Caitlyn was excited as the small propeller plane reached its cruising altitude. Looking out the window, she saw the full expanse of the Okavango Delta - the winding waterways surrounded by grasslands and little islands. Her adventure had begun.
She had always lived according to her parents' wishes. She had endured her mother's insistence on beauty pageants, attended their College and pledged her mother's sorority.
For four years, she smiled through mixers, rush weeks and all the other things that came with Greek life. Some of the elements of sisterhood were fun, but she grew tired of the continual pressure to appear perfect and the limitations it created. Part of her longed to see the world outside the bubble of social reputation and manoeuvrings.
Her parents approved of her major, Tourism and Guest Relations, seeing it as a career she could easily abandon when the time came to marry. She already knew their ideal husband - someone with status, boosting or maintaining her family's image. But this job, a year-long contract as junior guest relations manager at a luxury lodge? This was just for her.
From the moment the plane touched down, she was hooked. The sky looked bigger and bluer, and the air smelt earthy and clean. Grant and Angela, a husband-and-wife team managing the lodge, greeted her warmly. The 30-minute drive from the airstrip to the lodge took Caitlyn's breath away. She saw her first elephants, giraffes, and endless antelope. She had imagined this, but the reality dwarfed her dreams. It was raw, wild, and stunningly beautiful.
Arriving at the lodge, Grant and Angela gave her a tour before showing her living quarters, a small structure with canvas walls, a bed, a small desk, and a private shower. It had none of the luxury of the guest suites, but it was hers.
"Try and experience the place for the first few days," Grant said, handing Caitlyn her luggage. "Join game drives, use the bar, and act like a guest. You won't be very good at your job if you haven't experienced what we offer here."
Caitlyn took the advice and immersed herself in the guest experience. She joined the morning and evening game drives, enjoying the contrasting experience of the world waking up and settling down. She chatted with guests over brunch and cocktails. She marvelled over the dinners; she was amazed that such elegant food could be provided in such a remote location. She kept reminding herself she was here to help create these moments, not live them.
Settling into the actual job was more challenging. The remote location required precision - there were no emergency deliveries if she forgot to order something. Some nights, she struggled to sleep; the silence of night was now laced with the sounds of the wild in the distance. Losing connection to her phone was unsettling. Yet every new experience felt like a reinforcement of her choice.
She learned to adapt. She learned to balance the demands of high-paying guests with the unpredictability of the bush. The weekly arrival of new guests became something she looked forward to. The anticipation and pressure of providing the perfect experience to another group of wealthy tourists became a thrill.
Until one of them stood out.
He was younger and lacked the air of wealth and luxury she had come to expect. No designer outdoor gear or expensive camera. Just well-worn jeans and a dark blue sweatshirt with yellow trim. He was tall and lean, with a handsome face and just enough dark features to hint at some level of mixed heritage but nothing defining. Suddenly, Caitlyn remembered he didn't match any of the guest profiles.
"Who's that?" Caitlyn whispered to Angela as the other staff sang songs of welcome and passed out drinks.
"That," Angela grinned, "is trouble with a charming smile. His name is Will. He's our new guide." Christ, he looks like his father," she finished, shaking her head.
"You know his dad?" Caitlyn asked.
"From a time long before you were born," Angela smiled. "We went to high school together; he was the rugby captain."
"He doesn't look like a guide," Caitlyn observed.
"Why?" Angela challenged. "Because he's young or doesn't fit the stereotype? Maybe he isn't a middle-aged European in khakis or an African storyteller. Will did his apprenticeship here. Our guests deserve the best. By the time he's done in this field, he will have forgotten more about the bush than most people will ever know."
Caitlyn watched curiously as the other staff hugged and fussed over him like a long-lost nephew. She hung back, quietly observing the scene from a distance while everyone had their turn with him.
"Hi, I'm Caitlyn, but most people call me Cait," she said, using her sweetest, most dazzling smile.
"Will," he replied with a casual glance at her uniform. "I'll stick with Caitlyn if you don't mind. I already have a sister named Kate. Not sure you want that association."
Something about his polished British accent and easy confidence threw her.
"What team is that for?" Caitlyn said, recovering quickly and flashing another smile.
"Oxford United," Will replied.
"I've heard of Oxford and the university, but not the soccer team."
"You wouldn't have," Will shrugged. "We're not very good, but it's my home town team. We might be a Man United family, but Dad forces us to take an interest. It's been nice meeting you, but I should probably get settled. I'll see you around."
That was it, no bragging, no attempt to impress her. No lingering interest. Just a few simple words, and he walked away.
Caitlyn stood there confused. She'd never had a boy walk away from her before. She was hot, and she knew it. Boys chased her, the wealthy elite, the sports stars; it didn't matter. But this safari guide with the worn-out jeans and sweatshirt from an unrecognisable team had just walked away.
Caitlyn determined she would learn more about this stranger. His initial rejection didn't bother her once she got over the shock. She hadn't come here to chase a guy; she was here for the job and the experience. But he was close to her in age, it would be nice to have a friend,
Caitlyn decided to join one of his game drives. Angela's words had been playing on her mind. How did a boy from Oxford become a safari guide? Her curiosity only deepened when she listened to the guests rave about their experiences with him.
Angela was right. He was an incredible guide. He assumed complete control of the experience, tempering the guests' expectations over potential sightings with ease and charm. As the drive continued, Caitlyn observed that Will was just as skilled as the more experienced guides she'd already been out with.
He often stopped for no apparent reason, only to point out a creature hiding in the brush once a guest asked what they were looking for. He explained the animal behaviours simply, never condescending or showy, just knowledgeable. By the time they returned to the lodge, Caitlyn had already determined she would join his drives when she could.
"I hope you enjoyed that. I think the guests did," Will said quietly behind her while Caitlyn watched guests accept their morning drinks.
"It was great, thank you," Caitlyn replied.
