Exposure to a Billionaire by Ann Menke

Author:Ann Menke
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781630477592
Publisher: Morgan James Publishing

Chapter Thirteen

OFF TO THE WEDDING AND THE MYSTERIES OF MAURITIUS

I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.

—Mary Anne Radmacher

It was time to depart for Joburg and our final leg of the journey to Mauritius. The arms of Jean Michel awaited me there. At dinner the night before, Stuart and Vanessa had asked everyone if we could make one stop before leaving for Mauritius. The plan was to leave The Royal Malewane together flying up to Harare, Zimbabwe to have lunch, prepared by the chef from the lodge, with the orphans at “Hands of Hope.” We would leave the orphanage in the late afternoon, driving back to the airport to ensure our scheduled arrival into Mauritius that evening.

Nothing prepared us for the kids at “Hands of Hope” in Harare. I felt love for each and every little one, hoping I would return soon for a future visit. Stuart and Vanessa sat on the ground to play in the dirt with a little girl who kept climbing onto their laps for hugs. It was hard to say goodbye to their little friend that day. None of these kids knew or cared about Stuart’s wealth or Vanessa’s fame. They loved without merit based on performance or reputation. It was the pure, unconditional kind of love.

Brian, Chris, and Mark led the boys in a makeshift game of baseball. Laughter resounded at such a simple thing as a game with wooden sticks. The children were enthralled with our white skin, putting their brown arms up to ours and laughing at the contrast. Equally mesmerizing were Mark’s tattoos. It was raw and heartwarming. With heavy hearts, we got ready to leave the children and felt the burden to help each precious, little face. Stuart and Vanessa went off on a private walk in deep discussion.

Before we left, they agreed on the best wedding gift they could possibly give each other: a check for one million dollars to the orphanage. They said it was just the beginning of building a decent home for the kids. It also meant schooling, food, and a safe place to teach them skills to pay it forward to others. The lump in my throat and tears streaming down my face were a natural outpouring of joy and heartbreak. It was all so bittersweet. I addressed both Stuart and Vanessa and said, “You have given those children a gift that is priceless. I hope we can come back someday and see them again.”

Stuart had tears, too. “Anna, this is just the beginning. This is part of what we have been working tirelessly for with Jean Michel and the ambassador.”

Just before takeoff, the celebration was kicking into high gear. The chef at the lodge had outdone himself with the catering for our passengers. We toasted over the blue waters of the Indian Ocean, a mere two thousand kilometers from the continent of Africa. A hush filled the cabin on our final descent. The island was a dull outline after sunset, illuminated by the glowing white reflection of the moon on ocean waves.

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