O L I V I A689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJwLkecBfC
"Hey, beautiful."689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoiadoxQnJ
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…689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJE6DCYDkgU
689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0U3z130ry
There’s something else though. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5KXMIemPv
689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnSvbfAQP9
The soft breeze against my skin. Exposed skin. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqusNFTzm1M
689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjegRIxK0Yk
Exposed. Bare. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtqNwpTHSm
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. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaHQpsE4vU
689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RktosS4hV
“You’re beautiful, Olivia. I wish you wouldn’t hide. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3nctXTQIN
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.” 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KkiaPofWw
689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrUVqKdRfw
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."689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNo4qTOqQIL
"Anna..."I start. "What kind of party is this?"689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu14CYi2hnz
689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJof9ePkkuR
She doesn’t respond. Instead, the last box lands in my hands. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKcda2uba8
689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJnP2ucqYM
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. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9c5bF8aoFa
“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. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DYRmSU6fP
"What’s the problem?” She laughs. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoehIToAet
689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJx6fwM6g5
I look over at her. “I’m the problem, Anna! I’m not masquerading material.” 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ON1EZXOfU
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."689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyUi4jlG64
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. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2fIIFad3d
689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKTbgZ8Ttu
Finding out the truth isn’t going to be easy.
⟡ ⟡ ⟡
"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. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eHEK95Q6K
689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuwHx7w4eL
“Are you ready, love?”
"If I said yes, I would be a liar." I admit and feel my heart pound in my chest. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmKB2Sevbl
689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjVGNvqshg
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. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbAzViuijk
689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHjp19CakG
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."689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ve8NtXCLr
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?"689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdoAIOtfjD
689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4tsQBm0vl
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. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3CB18cGTH
689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC09w8xpVUY
Our feet step side to side as we sway back and forth.
“What are we doing?” I giggle. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoV5V13dbNE
689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGq3Jn9CAi
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. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eaFCvJMiS
689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKi0Q9Qe15
Without even thinking about it I feel the pull between us. I feel as if I’ll explode at any moment.
"Alessio?"689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvI97zW2Nq
689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1dr8Kk8xg
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. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pRljvuUhw
689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDaObgC5Ob
Everything about her screamed elegance. She looked like a real life angel. Something about her seemed so surreal. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVvqgkJIj6
She approached the both of us slowly and glanced over at me with a pair of poison green eyes. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwLv3hHkNk
“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?"689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYbQUg9WHC
“Not really,” She purrs out in a heavy Italian accent. Her hand plays with the edge of his suit. “I’ve missed seeing you.” 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BDmrjihwB
Alessio stops her. “Quit.” 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ru8XOzqwF
“We’ll see about that.” She taunts.689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZOXiX11jo
I watch silently as she turns away from him and gives me one more disgusted look as she disappears in the crowd. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGO2t2OXtOa
I look back at Alessio and can tell he is absolutely fuming. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16HlhFSLOa
“Alessio?” 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnumpm23D1
689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqOSLrvRRK
He pays me no mind and motions for someone behind us. I look back and notice Mateo walking up to the both of us. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qMgJek3yn
"Take Olivia to my room." He demands. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6l1tnJxfBK
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. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k4695UQH5
I look over at his uncle Mateo. “Do you know what is wrong?” 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgyT97RmEb
His eyes soften and he smiles a little, “I am afraid that I don’t, dear.” 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUgQQQny3K
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. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtQxF4dmcF
689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiTySbcRU0
My heart hurt and all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiovd20nHH
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.689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2XVhbb6f1
⟡ ⟡ ⟡689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj3ZmTou7A
"Olivia."689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISQVT6d2Ur
The sound of his voice in the morning causes me to jump and I push up in the bed and rub at my eyes. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptQSbQjK4m
He's facing away from me and staring blankly out the window. His voice seems strained...almost as if he is upset.689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26sKqNRMhQ
"Are you okay?" I ask softly and my fingers itch to touch him.689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthUGaP8bwG
He continues to stare out of the window as he speaks.689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmWb8HRikd
"Mateo will be taking you home this morning."689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0M6d0E2Ik9
I stare at him as hurt and confusion cover my features.689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2aFm7n99N
"Alessio...what's going on? Why won't you talk to me? Why wo-"689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIa1HB8IWBQ
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. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ15K2joNBf
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.689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1ewCGvbOY
I moan against his lips as his mouth hungrily kisses me. His hands snake down my curves and hook onto my waist tightly.689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0Zq0wt3kX
I can feel my core tighten as my nails dig into his back through his shirt.689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsq2ylY44S
"P-please."689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnIPsyj1xw
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.689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYt5iS7A9s
I struggle to sit up and push my hair away from my face. My skin is still red hot from our touch.689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9cXkEDkXq
He turns and faces the door. I can see the muscles in his back strain a little from whatever he is dealing with internally. 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGlsBGSWuK
"I think I'm falling in love with you." 689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxbOw5NLs4
My lips part and I stare blankly at him. His words rang continuously through my ears.689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcs2r4c4O4o
I stare after him as he crosses the floor and disappears. Once more...I'm alone.689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhrPLEOAbO
I don't try to stop the tears from falling.689Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYF7S89Tdn
⟡ ⟡ ⟡
ns216.73.216.250da2
