O L I V I A674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrWfF5FO29
"Hey, beautiful."674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuuDxxPjYc
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…674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfsPlI1zpw
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There’s something else though. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMYSTISWk3
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The soft breeze against my skin. Exposed skin. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIUf9NrmyV
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Exposed. Bare. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpFoiroCLG
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. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchDYKRuH7n
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“You’re beautiful, Olivia. I wish you wouldn’t hide. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjGBKAkb7q
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.” 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uBHJVcduF
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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."674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvASbrxumL
"Anna..."I start. "What kind of party is this?"674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9heqbFCcD2
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She doesn’t respond. Instead, the last box lands in my hands. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC070OGPZhI
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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. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfjcBlxHPi
“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. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEv6duSUL9i
"What’s the problem?” She laughs. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCA4Kq2pFl0
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I look over at her. “I’m the problem, Anna! I’m not masquerading material.” 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjY8Qw2Vnt
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."674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7s2KDVl6D
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. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4thcd8wlv
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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. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaWI9cwCDO
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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. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPBeOzynBg
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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. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqxywtE5Fx
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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."674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsmdAW6tHP
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?"674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSprSF4BIy2
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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. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiU7Ni0BkX
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Our feet step side to side as we sway back and forth.
“What are we doing?” I giggle. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8pJDinBKm
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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. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqyJKoqj2n
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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?"674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdmYZQVk3G
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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. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3kH0EQVn3
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Everything about her screamed elegance. She looked like a real life angel. Something about her seemed so surreal. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1VuyVcXUL
She approached the both of us slowly and glanced over at me with a pair of poison green eyes. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnTbdORW69
“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?"674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8ZHCEX7l6
“Not really,” She purrs out in a heavy Italian accent. Her hand plays with the edge of his suit. “I’ve missed seeing you.” 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfJoA082Hw
Alessio stops her. “Quit.” 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdjdPrBmyb
“We’ll see about that.” She taunts.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qA2ebuYDA
I watch silently as she turns away from him and gives me one more disgusted look as she disappears in the crowd. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0E4DcW0CBJ
I look back at Alessio and can tell he is absolutely fuming. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpmeo0PQ1G
“Alessio?” 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gbO7ajKMi
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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. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42cmh0j8pG
"Take Olivia to my room." He demands. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNSTiWZSBQ
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. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBDvhs6rw5
I look over at his uncle Mateo. “Do you know what is wrong?” 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqss7nqKURY
His eyes soften and he smiles a little, “I am afraid that I don’t, dear.” 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLsuupbQi4
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. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5OkePY8yK
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My heart hurt and all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Bzuz5oHG2
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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKI6w4HqFu
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"Olivia."674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWc3ZARYRKU
The sound of his voice in the morning causes me to jump and I push up in the bed and rub at my eyes. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8lZGKUxF4
He's facing away from me and staring blankly out the window. His voice seems strained...almost as if he is upset.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhHUqwtXIU
"Are you okay?" I ask softly and my fingers itch to touch him.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjPNCQVVyZ
He continues to stare out of the window as he speaks.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfu0tqAq3P
"Mateo will be taking you home this morning."674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcas16ZnNeN
I stare at him as hurt and confusion cover my features.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDZQpYVGt3
"Alessio...what's going on? Why won't you talk to me? Why wo-"674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbffH2eZ8v
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. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYrauRptRS
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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8hzBI7vgK
I moan against his lips as his mouth hungrily kisses me. His hands snake down my curves and hook onto my waist tightly.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ocYAm6OA7
I can feel my core tighten as my nails dig into his back through his shirt.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6gf9UCVpM
"P-please."674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhMTYXe62V
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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WF3HZgSYr
I struggle to sit up and push my hair away from my face. My skin is still red hot from our touch.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQXwZvuDlV
He turns and faces the door. I can see the muscles in his back strain a little from whatever he is dealing with internally. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoUyTf1giy
"I think I'm falling in love with you." 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIiv7EEWC9
My lips part and I stare blankly at him. His words rang continuously through my ears.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4V05aa8ZD8
I stare after him as he crosses the floor and disappears. Once more...I'm alone.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUvQu9LJjI
I don't try to stop the tears from falling.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPEw0ZAMAH
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