O L I V I A660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37LTM7ZBFK
"Hey, beautiful."660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWWe1g72oy
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…660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyKKgMiyzc
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There’s something else though. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRJmUebIiR
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The soft breeze against my skin. Exposed skin. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09zimmYdO6
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Exposed. Bare. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnu248PwSW
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. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMhl1JHLJB
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“You’re beautiful, Olivia. I wish you wouldn’t hide. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhYcdqNtq9
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.” 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoKjhuYvBN
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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."660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZViT7FJzy4
"Anna..."I start. "What kind of party is this?"660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnLZdV3qvC
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She doesn’t respond. Instead, the last box lands in my hands. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AcQAGAbwC
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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. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBJ7yxRLfd
“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. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4KsefsRZZ
"What’s the problem?” She laughs. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OA2oQl8xY
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I look over at her. “I’m the problem, Anna! I’m not masquerading material.” 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYxuLdoHnU
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."660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfLqrsUAHQ
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. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXByrONqmyl
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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. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWywOph8aGY
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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. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PSkDmrG9O
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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. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBuCJGUEiE
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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."660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerWJNOeYN0
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?"660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXPYI4aPbP
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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. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0idc6Exbj
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Our feet step side to side as we sway back and forth.
“What are we doing?” I giggle. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡic73krA48P
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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. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdDpqVrPXV
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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?"660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MtdFVCZIH
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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. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPrgYb7Y7G
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Everything about her screamed elegance. She looked like a real life angel. Something about her seemed so surreal. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJhh4BlG12
She approached the both of us slowly and glanced over at me with a pair of poison green eyes. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHqMQU2azx
“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?"660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcimcMskqDD
“Not really,” She purrs out in a heavy Italian accent. Her hand plays with the edge of his suit. “I’ve missed seeing you.” 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTFhNgOjtK
Alessio stops her. “Quit.” 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjhhC7wAAK
“We’ll see about that.” She taunts.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBauxyAdfN
I watch silently as she turns away from him and gives me one more disgusted look as she disappears in the crowd. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dNvxWccFj
I look back at Alessio and can tell he is absolutely fuming. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmi0QcIjDA
“Alessio?” 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yjGNEwn1q
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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. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswS39W92KZ
"Take Olivia to my room." He demands. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tUB5HUb3m
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. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnulLe1awp
I look over at his uncle Mateo. “Do you know what is wrong?” 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUvdTjNmj7
His eyes soften and he smiles a little, “I am afraid that I don’t, dear.” 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tFCraG4MS
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. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRGohJCfb5
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My heart hurt and all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3tMDQfLh1
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXx0yOcrN9v
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"Olivia."660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3e730qYoxN
The sound of his voice in the morning causes me to jump and I push up in the bed and rub at my eyes. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRA1l3jUqbX
He's facing away from me and staring blankly out the window. His voice seems strained...almost as if he is upset.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83PpIRC3Ux
"Are you okay?" I ask softly and my fingers itch to touch him.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpgHBxFgHY
He continues to stare out of the window as he speaks.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7biWRWvRoX
"Mateo will be taking you home this morning."660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgWFGynE25
I stare at him as hurt and confusion cover my features.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP89rrt5ogW
"Alessio...what's going on? Why won't you talk to me? Why wo-"660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYQLHK8T30
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. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgQNEKuh6e
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXo0EvBDY8A
I moan against his lips as his mouth hungrily kisses me. His hands snake down my curves and hook onto my waist tightly.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmAI17CfsX
I can feel my core tighten as my nails dig into his back through his shirt.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOmGWLi63a
"P-please."660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmdt37iU1Q
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.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIJ4nNyHBH
I struggle to sit up and push my hair away from my face. My skin is still red hot from our touch.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwpvhZrbDW
He turns and faces the door. I can see the muscles in his back strain a little from whatever he is dealing with internally. 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVFCRVl7ik
"I think I'm falling in love with you." 660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIQSnCGt1i
My lips part and I stare blankly at him. His words rang continuously through my ears.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapCtrNccz1
I stare after him as he crosses the floor and disappears. Once more...I'm alone.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGToXI0FICQ
I don't try to stop the tears from falling.660Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP1ECfe6Cx
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