O L I V I A629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEahIZbDRe
"Hey, beautiful."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeO7AMG6Fnh
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…629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ldj1xrR4j
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4vlgvci5S
There’s something else though. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KYjyfcelB
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xQF5M6ze8
The soft breeze against my skin. Exposed skin. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoqBRGpmpa
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKm6xd84kg6
Exposed. Bare. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4u4ejgItdj
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. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78bOt7900O
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhF9e94523
“You’re beautiful, Olivia. I wish you wouldn’t hide. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95il9xOjCb
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.” 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Su3GNu7AU
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtfcn3aMZK
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."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQTTNY7NW6
"Anna..."I start. "What kind of party is this?"629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QLKzJLqT5
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwyfwCB7jO
She doesn’t respond. Instead, the last box lands in my hands. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWhULXX2DU
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKytX9K0AX
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. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnN6C2n2sy
“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. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DztdgGzHj
"What’s the problem?” She laughs. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFZ0FPcGDy
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXXCwgYuJz
I look over at her. “I’m the problem, Anna! I’m not masquerading material.” 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsm4J0RWcb
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."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zlqnbdi15
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. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzBIUsP5sc
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLoeQqyCSI
Finding out the truth isn’t going to be easy.
⟡ ⟡ ⟡
"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. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYE1WBdRKe
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWLRFejZYZ
“Are you ready, love?”
"If I said yes, I would be a liar." I admit and feel my heart pound in my chest. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrCHTIvbNE
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVbyLtmeQQ
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. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahIZCxUHGn
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPr8OtahCI
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."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aL30MuQHI
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?"629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQXP7cp0jn
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftMLzfEz2m
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. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbnoKeVY61
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWvgaTv3YH
Our feet step side to side as we sway back and forth.
“What are we doing?” I giggle. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH53LhP5Gg7
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXpPoAxjru
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. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILXbcW1iq6
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDWagQzAoc
Without even thinking about it I feel the pull between us. I feel as if I’ll explode at any moment.
"Alessio?"629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0rVsU2Ttj
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uKxFSWax7
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. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfNr9vPt1C
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFr4RL6ZG5s
Everything about her screamed elegance. She looked like a real life angel. Something about her seemed so surreal. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUrMky32QB
She approached the both of us slowly and glanced over at me with a pair of poison green eyes. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfrLLW4GcE
“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?"629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDWpqW0YHI
“Not really,” She purrs out in a heavy Italian accent. Her hand plays with the edge of his suit. “I’ve missed seeing you.” 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLNUeykACD
Alessio stops her. “Quit.” 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWPORaL2e0
“We’ll see about that.” She taunts.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccGdHr5rj6
I watch silently as she turns away from him and gives me one more disgusted look as she disappears in the crowd. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3vnBzUQl4
I look back at Alessio and can tell he is absolutely fuming. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GZL2s8k2g
“Alessio?” 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFFd0Tddb4
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVJ0xWg8sR
He pays me no mind and motions for someone behind us. I look back and notice Mateo walking up to the both of us. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKcTivPkfh
"Take Olivia to my room." He demands. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwGQXqbWOK
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. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoO96O2bts
I look over at his uncle Mateo. “Do you know what is wrong?” 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbNsuplQ5G
His eyes soften and he smiles a little, “I am afraid that I don’t, dear.” 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUzt53tNii
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. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFphn0yQu5
629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxPlKQa2g4
My heart hurt and all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgv7PsxCWu3
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocZs9MYeUZ
⟡ ⟡ ⟡629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEt1V4DOogp
"Olivia."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ819UYJjATN
The sound of his voice in the morning causes me to jump and I push up in the bed and rub at my eyes. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCyiNciwln
He's facing away from me and staring blankly out the window. His voice seems strained...almost as if he is upset.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5VgCvtReD
"Are you okay?" I ask softly and my fingers itch to touch him.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqowxBXG36
He continues to stare out of the window as he speaks.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzxcNri0e1
"Mateo will be taking you home this morning."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7tavMCMe2
I stare at him as hurt and confusion cover my features.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5d5RIJy91C
"Alessio...what's going on? Why won't you talk to me? Why wo-"629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5tQO5oZaG
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. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF422ofyRlq
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW5TZTQF1W
I moan against his lips as his mouth hungrily kisses me. His hands snake down my curves and hook onto my waist tightly.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2Yi2p4PiA
I can feel my core tighten as my nails dig into his back through his shirt.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaRiCDPNcz
"P-please."629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsoHJD2Qby
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.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTQLYanAAr
I struggle to sit up and push my hair away from my face. My skin is still red hot from our touch.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzuSUibVNy
He turns and faces the door. I can see the muscles in his back strain a little from whatever he is dealing with internally. 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7Ls2iVxY1
"I think I'm falling in love with you." 629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5hoyxJTnC
My lips part and I stare blankly at him. His words rang continuously through my ears.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1ndawoNCX
I stare after him as he crosses the floor and disappears. Once more...I'm alone.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pP1qwHWD8
I don't try to stop the tears from falling.629Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqsX1POvp6
⟡ ⟡ ⟡
ns3.17.166.116da2
