Chapter 17: Meant To Be

Chapter 17: Meant To Be Jamal paced around his office at HAJ studios, his fingers combing through his hair in frustration as he spoke over the phone through his AirPod. "What do you mean you still can't find her? I've given you the description you need. She has Hazel eyes and dark brown hair. She is mute. How hard can it be to find her?" Jamal asked, his voice brimming with irritation. It had been six weeks already, and he was tired of getting the same negative feedback. Ever since Tom implied that he had been careless by having sex with her without protection, he had been feeling very anxious and worried. The last thing he wanted was to make her life even more difficult. He wanted to find her as soon as possible to make sure she was okay. "It's not like we can go about asking for mute students around the school. We have tried to find the students that fit the physical description so that we can narrow it down to them and find the mute ones, but..." "Shouldn't it be the other way around? Shouldn't you find the female mute students and narrow it down from there with the physical description? How many female mute students would be in such a prestigious school?" Jamal snapped impatiently. "You realize that they don't go about with a placard on their heads saying they're mute, right? And with all due respect, this isn't as easy as you make it sound. We are doing our best. If you knew her faculty, it would have been easier. But now we have to check all the faculties and departments..." "Isn't that the reason I'm paying you so much money?" Jamal cut in before he could finish speaking. Jamal took a deep breath to calm himself. "Can't you have someone check the student profiles? Maybe that will help you narrow it down. I believe students would indicate their disabilities on their files, right?" Jamal asked, trying to figure out a way to make it faster. "Or better still, you can talk to the school authorities about organizing an event for disabled or mute students. HAJ Studios can sponsor it. It'll be easier, don't you think?" Jamal heard his grandfather say from behind him and he spun around, surprised to see his grandfather standing by the door. His grandfather waved at him to continue with the call and he shared his grandfather's idea with the investigator as he went to sit on one of the chairs. "We could give it a shot if your team can come up with a team for the event," the investigator said, and Jamal let out a deep sigh. "Alright. I'll get back to you," Jamal said before hanging up. "This girl must have left quite an impression on you," his grandfather said with a chuckle, and Jamal nodded. "She did. I'm really hoping they find her," Jamal said, and his grandfather nodded thoughtfully. "I hope so, too. I'd like to see the girl that made you get over Dawn so quickly," he said, and Jamal smiled. "She looked exactly like I imagine Dawn would have looked had she not been involved in the accident and had surgery," Jamal said, and his grandfather chuckled. "What if she's Dawn?" He asked jokingly. "I had that thought for a very brief moment when I first saw her. But it isn't possible. The age, her being born mute, having a stepsister, it all doesn't add up. Besides, Dawn isn't missing. She's Genevieve now," Jamal said with a heavy sigh. "Why are you here, gramp?" He asked, changing the subject since he didn't want to think about Genevieve. "I've told you to stop calling me that," his grandfather said with a scowl. Jamal chuckled despite himself. "And I've told you I won't. Get used to it. What are you doing here when you should still be honeymooning?" Jamal asked with a grin since his grandfather had finally married his lover after dating for the past fifteen years. His grandfather chuckled, "We've been honeymooning for six months. Not that we needed a honeymoon in the first place, but thanks to all the getaway tickets you all gifted us, we've had enough honeymoon to last us ten lifetimes." Jamal laughed, remembering how almost everyone had surprisingly had the same gift idea. "So?" Jamal asked again, wondering why he was there. "So, what? Since when did it become a crime to visit my favorite grandchild at work?" His grandfather asked as he relaxed on the seat. Jamal laughed as he took the seat opposite him. "Do not let your other grandkids hear you," he said, referring to his siblings and his cousins. "Let's keep it a secret between us then," he said with a chuckle and then looked at Jamal with a serious expression. "So, are you serious about relocating to Ludus?" "I knew it! I knew you were here to talk about work," Jamal said, and his grandfather chuckled. "There's no reason I can't do both. Tell me about your plan," he said, and Jamal went on to tell him his plan of moving the headquarters of HAJ to Ludus since it was the country's capital. "Have you discussed the plan with your uncle Harry?" His grandfather asked when he was done. "Yes, I have. He's in support of the move, as is Tom. As a matter of fact, I-Global is going to handle the construction," Jamal said, and his grandfather nodded with approval. "Well, I trust your decision. I'll explain to the board and shareholders so it can be easier for you," he promised as he rose to leave. "I trust you," Jamal said, escorting him to the door. "And about finding your girl, I'm sure you'll find her if it's meant to be..." "I know it's meant to be," Jamal cut in confidently. "Then you will definitely find her. I'm not sure when, but you will," his grandfather said with equal confidence. "I hope you're right. And I hope it is soon," Jamal said with a deep sigh as he saw his grandfather off.