O L I V I A684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6rZhIOS5i
"Hey, beautiful."684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWoNmcd3SG
My eyes flutter at the sound of Alessio’s voice and I wake up to the brightness of the sun glaring in my eyes. Something soft strokes up and down the skin of my arm.
It feels good…684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn26Romb8Ac
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There’s something else though. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7Yu3AZq4G
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The soft breeze against my skin. Exposed skin. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQHv2wydsS
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Exposed. Bare. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzI3tBkNeQS
I immediately sit forward and cover my chest. I realize Alessio is sitting next to me on the lounge chair and staring out towards the setting sun. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3H8KZ8pR4z
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“You’re beautiful, Olivia. I wish you wouldn’t hide. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPPUp8WzTa
I ignore his compliment and pull my straps back up over my chest. He waits until I’m finished and looks back at me. The sun casts shadows against his high cheekbones.
He silently leans forward and rests his forehead against mine. “It’s time to get ready, love. Anna is waiting.” 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDNqjLF7Jk
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I nod a little and let him lead me upstairs back to Anna’s room. She’s sitting in the middle of her bed with several black boxes
"Here you go." She says and impatiently tosses me a box.
Inside I found a pair of black stiletto shoes with red bottoms. Tiny diamonds decorate the surface.
“Love those!” Anna grins and tosses me another with no warning.
There's a gorgeous teardrop diamond necklace inside with matching earrings.
"Wow!" She nods in approval, "Alessio really does have good taste."684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9oEjYXpSL
"Anna..."I start. "What kind of party is this?"684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJ0PcEtOFu
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She doesn’t respond. Instead, the last box lands in my hands. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2MW8MChSb
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Inside there is a cute and dainty black mask with intricate details through the matte mask that seems to expand out like little butterfly wings with silver glitter. It is stunning but the sight of it makes my stomach hurt.
She chuckles when she notices my expression. “Did he not mention that it’s a masquerade ball?”
“A ball!? You have to be kidding!” I drop the mask.
She rolls her eyes. "Stop being so dramatic. You'll be fine and you'll look gorgeous."
I start to pipe up and argue with her when a pair of unfamiliar girls walk in with two portable chairs and what looks to be salon equipment.
"Makeup and hair time!" Anna winks.
The two girls set up shop in the bathroom. Anna decides to pop open a bottle of wine and pours out two glasses for us both. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYqan1uz9B
“How many people will be there?” I ask and look down at my shaky hands.
“Maybe fifty...maybe two hundred.”
“Two hundred,” I repeat robotically. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOracPa00Z
"What’s the problem?” She laughs. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdLbShCW41
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I look over at her. “I’m the problem, Anna! I’m not masquerading material.” 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFOJmKBCwC
She sighs and takes a drink. “It’s really no big deal. We host these parties every year.”
I nod and decide to change the subject. “Can I ask you something?”
"Sure."
I try to swallow the lump in my throat. “People tend to talk a lot...about things...with your family.”
"Things?" Anna raises her brow.
"Things that are not necessarily legal."
My skin is burning hot. I'm so worried I will say the wrong thing.
"What are you asking?" Her voice hardens.
I don't reply.
She grows annoyed. "Olivia."684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCblGNW0bL7
I panic. "Anna, I'm sorry! Don't feel like you need to answer that. I know I'm invading your privacy.”
She laughs and sets her glass down, "Just know we do what we need to for our family, alright. We'll also keep you safe. We're smart, especially Alessio."
I nod and look back towards the mirror as the girl behind me starts to curl my hair. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwhtoo1BB7
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Finding out the truth isn’t going to be easy.
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"You look so beautiful!”
I smile down at Alessio as I finish descending the stairs. I’m grateful that my ankles don’t snap like I thought they would.
He looks so good. His suit black and hair neatly slicked back with gel. Looking at him makes me feel so small just being at his side.
"Where is everyone?" I ask.
He takes my hand. “Just down the hall and through the doors.”
I nod nervously and a shaky breath comes down. I feel his lips at my ear. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7Au8av1od
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“Are you ready, love?”
"If I said yes, I would be a liar." I admit and feel my heart pound in my chest. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwid6OB7wOo
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Alessio gives my hand a little squeeze and leads the both of us through the doors together.
Inside is a magnificent ballroom full of people in gorgeous gowns and suits. All of them seem to move with one another in sync as the harps and violins play at the front of the room.
Several silks hang above us from the ceiling as people in full body silver suits wrap themselves in the silk as they plunge towards the floor.
I look out towards the dance floor and find Anna. She looks incredible. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcj5dn0CBH9
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A man with blonde hair dips her back playfully and kisses the exposed neck. Alessio and I watch them for a moment as he spins her out and back in towards his chest. They laugh together loudly and kiss.
"That is Anna's fiance from Sicily,"Alessio whispers."They'll be married early next year."684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWw55MnVRT
I smile and continue to watch them move together gracefully. Alessio’s arm snakes around my waist and he pulls me closer.
"Would you like to dance?"684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3FeGJUNJW
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I look up at him terrified. “I’ve never danced before.”
He smiles a little and positions his hands on my waist. I wrap my arms around his neck and stare at him before I realize we are already moving. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJNrFjxXaa
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Our feet step side to side as we sway back and forth.
“What are we doing?” I giggle. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1SypAMJth
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He laughs and kisses my nose. “Dancing.”
“I’m not a good dancer.”
"You're doing just fine."
I laugh a little too loud as he spins me away from him and dips me low. His mouth finds my neck and I feel his breath tickle me there. “What do you want, love?”
He pulls me up to him again and we stand before one another. Our lips just centimeters away. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFq1W8CoCP
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Without even thinking about it I feel the pull between us. I feel as if I’ll explode at any moment.
"Alessio?"684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GTSolz5sN
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The electricity between us dies down as a new voice rings out. I realize Alessio is staring someone down and he doesn’t look happy.
The voice had come from a beautiful girl with caramel locks in a stunning green dress. The material clung to the curves of her body and she moved with confidence. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3enHdrnNGQ
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Everything about her screamed elegance. She looked like a real life angel. Something about her seemed so surreal. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRY7D0qaSgv
She approached the both of us slowly and glanced over at me with a pair of poison green eyes. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FzMD6elWt
“Monica.” Alessio spit out.
She smiled warmly at him. “I was hoping I’d see you tonight.”
"You did." He states blandly and looks away. "Did you need something?"684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ16awrowBS
“Not really,” She purrs out in a heavy Italian accent. Her hand plays with the edge of his suit. “I’ve missed seeing you.” 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2OQK0KZNa
Alessio stops her. “Quit.” 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafOItUBF3c
“We’ll see about that.” She taunts.684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJYZs9XouH
I watch silently as she turns away from him and gives me one more disgusted look as she disappears in the crowd. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2FICdUYZX
I look back at Alessio and can tell he is absolutely fuming. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAcMJnxkkN
“Alessio?” 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0u71jNxG5T
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He pays me no mind and motions for someone behind us. I look back and notice Mateo walking up to the both of us. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkugJuHM9NA
"Take Olivia to my room." He demands. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx8iTq76DS
I frown at his sudden coldness but say nothing as he leans down and presses his lips to my forehead. I open my mouth to say something but without another word he disappears into the crowd. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs6sFQP1l6
I look over at his uncle Mateo. “Do you know what is wrong?” 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzprLw2hvq
His eyes soften and he smiles a little, “I am afraid that I don’t, dear.” 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqomRdUEs1
I nod a little and follow Mateo out of the ball and back up towards where Alessio’s room is. Once I’m inside I take no time undressing and climbing into the massive bed. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoTKNDn6IM
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My heart hurt and all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kySyUzd3i
It was as if all the progress we had seemed to make today was just gone. I didn’t understand Alessio and I felt so lost.684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OKGUJeSIp
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"Olivia."684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTGSD8Znz9
The sound of his voice in the morning causes me to jump and I push up in the bed and rub at my eyes. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNL3BBCzgcb
He's facing away from me and staring blankly out the window. His voice seems strained...almost as if he is upset.684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8QlZwRX8L
"Are you okay?" I ask softly and my fingers itch to touch him.684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DHGE94njV
He continues to stare out of the window as he speaks.684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeexlG1VJIg
"Mateo will be taking you home this morning."684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6Icjs2voa
I stare at him as hurt and confusion cover my features.684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWb0VSyu92g
"Alessio...what's going on? Why won't you talk to me? Why wo-"684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WiGQXMsyo
Before I can finish he is already in front of me and our mouths are on one another. I gasp as little kisses trail up from my neck to my chin. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9r7sq6X6M
Time seems to stand still as he takes me in. His mouth is warm and hot as we embrace one another for the first time.684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLeCOyixM2
I moan against his lips as his mouth hungrily kisses me. His hands snake down my curves and hook onto my waist tightly.684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0fyEK02le
I can feel my core tighten as my nails dig into his back through his shirt.684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJA81iccTHt
"P-please."684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyN3Izv0ze
His grip loosens and he's standing up running his fingers through his hair. I can see his breath coming in hard as he tries to compose himself.684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitnnoYdBUh
I struggle to sit up and push my hair away from my face. My skin is still red hot from our touch.684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwgKChLwTi
He turns and faces the door. I can see the muscles in his back strain a little from whatever he is dealing with internally. 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHnenI5iWp
"I think I'm falling in love with you." 684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGtaPzrTRH
My lips part and I stare blankly at him. His words rang continuously through my ears.684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlwFYSrzLL
I stare after him as he crosses the floor and disappears. Once more...I'm alone.684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2x7rHl4i1u
I don't try to stop the tears from falling.684Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnZh4Ej887
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