The Ultimate Betrayal.

Noelle blinked in confusion, speechless for a few seconds before she opened her mouth, attempting to speak, but ending up with nothing but a croak.

“You…you want me to what?” She finally asked.

“Marry Wallace Castellano,” Elena replied loud and clear, also shamelessly at that, considering she had just boldly spat out ridiculous words.

“It’s perfect!” She carried on, paying no attention to the expression on Noelle’s face. “Once you become his wife, not only will you have the money and status to get revenge on Jason, but you can also put that bitch in her place.”

“Imagine this,” hopping off the chair, she pretended to project an image in the air. “Once you’ve married Wallace Castellano and have him head over heels in love with you, you can control the funds, meaning you can determine how much that bitch gets.” She snickered. “Then she can kiss goodbye, to her million dollars allowance.”

“Wait,” Noelle rose her hand at last. “Wait, hold up, Elena. Are you even listening to yourself? You want me to marry someone I only just knew about today, because of… revenge?”

“I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t? That bastard took all you did for granted and left you nearly penniless! You’ve got to do something about that, or, are you just going to let them walk over you?”

Noelle frowned. Of course she didn’t want them to walk over her and of course she wanted revenge.

But, getting married to a stranger…

“You’ve watched too many dramas, El.” Noelle shook her head and sighed. “And besides, how the hell am I meant to make him fall head over heels for me? He’s in his late forties, if he hasn’t fallen head over heels for someone, what makes you think I can succeed? Or worse, he’s not gay?”

“Firstly, it doesn’t matter even if he’s gay. If that the case, it’s gonna change the moment he meets you.” Elena responded, and the next thing she knew, her phone was began ringing. “You’re a diva. You can woo any man, straight or not.”

She said right before answering her phone and stepping away. While she spoke on the phone, despite the frown on her face, Noelle surprisingly found herself pondering Elena’s option.

Sure, Jason had hurt her, render the years of sacrifice she made useless, and left her penniless, but…did she really need to go that far for revenge?

Marrying someone?

Noelle glanced at the faceless picture again and cringed. The guy wasn’t even fine enough to show his face.

What if he turned out to be some wrinkle old man with yellow teeth and an Italian mustache.

Noelle shuddered and was about to shake her head again, when Elena returned.

“Work calls, I have to go. But, be sure to think it over, this is your grand revenge, Noel. Don’t let those two walk over you.”

With a peck on the cheek, Elena exited their shared apartment, leaving Noelle all alone.

She glanced down at the picture again and frowned.

Revenge, did she really need to go that far?

~•~

Noelle had called in sick for work and spent the rest of the day at home, thinking about what Elena had said.

Suddenly, her phone dinged with a notification, putting a stop to her ever running train of thoughts.

Noelle picked up her phone and immediately, a frown marred her face and her heart twisted in pain.

Jason had uploaded on his I*******m, again. This time around, it was a picture of he and Ivette enjoying a vacation at Bora Bora, the very same vacation spot that they had promised to go to together.

And there was a caption under it.

“Life’s better with the one you love.”

Underneath it, some of the comments read; ‘Jealous of their love.’

‘Need a love like their!’

‘Time for us single people to cry in a corner!’

But out of all those comments, only one caught Noelle’s attention.

“Happy 2 years anniversary, baby bear.”

…

Second… second year anniversary?

Noelle felt a sharp prick in her chest as she stared at the phone.

This wasn’t hurt, no, this was anger and betrayal and jealousy and every negative emotion rolled into one, caused by the new discovery of betrayal.

Jason had been dating this whore for two years?!

He had been double timing her, cheating on her and deceiving her…for two whole years!

The pain intensified and Noelle gritted her teeth, her eyes beginning to sting.

Why the hell did she have to fall for a guy like him?

A guy who didn’t appreciate not deserve her, now here he was, walking all over her after leaving her penniless.

She…she couldn’t accept this!

It was the Ultimate Betrayal and the final push.

Noel dialed Elena’s number. It rang for a few seconds before it was answered.

Before Elena could speak, she cut in. “El, you were right.” She said. “I’m going to get my revenge. I’m going to make that bastard pay for hurting me.”

“I’m not sure what suddenly convinced you, Noel, but I’m glad. Now, it’s time to proceed with the first step of our plan; we have to make you look as attractive as possible, so much so that men will fall at your feet and then, we’ll proceed to the main phase: meeting Wallace Castellano.”

“And how exactly am I meant to do that?”

Just as Noelle asked that question, and email entered her laptop. She walked up to it and accessed the email.

It was from work, informing her that her firm had bagged a contract and she had been picked to do the pitch for…

“Castellano Global Enterprises!” She exclaimed in shock, eyes going as wide as saucers.

“What’s that, Noel?” Elena asked.

“I…I think we just found a way to meet him.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Noelle quickly informed Elena and before long, her best friend was squealing with delight.

“See! It’s destiny. You’re meant to follow this path and get your revenge.”

Noelle frowned. She didn’t want to think it was destiny for her to get hurt.

“I have to go now, work calls, let’s catch up when I get home, okay.”

“Okay. I’ll see you then.”

As soon as Elena ended the call, Noelle pulled out a chair, sat in front of her laptop and started searching about Wallace Castellano.

If she was going to do this, then it was better to know her target.

After a few minutes, a frown creased her forehead and she sighed.

“What’s with these black shades?” She muttered, clicking through different articles, trying to find a clear picture, but all she found were the same images of him with the shades and his face hidden.

She clicked on a link and an article came up, written by the Italian Daily.

“Wallace Castellano, one of the world’s most mysterious tycoons and Italy’s wealthiest, is rarely seen in public. He keeps a low profile, often conducting business meetings behind closed doors, and he is known for his cold and calculating demeanor.

Despite his wealth and status, there is little information about Wallace’s past or his personal life. Many speculate that he is hiding something, or perhaps, that he is simply a very private person.

Whatever the case may be, Wallace Castellano remains an enigma, a mystery shrouded in shadows.

Who is this mysterious billionaire, and what is he hiding?”

Noelle clicked off the article and sighed. What was with this guy and his secretive nature?

Was he really that ugly and had to hide himself away?

“No matter,” She muttered. “All I have to do is marry him and use his money to make that bastard pay. I don’t have to fall for him.”

With a new determination in her heart, Noelle shut the laptop, walked towards her bed and flopped onto it, ready to take a nap, but as soon as her eyes closed, an image of her handsome one night stand flashed in her mind.

She peeled her eyes open and couldn’t help but frown. He was pretty, her type and a good fuck, too bad it was a one time thing.

If only they had met under other circumstances.

But that was life, it was unpredictable.

Rolling onto her side, Noelle let out a sigh and tried to get some much needed sleep, because she needed to look her best.

After all, tomorrow would determine if she can get her revenge.