One New Message (Random Updates)

Chapter 16

"So, the reason for changing the gate code is....?" Marc asked as everyone sat down at the table.

"Her friend was feeling very protective and wanted to see for herself that Jade was okay. It was an easy enough code for me to use suddenly," Corey shrugged as he typed away on his phone. "And there, now it is changed back to our normal code."

"And when Jade starts driving, what are you going to say?" Victor asked yawning.

"We change it up every so often for security reasons," Corey shrugged.

"And it's the truth so it works," North nodded. "But you did tell her she had to eat this morning since she skipped dinner last night and now she hasn't."

"Crap, I forgot," Corey yawned. "I'll stop by later and see if she ate. I'll make sure she eats today North, I promise, sorry that I forgot."

"You can't, you got called in," Owen said as he looked at the notification on his phone. "Brandon and someone else can."

"Just make sure you tell her who you are, so she doesn't become confused and nervous," Corey nodded, "especially if they are busy, we don't want to ruin her day."

"How is she doing?" Owen asked, "So far anyway? Any changes we need to make?"

Corey shrugged, "I don't know just yet. She was shocked when she saw her room and the bathroom. I don't think she is used to being cared for," he said softly. "She is going to push us for sure."

"Oh well," Brandon shrugged, "We'll just push back and show her no matter what she does, she won't push us away. She may be stubborn but we're more stubborn."

"And if she tries to run again, we'll just chase and catch her again," Axel smirked. "We don't mind a little cat and mouse game every so often."

"Course you don't," Marc smirked as Owen's watch beeped.

"Alright," Owen said clearing his throat, "everyone knows what they are supposed to be doing today. I'll be at the office speaking with Dr. Roberts and Uncle about what has happened and how to proceed with our next step."

"We need to find her—" Corey started to say but Owen interrupted.

"That will be discussed as well, Mr. Henshaw," he said standing, straightening his tie, then slipped his jacket on and started fastening the button on it. "Have a good day, Gentlemen."

A couple of hours later

"Here you go, Honey," Jade smiled as she sat a plate down on a table in front of an elderly gentleman. "Anything else I can get for you?"

"No thank you Dear," he said patting her hand. "You are so sweet."

"Thank you," Jade smiled fondly as she heard the bell chime letting her and Annie know someone had walked in. "We'll be with you in just a second."

"That's fine."

Jade froze for a split second then looked up. Her eyes squinted as she watched him walk towards her.

"Hey look, your pen pal is here," Annie smirked as she walked past her with a full tray.

"Wrong," Brandon smirked, "I'm his twin Brandon. Corey is busy at work, so I came to see when she got off work since her phone is going straight to voicemail."

"Oh, it died," Jade explained. "It does that sometimes even though I have it on the charger at night."

Brandon frowned and opened his mouth to say something but just as another waitress with a full tray walked past him, a man slapped her ass and laughed as she stumbled, causing her to drop the tray making the dishes crash all over the floor.

"Call the police for sexual assault now," Brandon demanded as he stared the man down freezing him where he was.

"What?" The man asked shocked.

"You just touched that woman without her consent, that's sexual assault asshole."

Jade knelt and started picking up the broken ceramic pieces. Just as she reached over to pick up a piece someone tripped over her making her fall forward. A loud gasp of pain escaped her making Brandon snap out of his glare. "Babe?" He asked rushing over to her.

"Shit, Jay you need to go to the hospital," Annie gasped as she helped Jade sit up. There was steaming hot food on her arms, chest, and stomach but what was the most concerning was the piece of plate sticking out of her stomach.

"No," Jade panicked and shook her head. "I'm fine, I just need to get cleaned up, I'm fine, really."

"Babe," Brandon said softly as he started to pick her up just as the police and EMTs rushed in.

"Can you tell me what happened?" the paramedic asked as Brandon held her hand.

"That asshole over there," Brandon pointed at the man in the booth, "slapped that lady's ass making her fall and drop everything." The police officer glared at the man who gulped. "Jade started to clean everything up but someone tripped her making her fall on everything."

"Ma'am you have some burns and this needs to be stitched up," the paramedic said honestly. "We need to transport you."

"No," Jade gasped and shook her head. "No, I refuse, I'm fine."

"Babe," Brandon said holding her hand. "I'll be with you. I promise." He bent down and whispered in her ear, "I know I'm not my twin, but I promise I won't leave your side. I'll protect you too, Babe. I don't know why you're scared of the hospital, but I won't let anything happen to you, I promise."

He pulled back just enough to stare into her eyes and his heart tightened at seeing the fear and pain swirling in them. A tear slipped free as she nodded. "Pinky promise?"

He smiled and nodded as he wrapped his pinky around hers. "I pinky promise."

"Let's go," the paramedic said as he started to fasten the straps on her legs.

"No!" She tightened her grasp in Brandon's hand.

"Ma'am we have to keep you still," he tried to explain.

"She said no," Brandon glared before turning to look at her. "Babe you have to be very still, no moving at all, alright?" She nodded and Brandon looked back at the paramedic. "I'll sign whatever I have to for refusing that part. Take us to Hugely." He looked back at her. "Remember, be still while they load you up. I'm going to make a phone call then I'll be right in there by your side, I promise."