O L I V I A
Two months had come and gone.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlL6kgoICa6
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46Ve0AUe6C
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jPZti15gh
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IBhFqj8vD
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SyyJ1xVfS
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Plus, he respected me. I didn’t feel any overwhelming pressure to have sex with him.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9s8jujiwVu
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh717kO16N6
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzzk5lXXBC
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCai7QucDij
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlg3CCPOko
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I even tried Anna but that never got me anywhere.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYvxgLWVhz
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1FJJUGA1X
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSG20POZhQI
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzAsh6qVKb
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKiAMbSSX7
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6y3KmgKLAb
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When Beto did turn around, he didn’t react like I hoped he would. He was dismissive and very cold.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LPBo7L1Mj
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“Beto, what is going on? Where’s Alessio?” I begged him.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hsK4vQZpD
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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.”630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9q5ljbZCq
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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?”630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gBRYqT7RW
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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.”630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4Q89lsUhW
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“Just moving on? I don’t under-”630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgy10AbLY8
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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?”630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpksPdY7TOz
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My mouth fell open and I felt the tears burn my eyes. “No...I don’t.”630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9SoymV0JR
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“That’s not my problem.”630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4rrRFP2sg
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzWrOa6Ano
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACWkPmg5O5
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBFPicksTD
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I had no answers and it killed me.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFjEE1vjDS
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As the days went by, it eventually got easier.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAd7tUA1dZ
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVIk8Y0PPp
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocPOq6k7LU
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hkkeSKU7J
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SIGOAK7Yy
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Kim and I had been curled up on her bed and flipping through old fashion magazines her mom had.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXzJbj7g3k
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHwZjpao76
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4bVMKEsZF
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8ufgGqlCm
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8htsNsNF9
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Unfortunately, with Tucker being twenty-one and the school not allowing outside attendees, I was basically destined to go solo.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskaxJmEI5o
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6XYBpoZvA
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKH7Fw4OdzW
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ914s4KunFr
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She smiles at me and bats her eyes before a dress is thrown right at my face.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AgJTTJ6Ot
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gew3apO6b
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The hem of it barely reaches the top of my thighs and it is completely strapless.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoi2HzG8NG8
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Again...very, very Kimberly.
“We look so hot!” Kimberly cheers and spins around. “Let’s take pictures.”630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Kt8ykRgnW
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aD9j7zng6
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBp0j8DTpD
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXf2uTJVcGM
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNYCfzJ9Ky
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“Should I change?” I ask and look down at my black shirt and slacks.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3fDgUDYSY
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQe5ULe36jF
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We had a good routine going. It was almost like we moved as one unit.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVeFdkRrNt
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAV1AaEXCB
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“In the mood for Italian?” Tucker asks and turns the car off.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU70BTHDk3f
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8kS6R9gcO
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gwtwBFovn
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmhmDWHoyA
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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!”630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNQyMOX07I
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cGChQ5rzf
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“I know you want to talk to me about, Alessio.”630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiEabMNSKC
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“Where is he Anna? I just want to know he’s okay.”630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89556N01wH
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“He’s in Italy.”630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRit12nbzg
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My brows pull together. “Italy? Why?”630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXukHBMfFf
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHF3FWqon1s
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKQW5U7FWl
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“Go ahead.” Anna reassures me.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgZNIiPOZm
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWmY5wzZCa
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I knew I wouldn’t get the answers I wanted.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ513UZwLObU
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mPRzw2LX7
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On the inside is the word Amore sprawled out in beautiful scripture against the velvet lining.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39doV9FmME
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIoLsVKgjY
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Watching the sun rise and having my morning cigarette.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJIc0NUi5W
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I loved Venice. It’s beautiful and the environment here is like no other.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcNfyxT6DS
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dZYvuvYRv
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiS9ALSYxWo
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JfMKMINHD
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2uFv4JBU3
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I was falling for her fast. I barely knew the girl and I wanted her in every way imaginable.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8ofonVdve
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYpWim6FZj
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbssJUhbiR
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLyx4gYvvX
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGR7vpdJCdD
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc22cc1inQf
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UvEpamF3D
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I had no desire to be with Monica Rossi. She was a pest.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqkUh4NRry
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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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmqVJ23KWj
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Despite her efforts, I knew Monica didn’t like me either. She was just trying to please her father.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1UFycm23o
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64QZxkCNle
This marriage was nothing but a business arrangement. My heart and soul would stay with Olivia.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2yKvUpqWz
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaP7IkGeE8e
I couldn’t keep myself completely away from her though. Even in Italy, I was still having my men keep their eyes on her.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xrPvOoNgk
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgeT1NCzOl
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?)630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjdtr5eiqY
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDjwRcxkB5
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?”630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KRYMDkWTL
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26O30yl0MP
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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAT3EGNVbOi
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZKwrpCvht
He walks up to the two of us wearing a dark suit with a matching corsage to coordinate with the colors in her dress.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfytjSHEkj0
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtzcwNepCJ
He’s a cute guy and certainly Kimberly’s type.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqWEb1JX5E
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4bskXUXXI
Tall, athletic, dark shaggy hair and muscular.
“How are you?” He asks as she kisses him630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQiE0ticay
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp88ZIDPeUw
“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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEfbdEViEL
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8W2fuPPR8
The entire gym was decorated for a “beach/sea” theme but it really reminded me of The Little Mermaid a lot more.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmLI5FlZq7
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtC2CmmkyqI
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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQtomGqusz
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2Vbo1y1ZK
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?”630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbo72oygE5
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8J9MY0InoR
“Sure.”630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIH9FK1YaGz
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9yCC4RV0p
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.”630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJdH0Q2ejp
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNliHV3t7ep
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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrxBFcaxnX
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqAtuwahDb
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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzFDtiZ3A2
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS77IAs9BDU
So much for being included. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzZ15MYYkt
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu7k10FKb7
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?"630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7X4LDBKZTp
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNUpuPxIJc
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.”630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDG7trgX0t
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlUbgUjGUT
“Just checking, beautiful.”630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yyQeHmzRO
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cyDQeSaes
My heart stops as I hear him say those words. It’s such a common phrase but something about his voice sounds so familiar.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T7c1559xP
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmah8FVKgQF
I feel like I should know him.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyrWIm61YM
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLr9TJgsBp
“Wa-” I look back up and he’s gone.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7Xx7ajKgc
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3KRmpMixQ
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.630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2UwsoMjws
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpXuaaTIkd
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. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuqN84m8pA
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqhIgVj3Zs
That night the weather was especially harsh and cold. The snow covered the ground and there had been flurries in the air. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIYOh2wNPP
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFsnqIuBiI
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. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdAx2PBihI
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXS7g5Jktvg
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.” 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyILnUmEPu
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai4FFBNqfa
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. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUWXgEUN3E
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3RcxBy8Ds
“I have to go.” 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IMpI6f1wG
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HrbZGHo9d
I turned to walk away when he suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQMB59B4zg
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7t04SvPmrB
“Hey!” I shouted and pulled against him. “Let me go.” 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnE274xTKD
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA29ZQQHMEN
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. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wQzI6q9h8
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojLSmdMBko
“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. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuJ9Fr0tle
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbq7VmBLF9r
I closed my eyes and waited for it to end. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVw7QJi3CN
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5AWdn2B0j
“What’s going on back there?” 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgabQae2lY
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93w2H19cea
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. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArUl48c55G
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2OlLS5r4J
“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?"630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwK7KMe6F4r
630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs397pWYI8W
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. 630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlL4DtMBaTQ
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⟡ ⟡ ⟡630Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvddvdP5iM4
