Page 25 of Worlds Apart
His father raised both eyebrows. “Are you saying that you’re still in contact with this woman?”
“As I said, we are getting to know each other.” Martin smiled. “She’s a lovely and accomplished woman.”
“So she is in Nairobi?”
Martin looked down at his tablet and scanned the third quarter projections. “No, she lives in Washington DC.”
John Karanja laughed a little. “Son, I don’t want to disappoint you but the likelihood of anything—”
“Father, I am a grown man.” He looked up. “I don’t need romantic advice.”
“She’s not Kenyan.”
Martin set his tablet to the side. “I am aware of that.”
“She’s not even African.”
“No, she is not.”
“And does she know who your family is?”
Does she know you’re wealthy?It was the unspoken question every time he met a woman. “She knows we own the safari camp, yes.”
“And a chain of luxury hotels. And property along the coast. And we’re building the new resort in the Seychelles. And—”
“I don’t think she’s interested in that; I believe she has a very good job of her own.”
His father folded his hands. “And what does she do, Martin? Is she a… a barista? A schoolteacher? An internet influencer perhaps? Is she—?”
“She’s an actuarial advisor for Smith, Hagner, and Warner, the investment bank. I’m sure you’ve heard of them. She analyzes risk potential for investment prospects. I believe her family lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Have you heard of it?”
Martin couldn’t lie. It was gratifying to see his father’s eyes narrow when he realized that Sunny didn’t fit the mold he was imagining.
“So she analyzes risk.” John Karanja took a deep breath. “As I am sure she is doing right now with a relationship started on a holiday with a man who lives on the other side of the world.”
And there was the dig again. “Whatever the risk is, I am willing to take it. And it’s none of your business. If and when Sunny returns to Nairobi to visit, I expect you to treat her with respect.”
His father knew when he’d gone too far. “I’m not saying she’s not a lovely woman, Martin, but I don’t want you to get your hopes up. What do you think is going to happen? You think this American professional is going to give up her life in Washington and move to Kenya?” He smiled indulgently. “Your life and your work are here, son. You are the future of Karanja Enterprises.”
“And I have never shirked that responsibility.” Hundreds, perhaps thousands of employees soon, depended on continuity, wise leadership, and a steady hand from the head of Karanja. Martin knew that his father’s retirement was years and years away, but he also knew that he was the only one in line to succeed him.
“Then think, Martin. Think about your future and hers.” His father tapped a finger on the manila folder. “A relationship can be good and still not be the right thing. That is life.”
* * *
Washington D.C., USA
Lulu blinked her eyes.“Wait, the man you met in Kenya?”
“He’s the owner of the safari camp where Alice works.” Sunny was having drinks with her sister after her last day in the office that week. She really needed to get Kevin to let her work remotely all the time. Life in the office was draining and she only got half the work done that she did at home. She rubbed both her thumbs on her temples. “And yes, he’s Kenyan.”
Her sister blinked. “But you’ve been home for like two months.”
Sunny frowned. “And?”
“You’re still texting your holiday hookup?”
“He’s not a holiday hook up.” Sunny almost laughed, but her headache was too piercing. “I wonder if I should just go home. This headache is not getting any better.”
