O L I V I A
Two months had come and gone.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmmogHbPVL
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIePBsgWSlj
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRrV7OI6Y9
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkGlZNwPxz
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXmbyHzmtB
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Plus, he respected me. I didn’t feel any overwhelming pressure to have sex with him.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wD0AXa0ds
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQam7v2ZehP
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlrXgW5Mzy
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTl6srjw7L
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbETRAXOFq
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I even tried Anna but that never got me anywhere.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKZrv2oGhy
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuagrNWO7PF
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ9kQggmWA
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcopY7502nE
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HiviPtC7h
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8gIqKhGDL
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When Beto did turn around, he didn’t react like I hoped he would. He was dismissive and very cold.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKF8McGabZx
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“Beto, what is going on? Where’s Alessio?” I begged him.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdF4Si0bZE
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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.”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RBxrWBAV4
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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?”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWfc1aY6rT
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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.”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BmHYCdIpn
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“Just moving on? I don’t under-”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o2i1qussK
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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?”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGiwMwqjRA
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My mouth fell open and I felt the tears burn my eyes. “No...I don’t.”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr40MPshivn
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“That’s not my problem.”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaojBXvlHF
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWJYvOaXWQ
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxRHpnjGbK
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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhvvBJ9VjY
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nR2kjyXJ6
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I had no answers and it killed me.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ebAA3wtCJ
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As the days went by, it eventually got easier.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rr0MNFtMc
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKzr4gotgy
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvEBx8T1I8
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8usFwckbV
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTadjHTco3
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Kim and I had been curled up on her bed and flipping through old fashion magazines her mom had.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCp1IURsTi
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Sn1sDhXSd
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS3yiSgL5N
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz64jXroU9U
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjFH4VCxWB
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Unfortunately, with Tucker being twenty-one and the school not allowing outside attendees, I was basically destined to go solo.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9pyXt9t77
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrkCxowjP7
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uxRXYbzjF
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPNeiaL8VD
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She smiles at me and bats her eyes before a dress is thrown right at my face.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡft40G8y69m
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQKcXQ0X7B
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The hem of it barely reaches the top of my thighs and it is completely strapless.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH96r7acUJN
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Again...very, very Kimberly.
“We look so hot!” Kimberly cheers and spins around. “Let’s take pictures.”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HAce4yv4D
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DqvK4StYi
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWgF3yOLrt
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEk0b4Fc05X
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTX4DSqvCwZ
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“Should I change?” I ask and look down at my black shirt and slacks.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡec5yLYj2cs
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRNMudFuBj
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We had a good routine going. It was almost like we moved as one unit.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1tqIlV3WE
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPQVes9m7t
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“In the mood for Italian?” Tucker asks and turns the car off.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2B9CLLj3m
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q81qYyGa4
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIbq6eLYXI
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXzPC87loc
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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!”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhLw3Maykc
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzzARogt9h
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“I know you want to talk to me about, Alessio.”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qqKgAcG52
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“Where is he Anna? I just want to know he’s okay.”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCxcWZF5QY
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“He’s in Italy.”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lPeyLccDa
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My brows pull together. “Italy? Why?”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTdCbLax9m
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTcF08JpmQ
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVO3Q7si82s
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“Go ahead.” Anna reassures me.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZkUU9ZrmY
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxK2mXIeJL7
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I knew I wouldn’t get the answers I wanted.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0EdDYv3wj
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5YkTy1TLB
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On the inside is the word Amore sprawled out in beautiful scripture against the velvet lining.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78YTQnTLDu
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppwB8FPhJp
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Watching the sun rise and having my morning cigarette.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4czul6Hddy
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I loved Venice. It’s beautiful and the environment here is like no other.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOxx4xZQbb
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSPTrWTmgQ
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQe5E0M0ant
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjqdYPtcXH
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeyHfq5VK2
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I was falling for her fast. I barely knew the girl and I wanted her in every way imaginable.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4q2TBadtT
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDZa1HhjKC
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYdHiU4YU8
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2VdFBiTUM
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fSmUMP7r0
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIRzfmdyqz
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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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEOKBFqoTe
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtb3WG0xdi
I had no desire to be with Monica Rossi. She was a pest.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdOtWDHK2L
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiBAwKn7YI
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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhz3NgN8hu
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLGQFkANFO
Despite her efforts, I knew Monica didn’t like me either. She was just trying to please her father.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvHrRQHyFg
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYY0RD7Bey8
This marriage was nothing but a business arrangement. My heart and soul would stay with Olivia.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfO3yLVJhX
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEGnh5PgIF
I couldn’t keep myself completely away from her though. Even in Italy, I was still having my men keep their eyes on her.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHDgwEIF27
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3w4DnL7BkX
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?)669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ic6POBRtr
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDEYgSaJF2
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?”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVN8HqWiRej
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYkmCpmIpZ
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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p2T5j6ybI
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRVjSA5SNP
He walks up to the two of us wearing a dark suit with a matching corsage to coordinate with the colors in her dress.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjHmTwQ2TT
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKDolmOlkN
He’s a cute guy and certainly Kimberly’s type.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkpSMUftSX
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7S28k4uWT
Tall, athletic, dark shaggy hair and muscular.
“How are you?” He asks as she kisses him669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpik0dg0Jh
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYsRPnsAwj
“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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAYD6DtTT3
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtZA6Jm0av
The entire gym was decorated for a “beach/sea” theme but it really reminded me of The Little Mermaid a lot more.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf561S6uwET
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ920yk6Ah
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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVMf4Defj6
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvWPpcqWR3
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?”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixXd5TJX6J
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltT8xCCn49
“Sure.”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlyluQXIdh
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrize3pmw6
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.”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqjwMo76VN
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPd90o1fmyY
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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGrMOGv0ww
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXmSHLyV8o
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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAV7Mk8FnBS
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39h5W7ynLv
So much for being included. 669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4apWx1K4O
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS7Az03dkB
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?"669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sgyqo7dMJ
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhkXo69VHL
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.”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BxVrzh2h2
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HXwC0K2Ek
“Just checking, beautiful.”669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fGA2B09uF
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8GixoIiMk
My heart stops as I hear him say those words. It’s such a common phrase but something about his voice sounds so familiar.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5S8SzohSp
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYryhJNWLOA
I feel like I should know him.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdPw7podHJ
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3u11lNNhZe
“Wa-” I look back up and he’s gone.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIjUWTWzBM
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgY1afDcvk
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.669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84IT7ADATA
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCXLm4aMWV
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. 669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVy7PzAtSf
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4h7hQdLkRJ
That night the weather was especially harsh and cold. The snow covered the ground and there had been flurries in the air. 669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrt5vlar7LH
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu53eXBasmT
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. 669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqJCjvZMJX
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vix7YpmIy
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.” 669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdmAnz16eQ
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtuCcXSkSa
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. 669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkw5skoRjJS
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3AucUWkmF
“I have to go.” 669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPlkZlahgn
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aPDec6Pcy
I turned to walk away when he suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist. 669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00Yu9wRUXW
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lF9GhcNUt
“Hey!” I shouted and pulled against him. “Let me go.” 669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9hy2Ezs8Z
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtPFMMvrJA
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. 669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXXRfXlcAs
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXbtAw9YUp
“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. 669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZq6upwHDTz
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiIJCdRgQQ
I closed my eyes and waited for it to end. 669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKKlrRYaRS
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfpQBxXDfq
“What’s going on back there?” 669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyjxXvM7fZ
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1trv3wnlt
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. 669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyc8gFfSnqx
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUG2BgUBGi
“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?"669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhpLInQhFM
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9m1CD9tst
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. 669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tvO0gYhtF
669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMzfOUspNN
⟡ ⟡ ⟡669Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVThtJZHhpU
