O L I V I A631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6huN8lbV0P
"Hey, beautiful."631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSkIox7iSB
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…631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2Zhr5OOvq
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There’s something else though. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fW5CdVu11
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The soft breeze against my skin. Exposed skin. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgH2v15PwDI
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Exposed. Bare. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9r3hNY1Mg
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. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGnoHC3Bqq
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“You’re beautiful, Olivia. I wish you wouldn’t hide. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2LtMfmkFh
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.” 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmOQPvVzKQ
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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."631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVABs01Ep4r
"Anna..."I start. "What kind of party is this?"631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphQWbhs1Qj
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She doesn’t respond. Instead, the last box lands in my hands. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwoETXYH5g
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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. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbylbuGosw
“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. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM99DgAIeK3
"What’s the problem?” She laughs. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm0t5nluZZ
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I look over at her. “I’m the problem, Anna! I’m not masquerading material.” 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBv4DRV1Z1
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."631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYMPIKFPow
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. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQGDBKFv3T
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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. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaK1y3rmLpD
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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. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTbN1yuS2I
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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. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4dHH7iu7V
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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."631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecDXeWp3zC
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?"631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmrkY3bCqz
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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. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpz7i0iAAP7
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Our feet step side to side as we sway back and forth.
“What are we doing?” I giggle. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTyn14DCr9
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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. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7zzVdFdN1
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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?"631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbR28ZvjMur
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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. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JUUcJLYXV
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Everything about her screamed elegance. She looked like a real life angel. Something about her seemed so surreal. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvgUktJQBl
She approached the both of us slowly and glanced over at me with a pair of poison green eyes. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZJwUCouB2
“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?"631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBQhIn8179
“Not really,” She purrs out in a heavy Italian accent. Her hand plays with the edge of his suit. “I’ve missed seeing you.” 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhorkY0y3o
Alessio stops her. “Quit.” 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGclEMoTaE
“We’ll see about that.” She taunts.631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3FPm1IeJk
I watch silently as she turns away from him and gives me one more disgusted look as she disappears in the crowd. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7GzseLY5B
I look back at Alessio and can tell he is absolutely fuming. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXjdmvKdt2
“Alessio?” 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD01LkgPZ8e
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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. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFI6U3iRzxJ
"Take Olivia to my room." He demands. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd8tpVRlP1
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. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOMu4Z3WyZ
I look over at his uncle Mateo. “Do you know what is wrong?” 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNk2nlE5h2w
His eyes soften and he smiles a little, “I am afraid that I don’t, dear.” 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe833L0i5m9
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. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2maGjCLnlt
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My heart hurt and all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23smKrWxcA
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.631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTmiSeKTHh
⟡ ⟡ ⟡631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMslQFe5AM
"Olivia."631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkt92RLZroJ
The sound of his voice in the morning causes me to jump and I push up in the bed and rub at my eyes. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjX3besN8ep
He's facing away from me and staring blankly out the window. His voice seems strained...almost as if he is upset.631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnduf29vwbU
"Are you okay?" I ask softly and my fingers itch to touch him.631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgreGC2YjT
He continues to stare out of the window as he speaks.631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZihCc4hDp
"Mateo will be taking you home this morning."631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUja8MjL0LJ
I stare at him as hurt and confusion cover my features.631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwz7paxrjDl
"Alessio...what's going on? Why won't you talk to me? Why wo-"631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoiNZohg4c
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. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFdWeTxpHS
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.631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QgdCfMDKF
I moan against his lips as his mouth hungrily kisses me. His hands snake down my curves and hook onto my waist tightly.631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTif28pOuO
I can feel my core tighten as my nails dig into his back through his shirt.631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR72wuEJjFS
"P-please."631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGgaYLY5DX
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.631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURN4rWDWeC
I struggle to sit up and push my hair away from my face. My skin is still red hot from our touch.631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1yR8DWb92
He turns and faces the door. I can see the muscles in his back strain a little from whatever he is dealing with internally. 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXcrb59Htl
"I think I'm falling in love with you." 631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OvXgzHcvZ
My lips part and I stare blankly at him. His words rang continuously through my ears.631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4aO4a2l2l
I stare after him as he crosses the floor and disappears. Once more...I'm alone.631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIWPQ3BZ08
I don't try to stop the tears from falling.631Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPECyYv4CwM
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