Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 394: Cool And Sweet

Jamal drove towards Tom’s mansion with one hand on the steering wheel and the other resting loosely on his thigh.

The city moved past him slowly; traffic lights, cars, people walking on the sidewalk, but his mind was on what Mila had said.

"Last night she kept looking at your pictures in the family album with lovey eyes."

A small smile touched his lips. His chest warmed at the thought of Dawn moving her fingers slowly across his face on the pictures.

Then Mila’s other words echoed in his head. "She told me you’re both her soft spots."

Jamal exhaled slowly.

They might not be talking, but that didn’t mean they hated each other. And it definitely didn’t mean they were breaking up.

"This isn’t the end of the world." He comforted himself, shaking his head lightly. "This fight won’t break us. I love her. She loves me. That’s what matters most," he muttered quietly.

By the time he stopped at a traffic light, his mood had already lifted. He decided he wouldn’t take the situation too seriously.

Couples fought. That was normal. They would sort it out.

What he couldn’t promise was if he would do so maturely or childishly, Jamal thought with a chuckle.

The light turned green, and he drove forward.

A few minutes later, he pulled into the parking lot of his favourite snack shop.

Inside the shop, the warm smell of pastries filled the air.

He walked up to the counter and ordered ice cream in both Dawn’s and Josh’s favourite flavours and then got their favourite snacks.

The woman behind the counter smiled as she packed them.

"Family treat?"

"Something like that," Jamal said with a wide smile.

Armed with the sweet treats, Jamal had an extra spring in his steps as he headed back to the car.

Soon he was driving again.

By the time he walked into Tom’s house, he had a plan in his head.

One of the domestic staff met him in the living room.

"Good evening, Jamal."

"Good evening, Amelia."

"Ms Dawn and Josh are upstairs."

Jamal shook his head lightly. "I’m here to see just Josh."

Amelia frowned, but the grin on Jamal’s face told her there was no cause for alarm.

"I’m here to see them both, but no need mentioning that. I’m going to wait in the Den. Tell Josh his Dad is here to see him," he said with a wink.

Amelia giggled. "Okay. Should I help you take those?" She asked, looking at the snack bags.

"Yes. You can keep this for Dawn. I’ll signal you when to take it to her," Jamal handed her one of the bags.

Amelia laughed. "Okay."

Upstairs, Dawn sat on the carpet with Josh. Toy cars were scattered everywhere.

Josh was pushing a red car across the floor. "Vroom! Vroom!"

Dawn laughed softly as she pushed a blue car towards him.

Just then, Amelia knocked gently.

"Ms Dawn?"

"Yes?"

"Mr Jamal is here to see Josh."

Josh jumped up immediately. "Daddy is here?!"

Dawn’s heart fluttered suddenly. Her fingers tightened slightly around the toy car.

He came.

But why was he asking for Josh? Why wasn’t he coming upstairs to see her?

She swallowed slowly and smiled at Josh. "Go see him," she told Josh.

Josh ran out of the room happily.

Dawn stood slowly. Part of her expected Jamal to come upstairs. To come talk to her.

She walked over to the dressing table to make sure she looked okay while she waited for him to come to her.

Downstairs, Josh ran in and threw himself into his father’s arms.

"Daddy!"

Jamal laughed and hugged him tightly. "Hey, champ." He handed him the bag. "I brought snacks."

Josh opened the bag excitedly. "Thank you!"

"What were you up to?" Jamal asked curiously.

"Mummy and I were playing with my cars," Josh said.

Jamal smiled. "Want to play with me instead?"

Josh nodded eagerly. "Yes!" Then he hesitated, feeling guilty, "Should we call Mummy to play with us?"

Jamal shook his head calmly. " "Don’t worry. Mummy will join us when she’s ready."

Josh tilted his head. "Okay."

"Let’s have some boys’ time first," Jamal said with a wink.

Josh grinned. "Yes!"

Together they headed for the game room. Soon they were both seated in front of the large screen in the game room, with controllers in their hands.

The room filled with laughter as Jamal taught Josh how to play Mortal Kombat.

Upstairs, Dawn paced slowly across the bedroom after waiting for almost an hour for Jamal to come to her.

Her heart beat faster with every passing minute.

Why hadn’t Jamal come upstairs? What was he doing?

When she couldn’t take it anymore, she walked downstairs.

She frowned when she saw both the living room and the den were empty.

She went outside to see if perhaps Jamal had left with Josh, but his car was parked right there.

"They’re in the game room," Amelia informed her when she saw how Dawn was looking around.

"Oh," Dawn said, then smiled at her. "Thank you."

Dawn heard the sound of their laughter even before she got to the game room.

She opened the door quietly and peered inside to see what they were up to.

Both of them were laughing as they tapped their controllers furiously trying to best the other.

Dawn folded her arms and leaned against the doorframe as she watched them silently, smiling involuntarily.

Jamal noticed Dawn immediately from the corner of his eye. But he didn’t react. Instead, he smirked slightly and focused on Josh.

Josh jumped excitedly. "Daddy! I won!"

Jamal groaned dramatically. "No fair!" He cried even though it was clear to Dawn from where she stood that Jamal had won and Josh was mistaking Jamal’s fighter for his.

Josh laughed again. "You lost!"

Jamal sighed. "I demand a rematch."

Dawn scowled. He seemed to be enjoying himself very much. Did he come here to play games and enjoy himself?

Did she overdo it? Was he mad now that she had ignored his calls and texts? She mused as she turned and walked away quietly.

She walked into the den and turned on the television. If he could have fun despite not talking to her, then she could too.

Amelia appeared a few seconds later. "Ms Dawn."

Dawn looked up.

The woman handed her a small tray. "Mr Jamal asked me to give you this."

On the tray sat a tub of cookies and cream-flavoured ice cream and chocolate-glazed bagels.

Jamal? The same person who was ignoring her despite being under the same roof with her?

"Thank you," she said as she took the tray.

Amelia walked away.

A small smile tugged at Dawn’s lips as she began eating while watching a movie.

Slowly, the tension in her chest began to ease.

By the time the ice cream was finished, she felt calmer.

Just then, the door opened.

Jamal walked in carrying Josh, whose head rested on his shoulder.

He looked fast asleep.

Dawn’s heart skipped when she saw them.

Jamal stopped when he noticed her. His eyes moved to the empty ice cream cup, and he quickly hid his smile.

"Oh. I didn’t know you were here," he said apologetically.

Dawn said nothing. She watched him, her heart racing.

"I’ll just leave him here and be on my way."

Dawn’s chest tightened immediately as she watched Jamal gently place Josh on the couch.

He was leaving again without talking to her? Was he mad at her? Why then did he get the ice cream and bagels? Were those not peace offerings?

Her heart raced as she watched him straighten and walk toward the door.

"Jamal," she called, stopping him.

He stopped. But he didn’t turn immediately. He tried to wipe the grin off his face before he slowly turned to look back at her.

"Are you really going to leave like that again?" she asked quietly.

Jamal turned fully towards her. His face looked serious. "Are you asking because you don’t want me to leave? Or because you’re in a hurry to see me go like last night?"

Dawn’s eyes widened. "I wasn’t in a hurry to see you go. You were the one giving me attitude," she said defensively.

Jamal raised a brow. "So if I was giving you attitude, the best you could do was give me attitude back?"

Dawn swallowed but said nothing.

Jamal stepped closer and continued. "If the situation was reversed and you were the one giving me attitude, how do you think I would have handled it? Do you think I would have asked you to leave quickly? Or would I have tried to calm you down and make you stay?"

Dawn lowered her eyes because she knew the answer. They both did.

Jamal sighed softly. "I know I love you more than you love me, but that shouldn’t..."

"That’s not true," Dawn cut in quickly.

He frowned. "What isn’t true?"

"That you love me more." She stepped closer. "Just because you remembered me all those years and fell in love with me at different points doesn’t mean you love me more. I love you just as much."

Jamal’s heart skipped with joy, but he remained quiet, wanting to hear her speak.

Her voice trembled slightly. "Do you know how upset I was last night when you left that way without even a goodnight kiss? I couldn’t sleep. I kept waiting to get a text or a call from you. I was worried because I didn’t hear from you."

Jamal crossed his arms. "That didn’t seem like it. You were waiting for a text or a call, yet you were busy reading my messages and ignoring my calls all morning."

Dawn frowned. "That’s because I wanted you to come here."

Jamal looked at her quietly. "Well. I’m here now. What do you want to do?"

Dawn sighed softly. "I want to make up." She stepped closer. "I love you, Jamal. I don’t want to fight with you. I’m sorry for not stopping you from leaving last night. I was hurt... and I thought you would come back. And I’m sorry I didn’t call you or respond to your calls or texts."

Jamal shook his head slightly. "Apology not accepted."

Dawn blinked. "What? Why?"

"You’re doing it wrong."

"How?"

He gestured to the empty ice cream cup. "I at least brought ice cream to cool your temper, and chocolate-glazed bagels to sweeten your mood. You, on the other hand, you’re apologising empty-handed."

Dawn gasped. "How was I supposed to know you’d want me to bribe you?" She looked around helplessly. "I can’t go out to buy you anything now unless you wait while I order something."

Jamal shook his head slowly. "No need. What I want is already here."

Dawn frowned. "What?"

Jamal puckered his lips and tapped them.

Dawn’s face lit up instantly.

Jamal grinned as she rushed forward and threw her arms around him. Then she kissed him deeply.

Jamal wrapped his arms around her and kissed her back. When they finally pulled apart, he smiled softly.

"I’m sorry for behaving like that last night. I was too sensitive. I know I messed up, I’m sorry."

Dawn nodded quickly. "I’m sorry too. I should have handled it better."

They kissed again.

Then suddenly, Josh chuckled. "Daddy... can I wake up now?"

Dawn gasped. "You weren’t sleeping?!"

Jamal grinned. "I was giving him acting lessons."

Dawn’s jaw dropped and both Jamal and Josh laughed as they fist-bumped.

"Can we all play together now that Mummy is no longer mad?"

Dawn and Jamal looked at each other, then they both burst out laughing.

"Yes," they said together.