CHAPTER 220: SEE YOU SOON

Genevieve’s fingers tapped gently on the table as she stared at her phone as she had been doing almost all day.

She kept checking her phone, hoping to see Stefan’s name pop up on the screen. But there was nothing. Not a call. Not even a text. Her heart felt heavy.

Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore. She picked up her phone and dialed Stefan’s number. There was nothing stopping her from calling to check on him if he couldn’t call her.

She leaned back in her chair and placed the phone near her ear as she waited. Her pen lay on the desk in front of her. She picked it up and began clicking the end over and over again in and out.

Then, at last, his voice came through. "Hello, beautiful," Stefan said, his voice was warm and pleasant.

Genevieve smiled right away. Relief washed over her like a soft breeze. Her shoulders relaxed. "Hi," she said in a soft voice. "How are you doing today?"

"I’m sorry I didn’t call," Stefan said, his tone apologetic. "It’s been a crazy day. I’ve been so busy from the moment I opened my eyes. I’m trying to clear up my schedule for our time together so you can have me all to yourself," he said, since that was the truth.

Genevieve felt her heart flutter. "You don’t have to go through so much trouble for me. Please don’t stress yourself on my account. If you have to go to work while I’m there, I’ll understand. You’re CEO after all, and I’m sure your attention is always needed."

Stefan felt a tinge of guilt but didn’t dwell on it. "What are you saying? If I’m not doing all this for you, then who should I do it for? You’re my blue-eyed blonde princess after all." Stefan teased, chuckling softly.

Genevieve giggled, feeling shy. "You must be looking forward to seeing me wear that," she said, and he grinned.

"You have no idea how much I’m looking forward to that. I can’t wait for you to come over, Viv. Literally."

Before she could respond someone knocked on her door and glanced at the wall clock. It was her last appointment for the day. "I have to go. I have a meeting now. Let’s talk when you are less busy."

"I understand," Stefan said. "But I’ll probably be busy till tomorrow. Things are a bit hectic."

Genevieve frowned a little. "Alright. Just promise me you’ll eat something and rest when you can."

"I will, Mom," he said in a playful voice. "Be a good girl."

She giggled. "Yes, daddy."

Stefan chuckled, "See you soon," he said, and the call ended, leaving her to wonder why he said that when it should have been ’talk to you soon.’

After the call, Stefan checked the time and decided to give Jamal a call. He was yet to hear from him since they last spoke.

He dialed Jamal’s line, and the call connected on the second ring. "Hey. Sorry I didn’t call back earlier. It slipped my mind."

"No worries," Stefan said. "Has everything been explained to you now?"

"Yeah. I understand most of it now," Jamal replied, moving away from his desk. "You’re still in Ludus?" Jamal asked.

"I’m on my way to the airstrip. Just finishing things up at the office before I fly out," Stefan explained. "This whole situation is insane. Have you spoken to Callan?"

Jamal sighed. "No. What am I even supposed to say to him? I just want this all to be over. I really hope everyone will be okay."

"Same here," Stefan said. "So... what’s the plan to get Abigail and your little boy out?"

"Grandma Evelyn and Lucy are coming this weekend. They’ll help us leave."

"That’s good." Stefan paused. "Listen... I need your help."

Jamal sighed, "I’m beginning to wonder if I’m your boss or you’re my boss."

Stefan was silent for a moment and Jamal rolled his eyes.

"Go on. What do you want, SIR?" Jamal asked dryly, and Stefan chuckled.

"Could you help me give Genevieve a clue that I’m coming over? Don’t make it obvious that you’re giving her a clue. You can mistakenly let it slip that I’m coming to take her on a getaway trip," Stefan suggested.

"Are you sure that is a good idea?" Jamal asked.

"I want her to be prepared. Maybe have her bag packed. So when I ask her to come with me tomorrow, she’ll be ready. Also see if you can clear up her schedules so she doesn’t give me the excuse of being unable to leave until weekend because of work," Stefan pleaded.

"Alright," Jamal said. "I’ll take care of it."

"Thanks," Stefan said, then hung up.

No sooner had Jamal dropped the call and returned to his desk than his phone buzzed again. He picked it up when he saw it was Emily.

He raised a brow slightly and looked at his watch. It was early in the morning where she was. Why was she calling so early?

He picked up. "Hey, Em. Is everything okay?"

Her voice came through, soft and worried. "Yeah. I’m alright. Can you talk? It’s about Cal."

Jamal’s heart skipped a beat. "Yeah. What’s wrong?"

Emily took a deep breath. "He had another nightmare. He was crying in his sleep. I’m so worried about him. He has lots of sleeping pills. I tried to get him to open up last night but he wouldn’t. I don’t know how to help him and I really want to. But that’s not all. He left this morning for Ludus. Uncle Hunter called and asked him to come down. They said it was about his biological parents. It sounded really serious. He looked worried, Jamal."

Jamal listened quietly. His hand rested on his desk, and he didn’t say anything for a moment.

"I wanted to go with him," Emily continued. "But I couldn’t. This dumb residency program won’t let me take time off. I just... I wish you were in Ludus. then he’d have someone there to talk to other than his parents. You know he might not honestly tell them how he feels since this involves his biological parents." Emily spoke very fast and from her tone Jamal could tell she was very anxious and worried.

Jamal contemplated whether or not he should say anything to her. He felt torn. He didn’t want to say too much. But he also didn’t want to lie, since she was going to hear the truth soon and she wouldn’t be pleased to know that he knew the truth but didn’t say anything when she confided in him.

He sighed. "Emily, it’s... complicated."

Her brows pulled together. He didn’t even seem surprised about what she said about Callan’s biological parents. "Complicated? What do you mean? Do you already know what’s going on? Did Callan call you already?"

"No, Callan didn’t call me," he said gently. "Listen, I can’t get into all of it right now. I’ll call you after the close of work and I’ll explain the details to you and Mari."

Emily was quiet for a second. Then she said, "Okay. I’ll wait for your call. Don’t forget, please."

"I won’t," Jamal said.

And then he hung up, staring down at the phone in his hand. Everything was moving fast and now he wondered if perhaps he should have found a way to give Callan a heads up.

Callan wasn’t going to be pleased if he found out Jamal knew about it and didn’t say anything to him.

But then again, he also didn’t know how Callan might react to the information, so he preferred it this way. He’d rather risk Callan’s anger at him.

Like grandma Evelyn had said, Ludus was their turf, and it would be best for Ryan to meet Callan in Ludus.

That was where they could get him easily.