O L I V I A
I'm dead.
I know I’m dead.
There’s no way I could’ve survived. This was it for me.
This had to have been the end of the road. After everything, this should’ve been what sealed my fate.
I don’t know why I did it. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMt2dSM08JO
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFfTXXzSPZ
All I remember was seeing him. I saw his face and I saw what was meant to kill him.
Something in me broke and I felt like I needed to save him. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzXE2JSVd2
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NhdvZ0kGj
I had to risk myself for him after everything he’s done for me.
I felt like it was my time to be the hero. To be superwoman. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlHDvpT1ux
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUy9cHeUxrD
Except it involved a bullet embedding itself into me.
And damn...it hurt so fucking bad. The pain was brief before everything went black but I remember it burned. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPbTj1POse
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCGaSmoPET
I don’t know how the Romano’s are so fearless when it comes to guns.
It was so painful but seeing Alessio’s face had made it worth it. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDc9pKGDes
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXrDdy1wxb
Taking the bullet though didn’t ease the hurt he would heal. I remember hearing him scream my name over and over. Everyone around him was shouting and he looked terrified. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyD0tz0nm3f
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoxZCnmsqN
I took Adolfo’s bullet but he was still in pain.
Seeing that look on his face would stay with me forever. His dark eyes full of panic and fear.
I couldn’t get his anguished screams out of my mind.
The strong man I knew changed into something else. He was just another human living a painful moment. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWApLMxG6zY
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKkKiDLkV4
He was actually scared. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndwYD5pixD
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LS0RAg0hT
I’ve never seen Alessio scared before.
He was so broken. Tears poured down his angelic face and I felt his hands tremble as he held me.
Everything had happened so fast. I didn’t expect the pain to come on so strongly. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUfyS5rTTo
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FD6h16Iaa
I was just grateful for the dark that followed.
His eyes gave me comfort though. Despite the pain that was evident, it felt peaceful staring up at his pitch black eyes and feeling the warmth of his hands on me. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0vaCIVmuc
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfGeE7ZIJT
It felt like I was home for the last time.
I could feel myself drifting but I had been fighting to stay with him. I wanted to hang on for him. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCgFCvMqr2
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5U6gsQYF4
Every part of me wanted to tell him it was okay and I loved him. I just couldn’t seem to hold on any longer.
My timing had not been what I expected. I knew what was going on in that room but I wanted to help him. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFhBaZ2oJz
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8p3TyNPCh
I just wanted to see him and know he was okay. I didn’t want our last kiss to really be a goodbye.
Yet...I was wrong. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgIqSIh5Jo
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91KnbCsLq6
It was my last night with him. I felt his lips for the final time. His warm fingers and soft skin. Heard his heartbeat and saw his beautiful, sculpted face before everything disappeared.
As I drifted away, I felt okay. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1WvRY6KpO
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeXOjZqTfx
I didn’t really feel scared to die anymore. It was time to accept it and I was just ready to let the pain go. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoRRUsAJOX
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1rVVILtYt
I would die in the arms of the man I loved. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqfIgn0w9h
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZbo3yoYQD
I know I had felt as if I should’ve never pursued Alessio, but now I’m so grateful I did. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3b53pSJpv
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iFcrWYQfR
Seeing him that day in English had sealed our fate. I took the leap and I’m so glad that I did.
Alessio never really knew what love was supposed to be. He was subjected to such violence and darkness for years. He never had someone really love him. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtaMEST8Lo
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZMGDLBxN2
I got to be that person.
He was only brought into this world to be a mold of Adolfo Romano. A man so sick in the head he was ready to kill all of his children. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7rT5bUNYi
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnk6D4EbPrq
A man who hunted down children to avenge his own pain.
In the end, he got what he wanted. He was the one to bring me down. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9UubIH3AM
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMJIIJvJ5f
But… he didn’t get what he wanted from Alessio. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxbJOtwiur
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Jz4zS2Awa
Because he isn’t just chaos and destruction. He’s more than anyone could ever truly know.
Alessio always put his family first. He’s gentle and kind. He has a great sense of humor and he lights up any room.
And I fell madly in love with him. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4N5hwPDND
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OgS70oVx2
My time with him may have been cut short but I’m glad I had him while I did.
I just wish I wasn’t trapped in my damn mind.
If this is death, it’s already so fucking boring. What am I supposed to do forever? 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bmyHrJiqe
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYjzVfLCiv
Talk to myself.
I thought there would’ve been some kind of grand entrance to heaven. Everyone always talks about seeing some kind of white light. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhifMrVH5C
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyEtGXq6Sf
There was nothing though. No bright light. No personal heaven.
One where I was with my parents again. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySUMwY4ioz
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeS8Wr9fBsD
Giovanni would be there with Anna and Beto. Kimberly would be there...and Alessio would be waiting for me.
I'm going to miss them.
I wish I could’ve told my parents I loved them one more time. I wanted to let my dad know I forgave him for hiding his past. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV98UACNTp3
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSUU7jO1LE
I just wanted them to know I didn’t do this to hurt them.
Then there’s my best friend. Kimberly Simmons. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaybdoLI6k
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCPjibjUAg
The loud-mouthed girl from down the road who took me under her wing immediately and showed me a whole new Olivia.
She showed me that I’m actually a really fun person. I like to party...sometimes too much. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77ztTg1Jvv
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQuz3nQloR
She pushed me to find my confidence. She helped me accomplish things I would’ve never done alone. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpU450Ql2BX
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCMJO1fN77
Without her, my Senior year would’ve been a nightmare. I would’ve been so lost. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstcCzIr5YG
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLaJ4cwrer
Maybe I would’ve distanced myself completely. I would’ve kept my head in the books the entire time and kept focused on Art school. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74GaH91Gvc
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6BM0DFPoM
I would’ve probably had a mediocre life and maybe that would’ve been okay. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HkkpSEJ6Q
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAqgA999uf
My life could’ve just been boring. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9H1GghBaL
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LUiTLxsd8
Yet, I’m not that kind of person at all. I crave excitement and adventure. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndnosq4BSz
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1zsCNK1ud
And a little danger.
Being part of Alessio’s life was terrifying but it meant being close to him.
I lived as much as I could while I had the time.
"Olivia."
Woah! Maybe I won’t be alone forever.
"Olivia..."
Who the hell is this?
"Please..."
Now this is getting weird...
"Wake up."
Aren’t I dead?
"Her eyes moved." The voice says.
"Olivia...if you can hear me, follow my voice. I need you, baby."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9FD1jZBXV
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xLjFIgoFF
Alessio? He’s here? 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZqsCY9rTO
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmF91gnaVM
Did he die?
"She looks so pale dude. Like a corpse."
"Giovanni! Seriously?"
What the hell…?
"My bad! I was just saying."
"Olivia...if you can hear me, it's mom. I love you so much, sweetie. Please wake up. Come back to us." My mom's voice rings out.
"Bitch, if you make me raise this baby without you! Wake your dramatic ass up."
"F-fuck you, Kim..."
"There's my bitch!"
My eyelids flutter a little and I see a light overhead start to come into view. The ceiling above me is tall and the entire room looks to be white and blank.
"There she is!"
I try to move towards the voice and feel a wave of nausea rush over me. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw0gYzShdW
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HKK6wvRuW
Someone grabs onto me and helps hold me over a trash can as I puke my guts out into it. Giovanni’s groans of disgust mirror my own retching.
"It's the medicine."
I nod a little and look up to find mom’s face. Her blue eyes are gentle as she looks me over.
“W-what’s wrong?” I struggle out. My throat feels dry and constricted.
"Do you remember what happened, baby?" 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5ieYd4HJM
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58vc74QLgO
I think back to the horrific scene. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo09oZK0bAv
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlhXEf2rkC
All the dead bodies in the room. Adolfo’s gun aimed at Alessio. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5YXdgqWwb
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqhdtH2aiH
The searing pain and the sounds of him screaming as I hit the ground. I could feel the warmth of my own blood as it seeped onto my shirt.
"Yes."
“You’re okay,”She promises and reaches out to stroke my cheek. “The doctor’s have been wonderful.”
I peer around the room again and notice the massive windows on the left side next to us looking over a city.
"Where am I?" I ask and glance at the balloons and flowers at my bedside.
"San Diego Medical," Alessio interjects and steps closer. "I didn't want you in the clinic."
His voice comes out rough and he looks exhausted. There’s dark circles under his black eyes and his hair is untamed.
As always, he’s beautiful. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZWhHp8mwB
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwzJnb85Rg
Even in his distressed state everything about him is as perfect as ever.
He studies my face for a moment and moves to sit at the edge of my bed. His muscular arms straining against his white tee.
“How are you?” He asks quietly.
"I'm not sure..."
His head bows, "I'm so fucking sorry, Olivia.”
“Alessio…”I start and try to push myself up into a sitting position. “Please don’t say that.”
I continue on, “I was the one who made the choice to run in there.”
He lifts his head a little. “I should’ve been quicker.”
I sigh a little and lean back in the bed. I get a full view of everyone before us and feel my heart squeeze.
Giovanni, Anna, and Beto are all huddled together on the opposite end of the room. Kim and Joe even made it up here. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWG4xA2Elv
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaSKkCDfa9
I spot my dad next to my mom and realize they are actually holding hands for the first time in a long time.
“You guys are...all okay?”
Giovanni laughs loudly. “Nothing takes us down.” 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXvAsuHQwk
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJWCAanwYa
“So...who is going to really fill me in here?”
I know my parents had been unfortunately thrown into the mafia drama, but Kim and Joe were completely clueless. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYJUCoOiqh
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfuF4HC3RF
I wasn’t entirely sure what they knew.
“Can I talk to Olivia?” Alessio asks them. “I’d also appreciate it if someone can let the nurse know she needs more medicine soon.”
“Of course! We’ll be back in a few hours,” Mom says and reaches over to kiss my cheek. “I’m so glad you are up.”
I smile back at her and look up to find my dad looking down at me.
“Liv…”He whispers and leans to rest his head to mine. “I know you have a lot of questions, I promise we’ll talk.”
"I know,”I squeeze him tight. “Just spend time with mom.”
He stands back up and pulls her close to him. He kisses her firmly on the mouth and her cheeks redden quickly.
“I can’t leave this one! Go find another.” I tease them and he chuckles.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqe9wgE19L
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDi4K6NyaTp
"We'll see you soon, hun."
I watch them exit and look back over at Kim and Joe. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalaRosgRwk
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPWfIyYSDH
“You have to stop this shit, Liv!” Kim gushes and tears pour down her cheeks. “Why are you getting involved with such crazy shit?” 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHJ4rhvYF3
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xIkTDh2kx
“I-I don’t know,” I start and look at Alessio. He just shakes his head at me. “I’m sorry.”671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8bytJ59jC
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn717lr3oRh
“Well, be careful! I need you through this pregnancy.” 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4sfJsEWdq
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvX7ZYpjsg1
I eye Joe behind her. “She told you?” 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZG1NiWJ4l
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmb1qeNPTp
He nods and a bright smile lights his face. “I can’t wait to be a dad.” 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxz0QcoFpoq
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIT4lMsMv8
“You’ll be great parents.” 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvqCJPnpzk
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8appteMII
“You two are next,” Kim winks. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkc3rIsot0
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnHsfU1n5P
“Stop!” I playfully bat at her and hear Alessio chuckle. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJktqiNFtFP
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMCQybT8os
She wraps her arms around me and holds me close. “I was so scared, Olivia. I really am so glad you’re okay.” 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvpQ4iIcQs
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFgNJfZqY9
“I know,” I stroke her back. “We’ll catch up and hang soon when I’m out.” 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6BRDqWb12
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBBmFTMSYN
She pulls back and holds my hands. “Love you, sweetie. We’ll see you soon.” 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57kCoAJ4ju
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FRJC3QKYl
“Bye, Liv!” Joe calls out as they leave together.
Beto, Giovanni, and Anna decide to seize the moment and all three come hurrying over to the side of my bed.
I notice Anna first and realize her lip is busted up and she has a bit of a bruise. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYjAStf4Zs
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGLjX7Om6m
“I’m so glad you all are okay.”
Anna smiles down at me. “You were so brave.”
I reach out and pull her in for a hug. Tears threatening to spill. " I’m so sorry for what happened.”
“Don’t be!” She laughs and looks at Giovanni. “Like he said, nothing takes us down.”
He nods proudly and flexes his muscles for everyone to see. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1EaSFzeyU
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQndlBd3Xt
“I’m glad you’re okay,” He knocks my shoulder gently. “I think I underestimated you.”
“I’m full of surprises.” I snort and look over at Beto. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXLCZAnMmx
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEwuMBef41
For once, he doesn’t have his dorky grin and sunglasses attached to him. He actually looks timid. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQ2phX84XL
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqD7VpTMwr
I don’t think I’ve ever seen this side of him before. He looked so young and normal. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHghYVacSu
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhcznbSPF3
“Hey you.”
I smile at him. “Sorry for all the trouble.
“You trouble?” He snickers. “A piece of cake.”
“Alright,” Alessio interjects and wraps his arm around me. “She needs to rest.”
They all three lean in to give me a quick hug before turning to leave. I watch after them as they exit the room before realizing I’m finally alone with Alessio.
I lean back a little in the hospital bed and nervously look at my hands. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlU4u9uTkVq
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXwqH3vvYZ
I could feel shame washing over me and I didn’t know what to say.
“Talk to me.”He says after a moment. “Not knowing what you are thinking is driving me insane.”
“I’m sorry.”
He says nothing, instead he pulls me to him and crushes his mouth with mine. His hands cup my face in them and I feel his thumb trace my lower lip.
I kiss him back just as hard and for a moment it feels like the first time. Electricity is running through me and my hands can’t stop touching him. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HDgPHFpcV
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToudorp2f0
I trace the curves of his biceps and feel his fingers run carefully along the edge of my waist.
My head swims from our embrace and I feel myself floating.
“Okay,”He pulls away a little. “I know you have questions for me.”
"What even happened? After...after I was sho-"
He kisses me again. “Don’t say it.”
“Okay,”I say against him. “What happened to Adolfo?”
He sighs and looks out towards the sun setting through the window. The long shadows casting against his high cheekbones.
"He's dead."
I stare at him. "Did you kill him?”
“No.”He looks back at me with his voice free of any emotion. “ Michele did it.”
"He did?"
“Yes, he was behind you with Robin. As soon as you went down Adolfo was distracted so Michele shot him in the chest. I was too focused on trying to keep you awake.”
I reach for his hand. “I’m sorry, Alessio. I should’ve thought before I ran in there.”
“You’re alive, Olivia. That’s all I care about.” He squeezes my fingers.
“What about everything else? What all really happened?”
“Kim and Joe know nothing about the mafia, but they do think you got involved in a drunken altercation between myself and Tobias. I told them he had some problems and tried to attack us.”
"He's dead too?"
“Yes,”He nods. “I killed him right away. They’re both gone, Olivia, I won’t ever let anyone hurt you again.”
“It isn’t your fault for what happened. I just didn’t know my dad was involved.”
He holds my face in his hands. “I have no hate towards you or your family.”
“You have every right, Alessio.” I cross my arms around my knees. “I’ll never understand why you picked me. Apparently, I’m just cursed.”
“No you’re not!” He argues. “I’m offended you’d even say that.”
“Whatever!” I tease and playfully bat at his chest. He grabs onto my hands and holds them there. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdzbH9JBe0
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZI8lmddB6
“What?”
He continues to stare down at me and his eyes roam over my face. A little smile playing on the corners of his lips.
“Are you going to say anything?” I roll my eyes.
His grip tightens around me and he pulls me close. His lips tickle the edge of my jaw.
"I love you so much, Olivia.”671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQPu8aio2C
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hEdextTON
I melt into him and smile. “I love you too, Alessio.”
“Listen,” He pulls back and strokes my cheek. “I want to turn this day into a happy one.”
“What do you mean?”
He doesn’t respond, instead he stands up from the bed and fishes something from his pocket. He holds the tiny black box in his hand and looks down at me nervously.
“What are you doing?” I glare at him. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDZOb3VEWo
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbsyzjxz8G
He knows I hate surprises.
"Stand up."
I look stupidly down at the floor. "Why?"
“Just do it.” He laughs and helps me to my feet.
I push up from the bed and stumble a little. I almost felt like a toddler learning how to walk with how weird my legs felt.
Alessio notices my expression. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Kwg21ORi6
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscqUsieU9r
“It’s just the medicine.” He reassures me. “You’ve been out for a few days so it’ll take time.” 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyppGSxomk
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUVpolHSYX
“Did you just say a few days?” I gasp.
“About six actually. You were in a medically induced coma to help you heal love.”
“Oh my god.” I breathe out and look at the room. “I can’t believe I was out for almost a week.”
“It’s fine, baby. Focus on me.” He says and pulls me to him. “How much do you love me?”
"Obviously a lot."
“How much is a lot?” He teases.
“A LOT,” I snort and kiss him. “Why are you asking? You should know.”
“I want to ask you something.” He starts and pulls my hand to his cheek. “I want you to stay open-minded and listen. I’m nervous as hell right now.”
I stare up at him terrified. “W-what?”
He wastes no more time and lowers down onto one knee. He holds the box in front of him and keeps my hand in his.
“I know I move fast and I know I’ve scared you with this before.” He takes a deep breath. “I’ve never been so sure about something, Olivia. I love you more than you can imagine and I never want to lose you.”
My breath catches in my throat. “I-I…” 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaI2Y0mtsur
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJyVeRjznK
“I want you to marry me more than anything. Will you please do me the honor of being my wife? Will you marry me, Olivia Moore?”
He smiles up at me and waits. I can feel his fingers shaking in my hand but can’t focus on anything other than my own heart pounding in my chest.
"I need to sit."
"Of course," He stands and leads me to the bed. “Do you want some water?”
“Please.” I gasp and rest my hands on my knees.
He grabs the water bottle from the table next to us and hands it over. I gulp it down quickly and feel my throat relax a little from the liquid. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7qTRVLYoN
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFH00Ff9ua
“Sorry…I just needed a moment.” I apologize and put it down.
"Take your time."
“Okay.” I smile at him. “Continue.”
He pulls my face towards him and kisses me softly. “Do you want to marry me, Olivia Moore?”671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCxy5rfUKu
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkWmwsNbmK
I stare up into his dark eyes and feel myself being sucked in. I want him more than anything.
He has me forever. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNQi19LrNn
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYFssF83u1
I’m his.
"Yes." 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbb6yEKXHTU
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblGrga0yyP
He blinks and stares at me confused.
"Excuse me?"
“What?” I frown at him. “I said, yes!”
“You’ll marry me?”
“I’d love to be your wife, Alessio. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Before any more time passes by he scoops me up in his arms and presses his lips to me in our heated embrace. Time seems to slow down as we hold one another. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQs5SOqhqU
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLKCfuBRkO
Everything felt so surreal. I wasn’t sure if this was reality anymore.
“To our future,”Alessio begins and slides a massive diamond rock onto my finger. “My soon-to-be bride.”
Our hands fold to one another and I kiss him once more.
I felt everything in that kiss. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5iccx45Lp
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1R5rS3WhDn
Pain, love, desire, and loss.
Nothing can change how I feel about Alessio.
I found all odds and in the end...
I won. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxneMG8Fc2U
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmlXrUsrU6
⟡ ⟡ ⟡
