O L I V I A
Two months had come and gone.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYY0BGRC3IE
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0j8qHQHlh8
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ250omrDJfQ
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjguFeVTQAN
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8hHuHhtiE
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Plus, he respected me. I didn’t feel any overwhelming pressure to have sex with him.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWlKr2rDEB
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRfiOEEks2
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5lM1XpURM
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsPqr3OT3M
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsIF13aVX9
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I even tried Anna but that never got me anywhere.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgnYrmomxJ
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCB43FDozGV
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw58BhQlin
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6R9kWkqpf
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fTT3b1gXT
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxg4PEmkQ1
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When Beto did turn around, he didn’t react like I hoped he would. He was dismissive and very cold.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9JmsOh7cM
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“Beto, what is going on? Where’s Alessio?” I begged him.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGCj27G5c9
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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.”712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzG490iP08p
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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?”712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwdwZ1c107
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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.”712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzAzdHgnUe
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“Just moving on? I don’t under-”712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvozqCyQoKd
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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?”712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFl0pcmZ14
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My mouth fell open and I felt the tears burn my eyes. “No...I don’t.”712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ik9AoedEx
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“That’s not my problem.”712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9w8Ucj20Z
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0c6zix6ECt
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsVvcdiaG0
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUSb7nYjTC
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I had no answers and it killed me.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9aCrgsoLc
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As the days went by, it eventually got easier.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5dgINhMO3
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aflTuK9Fc
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqS0uovNu5
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3gA3dD2Lu
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEs4RSxtqZ
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Kim and I had been curled up on her bed and flipping through old fashion magazines her mom had.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NxEZenMpO
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqlMqknG4P
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsYHy9eKgP
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4R5S2Cp4G
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoWEXjE3RX
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Unfortunately, with Tucker being twenty-one and the school not allowing outside attendees, I was basically destined to go solo.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0puYlusmpW
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqI5EEs5vvJ
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZWfi5aSrL
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3bB8uvN31
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She smiles at me and bats her eyes before a dress is thrown right at my face.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdxNmzWYOW
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OQA5UOd7B
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The hem of it barely reaches the top of my thighs and it is completely strapless.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6Xf4ua19V
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Again...very, very Kimberly.
“We look so hot!” Kimberly cheers and spins around. “Let’s take pictures.”712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZ2KZyebAr
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBJ3NpSOjR
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y4qUYCNUO
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnl4e3JILz
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IEpgRNX7W
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“Should I change?” I ask and look down at my black shirt and slacks.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1samCyF5y
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPkdqdXybE
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We had a good routine going. It was almost like we moved as one unit.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhO9wBYR0ob
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLMtrRENEt
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“In the mood for Italian?” Tucker asks and turns the car off.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNxXFd6GCK
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7QimYSChC
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu02sfII5Vu
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SZmC52Nt3
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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!”712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW82THAEplo
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVAk4QmyQh
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“I know you want to talk to me about, Alessio.”712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ngKKd6Y5K
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“Where is he Anna? I just want to know he’s okay.”712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqGpPVGY6p
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“He’s in Italy.”712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugeRvibCno
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My brows pull together. “Italy? Why?”712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbC6dfMDae
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1R6c2zdcE
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBm0kQF69lo
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“Go ahead.” Anna reassures me.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BsX8jgovq
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9recwStzvh
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I knew I wouldn’t get the answers I wanted.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4ZbEUerEa
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQmbQ3VWLu
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On the inside is the word Amore sprawled out in beautiful scripture against the velvet lining.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZsKhA2L9y
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmHihFf1eg
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Watching the sun rise and having my morning cigarette.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKQBJCCqJE
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I loved Venice. It’s beautiful and the environment here is like no other.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvc6SIG4yoL
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMeDfE1E7I
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtayhDm0hrz
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Je0fCS1YF
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1RAFnG7rY
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I was falling for her fast. I barely knew the girl and I wanted her in every way imaginable.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeF1LHLYE2i
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQkgwo3vgJ
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlW6THsUr7
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMLoONWLSt
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtmbACe5yJ
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RLgM1yYdA
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFDmTNYWjZ
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I had no desire to be with Monica Rossi. She was a pest.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpgl55hO1n
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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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoV25ZeS8m
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Despite her efforts, I knew Monica didn’t like me either. She was just trying to please her father.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp23uZdrU17
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This marriage was nothing but a business arrangement. My heart and soul would stay with Olivia.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KootWdxWW
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I couldn’t keep myself completely away from her though. Even in Italy, I was still having my men keep their eyes on her.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZeVDyG2WM
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDbYfCykfW
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?)712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaBYXmQvo5
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4VBWcaTkw
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?”712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNn38eeCkZ
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaoJDAPSBG
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9EdXZ41nP
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX29Qd3PZeM
He walks up to the two of us wearing a dark suit with a matching corsage to coordinate with the colors in her dress.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiPTMSkd69
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnA4riA3hZu
He’s a cute guy and certainly Kimberly’s type.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR81XAyqXCg
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhhpi0z66e
Tall, athletic, dark shaggy hair and muscular.
“How are you?” He asks as she kisses him712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwmyunTK1k
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCHfUdbPea
“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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsK5vyZniIP
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvT7h5a0gWY
The entire gym was decorated for a “beach/sea” theme but it really reminded me of The Little Mermaid a lot more.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWAakHhw2j
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynFfo9MLB7
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZn4UcJvWnx
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XZg9Zqg97
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?”712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqi3cEfCTR
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6dum9Gp0I
“Sure.”712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpKSvCuj4z
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8L30LCPEy1
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.”712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lBObgDeV5
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOf4LrPCnDL
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hfq25nunl
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobgTcTp2Nv
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkVHBwp0tS
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So much for being included. 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocmrRR2M9H
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZKoZeVHoc
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?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB11DACnsH2
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhraO4NdIaa
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.”712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDD0PrNvpcG
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBS7B8USxOD
“Just checking, beautiful.”712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRP7zzmuQr
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JqN9BsEWA
My heart stops as I hear him say those words. It’s such a common phrase but something about his voice sounds so familiar.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5edMQg4yM
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSHbTKqujE
I feel like I should know him.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxXQoPvpKL
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqjjGSHr9C
“Wa-” I look back up and he’s gone.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgIeoiJCbv
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPA23hWooX
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz35Axc8HNP
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuxoe1ghBS
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. 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkaplZG9A3
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsitBFTv92
That night the weather was especially harsh and cold. The snow covered the ground and there had been flurries in the air. 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWYnztjT1v
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlFMVr9k5I
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. 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7dMOipLem
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfaVWK3MOd
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.” 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKChKVIzIKx
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaW3FVqbmu
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. 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmn9WIOP6EY
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVFo4J883U
“I have to go.” 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNevFsEpwF
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVG7YRr3XC
I turned to walk away when he suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist. 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYh989NAbjr
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxT5plxBppF
“Hey!” I shouted and pulled against him. “Let me go.” 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJt0j67hrr
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqaQxOSvPO
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. 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpAj3opbKz
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvoc3GB8jU
“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. 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOq1eqaX0Bw
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXvTpVcgIR
I closed my eyes and waited for it to end. 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTUhqBAymC
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI13Gzkcaa8
“What’s going on back there?” 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1JUiiKZab
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJALQXcnag9
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. 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6q2rMtHu1J
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnOUAm1ogc
“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?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiAf3YWg34
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEZewMSDmE
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. 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeS86LjZ7RP
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhRy16GMAZ
⟡ ⟡ ⟡712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXytFuPxcKi
