Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 195: Callan will Be Fine

Emily stayed there for a moment, staring after him. What was wrong with him? Why had he been crying in his sleep? Was this a one time thing?

She frowned when she remembered overhearing Callan’s mom telling her mom years ago that Callan kept having nightmares and she didn’t know what else to do for him.

Was he still having those nightmares all these years? What was he dreaming about?

Why did she give him the satisfaction of annoying her even when she knew very well that he done said that to avoid the conversation?

She reached for her glass of water again and was about to pick it up and return to her room when her phone started to ring on the coffee table.

The sound made her jump a little.

She didn’t need to look at the screen to know that it was Mari.

With a sigh, Emily picked it up and received the call. ”Hello, Jam,” she greeted with a smile when she saw he was on the call.

”Em, sorry I haven’t called you back since our last conversation. Things have been crazy over here. I just realized I haven’t spoke with my siblings for the past two weeks. Can you believe it? I feel so irresponsible,” Jamal confessed, feeling really disappointed in himself.

”There is nothing irresponsible about you. I haven’t called you back either since our last conversation and I don’t even have as much drama going on in my life as you. And you haven’t spoken to your siblings because neither of them has reached out to you either. You’re not irresponsible. You have a lot going on and since you’ve always been the type to reach out, it’s only ideal that we reach out more to you now. And the difference in time zone really doesn’t help. Don’t feel bad,” Emily said as she sat down on the couch Callan had been sleeping on, and Mari laughed.

”Aww. You sound so wise right now, Em,” Mari said, and both Emily and Jamal laughed.

”Jam, did Mari tell you she now has a boyfriend and she’s calling with his line?” Emily asked, and Jamal chuckled.

”Yeah, so she said. What’s his name anyway?” he asked with interest.

”His name is Jax. It’s just as hot as he looks,” Mari said with a grin.

”Cool. I can’t wait to see a picture,” Emily said, while Jamal wondered whether or not he should call the guy later on and find out more about him.

Even though he trusted that Mari’s parents won’t send her to someone bad, he also wanted to make sure the guy was okay for Mari. She was like his sister after all, and his best friend.

”So, what’s the update? What’s going on in both your lives? I want every juicy detail. Jamal, have you been able to sneak off with Dawn to do any dirty thing yet? Are we expecting baby number two?” Mari asked, and Emily laughed out loud, while Jamal shut his eyes.

”Mari, please,” Jamal said, and she giggled.

”That’s not an answer. No kissing? Smooching? By the way, you guys won’t believe that I almost had sex,” Mari whispered excitedly.

”For real?” Emily asked, her voice raised in excitement.

”Ew! Mari I don’t want to hear about it,” Jamal said, and she giggled.

”Well, you’re going to have to. I’ve been dying to tell you guys about it,” she went on to tell them about it, and Emily was howling with laughter by the time she was done while Jamal was feeling sorry for him.

”Jamal, what’s going on? What’s the plan?” Mari asked again.

Jamal sighed. ”I have a lot going on in my head now. I’ll tell you both everything when you get a phone,” Jamal promised, ”Em, how are things going with you and Callan? How is he?”

Emily hesitated, wondering whether or not to tell them what she had seen. Deciding that there was no harm asking Jamal about it since he was Callan’s best friend and they were all close anyway, she decided to tell him. ”I don’t know. I saw him sleeping in the living room a while ago. He was crying in his sleep. Seems like he was having nightmares.”

Mari frowned. ”Cal was crying in his sleep? Did you wake him?”

”Yeah. I did. He didn’t want to talk about it though,” Emily said, and Jamal sighed.

”Has he ever told you anything about having nightmares?” Emily asked Jamal curiously.

”I know he often has nightmares but he never talks about them,” Jamal said, and Emily frowned.

”He has never told you what he dreams about? That must be very serious.”

”How did you know he has nightmares then?” Emily and Mari asked at the same time.

”I noticed the couple of times he slept over at my place or I at his place. Just let him be, Em,” Jamal said, and Emily frowned.

”How am I supposed to let him be if he is crying in his sleep? I can’t do that. If it has to do with past experiences or something then maybe he should go for therapy...”

”He’s been going for therapy for years, leave him alone,” Jamal cut in before realizing he had divulged too much information.

Emily’s frown deepened. ”Callan has been going for therapy? What for? Do you know what the problem is? How did you know he’s been going for therapy if he didn’t tell you about the nightmares?” Emily asked, echoing Mari’s question.

The fact that Callan was going for therapy was both surprising and worrisome. Callan always seemed like he was in total control of himself and his emotions and he didn’t seem like the type who would willingly go for therapy unless it was a serious issue.

Jamal sighed. ”I’ve said more than I should already. Just let him be, okay?”

”Jam, that isn’t fair. I’m living under the same roof with him. I should know if he has a problem,” Emily said.

”Then ask him. Not me. And please do not mention I told you anything about him going for therapy. I wasn’t supposed to. If you ask me, I think it’s best you don’t ask him any questions. If Callan thinks you should know he’d tell you himself. Just don’t bother him...”

”Can you stop asking me not to bother him?” Emily snapped irritably.

”Okay. You both need to relax. Em, what Jam is saying is that Callan likely has a lot going on and you shouldn’t prod too much into his personal business. Jam, Emily is just concerned about Callan...”

”They don’t even get along, why is she acting so concerned now? He’s Cal the jerk to you both, isn’t he?” Jamal reminded them.

Mari sighed but before she could respond, Emily did.

”Yes. He’s Cal the jerk to me, but that doesn’t mean if something is wrong with him or he isn’t fine I’m going to just look away. Don’t worry, I won’t tell him you said anything,” Emily said, and Jamal sighed.

”I need to go now. You two should take care. Mari, can I call this line when I want to talk to you?” Jamal asked, hoping that Jax would receive the call so they talk.

”If I don’t call you with my own phone before my birthday then you can call this line,” she said with a nod.

”Jam, are you mad?” Emily asked with a pout.

”No, I’m not. How can I be mad at a cute little thing like you?” He asked, and both her and Mari giggled.

”I need to call Callan to check on him. And maybe you should be a little kinder and more understanding. I know he has his faults, but if he could help it, he would. He’s lonely most of the time. So, try to be more tolerant and friendly if you can. Love you too,” Jamal said before hanging up.

Both Mari and Emily were silent for a bit as they both processed all that Jamal had just said, ”I hate to be you right now,” Mari murmured knowing that now Emily will be torn between staying away from Callan and being there for him as a friend or cousin or whatever.

”Yeah. I hate to be me, too. What should I do? Stay away or not?” She asked, and Mari sighed deeply.

”Do what’s best for you. You can’t love a person more than you love yourself, Em, especially someone that doesn’t reciprocate your feelings. If staying away is best for you, do it.”

”What if I can help? What if he needs me?” Emily asked, and Mari shook her head.

”That’s what you want to believe. That’s what you wish. But you know what? If you get sucked in again, and history repeats itself, you won’t be able to forgive yourself. You’re there for a reason, focus on your program and when you’re done, you leave. Callan will be fine,” Mari said, and Emily sighed.

”You’re right. Callan will be fine,” Emily repeated.

After their phone call, she sat there telling herself over and over again that Callan would be fine with or without her.