“Think about it," Trapping her between his arms and the chair, he continued. "I’m giving a once in a life time deal, Noelle,” Purposely, he leaned closer in a teasing manner and surprisingly, relished in the way Noelle shrank back. “Become my wife…be mine, and I’d give to you, whatsoever your heart desires. Money, fame, protection, you just name it and you’ll have it; Tesoro.” ~•~ Noelle is an ambitious, hardworking woman whose world crumbles when her long-term boyfriend, Jason, humiliates her by breaking up with her during their anniversary dinner. The reason? He’s found a new girlfriend, whose wealthier than she is. Heartbroken and crushed by the reality of her miserable life, Noelle drowns her sorrows at a nightclub, where she ends up sharing a night of passion with a mysterious stranger. She leaves the next morning, leaving behind only a note, assuming they’ll never cross paths again. When Noelle confides her heartbreak to her best friend, Elena, they investigate Ivette’s background and discover that her wealth stems from her uncle. With this knowledge comes about their ultimate revenge plan: seduce the powerful tycoon and teach Jason a lesson. But her plan takes an unexpected turn when she meets the infamous Wallace Castellano, who turns out to be the same man she had a one night stand with—and he’s far more than just a tycoon. As the head of Italy’s top Mafia organization, Wallace’s world is as seductive as it is treacherous. Drawn into his orbit, Noelle finds herself navigating a web of power, danger, and undeniable passion. But revenge has its price, and as secrets unravel and enemies close in, Noelle must decide: is she willing to risk her heart—and her life—for a man who could destroy her?
Lihat lebih banyak“Let’s break up.”
Noelle couldn’t believe the words she was hearing. No, she couldn’t bring herself to understand why her boyfriend of 3 long years, suddenly wanted to break up with her on the night of their anniversary, while they sat in a fancy restaurant, the food in front of them still untouched. “What?” She croaked out, feeling like someone had just sucker punched her. “I said let's break up, Noelle.” Jason, her boyfriend, replied, his expression bland, as if he were stating a fact. “I’ve found someone better and we’re going to get married so I want to end 'this', tonight.” “Someone better?” Noelle repeated, feeling her heart clench painfully, yet a part of her was screaming for her to stand up and slap the bastard across the face. Had he just referred to their three years long relationship filled with sacrifices from her side, as 'This'? “I don’t understand what you're saying, Jay." Jason leaned back with a sigh. He hesitated for a few seconds. “She’s richer,” He finally said. Noelle blinked, trying to process what he had just told her. Her first instinct was to laugh at how ridiculous it was, but when she looked at his serious face, the realization slowly sank in. “Are you fucking kidding me?!” She exclaimed, causing some of the other patrons to glance over at their table, but Noelle paid no mind to them. The fact that her boyfriend was dumping her for someone wealthier and the ache it caused, far outweighed her sense of rationality. But could she really be blamed? She had sacrificed so much for this particular relationship. This type of a reaction, was reasonable enough, wasn't it? Jason however, didn't seem to think that. As whispers grew and eyes turned on them, his expression morphed into one of embarrassment and anger. "Keep your voice down." He snapped. "You're embarrassing me and causing a scene!" “And you’re breaking up with me because you’ve found someone wealthier?” Noelle asked, still incredulous. “I know it’s heard to accept, but we can still be friends. We can meet up-“ “Oh, fuck you!” She finally snapped. She refused to hear any more bullshit and picked up her wine glass, tossing its contents into Jason’s Face. “Fuck! This is a five thousand dollar suit!” He shouted, jumping to his feet as he tried brushing the liquid off. “And right here is three years of my life fucking wasted on you.” She spat, standing up. “Have fun with your new girlfriend.” She turned and stormed out of the restaurant, feeling the familiar prick of tears and it's burning sensation, settle in the back of her eyes. Once outside, she felt her phone vibrate with a text message, when she pulled it out and read, the pain in her chest seemed to intensify. [Your mother’s health has deteriorated. We need funds to perform the surgery on her.] And that was enough to do it. The numbness and anger from before was starting to wear off and tears rapidly welled up in her eyes as the full reality of what had just happened hit her and how shitty her life was turning out, dawned on her. Three years, she had sacrificed so much, worked countless jobs and lost dear friends, yet, she ended up getting dumped for what… someone wealthier? And now she needed to deposit funds for her mother’s health? Where the hell was she meant to get half a million dollars to perform the heart-lung transplant?! Tears rolled down her cheeks as the night that she once thought was going to turn out perfectly, was in fact, turning out to be a total mess, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth and an aching feeling in her chest; one that begged desperately to be soothed. As the thought crossed her mind, the illuminated Neon colored sign board of a nightclub caught her attention, and she made a decision. Tonight, she would forget everything. She would drink, dance and do whatever else it took to get rid of this feeling. Tomorrow could have her tears and regrets. Tomorrow, she would plan her next steps and face the harsh reality of being discarded like she was nothing. But tonight? Tonight, she wanted to forget the crushing and bitter reality of her life, even if it was just for a fleeting moment. Wiping her face with trembling fingers, Noelle squared her shoulders and inhaled deeply, drawing courage from her defiance. With her chin held high and a spark of determination igniting in her chest, she stepped forward, heels clicking on the pavement as she headed toward the nightclub’s glowing promise of escape. The club's atmosphere was intoxicating, and Noelle was quick to get swept up in it and let loose the moment she stepped in, drinking glass after glass to drown the pain in her heart. She was on her fifth glass and observing the clubbers who danced away without a care in the world, when her eyes caught that of a strange and a rather handsome looking one at that. He was a few tables away, seated comfortably in one of the VIP boots, with his eyes fixed on her. His gaze was intense, and it made Noelle’s breath catch in her throat. She held his stare, unable to look away even when she felt her cheeks heat up ever so slightly. There was something about him that held her attention. Perhaps it was because he eluded an air of mystery and nonchalant, that combined with his looks, had Noelle’s heart skipping a beat. Suddenly, he held up his drink, a silent, yet subtle smirk dancing along the lines of his lips as he toasted. Noelle hesitated for a moment before lifting her drink in response. The man smiled, pleased by her response, but made no further effort to interact with her. Suddenly, her attention was stolen away when a hand grabbed her wrist. “Hey baby, why are you here alone? Come dance with me.” A tipsy looking man grinned. Noelle immediately shook her head, feeling annoyed and slightly uncomfortable. “Sorry, not interested.” She said and tried to pull her arm away, but the guy’s grip tightened. “Aww come on, don’t be like that.” “I said, no. Let go of me!” “What’s the matter, baby? You think you’re too good for me?” “Excuse me, but I believe the lady is not interested.” A deep, velvety voice suddenly cut in, and the next thing Noelle knew, the guy’s grip was loosened and he was sent sprawling to the ground. Noelle blinked, surprised. She looked up to see the man from earlier standing behind her, his expression stern and his eyes narrowed. Up close, she could easily tell he was a few years older than her; ten years maybe? “If you don’t want to get into trouble, then I suggest you leave and find someone else to bother.” He said, his tone firm and commanding. The guy quickly scrambled to his feet, glaring at the man before storming off. Once the little troublemaker was gone, the stranger fixed his attention on her. “Are you okay?” He asked. She blinked a few times, still trying to process what was had just happened. “Yes, I’m fine. Thank you.” She said after a heart beat. The man flashed her a smile, one that made her heart do a weird flip in her chest and cause heat to creep up the back of her neck. “Glad to hear.” He replied, but instead of returning to his seat like Noelle anticipated, he pulled out the stool beside her. “May I?” Noelle nodded, not knowing what else to say. As she watched him sink into the stool, her eyes travelled over his face, studying his features. He was handsome, with a strong jawline and high cheekbones, his dark hair swept back neatly and his blue eyes bright. But it was his lips that drew her attention. They were full and kissable, and Noelle, under the alcohol’s influence, she chose to believe, had the sudden urge to know what they would feel like against hers. “It seems like you’re here all alone? No friends, no companion, what’s the story?” Noelle blinked, pulling herself out of her thoughts before answering. “It’s been a shitty night.” She said. “Just came here to let lose.” “Uh huh.” The man nodded with a subtle smile on his lips while his eyes racked over her form. His gaze felt so penetrating, almost as if he were trying to read her like an open book. Noelle couldn’t help but adjust uncomfortably in her seat, trying her best to ignore the shivers that went through her body and the obvious throb in between her legs. This was obviously the handiwork of the alcohol; she convinced herself. Or perhaps because the man in front of her was undeniably hot. Far more than Jason… Her mood seem to sore at the remembrance of that bastard. Thankfully, before her thoughts could spiral into it’s once depressive state, her handsome companion spoke up again. “Mind me getting you another glass?” He offered, pointing at her now empty glass. More alcohol to drown her shitty day; Noelle didn’t see any valid reason why she should reject the offer. “Sure.” As he waved over the bartender, Noelle couldn’t help but notice how graceful his movements were, despite his large size. He moved with the confidence of someone who was used to getting what he wanted, and it was a confidence that Noelle found herself attracted to. The bartender came over, and the man ordered two drinks. Noelle watched in silence, wondering what she should do next. She wasn’t looking for a hook-up, but the man’s presence was intoxicating, and it was obvious she felt some sort of sexual attraction towards him. Perhaps…this was exactly what she needed, a one night stand, where she could simply let go and forget about her problems. What other way to forget her pain than countering it with pleasure. And besides, when was the last time she got laid? By the time the drinks had arrived, Noelle had made up her mind. She chugged down her shot in one go and turned to the man, who was watching her with a raised brow. “Say, Mister,” she began. “If I’m not being too bold, would you be interested in having sex with me?”“If you don't want your nude pictures plastered on that screen,” Ivette repeated, going the extra mile to point at the huge screen at the center of the hall, with a smirk. “I suggest you follow me now.”“You…” Noelle wasn't quite sure what to say, or rather, how to feel. Was she meant to feel baffled over the fact that Jason had leaked the private photos she sent to him, for his eyes only, or, was she meant to feel surprised and panicked, that Ivette had just threatened her with those photos.Whichever two of it she was meant to, Noelle surprisingly, did not feel that way. Rather, she felt assumed. “You…you're threatening me at my own engagement party, with my own nude pictures?” She asked, finding the situation amusing, but did her very best to keep her smile at bay.Ivette nodded boldly, crossing her arms with a smug look on her face. “Exactly. I won't repeat myself again, so come along.”Noelle watched as she turned and began walking off without even waiting for a response. She c
Saturday had breezed by faster than Noelle expected. One second, she was waking up, contemplating if she still wanted to go through with this and the next, she was throwing on the white dress she had picked out, and hopping into the car Wallace had sent to pick her up.The drive to the event center was a silent one, allowing Noelle stew in her growing nerves. It wasn't everyday she did something like this, an engagement ceremony, mostly, with all sorts of influential and rich people surrounding her.She wasn't a social person and the thought of mixing up with many people alone was already tiring her out, but her motivation, the date circled with a red marker, payment date for Adrian Black’s loan, was enough to keep her going.The car soon came to a stop in front of a magnificent event hall. The outside alone, said tons about what the inside was going to be. Castle like structure with highrise and glass finishing. Noelle’s astonishment for the place was clear as Khalid held the door op
Less than forty eight hours had passed when Khalid showed up at the door, carrying with him, a bunch of expensive looking dresses, nearly hung on a rollable hanger.Noelle, standing by the open door, surveyed the dresses with clear surprise written across her face. When Wallace had said he was going to send Khalid with dresses from her to pick from, she didn't think it was going to be This much.“Mr. Castellano sent me,” Khalid stated the obvious, pointing in the direction of the dresses behind afterwards. “He'd like you to pick out a dress. May I come in?”Politely spoken, Noelle noted as she nodded and took a few steps back, granting the assistant entrance into her apartment.Elena wasn't home today, haven woken up in the early hours of the day to get ready for an even Noelle couldn't quite make the name out from all the mumbling and mindless words she said when getting ready, so, letting Khalid in with the dresses wasn't going to to any sort of inconvenience.Once Khalid had rolled
Nearly five minutes has passed since Elena walked in on the rather confusing scene. All three of them were now seated in the living room, with Wallace beside Noelle and Elena sitting across from them, scrutinizing their very being at any given chance.“So,” Elena began at last, breaking the silence. Neither of them had spoken after Noelle promised to explain the situation as soon as they were seated, yet, had said nothing up until this point. “Are you going to start explaining or should I start questioning?”“I…I'll explain.” Noelle said with a sigh. Taking a few seconds, she thought of the best and easiest way to explain this, but realized, there was no way. So, she went straight for it. “This…this is Wallace. Wallace Castellano.” She introduced.The male in question, flashed a friendly smile, accompanied by a nod of acknowledgement and did nothing else. However, he didn't need to. Even when he sat beside Noelle, looking all composed and aristocratic, he still managed to give off a
The first visitor to drop by, although unexpected, wasn't as unpleasant as the second one.With a scowl on her face, Noelle didn't think twice to try and slam the door in the face of her ex, scumbag boyfriend, the moment she opened it and saw he was the one standing there.“Noelle,” Unfortunately, Jason had more strength than she did, and found it fairly easy to pry the door open before it closed shut. With the same strength, he held it open, preventing Noelle from doing the same thing.“Don't you dare slam the door in my face. We have to talk.”“Like hell we do,” Noelle sassed, pulling harder on the door to shut it, despite the obvious fact that her strength couldn't outmatch his. “I have nothing to talk to you about, Jason. Now, while I'm asking nicely, get your fucking hand off my door and do yourself a favor, by never showing up in front of me, ever again!”“That's not going to happen until you answer me. I have questions and you're going to answer them.” Saying this, Jason too
Surprise washed over Noelle's entire expression as she looked at the man in front of her.For a second, she was speechless. “How…why are you here?” She eventually asked.“I heard what happened with my mother,” Wallace started. The sound of his voice was surprisingly smooth and when he stepped forward, Noelle realized that she did not take a step back.Instead, she stared, trying to understand what he had just said…meant. He heard what happened with his mother - the incident at the bridal fit- so he came all the way here.To what, check up on her? The possibility of that made Noelle's stomach do a weird flip that she did not like.Suddenly, the feeling of a cold hand against her cheek pulled her out of her thoughts. Only after blinking a couple of times, did she realize Wallace was now standing in front of her with his hand placed on her cheek.Her reaction was immediate. She flinched and took a few steps back, staring up at him, in surprise.“What-” The question began forming on her
The ‘dinner’ was already in full swing by the time Wallace walked in. The large wooden dining table, the very same one he recalled having enjoyed dinner at when he was younger, was decorated from top to bottom with different varieties of food, and at the head of the table, sat his mother.Composed as usual and dressed in fine and neat material. Her eyes followed him as he entered and took his seat by the other end of the table, as far away from her as possible.Silence settled between them for what felt like the longest time. The staffs at the back of the room, although used to interaction like this from mother and son, couldn't help but feel anxious and misplaced, occasionally glancing at each other, but not daring to speak a word.Thankfully, Wallace was quick to break the silence, relieving them of their silent suffering. “I’m sure we both have better things to do than sitting around a table and pretending to have mother-son time. Let's make this quick, shall we?” His words made
Walking out of her mother's room, Noelle gasped in surprise when she nearly ran into a tall figure standing in front of the room.“C-Caiden,” The name rolled off her lips with relief as she looked up and met the eyes of her close friend, former neighbor and now, her mother's doctor.The male smiles down at her. The gesture highlighted his dimples and made his golden eyes crease ever so slightly.“Did I startle you, Noel?” He asked softly and Noelle shook her head, feeling her heart return to its normal pace at the sound of his soothing and familiar voice.“No, you didn't.” She flashed him a smile of her own before pointing towards her mother's room. “Are you here for a checkup?”Caiden nodded.“How is she?” Noelle asked. Although Jane had told her that her mother's condition was improving, she wanted to hear it directly from the doctor monitoring her.“Compared to her condition last month, she's improved,” Caiden began, but when his brows furrowed, his expression falling a bit, Noell
The walk back to Mrs. Castellano’s car was far too quiet for Bianca's liking. Staring at the older woman's back as they approached the vehicle, she tried to figure out what she was thinking.Had Noelle's words had an impact on her? Impossible! Iris Castellano was not just anyone. Words like that meant nothing and had no effect on her. She had seen worse, been through worse. After all, one does not get into the Castellano family by mouth alone.However, it looked like Noelle was about to do exactly that. The thought made Bianca frown. Noelle wasn't worthy of such a position.She knew nothing about the Castellano family, unlike her. She hasn't been through the hardship and training she has been through. That position should and would be hers.“Mother,” At last, she called out to Mrs. Castellano as the older woman was about to enter her car. The close natured way at which she always calls the woman, seemed to lighten the mood. “You must be surprised.”“Surprise no, disappointed, yes. I
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