O L I V I A
Two months had come and gone.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53TbNDvpKu
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVbcwnk4tb
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUqWILL2IO
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjhxp7vX2i
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsp3As8zOAb
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Plus, he respected me. I didn’t feel any overwhelming pressure to have sex with him.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTq7CoqBHJ0
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UKdGSg9K9
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DZqx023TY
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNjpBDtPub
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84Pfx0pf2v
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I even tried Anna but that never got me anywhere.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLrEvxCOE0
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQLmdLD7YO
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5QcENZFwl
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAslQdrXbX
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAYWnbQQgm
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwHmSTN7gb
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When Beto did turn around, he didn’t react like I hoped he would. He was dismissive and very cold.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGALroGWpF8
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“Beto, what is going on? Where’s Alessio?” I begged him.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXpJC5plaR
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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.”695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXtHf5Jxu8
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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?”695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEznmO0lC5B
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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.”695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlybi8fR7n
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“Just moving on? I don’t under-”695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfylYEOHxSL
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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?”695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1B6DaE19R
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My mouth fell open and I felt the tears burn my eyes. “No...I don’t.”695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLpDbiOzmT
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“That’s not my problem.”695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUNe7tCKDZ
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeW8LSABp7e
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPTO5Oi0OE
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPYsKelVC6
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I had no answers and it killed me.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIsvfTCev2
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As the days went by, it eventually got easier.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZndZRJKE0
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZlOkvcYud
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KmK98gK1F
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrlnwrz1eB
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡec719Nb3O8
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Kim and I had been curled up on her bed and flipping through old fashion magazines her mom had.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqSL7790Gh
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AGxN3O4cy
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3THgetjCD
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTxo29Dzb1
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFq9wvBBwsy
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Unfortunately, with Tucker being twenty-one and the school not allowing outside attendees, I was basically destined to go solo.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0c89wtpiu
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX94ORlzEt6
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLss6jhtN2p
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFENgc6Xew6
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She smiles at me and bats her eyes before a dress is thrown right at my face.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5SolJ4vQ0
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYcd7EU0zz
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The hem of it barely reaches the top of my thighs and it is completely strapless.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcsbHOFiBt
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Again...very, very Kimberly.
“We look so hot!” Kimberly cheers and spins around. “Let’s take pictures.”695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTjAZy755z
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSg9k4JQaVm
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdNWvBCu4H
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1DEr1ymNU
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAo2xydHNK8
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“Should I change?” I ask and look down at my black shirt and slacks.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWGlnW2IXr
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqesG3qNJp
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We had a good routine going. It was almost like we moved as one unit.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxfqMoC4Pp
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6o0p24CdaH
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“In the mood for Italian?” Tucker asks and turns the car off.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxR8Jv1dTSg
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17wT9uNCqX
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwG9oElDdIi
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqobwIoQLA
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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!”695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaRvRIr3qW
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XECZGYBDC
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“I know you want to talk to me about, Alessio.”695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxcaTiJAbY
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“Where is he Anna? I just want to know he’s okay.”695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kOahQTgYO
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“He’s in Italy.”695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AsQRdpz8T
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My brows pull together. “Italy? Why?”695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHH2ZvNXOGO
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTis2Mgs4J
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJE9C6VLDUz
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“Go ahead.” Anna reassures me.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MtwCwqAnl
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKtWKSgZRP
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I knew I wouldn’t get the answers I wanted.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5aGdT7usU
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2atng47Tn1
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On the inside is the word Amore sprawled out in beautiful scripture against the velvet lining.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjidetKuzuZ
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EEFXHGEsE
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Watching the sun rise and having my morning cigarette.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzStH8LfqOL
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I loved Venice. It’s beautiful and the environment here is like no other.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LwcBdqp4T
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡli0MRXgmQu
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtyCEHTM2N
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2a39cDEGDt
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27yyonVlob
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I was falling for her fast. I barely knew the girl and I wanted her in every way imaginable.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPxcxtYSJb
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUWBjBhexl
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m0rhn3PSo
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ982zabxolB
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeJZm8ptC7
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCHTew7F0l
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrR0X7qt73
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I had no desire to be with Monica Rossi. She was a pest.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNd5xamTjwH
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2edoxmCBWP
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Despite her efforts, I knew Monica didn’t like me either. She was just trying to please her father.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKLFk4us7n
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This marriage was nothing but a business arrangement. My heart and soul would stay with Olivia.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHmG5g3UXY
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1F9dirqFA
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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?)695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2ckQPOYVI
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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?”695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvx9J5hpGC
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSq5oqXLofC
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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevq8av45u3
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBawvPGRhNv
He walks up to the two of us wearing a dark suit with a matching corsage to coordinate with the colors in her dress.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBc1cyE8y2
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He’s a cute guy and certainly Kimberly’s type.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdpMMVc41J
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodx34nEXG1
Tall, athletic, dark shaggy hair and muscular.
“How are you?” He asks as she kisses him695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8gZtjfdHV
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMW9MB2be5K
“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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ545x74wU7Y
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The entire gym was decorated for a “beach/sea” theme but it really reminded me of The Little Mermaid a lot more.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2f9cwNCas
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o43ZymoHc
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUNwdEpifC
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?”695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBPLbcu9uq
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLabK8PdMHi
“Sure.”695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXRXXG1gmf
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGR4yrODy3M
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.”695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhVYihAOSu
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlN5lFq8Cx
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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFt53xLVA8
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuHoHUH0NA
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So much for being included. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAg9Of9gVLx
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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?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpgnNcHa3y
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsv5XouE36p
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.”695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzf9zDHwyYk
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HoH7zH6z9
“Just checking, beautiful.”695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdhRnrK4Mp
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJWpIbIthP
My heart stops as I hear him say those words. It’s such a common phrase but something about his voice sounds so familiar.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9pfj8wVdf
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSw13UALWY7
I feel like I should know him.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kxDdjLy42
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“Wa-” I look back up and he’s gone.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23pVQiAtpK
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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.695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl94F1bsxUd
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5hZEoBidW
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. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOf5G0jJjt
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lx0xTL0LW
That night the weather was especially harsh and cold. The snow covered the ground and there had been flurries in the air. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCGiuQe4cF
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdXp0tiM6i
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. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNRyhEV5lF
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgn4WudsN0M
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.” 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFdCSam9ew
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6qW354CEU
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. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSRGs5bRor
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“I have to go.” 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKT86nKKLn
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cHY078Gqn
I turned to walk away when he suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPgzlCdCPF
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIzkPVLEcq
“Hey!” I shouted and pulled against him. “Let me go.” 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj6u8aj7fF
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOR6KudR6Ef
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. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZFCeMMaBn
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznPr5TVl3I
“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. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRf9r8LlHm
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6ePM5J1rJ
I closed my eyes and waited for it to end. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6dPUku38D
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“What’s going on back there?” 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwVB5KH5Rk
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8baMVir3L
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. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMCNWgCTvk
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BCAfb3cVl
“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?"695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBTteUkq0G
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfX3Up4L72C
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. 695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVREbidR4t
695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZR3AYyt7fU
⟡ ⟡ ⟡695Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WuZd1I1UT
