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  EXPOSURE TO A Billionaire

  Praise for

  EXPOSURE TO A Billionaire

  Fasten your seat belt and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime! In Exposure to a Billionaire, Ann Menke takes readers on an exclusive journey around the world with an elite set of rich and famous. Both hilarious and heartwarming, Menke’s debut is filled with opulent wealth, sweet romance, and stunning scenery. I wish I could have read this while jet setting to Venice or Phuket, but alas, I’m quite happy to live vicariously through Menke’s endearing heroine and her international quest for love and laughter.

  —Melanie Dobson, award-winning author of Chateau of Secrets and Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor

  In Exposure to a Billionaire, the reader is quickly swept away into a world that only a privileged few get to experience. Live the lifestyle of vast wealth and power vicariously as Ann Menke accurately brings situations to life in their lush settings. Add to that, amazingly accurate descriptions of some of the finest destinations in the world. AND, be prepared for fast moving adventure.

  —Casey Powell, CEO of Sequent Computer Systems, Inc.

  Ann Menke and I traveled the world over the years through our careers with a front row seat to many exotic locations few will ever experience and a list of passengers one could only dream about. In Exposure to a Billionaire she has achieved an irresistible and beautiful story...romance, adventure and a rare look into the world of the fabulously wealthy. A must read.

  —Kristina Bauer Selten, Corporate Flight Attendant

  Exposure to a Billionaire expertly weaves a witty tale woven together beyond a glance, but with a true inside view into the world of vast power and wealth. This is a world most can only dream about, yet we together have seen it. Dazzling, fun and what an adventure!

  —Chris Weidman, Director of Aviation

  In the news business, reporters are often asked what celebrities are really like. They want a behind the scenes look. In Exposure to a Billionaire—a fictional account based on Ann Menke’s fascinating career as a corporate flight attendant—you’ll jettison to the rarified air where A-list movie stars, corporate titans, musicians, athletes and political leaders are pampered beyond even their wildest dreams. Heroine Anna St. James, invites you onboard the latest Gulfstream, to a world of Cristal Champagne, Louis Vuitton, Stella McCarthey and Chanel wardrobes, and travel to exotic destinations around the globe. The story unfolds with Anna flying to adventures in Venice, the South of France, overnight to Cairo—to see the Pyramids at just the right light, of course—onto a 5 star safari lodge in South Africa, and a wedding in Mauritius. You’ll read wide-eyed, at her required tasks: Creating gift bags worth $3,500 dollars, plotting scavenger hunts where the prize is a four karat diamond (to each member of the winning team), and the general care and feeding of the world’s most colorful characters. All this while Anna finds love, and she and her billionaire help save children around the world. Enjoy the ride!

  —Shirley Hancock, award-winning journalist and former CBS affiliate news anchor

  A story of captivating secrets, torn relationships, and love strong enough to circle the globe. I could not put it down….it’s that good!

  —Pam Vredevelt, LPC, best-selling author of Angel Behind the Rocking Chair and Empty Arms

  There are many ways to see the world. In Exposure to a Billionaire, author Ann Menke ‘jets off’ delivering an entertaining tale in this delightful read. The locations come alive while unexpected twists and turns keep you guessing what’s next. It’s been fun to share in the adventure.

  —Rod and Carol Wendt

  Traveling the world as a Photographer, I learned about another Ann Menke who is a Corporate Flight Attendant and Author. We have become friends over the years sharing out latest travels and celebrating our achievements. She is the author of Exposure to a Billionaire, a novel I couldn’t put down. All I can say is, “Big dreams, deep longings, lost loves…A great getaway novel!”

  —Anne Menke, See the World Beautiful, World Famous Fashion Photographer (Yes, the other Anne Menke)

  EXPOSURE

  TO A

  Billionaire

  ANN MENKE

  New York

  EXPOSURE TO A Billionaire

  © 2016 ANN MENKE

  All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Published in New York, New York, by Morgan James Publishing. Morgan James and The Entrepreneurial Publisher are trademarks of Morgan James, LLC. www.MorganJamesPublishing.com

  The Morgan James Speakers Group can bring authors to your live event. For more information or to book an event visit The Morgan James Speakers Group at www.TheMorganJamesSpeakersGroup.com.

  ISBN 978-1-63047-758-5 paperback

  ISBN 978-1-63047-759-2 eBook

  ISBN 978-1-63047-760-8 hardcover

  Library of Congress Control Number:

  2015914084

  Cover Design by:

  Yvonne Parks

  www.PearCreative.ca

  Interior Design by:

  Bonnie Bushman

  The Whole Caboodle Graphic Design

  In an effort to support local communities and raise awareness and funds, Morgan James Publishing donates a percentage of all book sales for the life of each book to Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg.

  Get involved today, visit www.MorganJamesBuilds.com

  DEDICATION

  For my husband, Doug, who has walked this story with me and supported my every move, believing in me as I pursued the wonderful career of corporate aviation while raising a beautiful family. What a journey we have had, and it just gets better. We serve a beautiful and mighty Father. Thank you for encouraging me throughout this adventure. I couldn’t have done it without you. My love for you grows each day on this adventure, called life.

  CONTENTS

  Chapter 1 The Glamour of It All, or so I Thought

  Chapter 2 Unexpected Beginnings

  Chapter 3 My First Flight on a Private Jet

  Chapter 4 In Phuket, on a Yacht

  Chapter 5 Getting to Know the Real Man

  Chapter 6 It’s Not How It Looks; Who Does He Think He’s Fooling?

  Chapter 7 Small World

  Chapter 8 The Adventure Continues

  Chapter 9 Taken by Surprise under the Skies of Paris

  Chapter 10 Off to Le Mans, More Secrets, and the Big Race

  Chapter 11 Off to the Big Event, with a Few Stops First

  Chapter 12 Starry Nights

  Chapter 13 Off to the Wedding and the Mysteries of Mauritius

  Chapter 14 Bora Bora and the Honeymoon

  Chapter 15 A Rare Visit to Jersey

  Chapter 16 Grounded

  Chapter 17 Travel Begins Again

  Chapter 18 Is This Normal?

  Chapter 19 Time’s Man of the Year

  Chapter 20 The Magic of Maui

  Chapter 21 A Land of Beauty, Mexico

  Chapter 22 The World of Wealth

  Chapter 23 The Healing Powers of Venice

  Chapter 24 Coming Full Circle

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned sky
wards, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.

  —Author Unknown

  Chapter One

  THE GLAMOUR OF IT ALL, OR SO I THOUGHT

  Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey.

  —Pat Conroy

  Venice! I was really going to Venice. Pinch me. I, Anna St. James, was about to arrive in Venice for the first time in my life. My heart had been racing in anticipation from the moment I had first heard our next trip would take us there. I had been propelled into a new lifestyle of flying for Mr. Stuart Manning over the last few months, seeing the world in nothing but the luxury afforded a billionaire. Yes, I was certainly getting used to this way of life in a hurry.

  Descending upon this floating city of romance, I could see what looked like highways in the water below; boats were speckled throughout, racing to where, I could only imagine. Soon, I thought to myself, I will see the city I have heard so much about! We would only be here for a little over a day, but I didn’t care. We would be landing in a few minutes, with the sun shining brightly overhead and Brian, my trusty pilot, ready to be my tour guide once we got settled at the famed Hotel Danieli.

  Getting here, however, had not been so wonderful. Mr. Manning had a business associate on board. Yes, two of the richest men in the world together on this one airplane. The contrast between the two was evident from the beginning. Mr. Manning was kind, compassionate, and thoughtful, while Mr. Allister Cummings was aloof to the point of rudeness. He also did us the favor of bringing his administrative assistant/mistress along for the trip. Precious, if that was her real name, was a petite firecracker from the moment she boarded the airplane. That’s a polite way of saying she was high maintenance. Both men had meetings scheduled in the afternoon, followed by an elegant dinner party on the island of Murano in the evening, and Precious wanted to shop until she dropped. It looked like she already had all that money could buy, but there were deep pockets in the company of Mr. Allister Cummings.

  Precious boarded in Paris as if she owned the airplane—bags and suitcases along with luggage carts full of her shopping purchases in tow. Yes, she and Mr. Allister Cummings deserved each other. The first words out of her mouth were, “Stewardess, can you get me a blanket?”

  Stewardess? You’ve got to be kidding me! I reluctantly gave her one of our beautiful cashmere throws, dyed to match the leather seats and soft as silk. “Stewardess, this blanket is not warm enough. I want something warm and soft, not this thing. I forgot my skincare kit in my suitcase. I assume you have La Mer products on board?”

  Oh, I would give her a warm blanket and La Mer all right. Thankfully, I had stocked the airplane with the luxury toiletries of her liking. I approached her seat again with a soft Restoration Hardware blanket I used for our beds and an overnight La Mer kit for women. She took the items quickly, without a thank you but with some sort of affirming grunt. “This will do.”

  Mr. Manning looked over, imploring me to hang in there. Almost on cue, Precious said, “I use the lifting and firming mask but don’t see it in here. Where is the lip balm? At least you have the mist.”

  Ignoring Mr. Manning’s silent look and knowing I would probably never have darling Precious on board again, I leaned over, opening my mouth with the biggest phony smile I could work up and summoned a voice to match. “I’m so glad we have the mist for you. If you need other items, please, next time, send your shopping list to Mr. Manning’s administrative assistant, Linda, who will forward it to me. That way I can have exactly what you would like on board.”

  Not missing a beat, she demanded, “I need a hair brush and comb, too.”

  Did this look like a Neiman Marcus department store? I was on to her little game as I went to fetch her comb and brush. She took them from me with a shrug, “Well, at least you have Mason Pearson brushes on board. You know, they are the only kind I use.”

  Good to know. I was just out of her sight, and feeling relieved, when I heard the service button activate just before takeoff. Her head was leaning into the aisle as she called me: “Stewardess? Stewardess?”

  I have been known to get a little agitated when called stewardess. Up until this point, I had shown great self-control. In the phoniest smile I could possibly muster I asked how I could help her. Her response, “What kind of champagne do you have on board?”

  “You can ask Mr. Manning more about the champagne from his Sonoma SMS winery. I think you will find it an excellent champagne.”

  “Well” she said, “I guess that will have to do. I personally like Cristal.”

  “Good.”

  I tossed Mr. Manning an eye roll on my way back again to the galley, wanting to slip arsenic in her champagne. My Jimmy Choos were already hurting with the repeated trips back and forth to fulfill every request of Miss Precious. We hadn’t taken off yet, and I was exhausted!

  Mr. Cummings finally spoke, but it was as if I wasn’t standing there in front of him. In retrospect, I wished he hadn’t said anything. All I heard was, “I want eggs Benedict for breakfast.”

  That was it! No “please” or “may I have?” All he gave me was a command: “I want eggs Benedict.” Did he not see the menu in front of him? Eggs Benedict most certainly was not on the menu. I gave him that awful, fake, flight attendant smile, walking back to the galley to make a quick call during takeoff to Nancy, our chef back home, asking how to make eggs Benedict. She laughed, putting me immediately at ease with instructions on how to pull off this miraculous feat while taking off from Paris. I thankfully had the exact ingredients on board.

  Serving Mr. Allister Cummings his requested eggs Benedict, my frozen, flight attendant smile was plastered on my face. I know my expression was not lost on Mr. Manning!

  It took all my restraint during the flight to remain civil. The minutes until we landed in Venice couldn’t go by quickly enough. If Precious wiggled her champagne flute in the air one more time for a refill, stop me; I wouldn’t be responsible for what I might do.

  Descending for our final approach, I checked with Brian and Chris in the cockpit. They told me in just a few minutes we would be on the ground and ready for our day in Venice. Okay, Anna, I thought to myself, you can do this. I had just seated myself for landing when she did the wiggle, not even bothering to look up as she committed the act. My only visual was picturing her neck between my hands. I caught another plea from Mr. Manning’s eyes, so I went over with my best flight attendant’s voice and asked Precious, “When you wiggle your glass in the air, does that mean you would like more champagne? You do know that we will be on the ground in less than three minutes, right? Can you wait?”

  She ignored me, so I sat down. I felt nothing short of relief when we landed and pulled up to our FBO (Fixed Base Operation), Venice General Aviation, for VIP services. I knew my time with Precious was almost done and Mr. Manning would be my only passenger the following day. That’s when I heard her ask Allister for eye drops out of her purse. I wondered why she couldn’t get them herself, but then, I watched as Precious wiggled out of her seat and onto Allister’s lap. “Allister, sugar, can you put my eye drops in for me?”

  I wanted to gag! With a flare for drama, he dropped the liquid into her eyes, sealing the act with a kiss. Within seconds, the screaming began. Now what was the problem? In full-fledged panic, with arms flailing wildly about, she screamed, “I CAN’T OPEN MY EYES!”

  Yes, Mr. Allister Cummings had just put superglue into his precious girlfriend’s eyes—instead of her eye drops. It really was an emergency but, oh, never mind. I raced back to the galley for wet compact cloths to put over her eyes—anything to stop the screaming. “Precious,” I implored, “You need to hold still. If not, it could cause further complications. Let’s get you to the hospital immediately.”

  I looked up at Mr. Manning and Mr. Cummings, expecting they would escort her to the hospital. That was wishful thinking on my part. Already l
ate for their meeting, the two seemed rather inconvenienced by the entire ordeal. The pilots proved no further help in assisting the eyes-closed-shut Precious. Of course, it was up to me.

  Precious’s intermittent moans narrated my first journey through Venice as the water ambulance whisked us off to the nearest Italian hospital. The city’s vivid colors welcomed our approach, even in the oddest of circumstances. The wind drew color to my cheeks and a few splashes of cool water awakened my senses dulled from the flight. The city was breathtaking.

  The Hotel Danieli glowed with pink-orange hues of paradise in the distance as we made our way to the Ospedale Civile di Venezia at Scuola Grande di San Marco in Campo Giovanni e Paolo. The building was enormous, and my romantic vision of Venice soon evaporated in a sea of white scrubs. Ever since the ambulance boat pilot had indicated the whereabouts of the Hotel Danieli, I had wanted to make a run for it. Precious must have sensed my eagerness to run as she grabbed my hand and begged me not to leave her. She knew my name after all. “Anna, please don’t leave me here alone. I can’t do this without you!”

  I, Anna St. James, was stuck in Venice, in an ospetale with a woman named Precious, mistress to one of the richest men in the world!

  Bedside to Precious, I transcended my surroundings by remembering how I found myself on this journey with Mr. Stuart Manning. I had always known I wanted to be a flight attendant. Wasn’t it the stuff all little girls dream of? It certainly was for me. Anyway, I wasn’t into figure skating. Aviation had won my heart completely. I was born Anna Lauren St. James, with “aviation flowing through my veins,” as my father would say.

  At the ripe old age of three months, I had boarded my first aircraft. Our family moved frequently, but it was at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland where the passion really stuck.

  My earliest memories of takeoffs and landings happened right there in our backyard. On special days, my dad would leave work early to pick up my older sister Jesse and me in our family SUV. With two girls in tow, he would drive to the end of the runway, quickly park, so we could jump out, throw a blanket on the ground laying flat on our backs to watch the airplanes come and go. If we were really lucky, Colonel St. James would spring for a few bottles of A&W Root Beer, or maybe an Orange Crush, to enjoy with our Lay’s potato chips and Good & Plenty. It was the best show on earth.