O L I V I A
Two months had come and gone.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HZK42EQWK
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Things were going great and I was in love with my life. I was excelling at Westview, my art was being noticed and I even got to participate in a local art show, I was growing closer to Kimberly, and I even started up a new relationship.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCVrT2acyT
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Tucker had asked me out about 3 weeks after my first day. I spent most of my shifts with him and Kim.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfhMjTlgHK
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It just felt right. Tucker was sweet and he was always going out of his way to do things for me.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSoLljTXgd
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We would go on little dates to a local diner to stuff ourselves on burgers and spend our weekends at his apartment watching shitty movies.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwg0No3gTXY
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Plus, he respected me. I didn’t feel any overwhelming pressure to have sex with him.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKvBjWFzA2
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We were taking it slow and I was so grateful for that. I worked up the courage for my parents to meet him and they were sold.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKj4GPyugF
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I had a good boyfriend, great friends, and I finally was finding my way. I had a plan for the rest of my life after Westview and the thought of Tucker possibly moving with me to New York when I started in the Summer was fueling me even more.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70HhUKyzMS
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I needed this. I needed a normal, happy life for a very normal and average girl.
I’d be lying though if I denied that I didn’t think about Alessio anymore.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvzR7zZVYi
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The last day I saw him was when he came to the cafe that first shift. The next day he still wasn’t at school and my calls and texts were never returned.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPcuvQryk5
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I even tried Anna but that never got me anywhere.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80wVNUYMd0
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I didn’t know where he was and I sure as hell didn’t know how to find him. The feeling that Alessio had used me and blown me off for something else tore me apart.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIXgUYqAUs
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I really had just been a game for him and the others. I was the sweet, average girl that he played like a violin and tossed to the side like garbage.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjy3OIVzJqE
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I shouldn’t have been surprised. Alessio Romano isn’t the kind of person to have relationships with quirky, art school girls from New York.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcG53SzIC4
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He is with girls like Monica from the masquerade. Beautiful, Italian women with supermodel bodies and lots of money and class.
The only time I felt any hope was about a week after I had seen Alessio when Beto finally showed up at the high school and I caught him going into the office.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjz3V38xxwN
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He had several envelopes in his hands and tried to act like he hadn’t heard me when I called out his name.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqqFeHI73J
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When Beto did turn around, he didn’t react like I hoped he would. He was dismissive and very cold.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFHz53H2Ky
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“Beto, what is going on? Where’s Alessio?” I begged him.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFcurbjj9Y
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He sighed and tucked the envelopes under his arm. “Olivia, it just didn’t work out, alright? There’s nothing else to it.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitgudslKhF
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“Don’t lie to me, please. I know something is going on. Where is he? Why haven’t you guys been in school?”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygjJ29Ao7q
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He sighed and brushed his hair back. “We aren’t coming to school anymore. We finished early and we are moving on.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpv23aw70W
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“Just moving on? I don’t under-”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPWtpJXb5g
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“Olivia,” Beto snapped at me. “Stop asking questions! Alessio doesn’t want you. You need to move on and forget him and the rest of us. Do you understand?”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1r0BP7vSB
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My mouth fell open and I felt the tears burn my eyes. “No...I don’t.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzudEBpAfb1
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“That’s not my problem.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpRJsGzh13
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With that, Beto turned around and stormed out of the school. I stood there in the hallway by myself as the tears fell. I was so sick to my stomach and confused.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZIMVGACr4
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Why would he do this to me? What did I do wrong?
As those weeks went by, I was constantly thinking about him. I only felt normal when I was with Kim and Tucker.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5PMgK0pNb
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I was struggling to focus on school and spent night after night in my room. I was just so hurt and so lost.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDkUJC5m2s
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I had no answers and it killed me.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyEwddVdaC
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As the days went by, it eventually got easier.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjaXtulnpH
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I opened up to Kimberly about it and she had been doing her best to keep me happy. Alessio never left my mind, but it started to hurt a little less.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTee3xHkF5q
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I was now preoccupied with my 18th birthday coming up and prom. School would be ending within just a few months.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWrPFNgPUD
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I was so ready to go back home to New York. Kimberly knew I’d come see her on breaks, but I missed my friends. Finishing my senior year without them had been really hard.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIG0aEBpvmX
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Plus, I needed to spill myself to someone who knew me since the diaper days.
"So what are you wearing for prom?" She asks and turns on MTV.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdGQzNWBNd
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Kim and I had been curled up on her bed and flipping through old fashion magazines her mom had.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCiInlWSRK
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She decided to go with her friend who turned more into a boyfriend. Joe was on the football team at Westview and from what I’ve seen he was a sweet kid.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEa18L5VwC
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He put up with Kimberly’s mood swings and kept her in line. They had been practically attached to the hip at school and I was just grateful she had someone when I was with Tucker.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5whsRni8oE
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I missed our daily girl time though.
“Not sure,” I muttered and scrolled through my phone. “I haven’t thought about it much.”
I wasn’t exactly thrilled about prom.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0dyPfF6eK
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I didn’t really have anyone aside from Kim and I knew I would have to play third wheel since she’d have Joe and of course, Sierra and Austin would be there together.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsgjX3x8al
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Unfortunately, with Tucker being twenty-one and the school not allowing outside attendees, I was basically destined to go solo.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKpEyryvCD
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“Well, get on it,” Kimberly groans and rolls onto her back. “How are things with Tucker?”
I grin at her, "Really good."
"Oh yeah," She teases and pokes me. "Have you done the dirty?"
"Kimberly!" I smack her arm. "We're taking things slow."
She nods,"I admire that, but it could NEVER be me."
I roll my eyes at her and watch as she stands up from her bed and goes to her closet.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6b1N7zTh1
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“What are you doing?” I shake my head as she starts tossing clothes.
"Aha!" She exclaims and pulls out a very tight fitting, glittery gold dress with no straps. It is very Kimberly.
“Is that the one?” I ask.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYGRAlV42c
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She nods and holds it to her body. “Yes, ma’am. I probably have something for you too.”
“Or...or…I could just hang out...with Tucker?” I say quietly.
"Olivia, you promised! You know Joe and I aren't going to ditch you and I WISH Tuck could come but the school is never going to let that happen." She whines out.
"I know, I know! I'll go for you." I laugh and hold my hands up in surrender.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69j7IhBBcK
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She smiles at me and bats her eyes before a dress is thrown right at my face.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oIIdj2t6F
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I pull it off my head and hold it up. It’s a beautiful deep purple shade with tiny specks of silver glitter. The skirt of the dress had wire beneath it to give it more of that puffy, formal look.
"The school is going to allow us to wear dresses…” I start and turn it around, “This short?”
She rolls her eyes, "It is not that short, Olivia.”
I bite my tongue from arguing with her anymore and decide to let her play barbie with me. I slip into the dress and look at myself in the mirror hanging on her closet door.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5gHNYMo2N
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The hem of it barely reaches the top of my thighs and it is completely strapless.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TG55DGdRT
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Again...very, very Kimberly.
“We look so hot!” Kimberly cheers and spins around. “Let’s take pictures.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUDpK8H7b3
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I try to keep my best smile on for her as she sets up a mini photoshoot for the both of us.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkb68em9Il
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I couldn’t help but feel a wave of sadness wash over me with the realization that I wouldn’t be with Alessio.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxLTfFYs4Z
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Our time together was so short but part of me had really hoped that there would be more dancing. I hated dancing, but for him, I would do it until my legs fell off.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdSw9aH0LR
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I wanted this to be our moment together.
⟡ ⟡ ⟡
"Excited for your birthday dinner, cutie?" Tucker asks and wraps his arm around my waist.
I wrap my arms around his neck. “Are you ever going to spill where we are going?”
“Why would I ruin it?”
“Fine!” I laugh and roll my eyes. “Let me finish up here.”
I feel his eyes on me as I lean over and clean off the last few tables and carry the bucket of dirty water and rags back into the kitchen.
“You’re so cute when you have your work face on.” He teases.
I roll my eyes and playfully hit at him as we head out of the cafe together and lock up. He leads the way to his car and opens my door.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0z1F64BpdO
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“Should I change?” I ask and look down at my black shirt and slacks.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqvBeoxCrA
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“You look great.”
I smile and climb into the passenger side. Tucker walks over to the driver’s side and his hand finds mine almost immediately.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0g36SodzGy
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We had a good routine going. It was almost like we moved as one unit.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLimhyGOGD3
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Before long we are pulling up to some unfamiliar Italian restaurant in the city. The outside already looked packed with cars and I could tell I was definitely not dressed right for a place this nice.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQE4uD9pPt
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“In the mood for Italian?” Tucker asks and turns the car off.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb6cut7pBO
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My cheeks blush but I don’t say another word as he leads us up to the front of the entrance where a young male greets the both of us.
We’re led back towards the south end of the restaurant where a cute little booth is set up with piping hot breadsticks and adorable tea lights.
"Thank you for this,” I tell Tucker as we sit across from one another. “This looks so nice.”
“Anything for you.” He smiles and kisses my hand.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4dAputsh4
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I smile back at him and look up just as a waitress comes to take our drink order. The restaurant is getting crowded fast with hungry customers but I realize not all of them are waiting for tables.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquZaavAy88
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A line has formed in front of a guy who looks to be working as security for a section located upstairs.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuLbw85Qv0
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I let my eyes wander over the people standing there and realize one of them sticks out like a sore thumb.
“Excuse me,” I say politely to Tucker. “I see an old friend. I’ll be right back.”
He nods a little and watches me curiously as I hurry from the table and rush over to the crowd standing there.
“Anna!”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQDv9YePec
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She turns around and her eyes widen. “Olivia! What are you doing here?”
“I guess I should ask the same,” I smile awkwardly. “I’m out eating for my birthday.”
“Ah, that’s right.” She smiles and looks past me to where Tucker is sitting. “Who is that?”
“He’s the assistant manager where I work. We’re...we’re dating.”
She stares at him a little longer before smiling back at me. “Well, congratulations, Olivia. Also, happy birthday. You look so beautiful.”
I try to force a smile back at her but my heart strains and I can’t stop myself from wrapping my arms around her without warning. She laughs a little at my sudden embrace and pulls the two of us down towards a nearby bench
Her eyes flick back towards a blonde man who had been standing with her. I realize immediately it’s her fiance Alonzo from the dance.
"Continua. Ci vediamo presto." (Translation: Go ahead. I'll see you soon)
She sighs and holds my hands in hers.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQs4krZDX0
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“I know you want to talk to me about, Alessio.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uVPLaePqd
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“Where is he Anna? I just want to know he’s okay.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcB5zrcfH5
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“He’s in Italy.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrAEtkQHLN
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My brows pull together. “Italy? Why?”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6UvmNzmpC
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“We have a lot of family and close friends. He’s handling some stuff with them regarding business matters for a couple of months there.”
I breathe out heavily. “Anna...why did he just leave? Why did he not say anything to me?”
“Olivia,” She squeezes my hands. “Alessio really does love you. He cares so much about you but he is doing this...to protect you.”
"Protect me?" I ask a little too harshly.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopArdC0slw
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“Yes, Olivia. I know you had a lot of questions about us and what we do,” She says and glances over my shoulder towards Tucker. “Let’s just say being with Alessio isn’t safe.”
I frown at her vague response and follow her gaze towards Tucker. He gives me a little wave and points to our breadsticks.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaAgaXpyzP
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“Go ahead.” Anna reassures me.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJe1DGD41b
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I look back at her and frown. I so badly wanted to ask her everything, but there was just no time.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgvM4nF00v
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I knew I wouldn’t get the answers I wanted.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9alkFw8ss
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“Oh, Olivia!” She says as I start to stand. “Happy birthday. Alessio wanted you to have this.”
I look down at the tiny black box in my hands and pull the top off to reveal a gorgeous silver necklace with a heart.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYyLHTDCq3
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On the inside is the word Amore sprawled out in beautiful scripture against the velvet lining.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBFC23tmYa
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My heart squeezes and I brush my fingertips against the lockett.
I look back up at Anna one more time before slipping the necklace into my pocket and heading back towards our table.
A L E S S I O
The sun was rising quick this morning in Venice. This was my favorite part of every morning.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0ZAMsVoje
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Watching the sun rise and having my morning cigarette.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJljBZlBIa
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I loved Venice. It’s beautiful and the environment here is like no other.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvlM8KwGFR
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It didn’t stop me from thinking about her though. Two months had gone by and she was still my waking thought.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ911Pj72GT
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I was a piece of shit for leaving Olivia without a word. I knew my absence was going to ruin her that day, I went to see her in the cafe.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNtW2iHMBl
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I don’t know why I even went to see her. Why I even made it sound like there was hope.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wNXS5QF6h
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I just needed to kiss her. Feel her before I left.
After my meeting that evening with Adolfo, I knew I couldn’t continue my pursuit with Olivia.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpi2DKOveX
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I was falling for her fast. I barely knew the girl and I wanted her in every way imaginable.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKn35Wf2co
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The contract was already signed. I would marry Monica Rossi within months and my duty was now to help handle business with Giovanni in Venice while planning my wedding with my soon-to-be bride.
After the masquerade ball, my father had invited the Rossi family to return the next day for a small party.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsM9rpBGgrg
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I got down on one knee and asked Monica to be my bride in front of all of them. She sure put on a hell of a show.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSy7UjjxZSo
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Almost looked like we actually loved each other.
"Fidanzato." (Translation: Fiance)
I tense at the sound of Monica’s voice and feel her arms wrap around my waist. She walks around to stand in front of me. Strands of her chestnut colored hair blow against her face and mask her green eyes.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQQdyv7tLX
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I stare down at her with no emotion.
“Last night was wonderful.” She purrs and trails her manicured claws down my bare stomach.
I nod in response and take another drag.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJFIBGToOH
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Monica and I were doing everything as a normal engaged couple was. We were shopping together, planning our future, and having sex.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4INebS2TW4
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It was just that though. Sex with her was simply a way to keep me from wanting to strangle her every second.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDp5mJCc14J
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I had no desire to be with Monica Rossi. She was a pest.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKEP1zjaaL
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The only good she could do for me was make me cum and shut her mouth at this point if I was to spend my life with her.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuQpMI3uKU
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Despite her efforts, I knew Monica didn’t like me either. She was just trying to please her father.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcj5ymjpJi6
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This marriage was nothing but a business arrangement. My heart and soul would stay with Olivia.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP71dpTpCFZ
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I couldn’t keep myself completely away from her though. Even in Italy, I was still having my men keep their eyes on her.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnbRfdxlaN
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I knew she was dating Tucker and things were going okay. His background came up clean and he seemed like a safe choice for her.
"Qual è il tuo problema?" Monica snaps out, clearly annoyed with my lack of response. (Translation: What is your problem?)697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPJNuJGVGR
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5VQAnbeNx
I continue to ignore her and shrug.
“You are thinking of that girl,” She spits out. “She’s old news, Alessio. Let it go.”
“Monica, leave it alone.”
She smiles up at me seductively. “Can Olivia make you cum like I can?”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3D8ylUH0A
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EvrQatydB
My jaw flexes a bit as her fingers trail against the hem of my jeans. I flick my cigarette out over the balcony and pull her towards the house.
O L I V I A
"Hurry!"
Kimberly laughs loudly as the two of us rush towards the school gym. Running in heels is the hardest thing ever. I suck at being a girl.
The two of us enter through the handmade arch the prom committee put together and walk up towards a table with snacks and punch.
“Joe!” Kimberly shouts and starts waving.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAIEDWnXpb
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXvOpkbOKU
He walks up to the two of us wearing a dark suit with a matching corsage to coordinate with the colors in her dress.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNWS4rmfRP
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He’s a cute guy and certainly Kimberly’s type.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg1TxgkWcU
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XNWcPBuI7
Tall, athletic, dark shaggy hair and muscular.
“How are you?” He asks as she kisses him697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡze6memaO3T
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTBEfu0XDW
“Great.” She swoons.
The two of them go back to sucking face so I decide to scan the room a bit and see what’s going on.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN734dOexcR
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXubz2Evak
The entire gym was decorated for a “beach/sea” theme but it really reminded me of The Little Mermaid a lot more.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOUg5ed5Km
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aZ15YOX2f
I noticed Austin and Sierra curled up with one another at a table across the room. The two of them both match with a violet dress and tie.
My stomach turned watching the two of them playfully kiss and hold each other. The thought of Austin possibly hurting her in the way he was with me that night didn’t sit well.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7i3oIGAeE
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He finally caught my gaze and a creepy smile crawled across his face. I watched as he nudged Sierra and pointed to us.
“Hey guys!” She shouts and sprints across the room.
I tear my eyes from Austin and smile back at her. “You look great!”
“Thank you! You too!”
Kimberly slides up between us with Joe, “Anyone want some punch?”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8hbTlLhpx
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNxEnVrgW3
“Sure.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzf5aumVSea
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91TaOqjKT0
We all stock up on drinks and head back out to the floor.
"Wow...remind me to thank the prom committee," Kimberly snorts loudly. “This is bad.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡok0toNKCet
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I laugh and roll my eyes at her. All of us move out onto the dance floor and start dancing with one another to the Chris Brown song playing on the speakers.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH08rWCb5ej
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I step back a bit and watch them all dancing together with one another. Austin was back to making out with Sierra and Kimberly was just a few pieces of fabric away from basically having sex with Joe.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbqY0hKHLd
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So much for being included. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZI9TubTrc
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I groan and look down at my throbbing feet. I slip the painful heels off and toss them onto a table so I can get a good rub on my sole.
"You okay, miss?"697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7M2MZUcAFq
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0NlfWDAuz
I glance up to find an unfamiliar man in a trench coat with a grey fedora looking down at me. He didn’t look like any teacher I’ve ever seen.
“I’m fine.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVkK3rHCPn
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhFCczkh5U
“Just checking, beautiful.”697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMe6KsvnIwR
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOmVWmZP5n
My heart stops as I hear him say those words. It’s such a common phrase but something about his voice sounds so familiar.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE4IbtTRzx
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcS3KCQrKa
I feel like I should know him.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmA1urxuzW
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“Wa-” I look back up and he’s gone.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKoj4P7Edu
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My stomach starts to hurt as the memory hits me and I suddenly have the urge to puke. I rush out the back door and spill my guts all over the ground. Several people nearby groan in disgust.
I hadn’t thought about that night in what felt like forever now.697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRZoxk7ML2
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGrp9BL2Ox
It was just rushing back...
I was 12 years old and it was a week before Christmas. I decided to walk down to the local shop to pick up a gift for my parents with the chore money I had earned along with some snacks. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJBRLR8rXQ
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaOKopPmCZ
That night the weather was especially harsh and cold. The snow covered the ground and there had been flurries in the air. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrBRJdzEot
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qtM6xCpNF
I had my headphones in like I always did and kept my coat close to my body.
I looked down at the sidewalk as I walked and watched my feet create little streaks in the snow as I moved. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDN4xC4df3
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPd2rsehLvY
I was only a block away from my townhome and knew if I didn’t get back soon my mom would flip out.
“Hello, beautiful.”
I stopped walking and looked up towards the alley to my right. I couldn’t make out who was there but I could tell there was a figure looming in the darkness.
“Do I know you?” I asked, my voice breaking.
“No, princess,” He said back and took a step forward. “I’m not someone you’d want to know.” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGsUsgOCbb
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtm1DbuH0Lz
My heart had quickened in my chest and I felt nauseous. He took another step towards me and I caught the glimpse of his coat blowing in the wind. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9riWBWu5n
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6VyRscnsR
“I have to go.” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9paNkIv83
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBLCjKSEIN
I turned to walk away when he suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfeB9yWBBS
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJo4HlisgNv
“Hey!” I shouted and pulled against him. “Let me go.” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2m8jDpQ93
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaEZIQzDuJ
I felt my body move backwards as he pulled me into the dark alleyway with him and pushed me up against a nearby wall. Something cool touched the edge of my neck and I realized quickly he had a knife.
“Don’t be rude.” He snapped.
“What do you want?” I cried out. My body shook with terror.
His hand clamped over my mouth and he leaned down to say something but stopped when a new voice spoke up from behind. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XicLECszJ
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgkjfJajW8
“I want her back, darling. I’m sorry it has to be this way.” The voice said from the shadows.
I looked at the dark figures of both of them in terror. “I don’t know what you mean!”
A laugh escaped the man holding the knife against me and I felt the edge of the blade dig a little deeper. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51LS2xT3zT
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1YN6qI3xo
I closed my eyes and waited for it to end. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqqLLsFGEJ
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“What’s going on back there?” 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJBBMhwKyg
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDKRtaIF06
My eyes popped open at the sound of a female voice. I tried to look to the side so I could move my mouth from under his hand. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5lsKjBgFR
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jHL10S3dH
“Let her go.” The man standing the furthest away spoke.
I felt the knife disappear from my neck as he released me and fell to the ground. I could feel a trickle of blood there from where the edge of it had cut me just slightly.
“We’ll meet again.” The man said before turning around and disappearing with the other behind a corner.
The both of them had vanished and I couldn’t stop crying.
"Sweetheart! Are you okay?"697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hGE63jIpU
697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfgn4manDc
I looked up at the woman rushing over to me with several others and couldn’t say a word. I just kept staring back in the direction of where they ran off too. 697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6UYiSpod3
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⟡ ⟡ ⟡697Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YevDaLw70
