O L I V I A574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofQLAYUBMe
"Hey, beautiful."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4vzTIhk8h
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…574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoRUEFJR0p
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There’s something else though. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2gLXp5AdY
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The soft breeze against my skin. Exposed skin. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFuKsq4hOO
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Exposed. Bare. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgIXUJXlaT
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. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFjGBI7Ibm
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“You’re beautiful, Olivia. I wish you wouldn’t hide. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3N8RDSN9R
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.” 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBBk3nRM8Z
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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."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksdU5bZZqL
"Anna..."I start. "What kind of party is this?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4M8TewBYm
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She doesn’t respond. Instead, the last box lands in my hands. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyEgKntD8l
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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. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7RCbbM9FZ
“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. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BvTHS0Y3a
"What’s the problem?” She laughs. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCDDVRL0b9
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I look over at her. “I’m the problem, Anna! I’m not masquerading material.” 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg43B7vLlIQ
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."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYUxQanTz9
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. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHogpb2KC9
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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. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrLVFsnyNE
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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. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOQz616FpJ
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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. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBp7UYjPO7
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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."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5VBqcbtwy
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?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITlj69X6tC
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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. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG17yN0pGP9
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Our feet step side to side as we sway back and forth.
“What are we doing?” I giggle. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeyYhO0xDp
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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. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniVUohHdjy
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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?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSfG5r02OQ
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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. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mcBphN0eE
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Everything about her screamed elegance. She looked like a real life angel. Something about her seemed so surreal. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTsUegYD6a
She approached the both of us slowly and glanced over at me with a pair of poison green eyes. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4baPblm6l
“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?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNSpmpAChG
“Not really,” She purrs out in a heavy Italian accent. Her hand plays with the edge of his suit. “I’ve missed seeing you.” 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGwJErz08m
Alessio stops her. “Quit.” 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VI2jFlR7Q
“We’ll see about that.” She taunts.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedGfmgIY6d
I watch silently as she turns away from him and gives me one more disgusted look as she disappears in the crowd. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtMAEjPHML
I look back at Alessio and can tell he is absolutely fuming. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTexDf803L
“Alessio?” 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFqUHmQTx7
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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. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduDQ0zoS6B
"Take Olivia to my room." He demands. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR943ucEsdf
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. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1GrKJqTNE
I look over at his uncle Mateo. “Do you know what is wrong?” 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDwcUK5XoL
His eyes soften and he smiles a little, “I am afraid that I don’t, dear.” 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oCBKY6h3M
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. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2LbsBRSXe
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My heart hurt and all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFB5yc4XO3
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCn4oR0kqI
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"Olivia."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRZGEJE2mD
The sound of his voice in the morning causes me to jump and I push up in the bed and rub at my eyes. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwI9u6ztMZ2
He's facing away from me and staring blankly out the window. His voice seems strained...almost as if he is upset.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSA5AzHjhbp
"Are you okay?" I ask softly and my fingers itch to touch him.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MJ56Vaf1z
He continues to stare out of the window as he speaks.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxnoDbHutQ
"Mateo will be taking you home this morning."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJepaXsh5Qh
I stare at him as hurt and confusion cover my features.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79GutUSZJt
"Alessio...what's going on? Why won't you talk to me? Why wo-"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bpCAxxcix
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. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtJFjUqaZf
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzP9unuVFfa
I moan against his lips as his mouth hungrily kisses me. His hands snake down my curves and hook onto my waist tightly.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oobAUk61T
I can feel my core tighten as my nails dig into his back through his shirt.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTsYZFek7n
"P-please."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjLan1b2qV
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18k1VNo4nH
I struggle to sit up and push my hair away from my face. My skin is still red hot from our touch.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfXX6CwlCE
He turns and faces the door. I can see the muscles in his back strain a little from whatever he is dealing with internally. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoLs97tDU8
"I think I'm falling in love with you." 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBasitSMNu
My lips part and I stare blankly at him. His words rang continuously through my ears.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpGiGc86Ca
I stare after him as he crosses the floor and disappears. Once more...I'm alone.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0018FuzXlB
I don't try to stop the tears from falling.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡel6qY6g091
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