O L I V I A
Two months had come and gone.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpsQU6sSLz
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfr1SDDFNm
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYs2BhZGUZ
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrPVRMLrcx
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNcYm1sl0g
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Plus, he respected me. I didn’t feel any overwhelming pressure to have sex with him.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUjdFBtpwE
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPSNKkbd1J
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIIePYXZuJ
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ugX81S9e2
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwn3McnAAMR
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I even tried Anna but that never got me anywhere.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TwHIE1eV7
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvUgzxpbQP
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23ZJuG91uW
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfrVU6dgtC
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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiQk9XoaXU
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9Y0XcdIhJ
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNj8h0t2Bx
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When Beto did turn around, he didn’t react like I hoped he would. He was dismissive and very cold.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiGdHVPVsd
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“Beto, what is going on? Where’s Alessio?” I begged him.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSdJuDp51v
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4696yV8Py
He sighed and tucked the envelopes under his arm. “Olivia, it just didn’t work out, alright? There’s nothing else to it.”594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJ2Bj7DMxC
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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?”594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XIssNwVTw
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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.”594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulwT4PIxOQ
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“Just moving on? I don’t under-”594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KorSbB6je
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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?”594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvu5VxDHDs
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UNk0G721W
My mouth fell open and I felt the tears burn my eyes. “No...I don’t.”594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZT2JMCIJc
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“That’s not my problem.”594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6uQN8u7eH
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNlF3SQdzD
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvdqh5K0FH
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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52BUpZfPxq
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelQGQSB62E
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I had no answers and it killed me.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V1dTTkBld
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As the days went by, it eventually got easier.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVQjXzFe0s
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTph0RTnegP
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdzom4qQoQ
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAxLaR346n
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ToIs570gI
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Kim and I had been curled up on her bed and flipping through old fashion magazines her mom had.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCSWowN9sa
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxLBb9Oce7
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCEAfLr3ZB
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwq2NE3HRQ
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRClAhewq6X
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Unfortunately, with Tucker being twenty-one and the school not allowing outside attendees, I was basically destined to go solo.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlx9UR4U1S
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRKqsksYGT
“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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNgtEXgNP2
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdj6l6qlWtq
“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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbOrSfIngT
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOUtqyuuHF
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She smiles at me and bats her eyes before a dress is thrown right at my face.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0TWjhotvK
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxRf88kNCU
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The hem of it barely reaches the top of my thighs and it is completely strapless.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBwYc5eu6X
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Again...very, very Kimberly.
“We look so hot!” Kimberly cheers and spins around. “Let’s take pictures.”594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8EpTwmlOB
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7i95v9ufY
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVWKe2z2bA
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JAeFpvmV5
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz75DPf792g
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“Should I change?” I ask and look down at my black shirt and slacks.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvNce1PeNW
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9aV41wn77
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We had a good routine going. It was almost like we moved as one unit.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYeQl83y4z
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTzMqufBhp
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“In the mood for Italian?” Tucker asks and turns the car off.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAt7Mjdbre
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOffkVKnUU
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsY0CPm58Y
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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrh4O0aYi2S
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RTLqR42tw
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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!”594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSV3pABdmu
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7inpUGQHK
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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIgEM0J0ya
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“I know you want to talk to me about, Alessio.”594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQAgizjgVQ
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“Where is he Anna? I just want to know he’s okay.”594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZse37piIbj
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“He’s in Italy.”594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaYhDt9Dud
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My brows pull together. “Italy? Why?”594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8nFWGCnFF
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPFV3qLi8m
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOALR9OYSFq
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“Go ahead.” Anna reassures me.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0hjQcK0Jf
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc92NdzL8uy
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I knew I wouldn’t get the answers I wanted.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGGBkTUQhy
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5MQ4KC07R
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK4f9rkd2R
On the inside is the word Amore sprawled out in beautiful scripture against the velvet lining.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmT7WmCMl7l
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSJk46yOjj
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Watching the sun rise and having my morning cigarette.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC2LBn9K76
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I loved Venice. It’s beautiful and the environment here is like no other.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeql4IGDCu
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdk7QiZrBm
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMa890sRlu
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQirzZM8GnW
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRq42dscwU
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I was falling for her fast. I barely knew the girl and I wanted her in every way imaginable.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpAVopuWhf
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwDhWEgEsA
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QUaoizCJd
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaScW9zdBg
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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjAg94Bu0l
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkt47b51fv
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0MbmffOwx
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKumeO9KlK
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I had no desire to be with Monica Rossi. She was a pest.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTEjWlTIFv
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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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDEKAWWMPu
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Despite her efforts, I knew Monica didn’t like me either. She was just trying to please her father.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsG7YCUKCux
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpUg2aWMM4
This marriage was nothing but a business arrangement. My heart and soul would stay with Olivia.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAOpaHCNyC
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCkOPas4XO
I couldn’t keep myself completely away from her though. Even in Italy, I was still having my men keep their eyes on her.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxfIPFAQ8w
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvyeI649GU
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?)594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdls5hhoPU7
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaqNM5o5Ox
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?”594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fHgXWsami
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKkm5Sy6ox
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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKtKmPTI8g
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOV4q1fXTu
He walks up to the two of us wearing a dark suit with a matching corsage to coordinate with the colors in her dress.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzmIrrQNJm
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6NYu0jJVN
He’s a cute guy and certainly Kimberly’s type.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMClVdw3ep
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpmelvcNxi
Tall, athletic, dark shaggy hair and muscular.
“How are you?” He asks as she kisses him594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZD1IW5OYOv
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4UNFc0f5O
“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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJytfICw6NN
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoODJIsugY
The entire gym was decorated for a “beach/sea” theme but it really reminded me of The Little Mermaid a lot more.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurSbZHrMYF
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzI4LZ7d8gJ
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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7EU96Hd59
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEznkbQwTY
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?”594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9QTBcpcMq
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxx242jQ8cW
“Sure.”594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAEQZeoKCt
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnR9xzXXaTC
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.”594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrH1Q1ZLEhG
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XtFPpmzga
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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4YiRUyI0X
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfm5QgkT3yl
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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHl2ZdDyDUt
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsiHgvhhtN
So much for being included. 594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWpN3zuxsn
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJre4ZSNXL
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?"594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxLz73jQ0D
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVDHOD7iFC
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.”594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zT85CWWRY
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPH8Z5plhOh
“Just checking, beautiful.”594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEcFbqMDae
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ev7OMnYrQ
My heart stops as I hear him say those words. It’s such a common phrase but something about his voice sounds so familiar.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoRiN6tDcy
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM41tv5H1Vx
I feel like I should know him.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIcJdfY119
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhpDNiTYZP
“Wa-” I look back up and he’s gone.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IhNmMXjVY
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO35ausP0KA
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.594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeJqPVoVsi
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdOssnYNet
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. 594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYqM0e47M4
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlemOf7jaI
That night the weather was especially harsh and cold. The snow covered the ground and there had been flurries in the air. 594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFGqHE8Hjh
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6YoFeYOUk
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. 594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsowrPWrQMC
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABZGKWJJ2h
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.” 594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREBiZVh6JP
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUVnExbRgv
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. 594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZO6gU5ZL8G
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg5y3d10Ib
“I have to go.” 594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6dBM6oq77
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2ldtkqSAZ
I turned to walk away when he suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist. 594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxntyIiDOeJ
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEh5AhPLuvQ
“Hey!” I shouted and pulled against him. “Let me go.” 594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Mqdj5KHpt
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6c8TdpiUrl
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. 594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvPQy9wFmR
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBZ4TZvISt
“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. 594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdwzPyTwiZ
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnrpCuzmgg
I closed my eyes and waited for it to end. 594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqegjsvHCx5
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDSfRMvQFk
“What’s going on back there?” 594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWftpz8CCLk
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKx4l1DO9O
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. 594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNrzLTzyFa
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMTQlxDVim
“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?"594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQ0aOlPuQ0
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3vwvdYkZ1
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. 594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4LMC62pZ9
594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRZZRhgtHu
⟡ ⟡ ⟡594Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEjlDYCkQ8
