Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 377: TV Show

After dinner, Lucas, Amy, and Miley hugged everyone goodbye and left since they still had to unpack and get ready for work the following day.

Dawn, Jamal, Lucy, and Tom retired to the Den after seeing them off in their car.

In the den, Dawn sat curled up beside Jamal on the couch with his arm around her shoulder. Across from them, Tom and Lucy sat close together, Lucy’s head resting lightly against Tom’s shoulder, their hands intertwined.

For a while, they sat in comfortable silence as they watched the television, then when the show ended, Tom spoke.

"So, Dawn," he said gently, turning to her. "Where do you want to work? Are you still taking your time to think things through, or have you decided what you want to do?"

Dawn blinked, surprised by the sudden question.

"Now that the Bees are back to school, and Lucy and I will be away at work during the day, you’d be home alone," Tom explained when he saw her surprised confusion.

"I have," she said as she pulled away from Jamal and sat up straighter.

Jamal turned to look at her, curious. "You have?"

She took a breath and nodded. "Yes. I think I know what I want to do."

Lucy lifted her head slightly and smiled. "Oh? Share with us then. Is it going to be I-Global, HAJ Studios, or LP Luxe Apparel?"

Dawn smiled without meeting their gaze. "None." She swallowed, then added softly, "I want to do something that is mine. Not tied to being a Moore or a Harris or a Hank or a Jonas. Just something for the girl I was and the girl I am now."

Everyone was silent and both Tom and Lucy exchanged a look.

"To do that, I want to start by focusing on my podcast..."

"You have a podcast?" Tom asked, and she nodded.

"Yes. The name is Personal Paradise."

"Isn’t that the podcast you loved listening to?" Lucy asked, glancing at Jamal.

"Yeah. I recently found out she was the voice behind it," he said, and Lucy’s eyes widened and she raised her hand to her lips.

"That’s so beautiful," Lucy said so softly they barely heard her.

"You want to be a podcaster?" Tom asked, not taking his gaze off Dawn. "I do think you’d make a good speaker."

Dawn smiled at that, "Thank you." She continued, her voice growing more confident, "Eventually, I want to own my own television show."

Jamal’s brows rose. Tom nodded slowly. Lucy’s lips curved.

Dawn went on before anyone could interrupt her with questions. "I also want to do something that helps mute and deaf people. I’m not sure what it is yet, but I know it’s got to be something that gives them a voice. Or makes the world less harsh and complicated for them."

No one spoke.

"And," Dawn said, almost shyly now, "I want something that gives me time. Time to be with Jamal and Josh and the other children; we will have them someday."

Lucy and Tom exchanged an amused look this time.

Jamal stared at her. "When did you think about all this?"

She shrugged and smiled at him. "I’ve been thinking for a while."

He frowned slightly. "A while? You didn’t say anything to me."

"I wasn’t done thinking yet," she replied quietly.

He tilted his head. "You sound done now."

She shook her head. "I’m not. I only said it because Tom asked. It’s like one of those scattered thoughts you have but haven’t figured out until you say it out loud, and then it sounds put together."

Jamal opened his mouth to respond, but Lucy cut in smoothly when she sensed an argument coming.

"I think it’s a good thing," Lucy said warmly. "Figuring out what you want isn’t easy. And we’ll all support you however we can. Let us know when you have it all together."

The tension in the room eased.

Tom nodded. "Absolutely." Then he glanced at the clock. "It’s been a long day. We’re turning in now."

Lucy stood and smiled at them. "Goodnight, you two." She gave Jamal a pointed look as she walked past him.

"Goodnight," Dawn and Jamal replied in unison.

Lucy and Tom left the den together, hands intertwined. As soon as they were gone, Dawn turned to Jamal.

"What just happened?" she asked. "Are you mad at me for telling them my plans?"

He shook his head. "I’m not mad."

She studied his face. "Then what?"

"I’m just... a little upset," he admitted. "That I heard about my girlfriend’s future plans like that."

She frowned. "You would’ve heard it in private. I didn’t think it was a big deal."

"Okay," he said.

She frowned. "What do you mean by okay?"

"It means I heard you."

"That doesn’t sound convincing. You still sound upset."

He exhaled. "I’m not angry, Dawn."

She leaned closer. "I got the idea earlier today during therapy. I planned to tell you about it when we talk..."

"How was therapy?" he asked, wanting to change the subject.

"Don’t do that, Jamal. Don’t charge the subject. I’ll tell you about therapy after I’m sure you’re not upset anymore," she said, looking at him.

"I’m not upset. I’m just tired, okay? I told you how I feel, that’s all. I’m past it."

She tilted her head. "If that’s true, why don’t I see your signature grin? The one you have when you talk to me."

He raised a brow. "What signature grin? There’s no such thing."

"There is," she insisted. "Your eyes smile when you talk to me."

He chuckled this time. "You’re making that up."

"I’m not," she said with a grin. "But now that you’re smiling, I can see you’re not upset. Don’t be, okay? I don’t want you to be mad at me."

He softened. "I just want to be involved in your life, Dawn. I don’t want to hear things when everyone else does. I’m your boyfriend."

She nodded, then crossed her heart with both hands. "I promise you’ll always be the first to know. Even before I know myself."

He laughed. "Now you’re teasing."

She laughed. "I’m not. The moment a thought crosses my mind, I’ll call you even before thinking about it."

"I’d rather you think first."

"No way," she said brightly. "Why do I have a brain when I have my boyfriend to think for me? Let’s use your brain now and save mine for later."

He laughed. "Stop being silly."

"So, what do you think about the plan? I’m not sure what Tom and Lucy thought. I think I really should have run it by you first," she murmured.

Jamal looked at her. "I think it’s a brilliant idea and suits you. If you want your own show, I can help. We have our own television network at HAJ."

Her eyes lit up. "Really? I didn’t think of that."

"We can think about it some more and discuss it," he said. "I could also have them set up an office space for you at HAJ."

"Slow down. I’ll have to think about that," she said quickly.

He nodded. "Sure. I’m just laying it all out here so you know you have my support."

She smiled. "Thanks. For now, I want to focus on my podcast. I’ve been making only audios this whole time. I want to start making video podcasts."

"You already know I’m your number one fan," he said softly. "I’ll support whatever you decide."

"Whatever?" She asked with a teasing smile. "Even if I want to have an OnlyFans page?"

"No way!" He hissed, and she laughed softly.

"I just wanted to be sure of how much your support covers," she said, then kissed him lightly. "I’m so thankful I have you in my life, Jamal. You’re my biggest blessing."

Jamal smiled. "Thank you."

She pulled back. "So, I’m thinking of talking about my personal experience on the podcast. That’ll be my first video."

He hesitated. "Are you sure you want to put yourself out that way? Will you be okay?"

"Yes. I mean, Genny already put my business out there, and when we go for the interview I’d be out there too. So, I figured it’s best I do so on my own platform. And I believe it would give my podcast more meaning and also make my longtime followers understand the role they played in my life."

Jamal nodded slowly. "If you’re okay with that, then I’m fine. But you can never put Josh or his business out there," Jamal said, and she nodded.

"Sure. I don’t want his business out there either. But what about you? Can I put you out there?" She grinned. "As my biggest fan, I’d love to feature you in an episode or more."

He shook his head. "You know how I feel about my identity being exposed out there."

She teased, "Why don’t you emulate your mentor and reveal your identity for my sake like he did for his wife’s sake? Can you imagine how much attention such an exclusive interview would bring to my podcast?"

He laughed. "Are you trying to use me to promote your podcast?"

"I’m not trying to," she said sweetly. "I am using you. Who else should I use if not the love of my life? For all we know, the reason you’ve been hiding your identity all these years is for a moment like this so you can help me. I’m giving you a chance to be like your mentor."

Jamal threw back his head and laughed hard. "Alright. I’ll think about it."

"I know you will."

He smiled. "Maybe instead of going with Tom and Genevieve to Alicia’s talk show, you should host the show yourself."

"I think it’s best I go on that show. First, I’ll post my own video on my podcast before we go on the show. I’ll make it suspenseful enough so that the show host will be tempted to ask me some questions from the video on my podcast. That way, when she brings it up on the show, she’d indirectly expose my podcast to a wider range of audience."

"Brilliant," Jamal said, clapping. "That’s really brilliant."

She grinned, "Thanks, baby."

"You’re welcome. So, will you tell me about your therapy session now?"

She smiled. "Are you spending the night?"

"Of course. Why would I miss another night alone with you when we wouldn’t be having much of that when Josh gets back?"

Dawn giggled. "Good. Let’s talk upstairs after you freshen up."

They stood, fingers locked together as they walked out of the Den.