O L I V I A
Two months had come and gone.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CjEegR1jr
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqTHNLftMX
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWgw6L4T1S
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaHTtOTZMp
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnC1eKwdOlf
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Plus, he respected me. I didn’t feel any overwhelming pressure to have sex with him.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm44ty1qPLP
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBd7m2pyb3
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ca61lr4jM
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRr5A3UIny
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7XVwZXz40
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I even tried Anna but that never got me anywhere.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThS5PFq76g
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtgVI6Drrm
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyQPEJFrkG
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3OWj2Fzdr
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhsOc9sJJa
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eqPGBNTYA
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When Beto did turn around, he didn’t react like I hoped he would. He was dismissive and very cold.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxACe2VOQm
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“Beto, what is going on? Where’s Alessio?” I begged him.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbgol4wcYt
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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.”674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gSaLGDOZZ
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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?”674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdFcImT3YC
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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.”674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTtOs1uGoZ
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“Just moving on? I don’t under-”674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIPao16ovQ
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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?”674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOArVaaQg7p
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My mouth fell open and I felt the tears burn my eyes. “No...I don’t.”674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIT5jwe3xCh
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“That’s not my problem.”674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3MERf6tpq
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiOIacJvZA
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjjQBm41S8
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPneQ81xp8
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I had no answers and it killed me.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3Aiz5BsDA
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As the days went by, it eventually got easier.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡom9dJQj6Mf
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgBGrM9JC5
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh526aharNE
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASPC7mI65H
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTkiK7zwP7
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Kim and I had been curled up on her bed and flipping through old fashion magazines her mom had.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbxyU6g0op
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoCF7DtrxL
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4Z5XbgmOp
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1WEe0QgNS
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoLb0e9UqM
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Unfortunately, with Tucker being twenty-one and the school not allowing outside attendees, I was basically destined to go solo.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuibZ6iyH2U
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigyZNOXgkk
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9iQpfGqjB
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryb0QAWpBl
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She smiles at me and bats her eyes before a dress is thrown right at my face.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1Wobz0drh
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH86uzbfkre
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The hem of it barely reaches the top of my thighs and it is completely strapless.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqQjdVDIF9
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Again...very, very Kimberly.
“We look so hot!” Kimberly cheers and spins around. “Let’s take pictures.”674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqGZz69zOi
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLhmPeCKvi
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlJ08L1WOv
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6SQM6bxR2
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXewcyvhGx
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“Should I change?” I ask and look down at my black shirt and slacks.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwo9QwWJQ9X
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWFFQZBRk2
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We had a good routine going. It was almost like we moved as one unit.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHYkZxKo3Q
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY37patxBk1
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“In the mood for Italian?” Tucker asks and turns the car off.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKFomOWHSm
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpLbGlht1F
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59PMbYXKQ7
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkah5YHcVy
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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!”674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIDSWV8tAz
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6c3QYlWpF
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“I know you want to talk to me about, Alessio.”674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9DXHySjRg
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“Where is he Anna? I just want to know he’s okay.”674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9M8ml0EEh
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“He’s in Italy.”674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0x9E5xciuO
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My brows pull together. “Italy? Why?”674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYXIJHvdYI
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZYsE3s88U
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJJmrIIEBh
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“Go ahead.” Anna reassures me.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhQaittegV
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqUmHqq3O1
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I knew I wouldn’t get the answers I wanted.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzh7v66MkI
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoc7FbvqVI
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On the inside is the word Amore sprawled out in beautiful scripture against the velvet lining.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCMWMzYX1P
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVdRrOMsJu
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Watching the sun rise and having my morning cigarette.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpv5UC7kOaQ
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I loved Venice. It’s beautiful and the environment here is like no other.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiB1yUrCVY
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4hwpifIrj
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5a4ojaqJf
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYJcBKVWBW
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnShSH2Adh
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I was falling for her fast. I barely knew the girl and I wanted her in every way imaginable.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdp8FI65x5o
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDt5tBrsiJV
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfdvjiAKng
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3t0hIPebsz
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5TY2K6OGg
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKZc3CDzie
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdwzYKosVA
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I had no desire to be with Monica Rossi. She was a pest.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CWHabh6UD
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuiEo7x7Ee
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Despite her efforts, I knew Monica didn’t like me either. She was just trying to please her father.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nQbVplsDC
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This marriage was nothing but a business arrangement. My heart and soul would stay with Olivia.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bACt8cSj1
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sLSJkfqTL
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQInIDdTiuy
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?)674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ppLmbWhT0
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiNdrfBnSY
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?”674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPePWQ9o6B3
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4BXCPQ0fU
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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUdGwgnh5g
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8CVz6qo6E
He walks up to the two of us wearing a dark suit with a matching corsage to coordinate with the colors in her dress.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm99y1dkYwK
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lRs91Gg3Q
He’s a cute guy and certainly Kimberly’s type.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD80ZnrIVXE
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85rWOslFlo
Tall, athletic, dark shaggy hair and muscular.
“How are you?” He asks as she kisses him674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IwO8tfnr0
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOr7moHBO1
“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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjQA2TQm9s
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswPEbkae1s
The entire gym was decorated for a “beach/sea” theme but it really reminded me of The Little Mermaid a lot more.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpsRf2AKZh
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzesNt2rj0
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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiA0LMqUK0N
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCkZTbUWrC
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?”674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcB2gfC18BZ
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSesNujJYK7
“Sure.”674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPRLtQNjOZ
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHX528f1RJ
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.”674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPnMd1Hkqi
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKoktNHTUP
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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVPLwukpvR
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJpPRPqO9x
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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqJ2wzVAqA
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So much for being included. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaR8haqrvX8
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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?"674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sXS9t3TMd
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegrtetaiIU
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.”674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzfmJKqYmW
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOweJaSYctR
“Just checking, beautiful.”674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTap2AxEkE
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPsdxVfJUF
My heart stops as I hear him say those words. It’s such a common phrase but something about his voice sounds so familiar.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fMMWssaP4
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLolHlIheVt
I feel like I should know him.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TzxZAJEAZ
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“Wa-” I look back up and he’s gone.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33dnQttTKU
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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.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZPbFvUW5u
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bQUlqVv6m
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. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUOdwqPgBB
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOIJWBbq4k
That night the weather was especially harsh and cold. The snow covered the ground and there had been flurries in the air. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6n8hcvlLU
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kGIDxA13k
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. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEgrlOl4p7
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPEYTDcZtW
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.” 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcGmGsJVl7
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJdZdoPXT7
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. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhIcFf0Pc5
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocNNX5MDRL
“I have to go.” 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoN3npvKGg
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZH9fieX6Ja
I turned to walk away when he suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kCZRElEXN
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3epjInHbJu
“Hey!” I shouted and pulled against him. “Let me go.” 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iaNlAPxvi
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJrrElNi9N
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. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0L9bSxcVjm
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfUQ5T0hNP
“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. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnpiYWfMUp
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PVfhRNBQB
I closed my eyes and waited for it to end. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWYA05E6Fv
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QdEIKViID
“What’s going on back there?” 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNaXNiNWdF
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsHg5DstJH
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. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCR5qUnmBK
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDV1EPZDeI9
“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?"674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB5i41gFoD
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwdTBsC996
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. 674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1R3WJ3jIs0
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⟡ ⟡ ⟡674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtgfA5JnIh
