Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 471: Double Date (1)

The rest of the afternoon passed quickly.

Dawn and Mari visited several stores, comparing decorations, party favours, flowers, ribbons, and gifts for Genevieve’s surprise bridal shower.

Every now and then, they stopped to laugh over something silly, take pictures, or buy something totally unrelated to the bridal shower.

By the time they arrived at Delilah’s house and finished going over the plans with Delilah, the sun had already begun to set, and they both had missed several calls from Jamal and Jax.

Dawn checked the time. “I should get going now if we are going to meet up for our date as planned.”

Mari nodded. “Definitely. Now that I think about it, we shouldn’t have done the shopping and planning on the same day as our date. I’m exhausted.”

“We can cancel,” Dawn suggested playfully.

“Don’t even think of it,” Mari said immediately.

Dawn laughed. “I won’t. See you soon,” she said with a wave as she got into the car.

The moment Dawn got home and walked into the house, the sight that greeted her was Jamal sprawled on the floor with Josh seated on his back and toys scattered all around them.

The moment Josh saw her, he jumped off Jamal’s back. “Mummy!” He screeched happily as he went to welcome her.

Dawn laughed as she embraced him. “You seem to be having a great time.”

“Yes!” Josh said excitedly and went on to tell her all about his time at the amusement park, both the experience she had witnessed and those she had missed.

Jamal rolled over to his back and eyed her with mock annoyance.

She laughed when she saw how exhausted he looked. “You look like you’ve been through a lot.”

“A lot has been through me!” He hissed, “You promised me he’d be exhausted after playing at the amusement park, and he’d be knocked out. He’d not shut his eyes since we got back.”

Dawn laughed. “Did you give him a lukewarm bath and do all the other things I asked you to do?”

“I did.”

Dawn giggled. “Where is everyone else?”

“Genevieve is upstairs. Tom and Lucy are out on one of their weekly dates. The staff are in the kitchen.”

Dawn smiled down at Josh. “Baby, you’ve had enough fun for one day. Let’s go get you ready for bed.”

Josh pouted. “But I’m not tired. I want to play some more.”

Dawn patted his hair. “There’s always tomorrow to play. Besides, you’ve worn your dad out.”

Jamal smiled at Josh and beckoned him on. Josh went to him.

“I have to go out with mummy to hang out with Aunt Mari and her boyfriend. Will you be a good boy and keep Aunt Genny company while we are away?”

Josh bobbed his head. “Yes.”

Jamal smiled with approval. “That’s my boy.” He turned to Dawn as he rose. “Let’s go get ready. I fear I might doze off soon if we don’t leave immediately.”

Dawn laughed as they all walked upstairs together.

Two hours later, Dawn and Jamal arrived at one of the city’s finest restaurants.

The restaurant sat on the top floor of one of Ludus’ tallest buildings.

Jamal pulled his car into the valet lane before getting out. He walked around the vehicle and opened Dawn’s door before she could reach for the handle.

“My lady.”

Dawn smiled as she accepted his hand.

“What a gentleman.”

“I have a reputation to maintain.”

She laughed.

“I thought your reputation was being the elusive billionaire.”

“It depends on who you ask.”

She stepped out, smoothing the skirt of her navy-blue dress.

“I prefer all versions of you.”

“So do I.”

As they rode the elevator, Dawn caught Jamal staring. “What now?”

“You look beautiful.”

Her cheeks warmed. “Jam, you’ve already said that more than ten times since I joined you at the foot of the stairs.”

“Then I haven’t said it enough if you’re still able to keep count.”

She laughed when the elevator door opened. “Can we just go inside?”

“Just after I let you know that you’re beautiful,” he said with a wink, making her laugh as he slipped an arm around her waist.

They were both grinning as they stepped out of the elevator together.

The hostess smiled immediately. “Good evening, Mr. Jonas.”

“Good evening, Elizabeth. It’s good to see you again as always.”

Dawn’s eyebrow arched as she glanced at Jamal. “Always?”

Jamal chuckled. “I didn’t mention that this place belongs to Uncle Harry. The gentlemen’s club often meets here. And I come here for most of my business meetings too.”

Dawn nodded slowly. “I see.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Ms Hank,” Elizabeth said, smiling at her.

“How do you know me?” Dawn asked with a polite smile.

Elizabeth laughed. “Everyone knows you. You introduced yourself to us in your video the last time.”

Dawn and Jamal laughed.

“Right. It’s nice to meet you too, Ms Elizabeth.”

“Just Elizabeth is fine. Please come with me. Your friends are waiting.”

She led them through the restaurant.

Its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city, where thousands of lights shimmered beneath the dark evening sky.

Soft piano music floated through the room and candles flickered gently on every table.

The atmosphere was elegant without feeling stiff.

It was the kind of place where people came when they wanted to celebrate something… or simply spend time with people they loved.

Several diners glanced towards them, recognising Dawn and Jamal, but nobody approached.

The restaurant valued privacy. It was one of the reasons Jamal liked coming there.

As they rounded a corner, Dawn spotted Mari immediately.

She was waving both hands dramatically from the private dining section.

“You’re late! Hurry!”

Jax chuckled. “What difference does it make? They are here already and can see us.”

“They’re walking too slowly when they’re late,” Mari replied loud enough for them to hear her.

Jamal chuckled as they finally reached the table. “We are not late. We are right on time.”

“We got here earlier, that makes you late,” Mari retorted as she rose to hug Dawn, then Jamal.

“You got here too early,” Jamal fired back. “And that’s unusual for you.”

Mari folded her arms. “That’s Jax’s fault. I told him we didn’t have to hurry. It’s not like there’s an award for being punctual.”

Jax sighed. “How did this conversation get here, Maribel?”

Everyone laughed.

Jamal shook hands with Jax. “Congratulations in advance. I’m looking forward to the exhibition.”

He smiled. “Thank you. I’m looking forward to it too.”

“You say that like you aren’t the one exhibiting.”

Jax smiled. “I am excited about it.”

“You made the paintings. You’ve seen them,” she countered.

“I haven’t seen people’s reaction to the paintings. Especially yours.”

Mari grinned. “Fair point. You should be excited about my reaction.”

“Mari, are you going to let me say hello to your boyfriend or not?” Dawn asked with mock impatience.

They all laughed.

“Hello, Dawn,” Jax greeted with a grin, “pardon my manners.”

Dawn hugged him. “It’s good to finally meet you in person, Jax. And you’re even more good-looking in person.”

Mari grinned at Dawn. “He is, isn’t he? My soul candy.”

Jax chuckled. “We are the only ones standing in this place,” he pointed out.

Jamal pulled out Dawn’s chair before taking the seat beside her.

“The waiters are standing too,” Mari pointed out as they all sat down, and everyone laughed.