Speak To Me

(Jolie)

Well..Gabriella sure did have a lot to tell me..but it was so damn hard to focus when Alder was standing right across from me, speaking to Jamie.

It was almost like I could feel his every move..the energy pulsing off of him hitting me in waves as I kept my gaze on Gabriella, trying to focus.

Apparently her brother Grant had approached her father..or was it the other way around? Either way, it definitely got heated..

But..from what Gabriella said, Grant ended up apologizing to John for taking Katrina in the first place.

Gabriella said that her dad was still pretty cold towards him but Grant really put some effort into the whole thing. I won't lie...I really like the guy..I can see his intentions towards Gabriella are genuine.

I know Rylan doesn't trust him exactly, but I think most of that is driven by jealousy.

"Mr. King, I look forward to our meeting next week. Please enjoy yourself this evening and we will speak soon." Jamie said, making my ears perk up as I snuck a glance towards Alder.

What I didn't expect was those blue orbs to be staring right back at me..

"Thank you..and I most certainly will." He said smoothly, causing my cheeks to warm as he continued to stare at me intently."You're missing out! This book was meant for obniɓ. Jom, but if you're reading it elsewhere, it's a copy. Get the real experience at Jobni. Jom, where all our original chapters are shared first."I felt my breathing hitch..the air between us growing charged as I didn't know what the hell was happening to me right now..

"J-Jolie did y-you hear me?" Gabriella asked, her hand touching my arm as she pulled me from this trance.

"Uh, sorry, can you repeat that?" I breathed, feeling flustered as she glanced between me and Alder suspiciously.

I didn't exactly get the chance to tell her what was going on with me yet..I mean..not like there really is something going on..God I need a drink.

I reached out, grabbing my glass of wine as Gabriella scooted closer to me.

"A-are you n-nervous for the au-auction?" She asked, making me shrug in response as I took another long sip of wine.

"I doubt it..we are pros at this by now..which is sad considering that means we have been single every fucking year." Rylan piped in, giving away the fact that he had been eavesdropping like usual.

I glared towards him, my eyes catching Alder's one last time before he turned to leave. Of course he probably heard that..which makes me seem even more pathetic.

"You would rather have the redhead come back instead?" Grant teased my brother while walking up and sitting down.

"Fuck no..don't even joke like that..I swear I felt a chill when you said that." Rylan muttered before shivering in disgust..I burst out into laughter as Gabriella joined in.

Most of the dinner went by without any issues..and the closer we got to the auction, the more I drank..

My mother must've been watching me from across the room because she was sending me texts to cut the drinking back..which prompted me to drink even more.

I swear I never got this nervous the previous times before..I don't know why this year felt so different..

Once the first part of the auction started, people began bidding on the items as the announcer named them off one by one.

It was hilarious because at one point Gabriella started bidding on a package that involved horse riding lessons...which Jamie was not thrilled about. Obviously she would wait until after the babies were born..but I think imaging her on the back of a huge animal made Jamie have a mini meltdown..so he made Rylan start bidding on it against her..

I couldn't stop laughing..I mean..my brother has probably never even seen a horse close up before.

Eventually, Gabriella gave in as I heard Jamie whisper that he would buy her a pony if she wanted.

I can't with this guy...he is such a softie with her. It's adorable to see and I think I'm starting to see Jamie how I was always meant to now..like a good friend.

After a couple of big-ticket items like jewelry and expensive trips were auctioned off..I knew the dances were coming up next.

"Come on, it's time to go." Rylan whispered, yanking on my arm as he crouched down next to me.

"You too..they need another guy since Jamie bowed out this year." My brother said to Grant, making the guy almost choke on his drink.

"What? No way in hell.." He grumbled.

Rylan and Grant have actually been getting along this whole dinner. I swear Grant is just another version of Jamie..they even have the same facial expressions whenever Rylan talks.

"Oh, y-you should d-do it! H-How fun!" Gabriella exclaimed, causing Grant's eyes to widen before he let out a long sigh and bowed his head in defeat.

"Fine.." He grumbled, making Gabriella clap her hands excitedly as Rylan yanked Grant from his chair and started to lead us to the place behind the stage.

I felt myself glancing around, that wine I had been drinking finally setting in as I tried not to stumble and make a fool out of myself.

"Please tell me you are just as wasted as I am." Rylan whispered next to my ear, causing me to slap my hand over my mouth as I tried not to laugh.

"Mom is going to kill us." I giggled, and Rylan just nodded his head in agreement.

"I can't believe I'm really doing this." Grant mumbled as we lined up with a few other participants.

"Okay, we will call you out one by one. Remember, this is all for fun and meant to help the charities, so try to have a good time. Only one dance is required..well, I guess that is up to you afterward." The older woman explained, winking at Grant as he stiffened slightly before straightening his back.

I took a deep shuddering breath, my stomach twisting with nerves as the music started to play and the first few people began to enter the stage.

I wrung my hands together, my lip sliding between my teeth as I bit down anxiously and started to regret even agreeing to this..

Usually, the people who bid for me are my dad or some old married guy who uses this as an excuse to dance with a younger woman so their wives can't get mad.

Then a thought entered my dizzy mind..would he bid for me?

Before I could even process the thought, the older woman appeared from behind the curtain.

"Okay sweetheart, you're up next. Good luck! And remember to have fun." She said quickly, making me nod my head and swallow hard as I glanced back at Rylan and Grant..

They both gave me a thumbs up and I went to walk out but the moment I stepped forward..my shoe got caught on my dress and I came stumbling out like some idiot..

The bright spotlight shone right on me as I quickly stood, trying to compose myself as I smiled brightly and walked ahead..

Oh god..please just end this now..I will take the seventy-year-old perv at this point..

"Ladies and gentlemen, the next dancer at bid is the lovely Jolie Walters. She loves long walks on the beach and getting caught in the rain." The announcer joked. They always said some random phrase to get the crowd to laugh.

I stood there awkwardly, my eyes unable to focus on anything as I just looked straight ahead and smiled.

"Let's start the bidding at.."

"10,000 dollars!" A man suddenly shouted, making the whole place gasp as my eyes widened..then they traveled to the source.

Fuck..Matteo Hernandez..

I watched as my mother clapped her hands excitedly in the chair beside him as he stood up and looked straight at me.

His eyes burned into me, making my stomach drop. The look on his face wasn't sweet or charming..no..it was angry and annoyed. That's when I knew he wasn't just buying a dance.. There is no way anyone else would outbid that..that's insane! I'm done for..

"Wow! We have the highest bid yet from the man in the blue suit! 10,000 dollars going once.."

"20,000 dollars." Another man shouted, and I kid you not..I think my mother might have fainted.

The whole room filled with murmurs and gasps as my gaze slid across the room..finding the man responsible..and when my eyes met those deep blue ones..I think I almost fainted too.. Standing on the other side was Alder..and the moment our gazes connected..I swear it felt like my heart began truly beating for the first time in my life right at that moment..