Billionaire's Bounty: Cost Of Love And Revenge

Ivy

I glanced at the text I had just received moments ago. It was a simple, sweet message that read: "Meet me at Amore Hotel. I have a surprise for you." Just like the first time I read it, it made me blush hard. I turned off the ignition and got out of the car. The hotel stood grand and familiar, a place Max and I had visited many times before. I twirled around and shut my eyes, savoring the gentle caress of the chilly night breeze against my skin.

My thoughts ran wild, imagining what kind of surprise awaited me behind that door. Max was never one for grand gestures, so this was a first. Giddy and full of excitement, I walked towards the receptionist. "Hi…"

She looked up at me with a wide smile. "Hello, Miss Whitfield."

Of course, she recognized me. This was Max's and my getaway spot. He didn't like his studio apartment, so we usually spent our time together here.

My smile widened. "A reservation was made?"

"Yes, Mr. Max Martin," she confirmed, glancing at her computer. "Your usual suite…"

I wondered if it could be a surprise proposal. Giggling to myself like a schoolgirl, I felt a thrill. We had only been together for a little over a year, but I wanted nothing more than to be his wife. Max never made reservations-I always did. If he was planning something behind my back, it had to be huge. Grinning ear to ear, I accepted the key card she handed me.

I skipped towards the elevator, feeling like it would never reach the top floor fast enough. When I reached the suite, I half-ran to the door and unlocked it.

"Max, you didn't have to go all out..." The words died on my lips as I took in the scene before me. Max, completely naked, was slowly gyrating his hips to the soft music playing in the background. I stood still, stunned, my mouth agape as tears welled in my eyes. I didn't know what was more infuriating: the fact that he was on top of my best friend, Taylor, or that neither of them had noticed me yet and were still at it. Their loud moans and sweaty bodies made me nauseous. I had seen enough.

"How could you, Max!" I screamed, my heart shattering into a thousand pieces. "How could you?" My voice broke, filled with tears.

That finally got their attention.

"Shit, shit, shit!" Max cursed, jumping off of her and rushing to turn off the music. "What are you doing here, Ivy? You said you had that thing…"

I was hyperventilating at this point. "Art exhibit, you bastard!"

He didn't even remember, despite how excited I had been about it for days.

I turned to look at Taylor, who stared back at me with a defiant look in her eyes, like I didn't just walk in on her hooking up with my boyfriend. She didn't bother to cover herself or move an inch. She just watched me, as though I was the one intruding. My gaze shifted between the two of them, and with each passing second, I realized I didn't recognize them anymore. They were strangers to me.

"It's not what you think, Ivy…"

I let out a bitter chuckle. "What do I think, Max? I can see you two. Do you think I'm that dumb?"

"Ivy-"

"You really think I'm dumb!" I broke into a sob, unable to take it anymore. I ran out of the room, tears streaming down my face, into the hotel's secluded courtyard. There weren't any guests around-it was just me, my thoughts, and the betrayal.