O L I V I A657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6FiAcLkhV
"Hey, beautiful."657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAal6AoU0F
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…657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC0cYFzj1T
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There’s something else though. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJorUg5p8EL
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The soft breeze against my skin. Exposed skin. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcw5abRMwM
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Exposed. Bare. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHm09QGSsVt
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. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡil1ye8GYyt
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“You’re beautiful, Olivia. I wish you wouldn’t hide. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6l70We3S5
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.” 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcW0hWgSdA
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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."657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7S1VbIyqT
"Anna..."I start. "What kind of party is this?"657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduubVLGPEK
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She doesn’t respond. Instead, the last box lands in my hands. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtacSQ4zk0
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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. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iyj0ViSmz
“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. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfGcVuJkbu
"What’s the problem?” She laughs. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bdtIlMuTF
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I look over at her. “I’m the problem, Anna! I’m not masquerading material.” 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKz6K8N8wA
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."657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMnYIVDxVP
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. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRLpjC4Ck1
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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. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eGk6CJNOs
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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. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXxJTUTCs9
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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. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fvuS6ebPr
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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."657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6Nc1DF4ol
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?"657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQl8DjQjMM
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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. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEj40oRu2We
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Our feet step side to side as we sway back and forth.
“What are we doing?” I giggle. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qkVgnlWmP
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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. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCZbwLMras
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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?"657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKjfCjNq5A
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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. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWd0Xkd5E27
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Everything about her screamed elegance. She looked like a real life angel. Something about her seemed so surreal. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp49AywZ7Rj
She approached the both of us slowly and glanced over at me with a pair of poison green eyes. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvauWVAwBR1
“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?"657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNN6VSmTPCX
“Not really,” She purrs out in a heavy Italian accent. Her hand plays with the edge of his suit. “I’ve missed seeing you.” 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6YwsFrvJa
Alessio stops her. “Quit.” 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6bXjm2IY9
“We’ll see about that.” She taunts.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC71eTCuHwU
I watch silently as she turns away from him and gives me one more disgusted look as she disappears in the crowd. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOWrn76usZ
I look back at Alessio and can tell he is absolutely fuming. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrsyDvlk4E
“Alessio?” 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0KQNglJ1P
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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. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotvWBmiEG8
"Take Olivia to my room." He demands. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR79S6KwixR
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. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmprLI6mq0l
I look over at his uncle Mateo. “Do you know what is wrong?” 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboa7G10lY2
His eyes soften and he smiles a little, “I am afraid that I don’t, dear.” 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVn9H7L8ud
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. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7ZDNFDPwx
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My heart hurt and all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnePFHx9K8F
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RSTowd1iK
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"Olivia."657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBR8gNyxjc
The sound of his voice in the morning causes me to jump and I push up in the bed and rub at my eyes. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYh0m2seJr
He's facing away from me and staring blankly out the window. His voice seems strained...almost as if he is upset.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MpZKYVPcJ
"Are you okay?" I ask softly and my fingers itch to touch him.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡud3B7Rwgfb
He continues to stare out of the window as he speaks.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFj1YcTPBo
"Mateo will be taking you home this morning."657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm25HLllSu
I stare at him as hurt and confusion cover my features.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMrJtlpndz
"Alessio...what's going on? Why won't you talk to me? Why wo-"657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QpwpafeS2
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. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtINwPY5hDl
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3eZ0FbKbm
I moan against his lips as his mouth hungrily kisses me. His hands snake down my curves and hook onto my waist tightly.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVAEE2y6SW
I can feel my core tighten as my nails dig into his back through his shirt.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRhrx86dvB
"P-please."657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPoX7PxlDU
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.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZopZIo8Pq
I struggle to sit up and push my hair away from my face. My skin is still red hot from our touch.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawhNa3ObD8
He turns and faces the door. I can see the muscles in his back strain a little from whatever he is dealing with internally. 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRaVo6oI54
"I think I'm falling in love with you." 657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTVM2k38FG
My lips part and I stare blankly at him. His words rang continuously through my ears.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIwNgfXNJn
I stare after him as he crosses the floor and disappears. Once more...I'm alone.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUx8DPJ7lH
I don't try to stop the tears from falling.657Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9q7X1JfOy
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