Revenge Hunt: Marrying My Ex's Alluring Aunt

Raphael's POV

I looked at the venue, and everything was perfect. Tonight is our 3rd year anniversary, and we have been engaged for 1 year and three months. In just two months, we will be Mr. and Mrs. Aveyard. I want to make sure that everything is perfect and she will enjoy tonight. I ask people to come up with all the stuff around here.

She can walk on the red carpet towards the stage, where a table is set up with her favorite and preferred design of mantle. There are scented candles everywhere, even on the ground.

In the middle of the table are her favorite red roses. The background has lettering and number balloons that say 'Happy 3rd Anniversary.' I know Nathalie well. She wants everything to be perfect and instagrammable.

"Sir, everything is okay. The food is also ready," says the chef.

"That's great! Make sure everything is perfect because we don't want a messed up celebration, do we?" I suggest. She laughed and nodded. I know she gets scared, but that's only to remind her.

"Yes, Sir. I'll go inside, and we will be standing by," she says.

I simply nod, and she leaves me right away. She is indeed nervous because of the subtle warning that I gave. I waited for Nathalie for 15 minutes until she arrived with her beautiful Porsche. I opened the car door, and she only passed through me and didn't greet me.

"So... I was correct. This is all you have. I thought you would keep your promise from two months ago. You're really a cheapskate."

I look at her with confusion. How can she tell me such a word? A cheapskate? I spent $10,000 for this damn celebration! I followed all her desires for decorations.

As for the yacht? I missed the chance to buy it because of a damn billionaire. I missed a single minute because of a traffic jam. I stood beside her and held her hand.

"Look, I lose the chance to buy the yacht that you're saying. But I promise I'm already on the list of people they will call for the next yacht with the same design. I promise I will have that, and we can go to an island that you like. I promise," I replied.

Her glances and the way she rolled her eyes were proof that she was disappointed. When Nathalie said she wanted something, I knew I had to do it or she'd be upset. I tried to hide the pain of how she saw my gift for her, but I guess her coldness has trapped my heart ever since we became a couple.

Yes, she has been like this, particularly because her family was far wealthier than mine. She's a billionaire heiress, while I'm just a multimillionaire with $899.7 million in assets and liabilities. She pushed me away when I tried to hug her.

"Move away! How can I spend my time on a loser like you? Now you're making me realize that dating you was the worst five years of my life! Ugh, I can't do this anymore!" she says. I look at her.

I don't know why I'm nervous, but I can tell that she will throw a bomb in my face. She grabbed her engagement ring and threw it on my face. The diamond even hit my right cheek.

She pointed her finger at me with the most disappointing and mad expression she ever gave me. I crouch down and pick up the engagement ring.

"I guess you are calling off our wedding, right, Nathalie?" I ask.

"Of course, you fucking loser! What did you expect? that I will wait for you until you're richer than me? Oh, c'mon. That will never happen, and I'm sure of that. So you and that cheap ring are leaving together because I found a man who meets my standards. Goodbye!" she says and turns around. My eyes widened.

"What did you just say?" I ask. She only laughed and walked away.

A new man? She has been cheating me since what?! How can she do that and even choose this day to break up with me? My laughter quickly turned to horror.

My palm clenched into a fist as I tried to calm myself, afraid that I'd break everything the organizers had set up. I grab the champagne and drink all of it. I kept on asking for another bottle until my best friend arrived and saw how messed up I was.

"Let's go home and stop already!" Trevor roared and dragged me away.

Kristine's POV

As soon as we saw my niece's ex-fiancee drag by his friend away from the area, I closed my car window. Belinda looks at me from the rearview mirror. We both witness how they broke up and how upset he is for what Nathalie did. I sign her to drive away. It's been a week since I came back from studying in Australia.

Now that I'm back here in Los Angeles, I will start my plan. Every card that I have in my hand will be slowly placed on the table. When we reached the mansion, my heart skipped a bit. I'm glad that the mansion is still the same. The gate opened, and the maids saw my arrival.

"Welcome home, Lady Kristine!" they all said. I smiled sweetly.

"I'm home, everyone. Prepare the dinner, and we will eat together," she announces.

They look at each other and face me.

They all smiled and followed me as I got inside the house. When I turned around and saw my parents' portrait above the furnace. Tears stream down my cheeks. The pain from the past had come back. I shed my tears and looked at Nanny Risa. She only hugs me and caresses my back. I ended up hugging her and cried silently.

"You're now home. Please, you have to refrain yourself from crying like this when that time comes, understood?" she says. I nod.

She held my face and shed those tears on my cheeks. She is my dad's nanny, and she became my nanny as well. She doesn't have any family after her daughter and husband died in a demolition derby when I was seven years old. She is like my grandmother now.

Dad says grandma died when I was 3 years old, but she's happy that she met me and got the chance to spoil me with sweets. Grandpa died when I was 10 years old. But I'm glad I enjoyed his company.

"I will nanny Risa, no. I mean Grandma Risa. Don't worry about me. I'll be okay, and this time, I'm ready to face my enemy."

She smiled and drag me on the kitchen. Belinda seems uneasy about the lavish dinner that she saw on the table. I chuckled and tapped her shoulder. I told everyone to take their seats, and we all ate together. My parents before me had always asked the maids to eat with us.

That's the reason why we have such long tables in the dining hall. After that dinner, I went to my room. Grandma Risa and Belinda followed me inside. They both gave me an envelope. I grab the papers and scan them. I smiled sweetly. like what I need.

"Thanks, Belinda and grandma Risa. You guys can rest now. I will just review this and then I'll go to bed," she says. They both nodded.

"Good night," they both say, and they leave me in my room.

I spend an hour reading the papers to make sure that I won't miss any important details. When my eyes get tired, I decide to rest also. The sun's light blinds my eyes. When I turn around and look at the clock, it's already 7 in the morning. I woke up and took a shower.

After eating breakfast, I told them that I'd drive around the neighborhood. Belinda wants to come, but I told her that I'd be fine. She agreed in the end.

As I drive around the city proper, I see a certain park that reminds me of my childhood. I park my car and roam around. I am glad to be home once again.

"Oh my, a familiar face..." I whispered.

I walk toward that person. Her tears were falling down her cheeks. I gave her my hanky. But she's too embarrassed and chooses to take it without facing me.

"Thank you," she says.

I stood beside her and looked at the people in the park who are here to unwind before Sunday hits the floor.

"No problem," she replied. I left her after she settled down and grabbed a bite at my favorite fast-food chain when I was still a kid.

As soon as I got back to the mansion, Belinda handed me a small envelope. I smiled when I saw what was written on it. I almost forgot what tomorrow's event is. Oh well, I'm ready anyway.

"Make sure to dress up tomorrow. You will be coming with me."

"No problem, Kristine. I'll take care of myself," she says.

Tomorrow night had finally arrived. I'm already excited for his reaction when we meet again. It's been ten years...

"Are you ready?" Belinda says, snapping her finger. I smirk.

Raphael's POV

I look at my reflection in the mirror. No matter how I groom myself or even buy the most expensive suit in the world, I know nothing will change. My palm turns into a fist. I want to hit the mirror and yell over and over again. The pain in my chest is unbearable.

Yesterday night (Flashback)

I drank all the wine in the bottle, and my best friend was staring at me. I can see how disappointed he was when he saw how broken I am. No one can blame me. My fiancée, who I was supposed to marry in a month, suddenly broke up with me for a stupid reason.

That she's richer than I was. Yes, that's her damn reason! That's why I am here, drinking like a madman! He dragged me home last night, but here I am again, drinking like I want to die right here and then.

"Are you going to kill yourself because of that girl? Dude, seriously?! Show her that she made a mistake, not like this!"

I look at him. My chest was tight, and I felt like a knife was there, and the devil was twisting the knife to make the wound deeper and more painful. I laugh with bitterness. He sighed and drew a chair closer to him.

"Have you ever been cheated?! I don't think so. Because amongst us, you've always been that playboy," I commented. He scoff.

"Yes, but I always set lines, and the girls know what kind of relationship I can only offer. But Raphael, this is not you. You're strong and can handle a bigger problem than this. Stand up and get back on your feet," he says. It's easier to say than do, but I can't.

He places an envelope in front of me. I looked at him and gave him a pissed-off expression. But he signed for me to check the envelope.

I put down my glass and grabbed it. I flipped it back over and saw the words on the back. My jaw clenched. It's an invitation for her dad's birthday.

"My sister and I will go there. Apparently, mom had no time, so I asked her to give me the extra invitation, and here it is. I heard from mom that she will announce her engagement to a man named Jackson Myers. That rings a bell, isn't it?" he explained. What the fuck!

"Jackson Myers? She dumped us on our anniversary yesterday, and now she's bragging about her fiancée! Damn it!" I yelled. Everyone looks on us and they seemed to be surprised. But I don't care.

End of Flashback

I went out when I heard Trevor honking outside. I opened my car, and the gate opened automatically, and I followed my best friend's car. We arrived at the biggest hotel in LA, the Beverly Hills Hotel. Samantha was being escorted by her brother.

We left the cars, and the staff will park them. Trevor signed me up to behave. We gave the invitations to the guards, and they let us in. There are even red carpets. I declined to walk on it, but the siblings went there for a photoshoot.

"Let's go," I remark.

They both nodded, and we got inside the venue hall. But on our way, I accidentally step on a woman's heels.

I even kicked her shoe away from her. She stops and looks at me. I'm glad we are wearing a mask as a part of the party's theme. This is embarrassing for me and for her as well. I ran a little and grabbed her shoe. I crouch down, and my left knee is on the floor.

I held her beautiful foot and put on her shoe. But accidentally, I saw her purple undies. My blood boils up, and my ears feel hot. Her cunt looks beautiful even that piece of cloth covers it. I can just sense it. My throat suddenly feels dry. Darn it! I stood up and faced her.

'You shouldn't be affected by that view. You have seen those! Shit!'

"I'm sorry for what I did. I didn't mean to do that. I have been in a hurry, and before I knew it, I stepped and kicked your shoe," I explained.

A beautiful smile formed on her lips. I hope she didn't notice that. How can that slit in her dress have betrayed her? I simply smile and act like I'm not thinking about other things, which I am.

"Thank you, mister... It's okay. At least you didn't leave this woman in distress. By the way, we have to go. Bye-bye," she says. She is with someone. They left us after she turned around.

Kristine's POV

I never expected that he would come to this party. After what I saw at that time, I thought he would drench himself in alcohol or work like there was no tomorrow. Maybe he must have learned that she's been bragging about her new man. I sighed, and Belinda stopped and looked at me.

"No. We will go, I just remember something. Don't worry," I say.

"Are you sure? If you're not ready, then we can leave now."

I shrugged my shoulders and then placed my hand on hers. She sighed in the end and followed me as we got closer to the venue hall. I know that I'll have mixed feelings when our eyes meet.

But I already have my PhD, and it's time to face the enemy, right? As soon as we got inside, I saw familiar faces. They have been people who have tried to get close to our family. Especially that we're the richest in this continent. We saw a table fit for two people only.

"It looks like he already has these people's sympathy. It will be hard for you to show your capabilities. He had been working for 24 years, and his name was known everywhere," Belinda mumbles.

I scoff and try to hide the animosity in my head. I know that her words were true. But I already have a plan for that, and I know it's effective. There is no way that I will let him win. This time, and now that I'm back, his biggest fear will consume him before he knows it. I look around.

The decorations of the tables, the flowers, the napkins, and everything else were his daughter's favorite colors and designs. She's still that spoiled little brat. What do I expect? That she's not like her mom and dad. I almost laughed while thinking about that. I grab two glasses of champagne from the waiter.

"Here, drink instead. Have you forgotten that I came home well-prepared? At least, have faith in me," I commented. She turned pale.

"Yes, I'm sorry. I almost forgot what we did in order to be prepared for your comeback here in LA," she apologizes. I laugh.

"Relax. I won't be eating you, loosen up, Belinda. At least, feel the ambience of the party," she replied. She sighed and sip her drink.

I look around, and I notice where those three are seated. I never expected that she would have an escort tonight. I wonder if that man is her boyfriend or fiancée. I just saw my niece crying yesterday, but now she's making me doubt whether she cried because of that break-up.

"I never thought that Mrs. Hudgens wouldn't come. The only people who arrived are her kids," a woman mumbles. Gossips, huh?

They are looking at the two people, whom I thought to be a couple. What a shameless thoughts! That's the reason for their striking resemblance. I avert my eyes as soon as I notice that he will look in our direction. The emcee went to the stage and speak.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to Mr. Sebastian Sanchez's 45th birthday celebration!" he happily screams. I believe my brother chose this emcee because of his sense of humor.

"We are all here to celebrate and congratulate Mr. Sanchez, who was known for his hard work and intelligence in business. But before I can go anywhere, because telling you all about his achievement will be tiring. Furthermore, we will work until then. Oh well, let's hear an opening and welcoming speech to our birthday celebrant. Mr. Sanchez, the floor is yours!" he roared.

They clap their hands, which I didn't mind doing. He walked up the stairs and stood in front of us. His smile was giving me reason to take him down.

How can he smile like he didn't do anything? As if he didn't ruin my life! My palm turns into a fist. My irritation was making my head heavy. Belinda suddenly placed her hand on my fist. I look at her. She shook her head and smiled.

"Calm down," she says. I want to do it, but it's difficult for me.

Sebastian Sanchez, a well-known businessman and billionaire tycoon in America, not only in this country but even around the world. He was also a philanthropist. Fuck! If they only knew what kind of asshole he is! I want them to know the truth about him!

"Should we go? You look like someone who will commit murder."

Raphael's POV

I can't believe that Sebastian had accepted Nathalie's decision to dump me and get engaged to Jackson. Is it because it will be more beneficial for him and his status in the business world?

Sebastian went to the stage to give his damn speech. He always had that pride in his face, as if he didn't use dirty tricks in his transactions.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I'm glad that everyone came and greeted me for my birthday today. Another year has added to my figures, but I'm glad I still look as young as possible, right? I hope everyone agrees," he says.

Those in the audience laugh and clap their hands as a sign that they agree with his words.

"I'm already 44 years old, and I became a father and husband at the age of 20. I am grateful that my wife is with me in every moment of life and has cheered me on as I achieve my dream. We both cheer each other on as we fulfill our desires, even if we get married at a young age. I became a successful businessman and proved my name to everyone, and my only wish is to..." he paused and heaved a sigh.

"To see my daughter happy as she married one of the hottest bachelors in our town, Jackson Myers. I'm going to prove to everyone that this old fart is still as sharp as I was when I was younger. Thank you all for coming, and let's have a good time tonight. Cheers!" he says.

They all raise their glasses after Sebastian does so. They clung to their glasses, and he smiled like a moron. I grasp the glass, and Trevor coughs. I looked at him, and he gave me that calm-down-dude expression in his face. I sip my champagne and just tried to calm down again and again.

He even proudly says that Jackson is his future son-in-law. Hah! I was his daughter's boyfriend for three years, but he never brags about me to his associates. He just said that I'm Mr. Avrich, and that's it. I asked Nathalie before, but like her father, she also lied to me. All of them are liars!

The waiters began to serve the appetizer, which was ideal for pairing with red wine. I simply eat, but I still watch the movements of people at this party. That's when my eyes fall on a certain woman. She looks fine and beautiful even at this far.

"You also notice her, huh? They're both beautiful, right?" he says.

"Big brother, I hope you're not eyeing a fling that you can bring to a penthouse suite at this hotel," Samantha mumbles.

That made me laugh. His sister knows Trevor well. He sighed and turned to face his sister.

"My dear sister, you should be happy that your brother is being chased by beauties. That only means that I'm not ugly," Trevor says.

Samantha shook her head because of her stupid humor. I leaned on the chair, and I was ready for another shot when the song was played. That's when I saw Jackson and Nathalie on the dance floor.

My palm turned into a fist, and I really wanted to go there and punch that man in the face. He even had the face to dance with Nathalie and act like he didn't cheat on his wife! What the heck! Fuck him!

"I'll start with my baby sister, then the woman who was with that girl you ran into a while ago. Why don't you ask that woman for a dance? Pairings will change for a moment. You can use that to talk to Nathalie," he suggested.

I put down my glass and looked at that woman's table. No one has invited her yet.

"I guess I will try that. Thanks," I remark and stoop up.

I walk towards that woman's table, and she looks surprised when I stop in front of her. I extended my hand to her, and she was unsure whether she would accept it. I simply smiled to convince her that I was serious.

"Can I have a dance with you, young lady?" I ask. She giggled.

"Okay, okay, no problem. Belinda, stay here. I'll agree to this man's offer," she says.

She held my hand and stood up. Her hand was soft, as if it were made of cotton. I drag her onto the dance floor. I held her palm tightly and grabbed her waist. Damn!

'What is wrong with my heart? Don't tell me I'm nervous!'

"You should've asked that woman in the yellow dress," she exclaimed.

Kristine's POV

I want to laugh because I see how nervous he is. He also turned pale when I told him about Nathalie. She should be the one he's dancing with. He acted unaffected and simply answered me.

"I'm sorry. Why would I dance with a girl who is already engaged to someone? Don't you think I'm being stupid and unreasonable?"

He is good at hiding his animosity while talking. But his eyes and body language are easy to read. especially to someone like me who knows something. I simply chuckled and acted like I was clueless too.

"Well, you have been staring at her for a while now. I believed and saw that you were interested in her. But I never thought she's the sole heiress of the birthday boy," I remark.

How can I know such details? Those are just simple and easy information to gather.

"I also do the same thing to you. I've been watching you," he says.

I walked around him, and he held me closer this time. I can smell his strong perfume, which smells like menthol and is cool as well. I notice that either way, but I know it's out of curiosity because of what happened in the lobby of this hotel. I simply chuckled.

We walk on our left sides, and his hands slip down my thigh. He holds it as I bend backward. I saw my Sebastian and Clariz, who were happily chatting with those associates of theirs. He held me back and tapped me.

I raise my head and my eyes widened when we almost kiss. Just a nanometer away, I might have touched his lips. I gulp, and I'm glad that I need to swirl around. I can't hide my embarrassment!

When I stop swirling around, his hand is on my back, and mine falls on his chest. Our eyes meet and I feel like he was magnetizing my gaze on his. He turned me around.

His other hand, which is holding mine, was on my waist. The left side was on my neck. They're both wrapped around my body. I looked at my side, and our cheeks touched each other. I can smell his breath.

It smells like red wine and toothpaste. We walk forward, and after that, I turn around and distance myself for two steps. That's when partners change. I'm glad that I made it. Jackson will be my exchange partner, and Nathalie will be his.

I want to know what kind of man Jackson is, and I know he needs to talk with Nathalie. In one swift move, partners were changed! Jackson held my hands and waist. My other hand was on his shoulder. He looks at me with malice, I must say.

"Should I be bothered by how you looked at me, hmm?" I tease.

He laughed, but his gaze never changed. What kind of trouble did Nathalie get into? This man... I can tell that he's a playboy!

"I never thought that the Sanchez family had an acquaintance as beautiful as you," he whispered. I almost laugh with sarcasm.

"I will take that as a joke, Mr. Myers. But yes, they have such an acquaintance as me. I hope you will stop staring at me like that because people might put meaning on it," I remark. He laugh.

Jackson Myers is a billionaire tycoon known for his investments in the entertainment industry. Especially since he owns the country's largest entertainment company.

He is also cunning in the business world, and I must say that he loves to use tricks for his hobby. That's what girls are like. I tried to distance my body from him, but he keeps trying to hold me closer, which actually pisses me off.

"I hope you will forgive me, but at least dance properly. Allow me to take the lead and cover the distance for us. I feel like I have a virus that you want to stay away from," he mutters. Yes, you have!

"I'm sorry, but I just know how to set boundaries. By the way, it's time to go back to your beloved," I mumbled. I swiftly let him go.

I choose to move to a safe distance away from him. I should keep my private life away from a dangerous man like him. I was about to grab any man's hand when someone held my wrist from behind me. He walked me around him and held me as soon as we faced each other.

I thought she would choose someone who was near Nathalie and Jackson. I giggled softly. I wonder what Nathalie and Raphael talk about. But why am I bothered by it?