O L I V I A
Two months had come and gone.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxZTO94X3f
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDndkbHE4V
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tTAneg7OW
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzw3vqZvSyi
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIAt7kmfdw
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Plus, he respected me. I didn’t feel any overwhelming pressure to have sex with him.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Yrrtc9uDN
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNQhwxfdSj
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9GWBzAJqv
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cWr93GFN8
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mlnbUGfSh
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I even tried Anna but that never got me anywhere.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7RmJsEQSO
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD42rtP0v6W
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMySNRmMek5
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpypENxaoq
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJurAgbObF
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUwMxcGmEc
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When Beto did turn around, he didn’t react like I hoped he would. He was dismissive and very cold.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FjiUfzbNP
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“Beto, what is going on? Where’s Alessio?” I begged him.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXG35T4HDn
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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.”638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡej4ppslLXy
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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?”638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4JS3icIoS
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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.”638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUNEz1RHie
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“Just moving on? I don’t under-”638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxJTleAdME
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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?”638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZoJPvW9Hr
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My mouth fell open and I felt the tears burn my eyes. “No...I don’t.”638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQfnIEZgWU
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“That’s not my problem.”638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZBNDF7hIp
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWv0xc5IOU
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gJtUYNhBP
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeT5RvxaTV
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I had no answers and it killed me.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtr63KhOAVt
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As the days went by, it eventually got easier.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkBTYVYcPY
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgx5Sb7NtV
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhSWNXIEqu
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuSzPlsPEt
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8A67cPxb9
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Kim and I had been curled up on her bed and flipping through old fashion magazines her mom had.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTILa8QlY1J
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTOZ9RdfS6
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJzqucXPFo
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKfIDLnGkr
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhO0C7DQa08
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Unfortunately, with Tucker being twenty-one and the school not allowing outside attendees, I was basically destined to go solo.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFc9oWfo1kN
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUUImHFhU9
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDymcZIeat
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNEzkTXJmh
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She smiles at me and bats her eyes before a dress is thrown right at my face.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcent0MBMR
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqwphyYwF5
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The hem of it barely reaches the top of my thighs and it is completely strapless.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnu8VNPWy6Q
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Again...very, very Kimberly.
“We look so hot!” Kimberly cheers and spins around. “Let’s take pictures.”638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBR86i1s4R
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2VDXVDvHA
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuMFFe93kV
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXWpGDLd8f
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtU8wkiNRC
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“Should I change?” I ask and look down at my black shirt and slacks.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qqNsaCzt2
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVuUmBnfAg
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We had a good routine going. It was almost like we moved as one unit.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLL1lpmQQg
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qTLGxBUJS
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“In the mood for Italian?” Tucker asks and turns the car off.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGVk6H3Sfx
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHWmCYtwap
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UPgK29xOb
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYbJ3N5vgv
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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!”638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7YKkrcOrQ
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0sTMfynoV
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“I know you want to talk to me about, Alessio.”638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKC7e5Qg8ny
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“Where is he Anna? I just want to know he’s okay.”638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BfxAY6KR6
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“He’s in Italy.”638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qYzY0avwm
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My brows pull together. “Italy? Why?”638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoZ2VOxIvw
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMGiaBl2SZ
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFho1hgq8Ol
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“Go ahead.” Anna reassures me.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3OXOkLgdV
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfJBNGUPJC
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I knew I wouldn’t get the answers I wanted.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKODd1PVPQZ
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3LTGstwff
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On the inside is the word Amore sprawled out in beautiful scripture against the velvet lining.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsoOJE0QcT
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9JaFrsHO6
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Watching the sun rise and having my morning cigarette.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBr6jyaNyP
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I loved Venice. It’s beautiful and the environment here is like no other.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXiSYzzKjU
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMocI5LRcYZ
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFfA07n5Ny
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CHd4lNv92
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSjV3RfskE
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I was falling for her fast. I barely knew the girl and I wanted her in every way imaginable.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfutSOeEYNa
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGv6kkj1Mn4
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sO7sflC6r
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnPaY9psUj
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVu3OsKcAu0
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoaxkBwNNh
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiuuUfhJs7
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I had no desire to be with Monica Rossi. She was a pest.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHE5ZybIf0I
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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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pe70YwCzD
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Despite her efforts, I knew Monica didn’t like me either. She was just trying to please her father.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjsEuJpvR6
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FTaNXoLLb
This marriage was nothing but a business arrangement. My heart and soul would stay with Olivia.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7LYoAcOXh
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ny3qqDT1f
I couldn’t keep myself completely away from her though. Even in Italy, I was still having my men keep their eyes on her.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SxAMVesmX
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz35KaPN7N
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?)638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bDnB9VY5T
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovKIBHtTXq
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?”638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uv22hJykW
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Z6lVeeAMe
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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrYglXn26v
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFPWPdwlvt
He walks up to the two of us wearing a dark suit with a matching corsage to coordinate with the colors in her dress.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUzk6IsRfs
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhTpAmMwvK
He’s a cute guy and certainly Kimberly’s type.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZRBPPSVGA
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNj7vot3o4
Tall, athletic, dark shaggy hair and muscular.
“How are you?” He asks as she kisses him638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjqw9Nsamx
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkSTPvH2Dx
“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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumCQiyH3Lt
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMcPIz9pRD
The entire gym was decorated for a “beach/sea” theme but it really reminded me of The Little Mermaid a lot more.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqQrv9vc5A
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMgKdBpZf0
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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zhXr3ad8R
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RCEgPrmTI
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?”638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2x66S5HqI9
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnj3qn4uLXZ
“Sure.”638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyaCPPSmCA
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxP2BKCKiL
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.”638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPkJmusF1c
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3M8gMassB
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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLiKerSC9d
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB2HZvtuHO
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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdEZPOWgPz
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So much for being included. 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡht1pFET5LQ
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFQWGyDEUo
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?"638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbO38xB7x4
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS8ZYYQKak
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.”638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksMs1fs69y
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgKRXjAXcE
“Just checking, beautiful.”638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHaiKYlWs2
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNf4Rf6oI4G
My heart stops as I hear him say those words. It’s such a common phrase but something about his voice sounds so familiar.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaCEpQK7cr
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9iDiQPhVR
I feel like I should know him.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9dKJlTEcc
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4db8llXKU
“Wa-” I look back up and he’s gone.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiXW24lL8q
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wOKA2Yf5p
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.638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lgokmAzay
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYyZaDt1Gx
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. 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdSsgnYOqy
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqUnSHn3Ie
That night the weather was especially harsh and cold. The snow covered the ground and there had been flurries in the air. 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05fDsNuQlx
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1U16vTVkNc
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. 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gCS5cnZwU
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhV1PpGt6MV
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.” 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLVWnOJnbX
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nml7eYR3a
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. 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRfYlLb9Up
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1kyLHb1JG
“I have to go.” 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOfnLpnBli
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9U7LzA7HNW
I turned to walk away when he suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist. 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGMQ1UixY4
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWJXHLMI6V
“Hey!” I shouted and pulled against him. “Let me go.” 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWp7Q1Eo1X
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluik5cD2aE
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. 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwALbwR20c
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxOsuRmynP
“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. 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6nsKtTFK8
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNvrMJaOw9
I closed my eyes and waited for it to end. 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nlzjs8eg9
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGc2gTkcqY
“What’s going on back there?” 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh21Nkt8Srk
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKL5DKj10r
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. 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWC3Wiy1dAM
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdafPZB1U9
“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?"638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSvcVtLstb
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHcZLHqrv2
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. 638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7nsLCrpZj
638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYSJyljRmM
⟡ ⟡ ⟡638Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTN8bmPaqJ
