49

CHAPTER 49
That night, Leo brought up the idea of visiting an orphanage to Rachel during dinner. He explained that he had been making donations to several orphanages for years, and that he would like for her to see the impact of their contributions firsthand. Rachel was surprised by Leo’s philanthropy, as she had not known about it before.
Leo and Rachel step out of the car, hand in hand, as they make their way towards the orphanage. The sun is shining brightly, casting a warm glow on the world around them.
They are greeted by the gatekeeper, a stout Italian man with a thick accent. He greets them with a warm smile, welcoming them to the orphanage and directing them to where they can find Mary. Rachel is fascinated by the man’s accent, it’s the first time she is hearing an accent that thick, and she can’t help but stare at him as he speaks, trying to make out the words.
As they walk through the orphanage, the gatekeeper points to a room and says, “Chiara is in dis ere is where we keep the, uh, what you call it? The, uh, the babies that don’t have no mommies and daddies.” Rachel and Leo exchange a glance, trying to hold back their laughter at the man’s mistake.
“You mean the infants,” Leo corrects him with a chuckle. The gatekeeper laughs and slaps his knee. “Yes, yes! The infants! I always get dem mixed up!” he says with a chuckle, causing Rachel and Leo to join in the laughter.
The orphanage is a large, two-story building with a white exterior and a red-tiled roof. The front lawn is well-manicured with a large oak tree providing shade for the children to play under.
As they enter, they are greeted by a cozy reception area with a warm, inviting atmosphere. The walls are adorned with paintings and drawings created by the children, adding a personal touch to the space.
Leo and Rachel are greeted by the owner of the orphanage, a kind and compassionate woman named Chiara. They thanked the man who returned to his post soon afterwards.
She welcomes them warmly and expresses her gratitude for the donations that Leo has made over the years. Chaira has an air of quiet strength and wisdom, her grey hair pulled back in a tight bun and her eyes crinkling with a smile.
“Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Leo, it’s such a pleasure to have you here. Your contributions have been a huge help for the children and we are truly grateful for your generosity.”
Leo and Rachel introduce themselves and Leo says, “Thank you for having us, Chiara. It’s always a pleasure to see how the donations are being used to help the children.”
Rachel adds, “Yes, it’s wonderful to see the impact that my husband’s donations are making. I’ve heard such great things about this orphanage and I’m excited to see it firsthand.” She giggled.
Mrs. Chaira smiles and says, “I’m glad you’re here. We have so much to show you. These children are like my own and I want you to see the difference you’re making in their lives.”
Rachel nods, “We’re looking forward to it.
As they walk through the halls, they can hear the sounds of children laughing and playing. The floors are polished and clean, and the natural light from the windows provides a cheerful ambiance. There are several classrooms, a library, a playroom and a dining hall.
The classrooms are equipped with new desks and chairs, and the walls are adorned with educational posters and charts. The library is filled with books of all genres, catering to the diverse interests of the children.
Leo and Rachel step out of the car, hand in hand, as they make their way towards the orphanage. The sun is shining brightly, casting a warm glow on the world around them.
As they walk, Leo tells Rachel about his regular donations to the orphanage and how much it means to him to be able to make a difference in the lives of the children there.
Rachel listens intently, her heart swelling with love and admiration for her husband. She had no idea about his philanthropic efforts, and she is touched by his kindness and generosity.
As they enter the orphanage, they are greeted by the warm smiles of the staff and the excited chatter of the children. Rachel’s heart skips a beat as she sees the joy and hope in their eyes. She can’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude towards Leo for giving these children a chance to have a better life.
Leo and Rachel spent an hour touring the orphanage and speaking with the children. As they were leaving, Leo announced that he would be making a significant donation to the orphanage to help with their ongoing expenses. Mary, the owner of the orphanage, was touched by Leo’s generosity and thanked him profusely.
On their way out, Leo pulls out his wallet and hands the gatekeeper a generous amount of cash. The man’s eyes widen in surprise as he looks at the amount. “Signore, this is too much,” he says, trying to hand it back. “It’s my pleasure,” Leo responds with a smile. “Your work here is truly admirable, and I want to make sure that it continues.” The gatekeeper nods gratefully, thanking Leo for his kindness.
As they drove back to the Chatteau, Rachel started a conversation about their families. Leo was open and talkative about his mother and siblings, but when Rachel asked about his father, he closed up and became distant. Rachel made a mental note to ask him about it again at a later time.
When they arrived back at the Chatteau, they strolled back in silence. Rachel was still thinking about the orphanage and the children they met, while Leo seemed lost in his own thoughts
As they walk back to the Chatteau, Leo diverts the conversation by bringing up Rachel’s work. She talks about her job and her boss, and as they walk, Leo playfully asks her if she has a crush on him. Rachel blushes and laughs.
But Leo stops in his tracks, looking shocked. Rachel notices and quickly adds, “No, of course not. He’s just a boss. I was just joking, Leo. You know I would never do that.”
Leo nods, but the mood has been slightly dampened. They continue walking in silence for a moment before Leo speaks up again, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to react that way. It’s just that I worry about you sometimes. I know how demanding your job can be.”
Rachel nods, understanding where Leo is coming from. She reaches out and takes his hand, “I know, and I appreciate your concern. But you don’t have to worry about me. I can take care of myself.”
They walk the rest of the way back to the Chatteau hand in hand, both lost in their own thoughts.