Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 352: Pining

Emily stood in front of her open closet with her arms folded, staring at the rows of clothes like they had personally offended her.

"This is a disaster," she muttered. She’d been at it for the past thirty minutes since Jamal informed them about the club hangout.

Mari, sitting on the edge of the bed with one leg crossed over the other, leaned back on her palms and glanced at the clothes. "It’s not a disaster. It’s just... very Emily."

Emily shot her a look. "Meaning?"

"Meaning everything here says brunch, hospital rounds, or solo coffee dates. Nothing here says clubbing. And honestly, you’ve never really worried about it before. Remember the dress you wore to the club the last time?" Mari asked, pointing at a black decent dress in the closet.

Emily groaned. She’d never been one to care much about her outfit in the past, but knowing that Callan was coming with them to the club, she wanted to look sexy. She wanted to look like the kind of girls she’d seen with him in the past.

Emily sighed and reached for a black dress, held it up, then dropped it back on the hanger. "I don’t think this would work."

Mari nodded her head slowly. "That dress is cute. But cute is not what I think you’re going for tonight."

Emily groaned and flopped down on the bed beside her. "I don’t own anything sexy anymore."

Mari blinked. "Anymore?"

Emily rolled her eyes. "Yeah."

Mari laughed. "Correction. You have never owned anything sexy. You’re too much of a good girl. And even the time you traveled to see Callan, I got you the clothes, remember?"

Emily sat up again and looked at her friend. "Okay. So what do we do, fairy godmother? You have to help me, doll."

Mari’s lips curved into a grin. "Let’s go to my place."

Emily’s eyes lit up. "Your closet."

"My very sexy closet," Mari said proudly.

"Done," Emily said immediately, already getting off the bed and grabbing her car keys.

The drive to Mari’s place was calm at first. Music played softly in the background as Emily focused on the road.

Mari sat in the passenger seat, her phone in her hand. She unlocked it, locked it again. Then unlocked it once more and sighed deeply when she opened her messages and saw there was no response from Jax yet.

She’d called him several times but he’d not taken her call or even a responded to all the texts she’d sent him since she left his place.

The last message she sent stared back at her.

Mari>: [How is Chad? Please tell me he’s okay.]

She dialed his line again, hoping he’d take her call this time, but it didn’t even ring.

Her chest tightened.

"Great! Now his phone is off," she muttered to herself and locked her phone again.

Images of Chad lying in blood flashed through her mind. She swallowed hard and stared out the window, her grip on the phone tightening.

Please be okay, she prayed silently. Please don’t let anything happen to him because of me.

She felt sick with guilt. If she hadn’t been there... if the cartel hadn’t been after her father... Chad wouldn’t have been shot.

Would Jax blame her for it if something happened to Chad? Would he hate her? Was that why he was not taking her calls or texting? Was he mad at her?

"Mari?"

Emily’s voice cut through her thoughts.

"Mari, are you listening to me?"

Mari blinked and turned her head. "Huh? Sorry. I was distracted."

Emily glanced at her briefly. "I noticed. What’s going on?"

Mari hesitated, then sighed. "I’ve been trying to reach Jax all day. His line is off. He hasn’t replied any of my messages."

Emily smiled sympathetically. "Maybe he’s busy taking care of his brother."

Mari nodded. "I know. I just want to know how he’s doing. I feel so guilty, Em. Chad was shot because of me. What if Jax blames me for it?"

Emily reached over and squeezed Mari’s hand gently. "Hey. Stop that."

Mari looked at her.

"This isn’t your fault," Emily said firmly. "You didn’t ask for any of this. You all got caught up in all that mess that has nothing to do with you directly. And I don’t think Jax blames you for anything. You said he is intelligent. Only a foolish guy will blame you for something like that. And if he’s foolish, then you’re better off without him."

Mari leaned back against the seat and sighed. "I just hate not knowing how he’s doing. How they’re both doing."

Emily smiled softly. "That man admired you secretly for three years, Mari. Three years. Do you really think he’s not crazy with worry about you and missing you now way more than you’re missing him? I believe Jax will reach out when he can. He’s probably very busy."

Mari let out a small breath. "I guess you’re right."

"Of course, I am," Emily continued. "He’s probably overwhelmed right now. Keep sending him text messages and videos or pictures so he knows you’re thinking of him. But be patient and not become paranoid if you don’t get responses on time."

Mari nodded slowly, letting the tension ease out of her shoulders. "You’re such a good relationship therapist. Too bad it took Callan so many years to come to his senses."

Emily chuckled lightly. "It’s funny, you know."

"What is?"

"While Jamal and I were pining over Dawn and Callan for years, you had someone pining over you."

Mari smiled at that. "Oh, I didn’t think of that."

Emily shook her head and smiled faintly. "I wish Callan had been the one pining for me instead of me pining for him. I mean, Jamal and Jax did the pining in Dawn’s case and yours."

Mari shrugged. "Cal did pine for you."

Emily scoffed. "Is that what we’re calling sleeping around now?"

Mari’s tone shifted. "Callan isn’t Jamal. And you’re not Dawn. Besides, Jax wasn’t exactly celibate until I showed up."

Emily glanced at her. "That’s not the same and you know it. Wait, are you taking Cal’s side now? Since when?"

"No," Mari said calmly. "It’s not about taking sides. I’m stating a fact. If you can’t live with what Cal has done, then you shouldn’t be with him."

Emily exhaled. "I wasn’t complaining. I was just saying—"

"I get what you were saying. But for your own good, I’ll advise you not to compare him to Jamal or anyone else," Mari cut in gently. "That’s not fair to either of you. Every love story is unique in its own way. We all can’t have that same beautiful sweet innocent love that Jamal has for Dawn. Or what you and Cal have. Or the wild passion I have with Jax. So, make do with what you have. If you’ve chosen Callan, focus on him."

Emily was quiet for a moment. "Who is the relationship therapist now?" She muttered, and Mari laughed.

Then Emily’s phone rang.

She glanced at the screen and her heart skipped a beat. "Talk about the devil. It’s Cal," she announced cheerfully before clearing her throat and receiving the call.

Mari looked away, pretending not to listen.

"Hey," Callan said. "Can I come pick you up so we can go to the club together."

Emily smiled slightly. "Uhm, I’m on my way to Mari’s place. We’re heading out to the club from there."

"That’s not a problem. I can pick you both up," Callan offered. "And drop you back later."

Emily hesitated for half a second. "If it won’t be too much of a bother for you, then you can."

"It won’t," he said immediately.

"Okay then," she replied. "We’ll be ready. Let me know before you start coming."

After the call ended, Emily glanced at Mari. "Callan’s picking us up."

Mari smirked. "I heard. Now I have to endure that awkward silence between you both."She looked back at her phone, then sighed. "I don’t wish Jax was here. I miss him."

Emily smiled softly. "I never thought I’d see the day goddess Mari would be lovesick."

Mari snorted. "I’m beyond lovesick. I’m in love coma at this point. If I don’t hear from him soon, I swear I’ll find my way to his place myself."

Emily laughed as she pulled into Mari’s driveway. "Now that sounds like you."

Mari smiled, but her eyes still flicked to her phone as they stepped out of the car.

It’s only been a day and she wondered how much longer she’d be able to wait.