Speak To Me
Chapter 148 –

(Rylan)

I knew that Tilly meeting with her family could be risky..the fact that her dad was in such a vulnerable state could give them the chance to get into her head..and it didn't take long for them to do just that. I knew the moment it happened and now I'm trying to figure out what the hell to do. Yeah, I'm not fluent in Spanish..I mean, I know the basics, but I can understand it a little more than they realize I think. The fact that Tilly's family has the nerve to call me a stupid rich white guy, and talk bad about me just a few feet away lets me know I'm not very welcome here already.

I don't know the whole back story as to why they kept Shaina's identity from Tilly, but I can see by the way she looks at her, there is some clear resentment behind those eyes.

It took about forty minutes for the doctor to come and that's when Tilly finally stepped out of the room. I could see her eyes were all red and puffy, and her face lacked any type of emotion as I felt my heart drop. "Tilly." I rushed out, jumping to my feet before coming to her side.

"How are you doing? Do you need water or anything?" I asked worriedly, seeing her arms wrap around her body as she looked down at the floor and shook her head no.

Was she closing off from me?

"I'm fine." Her small voice was barely a whisper, making me frown as I saw her neck prickle with goosebumps..she must be freezing..I didn't even think to grab her a damn jacket on the way out. Taking off my hoodie, I stepped forward before reaching out and slipping it over her head, the action seeming to surprise her.

"Here Angel, wear this.."

I stated while looking into those breathtaking eyes and proceeded to pull the hood down and fixed her hair, all while those big blue/green just peered up at me.

"Whatever you need, I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere okay?" I reminded her, making that full bottom lip suddenly start quivering.

"Do you promise?" She breathed, her voice sounding broken as I swear it was like a punch to the gut.

I held her face between my hands, staring down at her purposefully.

"I promise with all of my heart Matilda Martinez, you are officially stuck with me.."

That's when I saw tears rolling down her cheeks as I promptly pulled her against my chest, hugging her close to me.

I don't know why she was so upset..but my words seemed to mean more to her than I expected them to, and the way she gripped onto me was like she never wanted to let go.

I stroked her beautiful dark hair, my head bending down as I inhaled her sweet scent deeply and we just stayed like that..

But of course her family wouldn't let us have a moment like this for too long..

"Mija, the doctor is waiting." Mrs. Martinez stated firmly, her eyes narrowing at me as Tilly nodded before pulling away.

"Do you want me to come with you?" I asked her, hoping to god she said yes.

Tilly opened her mouth to speak when her mom..Grandmother..whatever the hell she was..quickly stepped forward.

"That won't be necessary, this is a private moment between family. I will be by Tilly's side." She went on to interrupt, making annoyance flood through me. I am really starting to not like this woman.

Tilly just glanced between me and her mom, the look on her face growing more anxious by the minute as I was about to step back and take myself out of the equation..the last thing she needed was more stress right now.. "I want Rylan to come with me." Tilly finally announced, making my eyes widen as her mom seemed even more shocked than I was.

Mrs. Martinez stood there frozen for a few moments, staring at Tilly with disapproval before sighing and nodding once.

"Very well, if that's what you have decided Mija." She added, her words seeming to have some type of hidden meaning as Tilly reached down and took my hand.

"Rylan has been by my side this entire time, and I need him even more now." Tilly added, causing my heart to leap into my throat as the doctor began to approach us.

God this woman continues to surprise me..I swear that one action was enough to bring me back up to feeling like a million freaking bucks. She chose me...fuck yeah!

From that point in, I couldn't help but study Tilly's every move. Like the way her brow scrunched up when the doctor stated something she didn't quite understand, or how her lips gently parted with each word she spoke.

I knew I was damn lucky to have this girl come into my life..and there is no fucking way I am going to just let her family get between us..because I knew exactly when Tilly took my hand and asked me to come with her, that Paula Martinez hated it.

Every move I made, her eyes were on me. Like the way I brushed Tilly's hair back, or rubbed her hand gently..or how I asked if she needed a break..I saw the hatred growing more and more by the second.

It was like she was more concerned with the shit I was doing than what the doctor was saying..

"So, my father is going to be okay?" Tilly asked, making the doctor smile softly.

"I won't lie, it will be a long road to recovery, but now that we know your father suffers from sleep apnea, it will help prevent this from happening again. Between that and cleaning up his diet a little, he should be in the clear." The doctor informed us, making Tilly let out a relieved sigh.

"Thank you, Dr. Jones..thank you so much." She rushed out, shaking the older woman's hand.

I guess Mr. Martinez has suffered from sleep apnea for years that went untreated, and the lack of oxygen while sleeping led him to have a blood clot that blocked the artery in his heart. Yeah..I didn't even know that was a thing.

"Of course, I will be by in a few hours to check on him again. You all should try and get some rest, I can assure you that your father is in good hands." The doctor said once more before leaving.

That's when I turned to Tilly, looking down at her now smiling face as she gazed up at me happily.

"What she said was good news, right? That means he is going to be okay?" Tilly asked, making me nod my head before smiling down at her.

"It was great news. That was exactly what we wanted to hear." I reassured her, forgetting where I was for a moment as I bent down and kissed Tilly's lips softly.

"Thank you for staying Rylan. It means so much to me." She whispered.

"Of course I would stay, you can't get rid of me that easily..I'm stuck to you like glue baby." I added playfully, making her laugh softly as the moment didn't last long..of course Paula Martinez wouldn't let it. "Tilly, you should go back into the room, Papa is going to be expecting you when he wakes up." She stated, throwing on the guilt as I swear this woman had to be giving my own mother a run for her money. "Okay..do you want to come and sit with me?" Tilly asked, looking up at me as I gave her one of my signature smiles before nodding yes.

"Yeah, just give me a moment. I will be right in okay?"

I could tell Mrs. Martinez wished to speak with me..maybe it was from the obvious death stare she was giving me..but I thought we better get this out of the way now because truthfully, I wanted to make a few things very clear..

The moment Tilly disappeared into that room, Paula turned to me while crossing her arms in front of her chest, giving me the nastiest glare.

She wasn't the only one either..Shaina stepped up beside her, making me realize her husband wasn't in the waiting room any longer. I had a sneaking suspicion he didn't know about Tilly being Shaina's daughter..and she wanted to keep it that way.

"Why are you here Mr. Walters?" Paula asked rudely..seriously? Mr. Walters?

"Please, call me Rylan. And the reason I'm here Mrs. Martinez, is to support Tilly." I answered, making Shaina laugh dryly.

"Is that funny to you?" I stated curiously, wondering why this woman even had an issue with me. I hadn't met her once..

"I'm guessing Tilly hasn't put out yet, and that's the only reason why you are here."

Did I just hear that right? Is this woman serious?!

"Shaina..please." Her mother scolded her, making Shaina roll her eyes.

"He clearly only wants one thing from her Mama, and you know that too." Shaina said and proceeded to speak to her in Spanish. I wasn't exactly sure what was fully said, but it was pretty much about me being a rich playboy.

"I don't know what type of stereotype you are trying to put me under, but I can assure you that the reason I am here with Tilly isn't to get her in my bed. In fact, if that woman in there wanted to wait until the night of our wedding to be intimate, then I wouldn't even hesitate to agree with that."

The funny thing is...little do they know Tilly has been the one trying to get in my pants!

"Wedding? What are you talking about?" Both women gasped.

"My intentions with your daughter are not something that should be taken lightly. My feelings for Matilda are very serious and strong...and I plan on taking this relationship even further whenever Tilly is ready for that. But until then, I suggest you get used to seeing me around. Because I'm not going anywhere until that woman in there says otherwise." I snapped, causing the two women to stand there with their mouths hanging open.

"Now, if you will excuse me, my future wife needs me right now..and I'm going to be there for her."

Okay, that might've been taking things a little too far..considering Tilly doesn't fully know how obsessed with her I am yet..but I couldn't help it..I had to put these women in their place...and damn did it feel good.

Now I just have to get all of that doubt out of Tilly's mind. God knows what those two put in there...but I have a feeling that's why she looked so sad earlier.

Also..why did it sound so damn good to call Tilly my future wife? Wait..am I blushing now?

...Yeah, I've got it bad..