Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 336: Clueless Duo

Jamal paced around his office, sick with worry for Mari since he was yet to hear from her. She’d not picked up her phone when he called to warn her that she was in danger, and now he couldn’t think or focus on anything else.

He had called Harry several times already to know if he’d heard from Mari’s dad, but Harry wasn’t taking his calls and Jamal knew that was probably because he was in a meeting.

Harry never took his phone with him to meetings.

Jamal glanced at his desk when his phone buzzed with a call, and he walked over quickly hoping it was Mari.

He frowned when he saw it was Emily, and received the call. ”Hey, Em! Have you heard from Mari?” He asked before she could say a word.

”No. I haven’t. But that’s part of the reason I’m calling. I noticed that my previous messages to her other line have delivered. It seems she turned on the phone,” Emily explained.

Jamal’s brows pulled together. ”Really?”

”Yeah. I tried calling but she’s not answering so I wanted to see if maybe you know what’s up.”

Jamal sighed. ”I’ve been trying to reach her myself. If she calls you first, let me know. And if I hear from her first I’ll let you know.”

”Sure. Secondly, I was wondering if you’d be open to hanging out this evening. With Dawn, of course. And Cal. The four of us can hang out. I’ll like to spend some time with her before leaving. I’d have visited her today but I’m spending the day with my mum and sisters. So maybe tomorrow. But it’d be nice to spend the evening with you two. And Josh too. I heard they’re at your place...”

Jamal raised a brow. ”I guess I don’t need to ask how you heard.”

She giggled. ”Well, Mila told Penny. I have no idea how it came up in their conversation,” she said, referring to both their younger sisters who were best of friends.

Jamal chuckled. It was obvious that the practice of minding everyone’s business had been successfully passed on to everyone.

”So, are we meeting at your place?” Emily asked again.

Jamal paused. Callan had said just the three of them, but now Emily was including Dawn and Josh. That meant Callan’s plan for Jamal to leave early so he’d be able to spend time alone with Emily wouldn’t work.

”Cal called earlier. We were supposed to hang out maybe at a lounge. Just the three of us,” Jamal pointed out since he’d promised to help Callan with this.

Emily smirked. ”Let me guess. We meet at a lounge then something comes up and you have to leave early?”

Jamal cocked a brow. ”Why would you think that?”

”I’m a writer, Jamal. I write romance stories, remember?” Emily said dryly.

”Yeah. You do. But am I missing something here?” Jamal asked innocently. ”Is there a romance going on between you both that I don’t know about? Last I checked you are both my friends, who happen to be cousins,” Jamal said, sticking his tongue in his cheek.

Emily hesitated then asked. ”Are guys generally stupid or is it just peculiar to you and Callan?”

Jamal chuckled. ”What’s that supposed to mean?”

”Callan is not blood related to me. And shouldn’t my feelings for Callan be glaring to you as my best friend? In novels and movies when the heroine or actor is in love all their friends can tell, so why can’t you tell? It’s no surprise that you’re both best friends. Clueless duo,” she said and Jamal laughed out loud.

”You should be ashamed of yourself for admitting you have feelings for Cal the jerk! Do you know how many times you sang that name in my ears? I thought you hated them. Anyway, you can come over to the house. I’ll let Abigail know. You both should bring takeout when coming and be ready to clean up before you leave,” Jamal said, and Emily giggled.

”I really wish Mari were here though. It’d be fun to hang out and have a sleepover,” she said, then her stomach fluttered at the idea of having a sleepover at Jamal’s.

The same thought crossed Jamal’s mind, and he decided that Callan might like the idea. ”We can have a sleepover. You and Callan can spend the night. I have enough room, whether you both choose to spend the night in separate rooms or together in the same room.”

Emily’s heart fluttered.

”Em, I should probably not do this, but I will because I love you and I love Callan. I already told Callan I won’t let him act carelessly towards you anymore...”

”He told you about his feelings?” Emily asked curiously.

”Yes, he did. And I know he cares about you a lot. And if you ask me, I think it’s because he cares too much that’s the reason he’s been running. I don’t know what happened between you both in the past, but I’ll advise you objectively as a guy. As your male best friend. If you really love him, hear him out and talk things out. There’s no need for games. You will agree with me that you have both wasted more than enough time already.”

Emily sighed. ”It’s not that simple, Jam.”

”Then make it simple. Humans complicate things. The only way to uncomplicate things is to talk. Good communication makes complex things simple. So talk. You both can spend the night talking,” Jamal advised.

Emily let out a deep breath. ”Alright. But don’t tell Callan about the change of plans. Let him keep thinking he’s sleek. When he picks me up, I’ll tell him we are coming to your place. Don’t mention the sleepover either.”

”I guess this is why I read somewhere that it’s stressful when two of your friends start seeing each other. Whose side am I supposed to take?” Jamal asked with an amused smile.

”Mine. We’ve been friends before Callan came into the picture, remember?” Emily asked sweetly.

Jamal chuckled. ”Whatever. I’ll call Dawn now to let her know about the hangout.”

Jamal smiled after he hung up the call, and then he dialed Dawn’s line.

She received the call almost immediately. ”Hey! How’s work going? You won’t believe I’ve been on my phone for hours,” she said, giggling. ”Bella added me to a group and I’ve been chatting non-stop.”

Jamal smiled when he heard the excitement in her voice. He was pleased that Bella had done as he instructed her to do. ”That’s good.”

”Yeah. And Genevieve left a while ago. She was here.”

Jamal raised a brow. ”Genevieve?”

”Yes. I’ll tell you about it when you get home. Did you call because you were missing me?”

Jamal smiled. ”Of course, I’m missing you. I’ve been thinking a lot about last night.”

”Last night? The shower or the bed?” Dawn asked in a teasing voice.

Jamal chuckled. ”All of it. But I’m still unable to believe you’re nobody. I can’t wait to tell everyone. What is Josh up to?”

”He’s painting,” Dawn said, looking at Josh, who was seated on the floor with drawing books and crayons scattered around him.

”Nice. Quick one, are you up for company this evening? Emily and Callan are coming over for a sleepover.”

Dawn’s eyes lit up. ”Really? I’ve never had that. Well, apart from with Bella and Brenda when I arrived,” she corrected, laughing. ”Do I need to prepare anything? Maybe get drinks, fix dinner or do something?”

Jamal smiled, happy to hear her sounding so full of life. He wondered what she was discussing with the girls to make her so lively.

”No. I’ve asked them to bring food when they come. I’ll get drinks on my way. All you have to do is be your beautiful, brilliant self,” he said, and she grinned.

”I’ll look up games we can play. Maybe truth or dare and others,” she suggested, and Jamal chuckled.

”Okay. Do that,” he encouraged. ”I’ll see you later in the evening. I have to go now. Love you,” he said when he received a text notification from Harry.

Harry >: I’m busy. Can’t talk now. Mari is safe. She’s with her parents now.

Jamal let out a deep sigh of relief. Now he could relax.