Angel on a Mission

Chapter 12

Gabrielle's POV

We had just wrapped up our shopping trip, and I dropped the girls off right in front of their houses.

“Bye, Elle! I’ll see you tomorrow. Take care, okay?” Mika exclaimed as she opened the door to get out.

I nodded and embraced her in a warm hug before she exited the vehicle.

I waited patiently until she was safely inside her house before driving away.

My destination was the hospital where Jade was currently receiving treatment, and thankfully, I arrived there in no time at all.

After parking my car in the hospital’s parking lot, I climbed out and walked inside the building, making my way directly to Jade’s hospital room.

As I approached, I could hear muffled voices coming from within.

“Do you really think she’s coming, Mom? She said she would, right?” Jade's voice carried through the door.

“Yes, sweetheart, she did say that. I’m sure she’ll be here soon,” Jade’s mother replied soothingly.

With a gentle knock, I opened the door to find Jade sitting on her bed.

“Elle!” Jade exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she hopped off the bed and rushed toward me.

She wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug, and I reciprocated, feeling her sigh of relief as I caressed her back.

“You really came. I can’t believe you’re here,” she whispered softly.

“Of course I did, Jade. I told you we’d see each other again,” I reassured her.

She pulled back slightly, a frown creasing her brow. “You came in the morning. You should have woken me up,” she said.

“I was worried you needed the rest,” I replied, guiding her gently back toward her bed.

“How are you feeling?” I asked, genuinely concerned.

“Still the same. A little bit better. Just a very tiny bit better,” she said with a slight smile.

I couldn’t help but chuckle a little. “Even a very tiny bit better is still a positive sign,” I reminded her.

Jade smiled at my words, and I took a moment before asking, “Do you want to go out for a walk?”

“Yes, I would love that,” she replied eagerly.

“Alright, let’s do it,” I said enthusiastically.

“Just let me use the restroom first,” Jade said.

I nodded, granting her permission. “Go ahead.”

As soon as Jade stepped into the bathroom, her mother approached me with concern etched across her face.

“She hasn’t eaten since yesterday. She refused to eat at all. Maybe you could convince her to have something,” she said earnestly.

I offered Jade’s mother an assuring smile. “I’ll do my best to encourage her,” I promised.

“Thank you,” she replied appreciatively.

Moments later, Jade emerged from the bathroom, and together, we left her hospital room.

We strolled to the back of the hospital, engaging in comfortable silence for a little while.

“The police came earlier,” Jade suddenly spoke up.

“Really?” I replied, surprised.

“A witness came forward, and an investigation has begun regarding what happened to me,” she explained.

“How do you feel about that?” I inquired cautiously.

“At first, I was terrified. I panicked. It made me feel... ashamed to know that someone else was aware of what happened, aside from myself and my abusers,” she admitted.

“But then, I had an epiphany. Maybe this was a sign—a sign that I should make things right,” she continued, her eyes brightening with newfound determination.

“Do you believe that?” I asked, genuinely wanting to know her thoughts.

She thought for a moment but then nodded firmly. “Yes. I believe it is.”

I smiled warmly at her. “Then maybe this is your opportunity to make things right. Embrace it! Seize that chance, Jade, and do it for yourself.”

Jade nodded in agreement. “Thank you,” she said softly.

I smiled at her, feeling the warmth of her gratitude.

“Thank you for saving me. I have found a new reason to live because of you. I owe my life to you,” she expressed earnestly.

I shook my head to dismiss her praise. “You don’t owe me anything, Jade. But you do owe it to yourself to build a new life. Focus on that instead.”

Her face lit up with a smile.

“I heard from your mom that you haven’t eaten yet. Would you like to join me for a meal in the hospital cafeteria?” I suggested.

“The hospital food is terrible,” Jade replied with a slight grimace.

I laughed lightly. “Then would you like to eat out instead?”

She looked at me, hope shining in her eyes. “Can I? I thought the hospital staff wouldn’t let me leave the hospital grounds,” she said, her brow furrowing with concern.

“I’ll take you, and we’ll keep it our little secret, as long as you promise to eat a lot,” I said with a wink.

Jade’s face broke into an enthusiastic smile, and she nodded vigorously.

We discreetly made our way to the hospital parking lot and approached my car.

“Wow. This is your car?” she asked, eyes wide with excitement.

I nodded in affirmation. “Yeah, it is.”

“Cool!” she exclaimed, and we both climbed inside.

I drove us to a fast-food restaurant—a not-so-healthy option, but Jade’s favorite place. She needed to eat and regain her strength to tackle her battle.

After we ordered her favorite meal, I turned on some music, filling the car with familiar tunes.

“This is so cool!” Jade exclaimed, bobbing her head to the beat.

We jammed out to the music in the fast-food parking lot, and she beamed, “This is the most fun I’ve had in a long time.”

I returned her smile. “And you’ll have so much more fun in the future,” I reassured her.

“You really think so?” she asked, a hint of doubt in her voice.

“I know so,” I affirmed, radiating positivity.

Jade’s smile grew even wider. “You’re a blessing in disguise, you know that? You’re like my guardian angel sent from heaven,” she said, her gaze sincere.

A blush crept over my cheeks at her words. I suppose she wasn’t entirely wrong.

“You look like an angel, too,” she added, and I chuckled at the unexpected compliment.

“Do I?” I responded teasingly.

Jade nodded as she took a bite of her food. “I’m confident that you’re popular in school, and everyone either wants to be your friend or wants to date you.”

“Me? I have only two friends. Maybe three or four if you include a child from the neighborhood. If I really stretch it, maybe five,” I said with a laugh.

“Are you serious?” she said, disbelief evident in her tone.

I nodded again.

“Well, are you at least dating someone?” she pressed.

I shook my head, a soft smile on my lips. “I’m not dating anyone.”

She looked at me, wide-eyed. “You’ve got to be kidding, Elle. A girl as pretty as you, with less than ten friends and no boyfriend?”

“I have my priorities straight, and dating just isn’t on my list right now,” I confessed.

Jade shook her head in disbelief.

“And here I thought you were living your best life. I guess pretty people don’t always have it easy,” she remarked, a hint of sympathy in her voice.

I chuckled lightly. “I am living my best life. I’m as happy as I can be and genuinely content with what I have,” I told her firmly.

“You are?” she asked, tilting her head curiously.

I nodded. “I don’t need a massive circle of friends or a partner to feel fulfilled. Sometimes, just a few loyal friends are more than enough.”

Jade smiled at this revelation.

“When you put it that way, I guess that makes sense,” she said thoughtfully.

I gave her a gentle pat on the back, encouraging her.

We lingered a bit longer at the fast-food restaurant, savoring the moment per Jade's request.

Then, we made our way back to the hospital, sneaking in as though we hadn’t left at all.

“Jade, we’ve been looking everywhere for you!” Jade’s mother exclaimed in relief when she spotted us.

“Calm down, Mom! Elle and I just went out for a quick meal together,” Jade said casually.

“You did?” her mother asked, surprise evident on her face.

Jade nodded enthusiastically. “The best meal I’ve had in forever,” she said, turning to me with gratitude shining in her eyes. “All thanks to my new friend, Elle.”

I felt warmth bloom in my chest at the recognition.

Afterward, Jade was escorted back to her room for another check-up, while her mother remained by my side.

She turned to me and pulled me into a heartfelt hug. “Thank you so much! You’ve done more for Jade than I can express, and we are incredibly grateful for your kindness,” she said sincerely.

I smiled back, appreciating her words.

“It’s nothing. I’ll do anything I can to help Jade,” I responded genuinely.

Jade’s mother smiled brightly. “You’re something special,” she remarked.

As the hour grew late, I bid farewell, promising to visit Jade whenever I could. In return, she promised to keep me updated about her progress.

With that, I exited the hospital and climbed back into my car.

I drove back to my cabin, arriving quickly.

I felt utterly exhausted from the day’s events, yet at the same time, I found solace in the sense of relief that washed over me.

After cleaning up, I headed to bed, closing my eyes with a smile as I slowly drifted off into a peaceful slumber.

A few days later, I made it a point to visit Jade every day, even after her discharge from the hospital. She had made remarkable progress in her recovery.

Yesterday, she and her family went on vacation, leaving me with a singular task while she was away.

The day I dreaded the most had finally arrived—the day of my blind date.

I woke up earlier than expected, my phone ringing insistently.

With a sleepy groan, I answered, “Hello?”

“Good morning, babe! Rise and shine! Today is your big day!”

Of course, it was Bella on the other line.

“Morning to you too, Bella,” I mumbled, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I sat up in bed.

“You better start getting prepared now, babe. The date is in three hours,” she reminded me brightly.

Three hours was more than enough time for me to get ready.

“Alright then, I’m getting up now,” I replied, swinging my legs over the side of the bed and heading to the bathroom for a quick shower.

“Oki! Send me a picture of your whole look when you’re done, okay? Mwa!”

We ended the call, and I sighed, apprehensive about the day ahead of me.

Once I took a shower, I dressed casually in an oversized shirt and comfortable pajamas.

Just then, I heard a car pull up nearby my cabin.

What was he doing here?

Before long, there was a knock at the door.

With another sigh, I made my way to answer it.

There stood Alexander, looking at me as I dampened my hair from the shower.

“Aren’t you going to a blind date or something?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I am,” I confirmed, opening the door wider for him to come inside, which he did without hesitation.

“Would you like some coffee?” I asked as he took a seat on my sofa.

He nodded at the offer, and I proceeded to prepare some coffee along with a few pieces of bread.

“Are you really sure you want to go through with this?” Alexander suddenly asked, his tone more serious.

I nodded affirmatively. “I can’t back down now, can I?” I replied, and he regarded me with contemplation.

“Why not?” he pressed, seemingly curious.

“Because Bella expects me to be there,” I explained.

He sighed, clearly concerned. “Don’t you know how to say no?” he asked, and I chuckled slightly.

“Bella is my friend. I can do little favors like this for her. Although, I can guarantee this will be the first and last time,” I assured him with a grin.

“I really hope it is,” he blurted out. His own shock at his statement was evident, making me brush it off lightly.

“What brings you here, though? Did Bella send you?” I questioned, arching an eyebrow.

He hesitated for a moment. “She did,” he lied, but it was obvious he was hiding something.

“She asked me to drive you to your date,” he shrugged, keeping up the act.

“Did she really? Bella never mentioned that to me,” I said, skepticism creeping into my voice.

He laughed nervously. “She must’ve forgotten to tell you,” he replied, and I couldn’t help but smirk at his obvious discomfort.

I decided to let it go. “Okay, fine. I’ll get ready now so we can head out,” I said, moving toward my bedroom.

Bella had provided me with more outfits than just one for the occasion; she had essentially turned me into her very own dress-up doll for the day.

I changed into a beautiful white dress with a sweetheart neck and a tie front, paired with some lovely white sandals.

Letting my hair down, I took some extra time to style it to complement the whole look.

Then, as Bella instructed, I applied a touch of makeup—not too much, just enough to enhance my natural features.

After completing my look, I gazed at myself in the mirror, snapped a quick selfie, and sent it to our group chat that included Bella and Mika.

With my purse in hand, I stepped out of my room, ready to face the day.

“I’m ready to go!” I announced, and Alexander turned to regard me.

Suddenly, he started coughing, clearly taken aback.

“Do I look that bad?” I asked innocently, uncertainty creeping into my voice.

Upon regaining his composure, it seemed he was grappling for the right words.

“No—uh, you should probably change,” he stammered, which made me chuckle softly.

If I didn’t know any better, I might have believed that statement.

“We don’t have much time left. Let’s just go,” I insisted, heading out the door.

My phone pinged with a new message, and I glanced down to read Bella’s text:

Bella: You look absolutely beautiful, babe!! Good luck on your date, and update us when you can~

Mika: You’re so pretty, Elle!

I smiled warmly at the kind messages from my friends.

“Are you seriously going to that date in that dress?” Alexander pointed out, disbelief clear in his voice.

“Yes, I am. Bella and Mika picked it out for me, so I’m wearing it,” I stated, shrugging off his skepticism.

He rubbed his temple in frustration. “It really doesn’t suit you,” he remarked bluntly as if trying to persuade me to reconsider.

“The girls said otherwise,” I replied, noticing his subtle gulp of unease.

“Yeah, well, they’re your friends. They wouldn’t tell you the truth if it would hurt your feelings,” he retorted, and I laughed lightly.

“I highly doubt that. My friends are brutally honest,” I countered before making my way to his car.

“Can’t you just change?” he pleaded with exasperation.

I shook my head in defiance. “Should I just drive myself to the date location? You don’t seem keen on going with me,” I replied, moving toward my own car instead.

He quickly caught up with me and closed the door to my vehicle.

I looked up at him, meeting his gaze directly. “Do you have something you want to say?” I asked pointedly.

Despite his thoughts, he found his voice again. “Don’t go,” he said softly, catching me off guard.

I hadn’t expected that.

“Just don’t go,” he repeated, holding my gaze.

This was not going at all as I had originally planned it.