O L I V I A
Two months had come and gone.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDsfWyNcMh
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8G053gXyGX
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBO6y2Gl9HA
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9HsDCUEtc
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6w9qI6rjG
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Plus, he respected me. I didn’t feel any overwhelming pressure to have sex with him.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSC2gQHh82
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPHwU7IXy3
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EQNU0QWYz
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfy5cCcmyF
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0ODrPKy56
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I even tried Anna but that never got me anywhere.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRihnLTH9B
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTw0vyNiGz
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVd6ykPEl6
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSk0T5o5o5
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QksheU9st
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExxblZVVMo
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When Beto did turn around, he didn’t react like I hoped he would. He was dismissive and very cold.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpxfA8q8Zt
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“Beto, what is going on? Where’s Alessio?” I begged him.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71z0klZQZd
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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.”628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLY62rkSrY8
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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?”628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8VFItP7e5
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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.”628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs09v6bSMyY
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“Just moving on? I don’t under-”628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWSc4dG4hi
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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?”628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmuzvRuyZn
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My mouth fell open and I felt the tears burn my eyes. “No...I don’t.”628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMj7MfCA8n
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“That’s not my problem.”628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflf4Bn33Lb
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoxCg3VOsx
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3UFeBtbRt
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjhIsns5RM
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I had no answers and it killed me.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9p5hRxXbXf
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As the days went by, it eventually got easier.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PPmG7yMt1
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJOkG9Pesa
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh30JikVxWZ
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54VhP8qq4G
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz33lAIS7w8
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Kim and I had been curled up on her bed and flipping through old fashion magazines her mom had.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDnKvplY2T
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKme8I7LxG
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEsRfMjKCX
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlG9a9wQPX4
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmGFzP9Wtt
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Unfortunately, with Tucker being twenty-one and the school not allowing outside attendees, I was basically destined to go solo.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGW3aOrM9N3
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnz3NyllkdO
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSJBkRZXgp
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bL1y89DO1
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She smiles at me and bats her eyes before a dress is thrown right at my face.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeB2e5ILm7
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXOyKgAxhK
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The hem of it barely reaches the top of my thighs and it is completely strapless.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrysYDjZCwg
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Again...very, very Kimberly.
“We look so hot!” Kimberly cheers and spins around. “Let’s take pictures.”628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyReXRs7R3C
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHbSMlN9JD
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgrgLOkI9S
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzy6bYpc7u
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGri6VNk3R
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“Should I change?” I ask and look down at my black shirt and slacks.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tOF39Naa7
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMHQH8KxXn
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We had a good routine going. It was almost like we moved as one unit.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn4I1F5aHo
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReY1sqwZ6O
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“In the mood for Italian?” Tucker asks and turns the car off.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGmRy5XwD4
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKgaz4wnFL
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46E3a0MCX8
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIfoQR2hGI
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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!”628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6w3rSllpP
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzK3XxVOGS6
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“I know you want to talk to me about, Alessio.”628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Bu9EDFcL3
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“Where is he Anna? I just want to know he’s okay.”628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOlvqqCKgY
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“He’s in Italy.”628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMN0D16QDf
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My brows pull together. “Italy? Why?”628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡac2JA4qJkV
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiJclSsUoU
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHL47zkAiP7
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“Go ahead.” Anna reassures me.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjLtIcM0YN
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oGnUbtSHB
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I knew I wouldn’t get the answers I wanted.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1glT7Udbzy
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJm9x4J6oJ
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On the inside is the word Amore sprawled out in beautiful scripture against the velvet lining.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjN0V8F2It
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZ89H5iZQ7
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Watching the sun rise and having my morning cigarette.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gZ5ews9OU
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I loved Venice. It’s beautiful and the environment here is like no other.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoHy8oYIzU
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPVSk4v7XF
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGK8JxV1qC
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWjv6ZVQyF
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72Xt9NhGGh
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I was falling for her fast. I barely knew the girl and I wanted her in every way imaginable.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnflswZqblq
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ425om0eKvw
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3wEooPmJx
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6dsqt4lxJ
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXELWXgoqzX
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4TmKcaAVa
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXZl8M4f1R
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I had no desire to be with Monica Rossi. She was a pest.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjRafpzMU2
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSv4wB9CJN7
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuBWXj6UN4
Despite her efforts, I knew Monica didn’t like me either. She was just trying to please her father.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iltiHCKGa
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This marriage was nothing but a business arrangement. My heart and soul would stay with Olivia.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iPStgZ0nh
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPteaRqaXX
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5LoS8DwwI
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?)628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrgdF5e9Kw
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2JJfcZwNi
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?”628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFStK5wsUjB
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8irWPnbej
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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgaUYwcxVS
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMAbC9LeKU
He walks up to the two of us wearing a dark suit with a matching corsage to coordinate with the colors in her dress.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nsiOQEkNr
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFFuhecSp2
He’s a cute guy and certainly Kimberly’s type.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7NWHmrGle
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZs6rbyA0l
Tall, athletic, dark shaggy hair and muscular.
“How are you?” He asks as she kisses him628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNO35ATPiSu
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5NqjhUTA7
“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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnwWYKwDri
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkfVBf2aAj
The entire gym was decorated for a “beach/sea” theme but it really reminded me of The Little Mermaid a lot more.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3qt82xE3e
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFGRsvDrR5
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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAv89lQFA5j
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOa8gKBmMIV
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?”628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOtsfPcdPa
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDVeLnzm2u
“Sure.”628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVn0VJgDn1T
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjJpMbV66r
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.”628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCSKXNQGBX
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjx1IxjCEa
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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7Wk6RDiYn
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51ngCDjkVk
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwb76SZjaTV
So much for being included. 628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwi2yLvhHwj
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLBEp2Z05O
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?"628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEWreCchtp
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9DKMsShdZ
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.”628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegDSAT1lIc
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbfeBupw5C
“Just checking, beautiful.”628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zI3ATY1B7
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WcNq9B6eq
My heart stops as I hear him say those words. It’s such a common phrase but something about his voice sounds so familiar.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BnQALOXs6
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJylNRNcy3i
I feel like I should know him.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsl4WzRocQJ
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“Wa-” I look back up and he’s gone.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFl6QFM4Voo
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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.628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGUEndsqgR
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7KiDfg30A
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. 628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibmIjYtaBZ
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9mYsEIkFL
That night the weather was especially harsh and cold. The snow covered the ground and there had been flurries in the air. 628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Y3ktpVbnw
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHZkDn5TCo
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. 628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpv587pT6c
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rbexAzphx
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.” 628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UzSH5zUhz
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSJPNpH0r7
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. 628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfAoAvXxuZ
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofLA2sJSfh
“I have to go.” 628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9odCbGkBDK
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxJjtk3NKP
I turned to walk away when he suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist. 628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVnlhagj1N
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08VNMsfLxk
“Hey!” I shouted and pulled against him. “Let me go.” 628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyB2IZ00ZYk
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEDVX9dipL
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. 628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSsHKdruz7
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRB6iLEOQIV
“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. 628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCptRFKfGLb
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡes1BrWALRh
I closed my eyes and waited for it to end. 628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50Yn6MaMmU
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVoTlmoLFd
“What’s going on back there?” 628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXY1HXkAsC
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMZeF75tWO
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. 628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWb9zSlmYW
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvYSJsZEiM
“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?"628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzEPGcuLJK
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0l4Ct3lIov
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. 628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPUJrLts4g
628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JoDCHqaRM
⟡ ⟡ ⟡628Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BBpCUguMg
