Speak To Me
Chapter 122 –

(Rylan)

I held onto Tilly's hand tightly, afraid she might bolt any minute as we entered the house...Why did I even think to bring her to this shit show? I guess it helps that she knows my family a little..even if she didn't really interact with us too much.. She seems to be handling it all pretty well. I can't help but glance down at her every few seconds as we walk through the foyer and into the sitting room.

"Are you sure you are okay? We don't have to do this." I reminded her for the fourth time, prompting her to look up at me with the most adorable expression.

"It's fine Rylan, I promise I'm okay." She reassured me, those full lips tilting into a sweet smile as I felt a calmness wash over me.

She has been doing that since we walked in here. Something about her just makes me feel so at ease..it's weird, to say the least.

"Oh god, here we go." Jolie mumbled beside us as we rounded the corner.

Sure enough..there stood our mother whispering to a standing Matteo as she passed him a glass of champagne.

"There you all are. I wasn't sure if you decided to stay after all." She announced with a laugh, trying to make light of the situation."You're missing out! This book was meant for oɓnib.om, but if you're reading it elsewhere, it's a copy. Get the real experience at Jonib.Jom, where all our original chapters are shared first."

"Oh, don't worry mom. I'm sure we won't be for long." Jolie quipped with a grin, making our mother narrow her eyes a her.

"It's just one meal, Jolie, I'm sure you can humor your poor mother for one evening can't you?" She responded tightly, causing my dad to walk up to her before grabbing her arm gently.

"Caroline, can we have a word?" My dad said, glancing towards Matteo with a stern look as he just smiled in return before taking a sip of his champagne.

Fucking arrogant prick..I don't know what shit he has been telling our mom, but she has obviously fallen for it hard.

"Rylan, please stay with your sister." My father stated while glancing towards Matteo.

"Of course Dad."

I wouldn't leave her alone with that asshole no matter what.

Just as my parents walked out, a man carrying a tray of drinks walked over before offering Me and Tilly one.

"Oh, no thank you." She whispered, causing me to hesitate before grabbing a glass of my own.

"You don't like champagne? Would you prefer something else instead?"

"Oh, um..well, I'm only twenty..so I can't drink." She whispered to me, making a soft smile pull at my lips as I turned to her. How fucking cute can one person be? I swear she has to be on Gabriella's level of innocence..well, after all the corrupting Jamie did to that poor sweet girl... guess Tilly might surpass Gabriella now.

"If you would like to try one, I won't tell." I responded playfully, making her glance around nervously before nodding her head softly.

I hadn't realized she was only twenty..damn, I feel old now.

I watched as she carefully took a glass as I too grabbed one and dragged my gaze to Jolie.

"Rylan, who is this lovely lady? I don't think we have met before." Matteo suddenly spoke up before walking over to us and standing beside my sister.

"That's none of your business Matteo..why the hell are you even here actually?" I asked rudely while watching Tilly from the corner of my eye, seeing her take a small sip from her glass.

It was hard not to feel all that anger dissolve the moment I witnessed her nose scrunching up adorably. She obviously didn't like the taste.

"I'm here for Jolie..she didn't tell you about us?" Matteo responded curiously.

Jolie couldn't help but scoff..what he said obviously missing her off.

"So, you really are that delusional Matteo. There is no us." Jolie spoke up before taking a step away from Matteo and flashing him one of those bone-chilling glares.

I might've been on the receiving end of that a time or two..it's not something you want to happen.

My sister is the sweetest..until she isn't. But Matteo deserves every bit of this.

"I would think me ignoring all of your calls and texts would be enough of a clue that I want nothing to do with you Matteo Hernandez..besides, I'm seeing someone." She added, making Matteo scoff before clenching his jaw in frustration. "I don't see him here..so maybe you are the delusional one." He added smugky.

I went to step forward, wanting to put Matteo in his place as Tilly suddenly tightened her grip on my arm.

"I think your sister can handle this one on her own." She whispered, her eyes darting to a furious looking Jolie..and I realized maybe she was right...I probably shouldn't insert myself into this fight..as much as I want to. Unless she asks me to of course.

"You can think whatever you like Matteo..but it still doesn't change the fact that I want nothing to do with you..I know my mom might be on your side now..but what will she say when she sees all those texts you have been sending?" Jolie said quietly, making Matteo's face fall as he glanced towards us before looking back at Jolie.

"You can't prove that I sent those." He blurted.

Jolie let out a loud laugh as she was about to say something else when our mom came gliding into the room.

"Okay everyone, dinner is ready!" She cheered happily before walking up to Tilly, completely unaware of the tension going on right now.

"Tilly, perhaps you can sit next to me..I apologize for my rude behavior earlier." She said sweetly before looping her arm through Tilly's.

I narrowed my eyes at her..feeling like this was not a good idea whatsoever, when I glanced back, seeing Matteo whisper harshly into Jolie's ear. Her eyes widened in response to whatever he said, causing my stomach to drop.

"Excuse me for a moment." I said to Tilly, walking straight over to my sister as Matteo quickly let her go before composing himself.

"I will see you at the table." He offered while smiling tightly.

My gaze followed him closely as he walked towards the dining room before disappearing down the hall.

"What did he say? Why do you have that look on your face?" I asked hastily, making Jolie ball her hands into a fist.

"That freaking asshole..I swear Rylan, I'm going to kill him.." Jolie gritted through her teeth, obviously seething from whatever Matteo just said to her..

"What? What's going on?"

"It's bad Ry..shit...if he is telling the truth.." Jolie trailed off before biting her nails nervously.

"Just tell me for Christ's sake before I have a damn stroke!" What could make her freak out this badly?

"He said that he had video footage of Nolan..that if I don't start being nice to him he is going to release it..he got it from the clubs Ry.." She whispered to me, causing my stomach to drop.

"What kind of footage?" Shit..I could only imagine..I mean, Nolan was on a freaking war path of destruction this last time.

"Him using Ry..if that stuff got out..it would devastate him." Jolie choked out, making me reach over and wrap my arm around her shoulders.

That fucking prick.

"It's already public knowledge Jolie..don't let him play you like this. Nolan wouldn't give a shit if he knew what that prick is trying to do." I know for a fact our brother loves Jolie to death..and he would do anything to protect her. So even though this isn't going to go over well..there is no way Jolie can let Matteo use this against her.

"I know..maybe we should warn him? Oh god..I hate him so much Ry!"

"Well..let's put an end to this then.." I said before extending my hand out and offering it to Jolie.

"Wait..where's Tilly?" She asked me suddenly, making my eyes widen as I just realized who I let her walk off with.

Shit! Please don't let my mom fuck this up for me..because somewhere from the moment Tilly walked out of that car, and us walking in here it became real..the fake girlfriend thing wasn't even a thought in my mind..and now I might've just made the biggest mistake of my life leaving her with my mom..

I quickly walked through the study, heading towards the dining room as I heard soft laughter drifting towards me.

That's when I saw my Dad saying something to Tilly, making her smile brightly as relief flooded through me.

I walked over hurriedly, my gaze locked onto Tilly's beautiful face as my dad spotted me and stood up straighter. "Everything alright?" He asked, making me nod.

Suddenly my dad caught my attention, his hand rising as he gave me a thumbs up before glancing down at Tilly, making embarrassment flood through me. Seriosuly?! What if she saw him doing that shit?

"Is everything okay? My mom didn't say anything rude or embarrassing did she?" I asked Tilly as she glanced up at me sweetly.

Suddenly she reached out, placing her palm flat against my chest as she shook her head no.

"Not at all, darling. But I did miss you." She whispered, surprising me as she suddenly stepped closer to me.

"Did you miss me too?" She asked.

Her words made me swallow hard as I stared down at her with wide shocked eyes. Did she drink too much champagne or something!? "Y-yes?" I sputtered, making her smile as she lifted on her toes, bringing her mouth close to my ear.

"Kiss me Rylan, your mother is watching." She whispered, and then my heart dropped..oh, was she just doing all of this to play the part?

I peered down at her, my heart starting to race as I slipped my arm around her small waist, making Tilly gasp.

I bent down, my lips coming mere inches from hers as I watched her eyelashes flutter, making me hold my breath in anticipation.

I pressed my mouth to hers, feeling her soft lips glide across mine as I felt my whole world implode around me..fucking hell..this was it..she was it..

I'm a firm believer in soulmates and all things romance..and damn..I knew right at that moment that she was mine.

I don't give a shit how crazy I sound..this was it..the moment that my life changes forever..and I can't fucking believe I figured that out in front of my freaking parents..who just so happened to be watching intently.

I pulled away, staring down at Tilly as I realized her eyes were still shut..so I took that moment to study her carefully.

She had the most adorable nose..and her lips..fuck they were plump and delicious...and those cheeks..the way they turned that pretty shade of pink..I was a goner.

"You look so beautiful right now." I breathed, prompting her eyes to snap open as she stared up at me. Those green-blue orbs sparkled like diamonds as my mother's shrill voice cut through our moment.

"Rylan, will you please join us..you two can continue this...display of affection...after dinner." She said firmly..all I could do was mod aimlessly as I realized everyone had already sat down.

I placed my hand on Tilly's lower back, guiding her to the table before glancing toward a smirking Jolie.

"Well, thank you all for joining us..and it's lovely to meet Rylan's little..friend..I would also like to thank Matteo for join.."

That's when Jolie suddenly stood.

"Um..not to interrupt mom..but yeah..I'm not doing this shit. There are a few things I want to say actually."