02-golden gift

Alessia Romero

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They were at it again.

Mum’s shrill voice echoed through the walls, reaching every corner of the house. Dad’s voice was almost inaudible, but you could tell he was involved from the sound of broken vessels.

I closed my eyes, and a chuckle emerged. It was becoming comical at this stage. My parents would fight and throw things at each other. And then Mum would make dinner as if nothing happened. The worst was that they expected me to eat with them and pretend everything was normal.

A sigh fled through my nose. As they were busy building up their habit, I developed a new habit; to sneak out of the house. 

I packed a few clothes for the days I would stay at Carina’s place. The moment you appreciate having a friend whose parents treated you like their own. If only I could disappear from this life for a while. Maybe my parents would realize my absence and remember I existed.

My parents were the talk of the estate. The house that neighbors would point fingers at. The hell where the fire always igniting. They couldn’t care less about their reputation and resolve their issues through violence.

We were fine before. They never used to be this loud until I turned sixteen years. That’s when it all started. The day I sat at the staircase watching them. Momma wanted to leave the house with me, and dad opposed it. He said if she wanted to leave, she could do it, but I had to stay with him.

I jumped through the window, which became my escape route. Adjusting my bag on the shoulder, I walked through the garden. My movements were quiet as I neared the lawn where Vivo always rested. Poor dog, he had a hard time being a pet in such a troubled family.

Across from our house was another residence, with a balcony facing our place. Three people stood there facing our house as they took notes on what to gossip about over the week. Others were busy walking their dogs around their compounds. They made it clear that they were eavesdropping. 

Wearing my hoodie, I stepped out of the gate, leaving Vivo, who made a silent grieving sound. It pained me.

I hauled a taxi, which arrived just when I needed it. Slipping into the back seat, I collapsed on the backrest, feeling a sense of relief. The Billie Elish song continued playing in my earphones.

After giving the driver the address, my eyes blinked shut, and I faded into a dark hole. I desired to understand why my parents changed. A delightful smell interrupted my thoughts in the car. It was soothing, teleporting me to an ocean, triggering my love for the beach. A unique blend of citrus and seaweed emitted a powerful aura of manliness. A smile tugged at my lips. I loved the smell of the car.

Twenty minutes later, the car halted outside Carina’s house. I paid my fare and strolled to the front door.

Isabella, Carina’s young sister, grinned at me as she opened the door for me. I reached for her curly hair and messed it up. She giggled and pointed upstairs. I blew flying kisses to her, then gunned upstairs to Carina’s room.

Their house had become my second home, and I was familiar with every corner.

I entered the baby-pink-painted room, Carina’s favorite color. She sat on her bed, busy on her laptop. Her eyes bulged when she looked up. She pushed her headphones off and then got off the bed. 

I gave her a shrug, and she pursed her lips. “Not again?” 

“Yep,” I replied, collapsing on the bed, my face idolizing the ceiling. 

“Why didn’t you call me? I could have picked you up?” She said, sitting beside me. 

“I want them to realize I am missing.”

She scoffed. “They will definitely know you are here.” She rubbed my shoulder, creating a soothing sensation. “I’m sorry.”

“I wish I could disappear. Maybe then they will realize I exist.”

Carina collapsed on her back as well, her hands tucked behind her head as we both stared at the ceiling.

“Unless you run away with Marco, there is nowhere you can go, sweetheart. And what makes you think I can let you leave my sight?”

I rolled my eyes as a groan escaped through my throat. “Well, good thing I have you because now, we can get down to business.” I sat up and then slapped her thigh. She dressed in cotton shorts and a blue tank top.

“Do you think this will work, considering the situation?”

I stared. “I’m not postponing this. After all, this could be a stress reliever.” My cheeks warmed at the thought of it. I snorted, falling back on the bed. “Ugh, Rina, I’m still overwhelmed. I don’t know how it will be.”

“Should we repeat the kissing lesson?” She sat up, and I snickered.

“No, I’m not kissing you again.” I knew my cheeks were burning. “I am ready, right?”

“Yes!” She jammed my shoulder, then wrapped her hands around me. “Kissing is not the hard part. The tough part is his cock penetrating your walls. The first time can be painful.”

“Shut up,” I slammed my hand on her mouth. “Stop talking as if you are writing one of your steamy chapters.”

We both laughed, just what I needed. A daily dose of Carina. She lost her virginity back during our 18th birthday. Yes, we shared birthdays, except that I was a month older. But we loved celebrating the birthdays together. 

Losing virginity had been on our bucket list, but I was not lucky enough to find someone to do it. She did, so of all the things we shared, that was the only thing remaining that I needed to tick off.

“How does it feel?” I asked.

She pushed her curls off her face. “With the right man, he should be gentle and you will only feel a slight pain before you start loving every stroke.”

Why were we discussing this again?

“When on it, don’t fake. Tell him what you feel, if he goes rough, ‘cause men could get carried away, let him know.”

“Too much for a bucket list, don’t you think so?”

She ignored me, nearly rolling her eyes at that. “Did you know that a big cock defines a man?” She asked, and I couldn’t help but laugh. 

I got up. “Let’s just leave it at that. I am fine. Thank you for your educative tips, ma’am.”

“One more thing–” She tried to talk, but I interrupted. 

“Not another word!”

“You will need these tips.” 

“No! I will barely remember.”

“You will have to! Now, while he is drilling your hole, make sure to look up at him, and moan as you stare at him. That will trigger his manly feelings and he will end up delivering heavy strokes that you will love.”

I squeezed my thighs. “God, I am blushing.”

“The heavier the strokes, the higher the chances of you to orgasm. And girl, cumming is heavenly. Fuck, I need my toy, I miss cumming.”

We both fell into another laughter before we decided to be serious about our lives. Sometimes it felt like our parents had enough of us. We were beyond crazy, to the point where calling us crazy would be an understatement. And I loved it because being normal was boring.

A sudden knock got us sitting up in a swift move. Isabella walked in carrying a package and a TV remote. She looked annoyed, maybe because someone sent her during her favorite show. Without uttering a word, she placed the package on my lap and headed for the door.

“Hang on, young lady. What is this?” I asked as I examined the package with furrowed brows.

“A package, clearly.” She retorted, crossing her hands under her chest.

“Yeah, from who?” Carina asked what I was about to ask.

Isabella exhaled and pointed at the door. “Some tall guy came to our door and told me to give it to Alessia Romero.”

Carina and I exchanged glances

“What did I say about opening the door? Isa-” Before Carina could finish, Isabella slammed the door shut, leaving us stunned. “—that little thing.”

I opened the package. A warmth spread through my body at the thought of Marco surprising me with another gift. He usually sent gifts, even at school—flowers, letters, and chocolates sometimes. Knowing he did it again boosted my confidence to go for our dinner and give him all of me.

With the help of my impatient partner, we opened the box, and our eyes widened at the sight. Silence settled between us as we stared inside.

A golden dress welcomed us. It was undoubtedly expensive. One you’d only see with those celebrities walking on the red carpet.

A shiver ran through me. 

“Fuck my life!” Carina carefully picked up the dress. “Are you seeing this, Sia?”

No, because something else that came with the dress captured my attention. A nice match of golden lingerie that triggered a memory.

I jammed Carina’s shoulder to witness it. I was certain that she also remembered encountering a guy purchasing the same set at a lingerie shop a week ago. 

I picked up the bra and examined it. “What is this?”

“Marco is head over heels for you.” She exclaimed, and I lifted my eyes to her.

“Girl, doesn’t this ring bells?” I showed her the lingerie.

“Duh, just like that gorgeous guy shopped for his woman, Marco did it. Don’t you feel the love here?”

My heart warmed. Breaking up with Luca and focusing on Marco was a wise decision. It all felt like I was living in one of the fictional worlds that Carina created.

“Oh, there is a letter.” She shoved her hand inside the box and grabbed the letter.

Marco was so obvious, he never sent flowers without a letter. I unfolded it with a grin, my insides jigging with pure bliss. The moment my eyes met the words, my smile faded. The handwriting was different. I knew Marco’s handwriting.

The handwriting did not belong to him.

He never addressed me as ‘Miss Romero’ in letters.

Miss Romero, 

I hope you will find the dress fitting. See you in a few minutes. Smile, golden looks better with a smile on you.

I was supposed to panic, but again, Marco was the only person I was preparing to meet. 

Marco proved to be full of surprises. I must confess, I found his new handwriting quite appealing.