O L I V I A
Two months had come and gone.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnza3y3Qkt
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fWrtkOEUo
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv89N98GdZZ
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mOreSd061
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iRuPw01Co
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Plus, he respected me. I didn’t feel any overwhelming pressure to have sex with him.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQkWNUepzW
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPxo43yzcb
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSlPhdWy7q
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2bDwwqDBI
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcB3FKULmV
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I even tried Anna but that never got me anywhere.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqjd1TGqKZ
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1jSEPUKzy
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3eoQn3h7K
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCVMXL0sBJ
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJu1UCiYQGa
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48rVk5pBIV
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When Beto did turn around, he didn’t react like I hoped he would. He was dismissive and very cold.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaRApmOKNm
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“Beto, what is going on? Where’s Alessio?” I begged him.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4G2amNS3GG
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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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BEEO7CkVz
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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?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WBGNnXAvU
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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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJFxNwxzd9
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“Just moving on? I don’t under-”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHDwNbF0jf
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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?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQweTpVTSA
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My mouth fell open and I felt the tears burn my eyes. “No...I don’t.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSWtfpUnxU
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“That’s not my problem.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KvUZgOvst
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bzDJmIJtn
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ052TitvaKV
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCN7GTtKga
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I had no answers and it killed me.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuryjkjsGB
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As the days went by, it eventually got easier.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1x1MtvWT57
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJ5dqDm2xF
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjn9FCRUob
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMc0MNN51IG
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6O9Qiy7lN
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Kim and I had been curled up on her bed and flipping through old fashion magazines her mom had.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEcBDJQ8Gr
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zKkQ22gck
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5zRgJGei4
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODBao3mlrS
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIk4UjZDnOC
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Unfortunately, with Tucker being twenty-one and the school not allowing outside attendees, I was basically destined to go solo.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX1lhu7B3t
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPArQRmzP8
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7Rzz82g11
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQ4tR5bLeM
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She smiles at me and bats her eyes before a dress is thrown right at my face.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡse2SNjkz9X
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6r7BkCk8Rm
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The hem of it barely reaches the top of my thighs and it is completely strapless.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYXjzthkUj
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Again...very, very Kimberly.
“We look so hot!” Kimberly cheers and spins around. “Let’s take pictures.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrwCWOp171
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbaX2SPqvt
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66Gj2r2jJ0
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFbd9nUQ0t
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynguTCGVUa
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“Should I change?” I ask and look down at my black shirt and slacks.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsszSu45Ig0
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TA19WXqb3
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We had a good routine going. It was almost like we moved as one unit.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3fnXhodo7
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCkzVBvoDy
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“In the mood for Italian?” Tucker asks and turns the car off.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGfjy5GShh
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSd7eOh6unj
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRZHVHEehu
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKOew0wD1S
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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!”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CMIVR6Aok
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKpcE43b9j
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“I know you want to talk to me about, Alessio.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJbW0AFW9b
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“Where is he Anna? I just want to know he’s okay.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKpzmXJZ7H
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“He’s in Italy.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6T3KRif0Nf
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My brows pull together. “Italy? Why?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg57w9y2eif
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUwq5gcrs5
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQgb0THsrh
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“Go ahead.” Anna reassures me.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFngSiILYw
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBdFvvvNH4
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I knew I wouldn’t get the answers I wanted.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1lnaEd1N3
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVuUexO9F7
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On the inside is the word Amore sprawled out in beautiful scripture against the velvet lining.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCAL6UiC9u
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ukw9W1Omc
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Watching the sun rise and having my morning cigarette.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlc3HZfQt4
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I loved Venice. It’s beautiful and the environment here is like no other.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSQVhg8CbM
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ocUrVbmdv
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJ7uHhlAEl
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA54wIaf6bW
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSYDa2Ofew
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I was falling for her fast. I barely knew the girl and I wanted her in every way imaginable.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXP8X0qJUO
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGSQnr0lbK
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXH01mIzk2d
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvOQuoavNF
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD4p9vJm1M
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRB2tjp1ytP
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs0tkt65iw
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I had no desire to be with Monica Rossi. She was a pest.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3ml8XalaM
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeR34SCeFHa
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Despite her efforts, I knew Monica didn’t like me either. She was just trying to please her father.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQujaHehOqz
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This marriage was nothing but a business arrangement. My heart and soul would stay with Olivia.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhxWLx2XeC
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡib76ky7vVM
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevY4DF5Qga
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?)574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROBiS4Jun6
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mIUNADvy6
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?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbrHttqreC
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5MSfwi059
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtmKe8z9KE
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybqvsfWsmg
He walks up to the two of us wearing a dark suit with a matching corsage to coordinate with the colors in her dress.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5teZI6o5LE
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5TAOTEUZE
He’s a cute guy and certainly Kimberly’s type.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hfxLWYq4O
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jg5mpVOfE
Tall, athletic, dark shaggy hair and muscular.
“How are you?” He asks as she kisses him574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLATC8uUay
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKCt49URbL
“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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bswR8RIMO
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The entire gym was decorated for a “beach/sea” theme but it really reminded me of The Little Mermaid a lot more.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoBDm2qC5t
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxRuoNVSz6
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEsRrGyTq5
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa5TPjWF5l
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?”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVi7mCvknpG
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9nT40nHcy
“Sure.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpOu2oFEgV
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a0N5L7KF4
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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzETR4q7G8
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgdOhHNK5z
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOoQvzMchM
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBecEd65Ol
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So much for being included. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmkud4gHMb
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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?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPjaScYR9i
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKSwYvNl0Z
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.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflD9R8lWhU
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPlntfmE6N
“Just checking, beautiful.”574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtb3utM4cp
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7B1WiZjkf
My heart stops as I hear him say those words. It’s such a common phrase but something about his voice sounds so familiar.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7KJyHILoF
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudunvkg9mm
I feel like I should know him.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBdL6bv4g1
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“Wa-” I look back up and he’s gone.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QUhsFCqPg
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1wdqBTEgC
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfipqzexsa1
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. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TMoeHKEzK
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That night the weather was especially harsh and cold. The snow covered the ground and there had been flurries in the air. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaAYeGxR59
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5QbWUZS2B
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. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacgvpIBvmf
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5v9SGSO5yZ
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.” 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BeMsEm5a5
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSonRQjL3B5
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. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwjdpLDcJP
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“I have to go.” 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpFjZvQ5LD
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ijozla8R8
I turned to walk away when he suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtC8EDnr0m8
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“Hey!” I shouted and pulled against him. “Let me go.” 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡod9HfmeTqJ
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZWNeQeOHY
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. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw63XLSzvW
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoNQNUUUST
“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. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoaDw8a5Hv
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ95gX5olJF
I closed my eyes and waited for it to end. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjUIfIT3sU
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“What’s going on back there?” 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3T31m275AW
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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. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnuGdtJF3O
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAsadrCJXO
“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?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcCQcepibu
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRJ7MwG84k
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. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfxvWwcany
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⟡ ⟡ ⟡574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPcNUe7GRI
