Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 497: Losing

The moment Mari got into her bedroom, her phone buzzed.

She picked it up and opened their group chat and saw a message from Emily.

Emily>: I’m home. Are you guys home?

Instead of responding, Mari started a group call.

Emily joined first.

“I’m just home,” Mari announced.

“Great. What about Jax?” Emily asked.

“He’s on his way home. What about Cal?” Mari asked Emily.

“He’s still on his way home.”

“Okay.”

Jamal joined the call. “What’s up?”

“Are you guys home?” Mari and Emily asked in unison.

“Yeah,” Jamal said.

A moment later, Callan joined. “What are you guys having a meeting for when we were together only a moment ago?”

They all laughed.

“I wanted to know if you all got home safely,” Mari explained.

“Is there a reason we shouldn’t? Although I’m still on the road.”

“How far are you?” Emily asked.

“About five minutes away, baby.”

“Good.” Emily smiled. “By the way, I have an idea.”

Mari sighed. “That sentence always worries me.”

“Shut up.”

Everyone laughed.

“What is the idea?” Jamal asked.

Emily sat up on her bed. “I think we should add Dawn and Jax to the group. All our partners should be here.”

Mari smiled. “I’m totally in. I think we should add Stefan and Genevieve too.”

Emily nodded. “Yeah. That’s a good idea.”

Jamal smiled. “I support the motion.”

Callan nodded. “I second it.”

Emily grinned. “I will add Jax. Jam, you should add Dawn. Emily, add Genevieve. Cal, you can add Stefan.”

“Why are we all doing the adding when one person can add everyone?” Callan asked dryly.

“Because we should all be involved in expanding our family,” Emily said before Mari could respond.

“When it comes from you, it makes sense,” Callan said sweetly, and they all laughed.

Jamal smiled. “I actually love the idea.”

Mari leaned back. “Me too. I love that our friendship group has grown.”

Emily’s smile softened. “Just imagine us years from now.”

Jamal raised a brow. “What are you imagining?”

“Our kids. They’ll all be best friends.”

Mari smiled. “That would be nice. They’ll grow up together. Go to the same schools. Have sleepovers. Celebrate birthdays together.”

“Why can’t I picture you as a mum, Mari?” Callan asked, and they all laughed.

“You don’t have to picture it. As long as Jax can picture it, we are fine,” Mari said with a giggle.

“Listen guys, we have to make sure we all have our kids around the same age. That way they can be in the same class and stuff.”

Callan laughed. “You do realise Jamal has already gone ahead of all of us?”

Jamal smiled proudly. “I did.”

Mari laughed. “It doesn’t matter. Josh will simply be older than the rest of them.”

Emily smiled. “Just like you are older than the rest of us.”

Jamal laughed. “I always knew Emily was smarter than Callan.”

Everyone laughed.

Callan frowned. “Why am I being attacked?”

“You attacked me first,” Jamal reminded him.

“You attacked me too,” Mari pointed out.

Callan shook his head. “I regret joining this call.”

Mari yawned. “Okay, guys. I’m going to freshen up and get ready for bed. I have a long day tomorrow.”

“What are you doing tomorrow? It’s not like it is your exhibition,” Callan said dryly.

“If Jax has a long day, then she has a long day too because they’re partners,” Emily reminded him.

“Callan, you have so much to learn from Emily,” Mari said, making the others laugh.

“Mari, don’t forget that we’re hanging out tomorrow before the exhibition and going for the exhibition together,” Emily said quickly.

Her role was to make sure Mari was dressed properly for her engagement.

Mari smiled. “I haven’t forgotten. But I’m not taking my car. So maybe you should bring your car.”

“Why?” Emily asked.

“Because I plan to go home with Jax after the exhibition.”

Emily smiled. “Same here. I’m leaving with Callan.”

“Dawn and I can pick you both up,” Jamal offered.

“Really? You’re a lifesaver,” Mari said happily.

“Why are you offering to pick up my girlfriend, Jamal? I can pick them up. Go with your own girlfriend,” Callan said, and they all laughed. “I’ll pick you two up. Let me know when you’re ready.”

Emily giggled. “That settles it. Thank you.”

“Goodnight, everyone,” Mari said before exiting the call.

“Goodnight, lovebirds,” Jamal said and exited the call just as Dawn walked out of the bathroom.

“Who were you talking to?” She asked as she walked to the dressing table.

“Mari and the others. Can I add you to the group? They want me to add you to the chat group,” Jamal explained.

Dawn grinned. “Of course.”

“Cool,” Jamal said, then immediately added her number to the group.

When he was done, he watched as Dawn gently applied her serums on her face, then he sighed. “Why do you think we didn’t win the games tonight?”

Dawn shrugged, “Because it is a game and it is normal to win some and lose some. But it was fun.”

“I guess,” Jamal murmured.

Dawn placed the small bottle back on the dressing table and looked at him through the mirror.

Jamal was still sitting on the edge of the bed. His brows were drawn together.

Dawn turned around slowly. “Are you still thinking about the game?”

Jamal looked at her. “Not really.”

She smiled a little. “You really don’t like losing, do you?”

He gave a short laugh. “Who likes losing?”

“Most people don’t. But you…” She walked towards him. “You’ve been talking about it since we left the lounge.”

Jamal looked away. “I was just making conversation.”

Dawn sat beside him. “You know what I noticed tonight?” she asked.

“What?”

“You kept trying to win.”

Jamal looked at her. “Of course I did. We were playing a game.”

“No.” Dawn shook her head. “I mean you really wanted to win.”

He sighed. “I like winning, babe.”

“I know. And there is nothing wrong with that.”

“But you sound like there is something wrong with it.”

She reached for his hand. “The only thing wrong with it is that you looked upset every time we fell behind.”

Jamal looked at their joined hands. “I wasn’t upset.”

Dawn gave him a look.

He smiled slightly. “Okay. Maybe I was. A little though.”

She laughed softly. “I noticed.”

Jamal leaned back. “I don’t know. I just don’t like losing.”

“Why?”

He shrugged. “I’ve always been like that.”

Dawn’s voice remained soft. “That isn’t an answer.”