Tawheeda Incidental Wealth

CHAPTER 8

It was a beautiful Monday morning, and Tee arrived at The Nairobi West Hospital an hour earlier than usual resumption time. A special board meeting had been scheduled, and though she wasn’t directly involved, she wanted to stay ahead of the day’s activities. Being new to the professional world, Tee took every opportunity to create a lasting impression.

She headed to the meeting room, where a few executives, senior doctors and nurses were already seated. The air buzzed with quiet conversation, and Tee took a seat near the back, wanting to blend in unnoticed. But when the door opened, and the room fell into an expectant silence, her heart skipped a beat.

To her amazement, none other than George Mpenda, the billionaire philanthropist, was escorted into the room. His presence was commanding. In his company were two bodyguards in sharp suits. The board members exchanged respectful nods, their reactions shifting to ones of careful attentiveness.

As Tee processed his arrival, the door opened again—and another set of guards walked in on Okello Mpenda, his son. Tee’s stomach tightened. She hadn’t expected to see him there, especially not at a formal board meeting taking place in her office. The memory of the party at the Mpendas’ mansion flashed in her mind—the conversations, the subtle interest Okello had shown in her, and the way her aunt had hinted at a potential match between the two of them.

Okello surveyed the room casually, his gaze landing on her for a brief second. A small, knowing smile touched his lips, as if pleased to see her again. Tee quickly redirected her eyes, hoping no one noticed the brief exchange of pleasantries.

George took his seat at the head of the table, exhibiting authority. "Good morning, everyone," he greeted them in a smooth, formal tone. "As many of you know, my family recently took a larger equity in this hospital, and we intend to bring in fresh leadership to ensure continued growth."

He beckoned toward Okello, who stood beside him. "This is my son, Dr. Okello Mpenda. He’ll be overseeing operations at the hospital going forward."

There was a round of polite applause for him, though Tee could feel the pressure of Okello’s new position pressing down on her. He looked poised and confident, fully ready to step into his new role.

As the meeting continued, Tee struggled to focus. Her mind raced with conflicting emotions. She couldn’t ignore the fact that Okello was now in a position of authority at her place of work. And with his father’s influence, Okello’s presence at the hospital wasn’t just a passing encounter—it would be a regular part of her daily life.

After the meeting ended, Tee rushed out, hoping to avoid any uncomfortable discussions. But as she made her way down the hallway, she heard footsteps behind her.

“Tee!”

She turned to see Okello approaching, his expression warm and friendly. "I didn’t expect to see you here," he said with a smile.

Tee gave a polite nod, trying to cover up her discomfort. “I work here. I didn’t know you’d be working with the hospital as well.”

“Well, I guess we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other,” Okello said lightly. “I hope that’s fine?”

Before Tee could react, Okello continued, "Maybe we could grab lunch sometime? It’d be nice to catch up properly."

Tee stalled. She knew she had to be very careful. Okello was not just any colleague—he was the son of the hospital’s new chairman, with connections that could complicate things. And, more so, there was Ashura—her love, who was still in school, waiting for their dreams to align.

"I’ll think about it," Tee said diplomatically. "It’s a busy time."

Okello smiled knowingly. “I understand. But whenever you’re less busy, I’d like to get to know you better.”

Tee nodded, offering a polite smile in return before walking away, her heart heavy with so many unanswered questions.

That night, Tee lay awake, her mind racing. Okello’s sudden presence in her life is going to change everything. Her relationship with Ashura had always been her priority, but now the lines between love, career, and family expectations were clouded.

She knew she needed to tread softly. One wrong move could jeopardize everything she had planned for—and the life she hoped to build with Ashura.

And the hardest part? The decisions she made now might not just shape her professional career—they could change the course of her life.