Son of the Boss

Masquerade

"What are you asking?" Her voice hardens.

I don't reply.

She grows annoyed. "Olivia."

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.

Finding out the truth isn't going to be easy.

⟡ ⟡ ⟡

"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.

"Are you ready, love?"

"If I said yes, I would be a liar." I admit and feel my heart pound in my chest.

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.

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."

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?"

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.

Our feet step side to side as we sway back and forth.

"What are we doing?" I giggle.

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.

Without even thinking about it I feel the pull between us. I feel as if I'll explode at any moment.

"Alessio?"

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.

Everything about her screamed elegance. She looked like a real life angel. Something about her seemed so surreal.

She approached the both of us slowly and glanced over at me with a pair of poison green eyes.

"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?"

"Not really," She purrs out in a heavy Italian accent. Her hand plays with the edge of his suit. "I've missed seeing you."

Alessio stops her. "Quit."

"We'll see about that." She taunts.

I watch silently as she turns away from him and gives me one more disgusted look as she disappears in the crowd.

I look back at Alessio and can tell he is absolutely fuming.

"Alessio?"

He pays me no mind and motions for someone behind us. I look back and notice Mateo walking up to the both of us.

"Take Olivia to my room." He demands.

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.

I look over at his uncle Mateo. "Do you know what is wrong?"

His eyes soften and he smiles a little, "I am afraid that I don't, dear."

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.

My heart hurt and all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and cry.

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.

⟡ ⟡ ⟡

"Olivia."

The sound of his voice in the morning causes me to jump and I push up in the bed and rub at my eyes.

He's facing away from me and staring blankly out the window. His voice seems strained...almost as if he is upset.

"Are you okay?" I ask softly and my fingers itch to touch him.

He continues to stare out of the window as he speaks.

"Mateo will be taking you home this morning."

I stare at him as hurt and confusion cover my features.

"Alessio...what's going on? Why won't you talk to me? Why wo-"

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.

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.

I moan against his lips as his mouth hungrily kisses me. His hands snake down my curves and hook onto my waist tightly.

I can feel my core tighten as my nails dig into his back through his shirt.

"P-please."

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.

I struggle to sit up and push my hair away from my face. My skin is still red hot from our touch.

He turns and faces the door. I can see the muscles in his back strain a little from whatever he is dealing with internally.

"I think I'm falling in love with you."

My lips part and I stare blankly at him. His words rang continuously through my ears.

I stare after him as he crosses the floor and disappears. Once more...I'm alone.

I don't try to stop the tears from falling.

⟡ ⟡ ⟡