Speak To Me

(Jolie)

I let out a sigh, my annoyance level being pretty much capped at this point as I narrowed my eyes at my mother. Could she seriously be this dense?

She was sitting across from me, laughing at something Matteo said as I swear I was close to stabbing him with my fork.. The conversation my mother and I had earlier made me fight the urge to roll my eyes as I played it over in my head. "Jolie, where have your manners gone?" My mother hissed while practically dragging me through the room.

"My manners?! What about what you just did?" I quipped, making my mother pause before finally glancing back at me.

"What? Oh..you mean you and that man? Jolie..do you know who that man is?" My mother asked, making me furrow my brow. Should I know who he is? Alder King..it didn't sound too familiar..and I can say without a doubt I had never met him in person before..I would've remembered that.

"He is the Grandson of Walt Alvarez." My mother whispered, her eyes darting around nervously as I couldn't handle her dramatics right now.

"So?" I stated, causing my mother's mouth to drop open.

"So?! You have heard the rumors yourself Jolie..don't act like you don't know.." My mother rushed out and began pulling me once again.

Yeah..we have all heard the rumors of the Alvarezs'..how they were thought to be tied to the mafia. Let's just say if anyone went against Walt Alvarez..there were a lot of "accidents" that seemed to happen not too long after.

"Mother..you should know more than anyone not to jump to conclusions about someone's character.." I reminded her, causing my mother to search my eyes carefully before sighing and nodding once.

So many people have judged and blamed my mother for the choices that Nolan has made..thinking there must be something wrong with our family for my brother to have a drug addiction.

Maybe my mom is a tad overbearing..but with Nolan, it's something mental..even the therapists say he just seems to be prone to addiction more than the average person.

I love my brother to death and I hate that he has to go through this..but my mother did enable him and that was part of the problem.

So after she started going to a few support groups, she realized that.

But Nolan seems to be doing so much better with this round of rehab. He calls me every day just to catch up and even tells me about his struggles..which is incredible because before he would lie and say he was fine when he clearly wasn't..and now he is actually opening up..I'm so proud of him.

"Well..you already have a date for the evening..so you don't need to be talking to anyone else." She declared, causing me to clench my jaw and scoff.

"Matteo is not my date mother..and I refuse to have anything to do with that man." I grumbled before crossing my arms in front of my chest.

"Is this about what happened before with you two?" She asked, making my eyes widen.

"W-what? I don't know what you are talking about.." I quickly responded, causing my mother to raise her eyebrow.

asshole!

"Sweetheart..Matteo told me how you two had a connection..but it was all a misunderstanding. He was going to end things with the girl that day..he said the moment he saw you, he knew..isn't that romantic?" My mother cooed, and I swear I was rendered speechless..that freaking Wow..he had everything planned out didn't he..telling my mother those lies.

"That is not what happened mom..and I want nothing to do with Matteo Hernandez..so if you will excuse me.."

Before I could walk away, the music started to play, signaling for us to find our seats as I ground my teeth in annoyance..

Now here we are..sitting across from the Hernandez family as Matteo practically gropes me with his eyes the whole damn evening and my mom is completely unaware.

I debated on just leaving when I suddenly saw my brother approaching the table, making relief flood through me.

"There you are..Please save me.." I rushed out as he walked past me before kissing our mother on the cheek and slapping my dad's back affectionately.

Rylan gave me the nod, his eyes narrowing at Matteo as he spoke.

"Come on Jolie, Jamie and Gabriella would like us to sit at their table." My brother informed, making my mother open her mouth to protest but my dad quickly stopped her.

"Let them go dear, we wouldn't want to offend the hosts...right?" My father said, causing my mother to swallow her words before nodding.

I saw Matteo was about to stand when my brother slapped his hand on his shoulder, making Matteo stiffen.

"Nice to see you dude..we will have to catch up after dinner..I have a lot catch you up on." Rylan stated, the threatening tone not escaping me as my mother clearly missed it..I could tell by the huge smile she now wore. "Let's go." My brother said softly, helping me from my chair as I swear I could hug him right now.

"Thank you Ry.." I said, squeezing his hand as he led me through the ballroom.

"Where's your date?" I asked, glancing around as Ry gave me the biggest smile ever.

"Jamie had her thrown out." He said happily, making me laugh at how excited he was about it.

"See! He does care."

"Well..he did it more because she was rude to Gabriella..but I would like to think it was a little for me too." He added, making me laugh.

We weaved around the large banquet tables, my eyes scanning the room as I felt that nagging feeling I was trying to ignore..

Where was he sitting? Was he looking for me too right now? Or did he not even care?

God..what is wrong with me? If Alder really was Walt Alvarez's grandson..then he probably wants nothing to do with me..I mean, I am a dime a dozen around here..

Out of all of the people in this room, our family was probably on the lower side of wealth compared to some..

"Over here." My brother stated, drawing my attention back to where we were walking as I spotted Gabriella.

I swear the moment our eyes connected..I felt instant relief. She really has become a huge staple in my life..who would've thought? That I would be best friends with Jamie's wife..young me never would've believed it. "Oh god, I am so happy to see you." I rushed out, coming to her side as she smiled up at me happily.

"Y-you look b-beautiful." She said sweetly, making me scoff.

"Compared to you I look like I'm a part of the staff." I grumbled, making her gasp before shaking her head no.

Nothing against what the staff was wearing..it's just that Gabriella looks like royalty compared to my simple dress..

I glanced at her neck, seeing a beautiful rose gold necklace with a red rose hanging off of it.

"Wow, this is stunning, did Jamie buy you this?" I asked, making her cheeks redden as she shook her head no once again.

"I m-made it." She stated shyly, causing my eyes to widen.

Wow..I mean, I knew she made jewelry but this..it was incredible.

"My wife isn't only beautiful, but talented as well." Jamie chimed in, his hand sliding around Gabriella's waist as he stood up beside her.

"You look..nice..Jolie." He complimented, his eyes darting to Gabriella as she gave him an encouraging smile, confusing me.

"Uh, thanks..Rylan said it was okay for us to sit with you?" I asked, wanting to make double sure.

"Of c-course..sit by m-me." Gabriella said happily before pulling at my hand and bringing me to the seat beside her.

"I h-have so m-much to tell you." She whispered, and I couldn't help but smile...because I had a lot to tell her too.

I just didn't expect the person I wanted to tell her about would be walking up to the table right at that moment..