O L I V I A593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeofKNjbMS
"Hey, beautiful."593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1noGApzW2s
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…593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wpmj3z0DT
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There’s something else though. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5y83X55s3
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The soft breeze against my skin. Exposed skin. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt84pI84kw7
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Exposed. Bare. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39scO508KA
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. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8PxD3zRg8
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“You’re beautiful, Olivia. I wish you wouldn’t hide. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwm15NUPSbF
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.” 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIC7JgtEDl
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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."593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJe6aDPQyQ
"Anna..."I start. "What kind of party is this?"593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMN9uLmoGb
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She doesn’t respond. Instead, the last box lands in my hands. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BcA4TusY2
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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. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8TkC9cU0G
“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. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04hhcperJi
"What’s the problem?” She laughs. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHL7bmcd9Td
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I look over at her. “I’m the problem, Anna! I’m not masquerading material.” 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2fFSFf0iL
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."593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrRR8Aw1Y4
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. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sLt91rZHP
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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. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlOf7XnfCz
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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. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFjMoLSSuu
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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. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPU3vT6cKL
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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."593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZvHJrqJUf
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?"593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAtRQrH6SQ
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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. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahkO57fHcg
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Our feet step side to side as we sway back and forth.
“What are we doing?” I giggle. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlaec5V269
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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. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKqpTdlgn4
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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?"593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAlUIYSQU1
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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. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGBZ0vogeA
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Everything about her screamed elegance. She looked like a real life angel. Something about her seemed so surreal. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHIb4vE41k
She approached the both of us slowly and glanced over at me with a pair of poison green eyes. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5rqQzJYwS
“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?"593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HD8RJ2pkV
“Not really,” She purrs out in a heavy Italian accent. Her hand plays with the edge of his suit. “I’ve missed seeing you.” 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo97CXv3yTt
Alessio stops her. “Quit.” 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBdnqOlkCm
“We’ll see about that.” She taunts.593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WgnGwM4cw
I watch silently as she turns away from him and gives me one more disgusted look as she disappears in the crowd. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrh09p916N9
I look back at Alessio and can tell he is absolutely fuming. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1CzCcIo6o
“Alessio?” 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv48D6DGdiz
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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. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcLRA9zC5i
"Take Olivia to my room." He demands. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7ZDTduGta
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. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRmeOhDtjm
I look over at his uncle Mateo. “Do you know what is wrong?” 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQxH7QmmmM
His eyes soften and he smiles a little, “I am afraid that I don’t, dear.” 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTRmT20Nvc
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. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiApdTDBsj8
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My heart hurt and all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfCfajpqPt
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.593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfh3IRgRGsT
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"Olivia."593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehX3alhpHB
The sound of his voice in the morning causes me to jump and I push up in the bed and rub at my eyes. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehDiW00c6h
He's facing away from me and staring blankly out the window. His voice seems strained...almost as if he is upset.593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cusxKGZwC
"Are you okay?" I ask softly and my fingers itch to touch him.593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN6eEcd0Mk
He continues to stare out of the window as he speaks.593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ8Wm3Fho9
"Mateo will be taking you home this morning."593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJA88hIFdf
I stare at him as hurt and confusion cover my features.593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PzRZZ6naO
"Alessio...what's going on? Why won't you talk to me? Why wo-"593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqakaioGdl
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. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrIuUXpFpb
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.593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekbPd1f9Gx
I moan against his lips as his mouth hungrily kisses me. His hands snake down my curves and hook onto my waist tightly.593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnf3eDdSMTy
I can feel my core tighten as my nails dig into his back through his shirt.593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz40AoQhj1S
"P-please."593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZwJX7KLVe
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.593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwzKtWdrdi
I struggle to sit up and push my hair away from my face. My skin is still red hot from our touch.593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNbRbBkmq7
He turns and faces the door. I can see the muscles in his back strain a little from whatever he is dealing with internally. 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVu6qqMa9t
"I think I'm falling in love with you." 593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YxOaCVvYC
My lips part and I stare blankly at him. His words rang continuously through my ears.593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB384KLYiTh
I stare after him as he crosses the floor and disappears. Once more...I'm alone.593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvlrLJVXk1
I don't try to stop the tears from falling.593Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtl6RmYTcw
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