O L I V I A
Two months had come and gone.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSjQR94Cs8
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPNeVZEMig
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGhbv7jO0W
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWKyY7I8aU
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFr6vZXTrm
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Plus, he respected me. I didn’t feel any overwhelming pressure to have sex with him.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUj8JEL9Zte
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uD2TwS1sF
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZIsYbPuZr
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqUWUaCGPE
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC390HahwR7
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I even tried Anna but that never got me anywhere.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTF9WtwgCp
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZKx4CErjn
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHZHiabNO3
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKnHACUw89
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc2HG0TPUl
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMu1c1QQMI5
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When Beto did turn around, he didn’t react like I hoped he would. He was dismissive and very cold.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTr4aSnUtfC
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“Beto, what is going on? Where’s Alessio?” I begged him.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmU7OdX8pB3
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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.”667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXFkGOXfdg
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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?”667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkN2goXs65D
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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.”667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKkYjomDge
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“Just moving on? I don’t under-”667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPY1Bzvbm0H
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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?”667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPEbLNoTYS
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My mouth fell open and I felt the tears burn my eyes. “No...I don’t.”667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvMZT5ke3E
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“That’s not my problem.”667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhQc1ok1jD
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9UUzy809P
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1sWDnF8YN
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3ppZFl70b
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I had no answers and it killed me.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAiorQpuVG
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As the days went by, it eventually got easier.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmxuxwI68G
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwl2ARWL1Mb
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQU8eyHubi
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJtuBN5TnQ
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgF5SIRiA9
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Kim and I had been curled up on her bed and flipping through old fashion magazines her mom had.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYStJpnsufh
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjw6gZv6eZ
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMVRdXeuiF
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJn8c9E5jXL
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTVXrdJcA5
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Unfortunately, with Tucker being twenty-one and the school not allowing outside attendees, I was basically destined to go solo.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1O1acHz51
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDYCZ8QS9X
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLMKS0m1KV
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIHS57EwDm
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She smiles at me and bats her eyes before a dress is thrown right at my face.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYaizm0teJ
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeWQVIRa2T
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The hem of it barely reaches the top of my thighs and it is completely strapless.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUa4vLnm7C
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Again...very, very Kimberly.
“We look so hot!” Kimberly cheers and spins around. “Let’s take pictures.”667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjRnAEOPps
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXm36sl6MVP
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlXz6i2Vp7
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9QGEHISXe
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyScovVGeTn
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“Should I change?” I ask and look down at my black shirt and slacks.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtx2gabub39
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCb235pK5r
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We had a good routine going. It was almost like we moved as one unit.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAWYU3Jvwd
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyaux5sJ0E
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“In the mood for Italian?” Tucker asks and turns the car off.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHINJAn3ne
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAM8v8HZ6b
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1I3Ex7Hj7
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64739NGSwF
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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!”667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NeDA3NLhQ
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkckQ7ApGT
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“I know you want to talk to me about, Alessio.”667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTCZ6jZ3Nx
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“Where is he Anna? I just want to know he’s okay.”667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJj5f2qkkJ
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“He’s in Italy.”667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjR8D5SBuzO
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My brows pull together. “Italy? Why?”667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulvXKhAdhJ
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5NwsISF2h
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOOWKGgzFu
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“Go ahead.” Anna reassures me.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cbNlSHzAP
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4bqobNOF0
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I knew I wouldn’t get the answers I wanted.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcSWtFI9hp
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJFekZMK4z
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On the inside is the word Amore sprawled out in beautiful scripture against the velvet lining.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1YJBf6ngf
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJyYiaLPkr
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Watching the sun rise and having my morning cigarette.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzCYKpV9cY
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I loved Venice. It’s beautiful and the environment here is like no other.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoekZSzMqc1
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIydz66nN5A
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwV5kyGLHQ
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0A2PWfDvV
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JIpvGxbg1
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I was falling for her fast. I barely knew the girl and I wanted her in every way imaginable.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIXaXEPhaK
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kosWNfsig
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJ5OAO5S3Q
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaeCjmJdVP
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XBLT3oJI0
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlLQCCxuhP
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7A273tUhH
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I had no desire to be with Monica Rossi. She was a pest.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyKCJDaUBN
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbWnSgkjlh
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Despite her efforts, I knew Monica didn’t like me either. She was just trying to please her father.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFn2EelEW5
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This marriage was nothing but a business arrangement. My heart and soul would stay with Olivia.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnXzy4MD6o
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ic1Cvy5N8
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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?)667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNqjWLyfI4
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpSkVvRP0I
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?”667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbve5UfKCA
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tYKjiJlNR
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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lk8EC6Uxs
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIp9o158ml
He walks up to the two of us wearing a dark suit with a matching corsage to coordinate with the colors in her dress.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAdTpnioak
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCyutwYSnN
He’s a cute guy and certainly Kimberly’s type.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvmaSdtnZe
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhX0Qe1kHBI
Tall, athletic, dark shaggy hair and muscular.
“How are you?” He asks as she kisses him667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCV9pcHFIbT
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv21uVrYuIG
“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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoD94O5ZtmP
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MmKVVz80c
The entire gym was decorated for a “beach/sea” theme but it really reminded me of The Little Mermaid a lot more.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzNlbDIgit
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77HcrB1rUh
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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6kmbjCSzl
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerfvHL0z7Q
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?”667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDunUzfa9m9
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtV37pDQDF
“Sure.”667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJQ4aRJQhB
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xpodnOYGJ
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.”667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslUd6chY2H
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfH4dUf0Szw
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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RcEbUT6am
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xtdjAyLnf
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So much for being included. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOTgMbMx1m
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduItvLI0ZG
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?"667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0Ngvs3L9s
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ihuz8NsgX
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.”667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQOyDGyS9c
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AvtVsD9ZG
“Just checking, beautiful.”667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ls3sO13pi
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnX5oJZQMQ
My heart stops as I hear him say those words. It’s such a common phrase but something about his voice sounds so familiar.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2EJX4WmmZ
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I feel like I should know him.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfG7kmFeha
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“Wa-” I look back up and he’s gone.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7wMiScfsK
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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.667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqx7kWpUG6
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZCE6GafDs
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. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXW3CnZNA5
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wCO82p5eV
That night the weather was especially harsh and cold. The snow covered the ground and there had been flurries in the air. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCPo0qKsXJ
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqNpQ5in9o
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. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBFHX0DUBv
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9Ck2mSOWM
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.” 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbz13vM0uk
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GZNiQJxSw
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. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukf2gJ5es2
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“I have to go.” 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KBaj93qop
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I turned to walk away when he suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORkbPNIkbs
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0Vr5eo7sz
“Hey!” I shouted and pulled against him. “Let me go.” 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bOvzx0A4T
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1hz4ljHs5
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. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LigCUpqPe
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEk0kkjxhM
“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. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9IWyuPdKB
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2xWdjgdAh
I closed my eyes and waited for it to end. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTERfX2p0T
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“What’s going on back there?” 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYv2v9wB3og
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmo0JRzuq2
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. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82TKboyFQd
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClL34xX8QG
“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?"667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13Xf5kgwt8
667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQ4dztHIHN
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. 667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepsNbQiXkm
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⟡ ⟡ ⟡667Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MUB6wwrhu
