Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress-Chapter 384: Perfect Fit

Mari and Jax enjoyed their date with no distractions. Because of the series of notifications from the soul sisters group chat, Mari placed her phone on silent and left it in her purse so she could focus on Jax.

He smiled but did not move his leg away.

Mari lifted her fork and pointed it at him, "So," she drawled, looking at Jax.

The food was already half eaten with lots of conversation in between.

Mari had kicked off one heel under the table. Her foot brushed against Jax’s shin lightly.

"So, what?" he asked with a lazy smile.

"You used to be really tightlipped and say you didn’t like to talk while eating," she said with a grin, "but we’ve been talking for a while now."

He lifted one shoulder slightly. "I’m learning to make adjustments since I’m dating a talkative."

Her mouth dropped open. "I’m not a talkative."

He gave her a funny look. "You are chatty, and that is not a bad thing."

"It sounds offensive," she said with a pout.

"Tightlipped equally sounds offensive," he pointed out.

Mari narrowed her eyes at him playfully. "It does not," she argued. "Tightlipped sounds... mysterious." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"Yeah, right. You once said I was emotionally constipated," Jax reminded calmly.

She burst out laughing so loud that the couple at the next table glanced at them.

"I can’t believe you remember that," she whispered, covering her mouth.

"Was I supposed to forget?" he asked, cutting into his food slowly.

She leaned forward. "What else do you remember?"

"You crawling into my bed and asking me to be your boyfriend every chance you got," he said with a smirk.

She giggled. Well, it worked, didn’t it? Look where we are now," she said, spreading her arms.

Jax chuckled. "No thanks to you."

She tilted her head. "Then thanks to who?"

"Your Mom I guess. For bringing you to me."

She raised a brow. "You really would never have approached me had I not been entrusted to your care?"

He looked at her for a long second before answering. "

"No."

Her fork paused mid-air. "No? Really?" she repeated.

He held her gaze. "Yeah."

She searched his face, trying to see if he was joking. He wasn’t. "Why?" she asked quietly this time.

He leaned back in his chair and exhaled slowly. "Because you were out of my league."

Mari blinked. "What?"

"You were," he said simply. "You still are."

She stared at him like he had just spoken a foreign language. "That makes absolutely no sense, Jax," she said.

"It does to me." He reached for his glass and took a small sip before continuing.

"You are beautiful, bold, and expressive. You walk into a room and it shifts. You command attention. You don’t try to be noticed, you just are."

She smiled. "And you? Have you seen yourself?"

"I’m nothing like you, babe," he replied. "I don’t compete or chase attention. I think before I move. I measure before I speak. We are very opposite in nature."

She watched him carefully.

"I figured you would want someone more... expressive," he continued. "Someone who matches your energy. Someone spontaneous and dramatic."

Her lips parted slowly. "You know what I just remembered? The conversation we had at your place before you told me how you felt about me."

"Which of them?" Jax asked confused.

"The one about being in love with a delightful and enchanting witch who you believed was way out of your league hence you stayed with Diva for three years," she said softly, "I meant everything I said to you then, Jax. You’re totally my cup of tea. I love your cool and mysterious vibe."

He gave a small smile. "I thought I would bore you."

She shook her head in disbelief. "You? Bore me? Not at all. You calm me. There is a difference. Hold on, am I to assume then that you also thought I was too much? And maybe you believed I’d talk you to death or burn you out with my excessive energy?"

Jax blinked, "No. I never thought that. I love your energy and your chattiness. I get worried when you’re silent."

Mari’s expression softened as she leaned forward. "You idiot," she said shaking her head slowly.

He raised a brow. "Excuse me?"

"You absolute idiot," she repeated, but her voice was tender, "There’s a reason why opposites attract, you know?"

He didn’t look offended. He just watched her. "And what reason is that?" he asked quietly.

Mari rested her elbows on the table and leaned closer, lowering her voice like she was about to reveal a deep secret.

"Because balance is sexy. I stir you," she said. "And you steady me."

He blinked.

She continued, counting on her fingers. "If I end up with someone exactly like me, the house will burn down in a week."

He almost laughed.

"I will forget where I dropped my car keys, start three projects at once, and the house would be a disorganized mess."

"That sounds accurate," he murmured, nodding.

She pointed her fork at him. "But you? You’ll check the locks twice. You’ll read the contract before signing. You will make sure the whole place is organized. You’ll stop me from buying a yacht on impulse."

"I would definitely stop you from buying a yacht," he said calmly.

She smiled wider. "See?"

The soft music in the restaurant filled the space between them.

She slowly slid her foot higher along his calf under the table. "You deserve me, Jax. As I do you."

He gave a faint smile. "I’m starting to believe that now."

A slow smile spread across her face. "Good," she said, lifting her glass,

They returned their attention to their food. Between bites, they talked.

She told him about the first time she sneaked out of the house and got caught.

He told her about the first time he presented his painting and almost fainted from nerves.

She laughed loudly at his serious face when he explained how he practiced his speech ten times in front of a mirror.

"You?" she said. "Practicing speeches?"

"Yes."

"I find that hard to imagine. You’re always so composed."

"I wasn’t always."

She studied him. "What scares you, Jax?" she asked suddenly.

He paused with his fork midair. "Like?"

"Generally. What are your fears?"

"Failure," he said quietly. "Hurting people I care about. Losing control of situations. Losing people I love."

She smiled and slowly nodded. "I’m not surprised."

"What scares you?" he asked in return.

"Being bored," she said immediately.

He laughed.

"No, seriously," she said. "Being stuck. Living a life that feels small and ordinary. I don’t want ordinary. I want a fun filled life."

He nodded slowly. "I’m not surprised. But since we are opposites, what are you doing with such an ordinary guy?"

She grinned. "You stop me from jumping off cliffs."

"While you make me climb some. We are a perfect fit in deed," he replied dryly.

She pointed at him. "Exactly." Then smiled mischievously. "We fit very well together."

His jaw tightened slightly, and he gave her a look when her foot connected with his crotch. "Maribel."

"What?" she said innocently.

He leaned forward slightly. "We’re in public."

She grinned. "So?"

He shook his head. "Behave yourself."

"You’re not fun," she murmured, rolling her eyes as she withdraw her leg.

"I used to think you were emotionally constipated. But now," she continued, "I realize you’re just careful with your words and feelings. You don’t throw them around."

He nodded slowly. "Feelings aren’t toys."

She smiled softly at that. "See?" she said. "Depth. My soul candy."

He rolled his eyes lightly but smiled. "Don’t get used to calling me that," he warned.

"Too late, soul candy," she replied.

The waiter approached quietly to clear their plates and serve dessert. Mari slipped her heel back on under the table.

When the waiter left, she leaned back in her chair and studied him again as they shared dessert.

When the owner passed by, he winked at Jax. "She approves?"

Mari answered before Jax could. "Very much."

The owner laughed and walked away.

After dessert, they remained seated, just talking.

When they finally stood to leave, Mari felt lighter.

Not just excited but happy and safe.

When they got outside, Mari was surprised to see that the day was dark already and they had spent hours inside.

Jax placed his jacket around her shoulders without asking.

She grinned up at him. "My gentleman kidnapper."

He chuckled, remembering when she first called him that. "Want to see some of my artworks at a nearby gallery?"

She slipped her hand into his. "I’d love to."