Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 349: Evening Plans

The moment the front door opened, Dawn crossed the room in quick strides and threw her arms around Jamal before he could fully step inside. She held him so tight, like she was afraid he might slip away.

Jamal froze for half a second, surprised. Then he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. Her cheek pressed hard against his chest. He could feel her breathing, fast and deep.

She’d been reading and rereading all the letters from him all day, and when she heard his car pull up in front of the house, all she could think about was hugging him.

"Hey," he murmured, his hand sliding up her back. "What’s going on? Are you alright?"

She nodded against him. Her arms tightened even more. She didn’t speak right away, just held him like that, letting out a slow breath.

"I’m fine," she finally said, her voice soft. "I was just... overwhelmed."

Jamal gently pulled back so he could see her face. "Overwhelmed? What’s overwhelming you?"

"My love for you," she said, smiling at him.

Jamal smiled back, but he cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing under her eye. "Is that all?"

"Yes," she assured him.

He studied her, not fully convinced. "Did my grandfather say or do something that upset you?"

Dawn sighed, then leaned forward and kissed him. It was quick, firm, and right on his lips, meant to shut him up.

"Shut up, Jam. And don’t say trash about my grandfather," she warned playfully against his lips.

Relaxed, Jamal laughed and kissed her back, slow and warm this time. When he pulled away, he was smiling.

"Okay," he said, still amused. "I get it. You’re fine. No more questions. So, where’s Josh?" he asked, glancing around the quiet house.

Dawn’s smile softened. "Your grandparents took him."

Jamal’s brows lifted. "They did?" He looked back at her. "Were you okay with that? Why didn’t you tell me first?"

She folded her arms. "If you had answered your phone, you would have known."

He frowned and reached into his pocket. He pulled out his phone and he sighed when he saw he had two missed calls and a text from Dawn.

"Oh, my bad," he said quietly. "My phone was on silent."

Dawn didn’t say anything. She just watched him.

"I’m sorry," he said at once. "I had a meeting. When it ended, all I could think about was getting home to you and Josh. I didn’t even check my phone."

Her expression softened. "It’s okay. I figured."

She walked closer and rested her hands on his chest. "Josh didn’t want them to leave without him. He insisted they stay or he go with them. I figured it would be good for him to bond with them. And..." she smiled a little, "it gives us some time alone."

Jamal’s grin spread wide. "So that means we have the whole house to ourselves?"

She giggled. "Yes, we do."

"Then I should freshen up," he said, leading her to the bedroom. "Maybe we can go out for dinner. Are you up for it?"

Her eyes sparkled. "I’m actually taking you out."

He turned to her and laughed. "Is that your way of asking me on a date?"

"Yes," she said simply.

He tilted his head. "And where exactly are we going?"

She held up three fingers. "You get to choose two out of these three options. A fancy dinner. A casual movie date in a cinema. Or we go clubbing."

Jamal laughed again, shaking his head. "You seem prepared."

She smiled proudly. "I am."

"But you didn’t pack an outfit for all that," he pointed out.

"I have that covered," she replied.

He chuckled. "Alright then. I choose all three."

She blinked. "All three?"

"Yes."

She laughed. "You have work tomorrow."

"We don’t have to stay all night at the club," he said. "Just a little dancing, and we can get a drink or two. Then we leave."

She thought for a second. "So... dinner first. Then the movies. Then clubbing."

"Sounds perfect," he said.

She hesitated, then asked, "Can we invite Mari and the others to the club? I really enjoyed their company this morning. Plus I heard the more the merrier."

Jamal grinned. "Of course. I’ll ask them. I know they will be more than happy to hang out. We planned to go clubbing for Mari’s birthday, but we couldn’t. We can as well do so tonight."

Without wasting any time, Jamal dialed Callan’s line first.

Callan, who was on his bed browsing on his phone about the effects of abortion and related subjects, received the call on the first ring.

"What’s up?" he asked.

"I’m okay. I was wondering if you’d like to go clubbing with us tonight," Jamal said, and Callan sat up.

"Will Emily be there?" he asked, and Jamal chuckled.

"Of course," Jamal said even though he was yet to talk to Emily.

"Then I’ll be there. I’ll let her know I’ll pick her up."

"I’ll text you the details shortly," Jamal said before hanging up.

Immediately he called Emily and Mari, and the two were more than excited to go clubbing.

"See? I told you," he said with a grin, then paused and added, more carefully, "Can we also invite Stefan and Genevieve? Stefan is my friend too," he said. "I don’t want him to feel left out. And I think this might cheer him up. He was moody all day because he was worried about Genevieve leaving."

"I don’t have a problem with them joining us," she said with a shrug.

"In that case, can you invite Genevieve yourself?"

Dawn studied his face. "Why?"

"If I invite Stefan myself," Jamal continued, "Genevieve might not want to come. She might feel she won’t be welcomed. But if you invite her yourself, she’ll feel more welcomed. And then she can bring Stefan."

She stayed quiet as she listened to him.

He searched her eyes. "But if having her there makes you uncomfortable, we don’t have to do it."

Dawn took a slow breath. "I can handle it. I honestly don’t mind having her around. She’s my sister after all. Whatever resentment I feel towards her is not so big that I can’t stand her. What I don’t like about seeing her is the guilt," she said honestly. "The way she keeps apologising. That’s what makes me uncomfortable. Not necessarily her."

Jamal smiled, relieved. "That’s good to know."

"I’ll call her. Now go freshen up. We don’t have all evening," she said, nudging him gently.

He leaned down and kissed her lips. "You’re amazing."

As Jamal disappeared down the hallway, Dawn took out her phone and dialed Genevieve’s line.

The call connected after the second ring.

"Dawn?" Genevieve’s voice came through, surprised. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes," Dawn said calmly. "I was just wondering if you had plans tonight."

"Uh... no," Genevieve said slowly. "Why?"

"We’re all hanging out," Dawn said. "By we I mean Emily, Callan, and Mari, Jamal’s cousin. We’re going clubbing later. I’d like you and Stefan to join us."

There was silence on the line as though Genevieve was trying to figure out the motive behind the invitation.

"Genny? Are you still there?" Dawn asked when Genevieve didn’t respond immediately.

"Dawn," Genevieve finally said, "I’m not sure what to say."

"You don’t have to say much. Just yes if you can come. Or no if you can’t."

"Are you sure you want me there?" She asked hesitantly.

"I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t."

"Alright. I’ll come," Genevieve said. "I’ll be there. Thanks for inviting me."

Dawn smiled. "Perfect. And please, leave the guilt at home. I’ll leave my resentment behind too. Let’s just have fun."

Genevieve let out a small breath. "I’ll try."

"That’s good enough," Dawn said. "See you later. Jamal will text Stefan the details."

After the call, Dawn let out a deep breath. She was looking forward to having a great time with Jamal first, and then with everyone else.