O L I V I A671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekroyiThwf
"Hey, beautiful."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhC7YhXcvfa
My eyes flutter at the sound of Alessio’s voice and I wake up to the brightness of the sun glaring in my eyes. Something soft strokes up and down the skin of my arm.
It feels good…671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnqFPvFOS8
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There’s something else though. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7DceYDGvA
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The soft breeze against my skin. Exposed skin. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDU6u1hIXky
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Exposed. Bare. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbbSV0Z84v
I immediately sit forward and cover my chest. I realize Alessio is sitting next to me on the lounge chair and staring out towards the setting sun. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaYSYtOBvu
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“You’re beautiful, Olivia. I wish you wouldn’t hide. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47C0UYyDpv
I ignore his compliment and pull my straps back up over my chest. He waits until I’m finished and looks back at me. The sun casts shadows against his high cheekbones.
He silently leans forward and rests his forehead against mine. “It’s time to get ready, love. Anna is waiting.” 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FAWZ2QvgR
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I nod a little and let him lead me upstairs back to Anna’s room. She’s sitting in the middle of her bed with several black boxes
"Here you go." She says and impatiently tosses me a box.
Inside I found a pair of black stiletto shoes with red bottoms. Tiny diamonds decorate the surface.
“Love those!” Anna grins and tosses me another with no warning.
There's a gorgeous teardrop diamond necklace inside with matching earrings.
"Wow!" She nods in approval, "Alessio really does have good taste."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWFLIc2Dcn
"Anna..."I start. "What kind of party is this?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6pNUzK7xT
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She doesn’t respond. Instead, the last box lands in my hands. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn53r8DLqVu
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Inside there is a cute and dainty black mask with intricate details through the matte mask that seems to expand out like little butterfly wings with silver glitter. It is stunning but the sight of it makes my stomach hurt.
She chuckles when she notices my expression. “Did he not mention that it’s a masquerade ball?”
“A ball!? You have to be kidding!” I drop the mask.
She rolls her eyes. "Stop being so dramatic. You'll be fine and you'll look gorgeous."
I start to pipe up and argue with her when a pair of unfamiliar girls walk in with two portable chairs and what looks to be salon equipment.
"Makeup and hair time!" Anna winks.
The two girls set up shop in the bathroom. Anna decides to pop open a bottle of wine and pours out two glasses for us both. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNMj8zV0U5
“How many people will be there?” I ask and look down at my shaky hands.
“Maybe fifty...maybe two hundred.”
“Two hundred,” I repeat robotically. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvI62p4qdw
"What’s the problem?” She laughs. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqC1pAjrFTv
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I look over at her. “I’m the problem, Anna! I’m not masquerading material.” 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdsjQrcJZn
She sighs and takes a drink. “It’s really no big deal. We host these parties every year.”
I nod and decide to change the subject. “Can I ask you something?”
"Sure."
I try to swallow the lump in my throat. “People tend to talk a lot...about things...with your family.”
"Things?" Anna raises her brow.
"Things that are not necessarily legal."
My skin is burning hot. I'm so worried I will say the wrong thing.
"What are you asking?" Her voice hardens.
I don't reply.
She grows annoyed. "Olivia."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1riDgTuW3x
I panic. "Anna, I'm sorry! Don't feel like you need to answer that. I know I'm invading your privacy.”
She laughs and sets her glass down, "Just know we do what we need to for our family, alright. We'll also keep you safe. We're smart, especially Alessio."
I nod and look back towards the mirror as the girl behind me starts to curl my hair. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD38FBGCoA
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Finding out the truth isn’t going to be easy.
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"You look so beautiful!”
I smile down at Alessio as I finish descending the stairs. I’m grateful that my ankles don’t snap like I thought they would.
He looks so good. His suit black and hair neatly slicked back with gel. Looking at him makes me feel so small just being at his side.
"Where is everyone?" I ask.
He takes my hand. “Just down the hall and through the doors.”
I nod nervously and a shaky breath comes down. I feel his lips at my ear. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwh2hpLqdgR
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“Are you ready, love?”
"If I said yes, I would be a liar." I admit and feel my heart pound in my chest. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhM3UmLwG1
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Alessio gives my hand a little squeeze and leads the both of us through the doors together.
Inside is a magnificent ballroom full of people in gorgeous gowns and suits. All of them seem to move with one another in sync as the harps and violins play at the front of the room.
Several silks hang above us from the ceiling as people in full body silver suits wrap themselves in the silk as they plunge towards the floor.
I look out towards the dance floor and find Anna. She looks incredible. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU0aBpeWGu
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A man with blonde hair dips her back playfully and kisses the exposed neck. Alessio and I watch them for a moment as he spins her out and back in towards his chest. They laugh together loudly and kiss.
"That is Anna's fiance from Sicily,"Alessio whispers."They'll be married early next year."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOjrLabd3f
I smile and continue to watch them move together gracefully. Alessio’s arm snakes around my waist and he pulls me closer.
"Would you like to dance?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOieEkxhjQP
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I look up at him terrified. “I’ve never danced before.”
He smiles a little and positions his hands on my waist. I wrap my arms around his neck and stare at him before I realize we are already moving. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb9kJCCCDr
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Our feet step side to side as we sway back and forth.
“What are we doing?” I giggle. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7ARq1S7rQ
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He laughs and kisses my nose. “Dancing.”
“I’m not a good dancer.”
"You're doing just fine."
I laugh a little too loud as he spins me away from him and dips me low. His mouth finds my neck and I feel his breath tickle me there. “What do you want, love?”
He pulls me up to him again and we stand before one another. Our lips just centimeters away. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVgu8CG4LC
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Without even thinking about it I feel the pull between us. I feel as if I’ll explode at any moment.
"Alessio?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifGzIRIdgp
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The electricity between us dies down as a new voice rings out. I realize Alessio is staring someone down and he doesn’t look happy.
The voice had come from a beautiful girl with caramel locks in a stunning green dress. The material clung to the curves of her body and she moved with confidence. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZjRGd8vcr
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Everything about her screamed elegance. She looked like a real life angel. Something about her seemed so surreal. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SBSqQb4kk
She approached the both of us slowly and glanced over at me with a pair of poison green eyes. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZvCAhn5HY
“Monica.” Alessio spit out.
She smiled warmly at him. “I was hoping I’d see you tonight.”
"You did." He states blandly and looks away. "Did you need something?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBoaDdAS62
“Not really,” She purrs out in a heavy Italian accent. Her hand plays with the edge of his suit. “I’ve missed seeing you.” 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGibIoDBNB
Alessio stops her. “Quit.” 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZlxUkzfwg
“We’ll see about that.” She taunts.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZVo8zH8e8
I watch silently as she turns away from him and gives me one more disgusted look as she disappears in the crowd. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwX3ESSvfN
I look back at Alessio and can tell he is absolutely fuming. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKywT7CYcgm
“Alessio?” 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIrWthKnUK
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He pays me no mind and motions for someone behind us. I look back and notice Mateo walking up to the both of us. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAybNxt0ajC
"Take Olivia to my room." He demands. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCu2xtLKnax
I frown at his sudden coldness but say nothing as he leans down and presses his lips to my forehead. I open my mouth to say something but without another word he disappears into the crowd. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBqD1jQuiz
I look over at his uncle Mateo. “Do you know what is wrong?” 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEA9cvGDosi
His eyes soften and he smiles a little, “I am afraid that I don’t, dear.” 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzyOkKBIhf
I nod a little and follow Mateo out of the ball and back up towards where Alessio’s room is. Once I’m inside I take no time undressing and climbing into the massive bed. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAARqDDln5B
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My heart hurt and all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Nw3zjq1cU
It was as if all the progress we had seemed to make today was just gone. I didn’t understand Alessio and I felt so lost.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PworKULom
⟡ ⟡ ⟡671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIhuYknr0J
"Olivia."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBnhVvLTbt
The sound of his voice in the morning causes me to jump and I push up in the bed and rub at my eyes. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCysA8JWITr
He's facing away from me and staring blankly out the window. His voice seems strained...almost as if he is upset.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjJDAfJCMc
"Are you okay?" I ask softly and my fingers itch to touch him.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0TgM69xyD
He continues to stare out of the window as he speaks.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡep82rxauiL
"Mateo will be taking you home this morning."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtJK12k2Eu
I stare at him as hurt and confusion cover my features.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBO0LAipHhN
"Alessio...what's going on? Why won't you talk to me? Why wo-"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqADc5SkaZl
Before I can finish he is already in front of me and our mouths are on one another. I gasp as little kisses trail up from my neck to my chin. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNXhENZhxi
Time seems to stand still as he takes me in. His mouth is warm and hot as we embrace one another for the first time.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqvak6IA8N
I moan against his lips as his mouth hungrily kisses me. His hands snake down my curves and hook onto my waist tightly.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4eBo19h4X
I can feel my core tighten as my nails dig into his back through his shirt.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmCoTz4mCX
"P-please."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1szKbiX7l
His grip loosens and he's standing up running his fingers through his hair. I can see his breath coming in hard as he tries to compose himself.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVycglCj0a
I struggle to sit up and push my hair away from my face. My skin is still red hot from our touch.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1trbsUnLV
He turns and faces the door. I can see the muscles in his back strain a little from whatever he is dealing with internally. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpUnThAgtU
"I think I'm falling in love with you." 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQYDWYlR34
My lips part and I stare blankly at him. His words rang continuously through my ears.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yLVf2Osow
I stare after him as he crosses the floor and disappears. Once more...I'm alone.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTE65G30wps
I don't try to stop the tears from falling.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXCPuGLkwJ
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