the guests began to disperse, Vivienne gave Daniela a big hug. “It was so great to meet you. I hope we get to see each other again soon.”
“That would be great,” Daniela said. “I’ll look forward to it…if my brother doesn’t keep you all to himself.” She grinned at Jacob, who swept her up in his arms, lifting her feet off the ground.
“Okay, you behave yourself,” Jacob said. “And if you need anything, just call. I mean it.”
After leaving the hotel, Ian drove them to Eleven Madison Park to enjoy Chef Daniel Humm’s French-influenced fare. The amazing art-deco dining room created a sophisticated atmosphere, and the restaurant had become one of their favorites. The menu had a lot to offer, but guests were invited to share their preferences so the chef could design a customized meal.
Jacob discussed some possibilities with the waiter and, after checking with Vivienne, placed their orders. First was a fondue that came in a baked squash serving bowl. A soft pretzel stick, still hot from the oven, was the utensil. Vivienne reveled in the melted cheese, mashing the pretzel against cubes of sweet squash. She imagined that the fondue was a creation straight from the chef’s Swiss heritage.
The sommelier assisted Jacob to pair the food with proper vintages. A glass of champagne was
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