Chapter 1: New Life

4 years after

The night was black, the moon shone brightly as a Ferrari S430 drove into the Andino mansion stopping at the front porch.

The driver door opened, a woman stepped out one foot over another. Wearing a black formal pencil dress stopping at her knee, pairing it with black pumps,her designer bag casually hung on her shoulder and her black short bob styled neatly, she screamed of money.

She cat-walked her way to the double front doors, and casually threw the car keys to the chauffeur standing at the door who caught it effortlessly, then helped her to open the door.

"Mum, dad am home", the woman announced ,as she slumped on the nearest sofa,tired.

"Rose!", Tiffany said happily walking out the kitchen with an apron tied around her. Though they had a chef, Tiffany liked cooking herself sometimes.

"How was work?", Tiffany asked, heading back to the kitchen.

"Tiring," Rose confessed.

"Sorry dear, why don't you freshen up, dinner will be ready soon", Tiffany shouted.

"Sure mum", Rose lazily stood up and took the flight of stairs up to her room. She opened her room door and closed it behind her, carelessly tossing her bag and heel pump, she slumped on her soft big bed.

Rose turned to lie down on her back, a smile made its way to her face, running her hand over her luxurious bed.

After living in poverty for so long, she was now living like a princess in a big mansion.

It has been 4 years since Kate died, the news was a shock to everyone especially Tiffany and Nathaniel who were meant to come back the next morning arrived that night after hearing the news from Rose that Kate left home and wasn't back yet.

They tracked the car and found it wrecked and in flames, they were able to put out the fire but Kate's body wasn't found.

The firefighter said it was possible the body could have burnt to ashes because the car had been in flames for a very long time, and even if the body had been found there was no way Kate would have survived.

This was indeed a huge loss for the Andino family, they had lost their heiress and daughter. It was indeed a really sad day for them.

Taking pity on Rose as Kate was the only family she had after her grandma died. Nathaniel and Tiffany decided to adopt Rose as their legal daughter and from then on Rose life changed for the better.

Rose permanently moved into the Andino mansion, having a big room just for her though it wasn't as big as Kate's, she really wanted to have Kate room but Tiffany and Nathaniel insisted on leaving the room just the way it was, they won't allow anyone to go in even her.

It did bother her at first but later she didn't care, she had a big room and even her own walk-in closet filled with the latest clothes, shoes, designer bags and other clothing accessories.

And painted her room bright red, everything about the room was red from the ceiling to the carpet,the curtains weren't left out, and neither the duvet on the bed nor the two mini sofas, and she loved it.

Tiffany and Nathaniel were the best parents, and Rose couldn't agree less. They loved and doted on her like she was their own, maybe because they felt pity on her or they missed Kate, she didn't care cause she was living the life of a princess.

After 3 months of staying with them, Rose was able to convince Nathaniel to let her work in the family business, and after 4yrs of working her ass off she was finally the CEO of FastTech Limited.

Rose felt like she had it all, the company, a loving family and money in her account that could last her for years but she still wanted more - more money.

Rose didn't understand why Kate wouldn't like the life she was living and rather live a normal life. She was literally being treated like royalty although running the family business is stressful , Rose won't trade it for anything.No need to think about Kate, she's gone and is never coming back.

Rose stood up from her bed and cat-walked her way to the bathroom to freshen up, a smile on her face.

15 minutes later

The family of three were gathered at the dining table, eating the beef noodle soup Tiffany made. The air was tense, it was always like that whenever the three sat together. Rose felt suffocated, wanting to eat her food quickly and leave.

Nathaniel cleared his throat as he looked at Rose,"So how's the company?".

Rose looked at him briefly then focused on her food. Though Nathaniel was her dad legally, she still felt he hadn't accepted her fully as his daughter unlike Tiffany. Maybe that's why she was still the acting CEO and not fully in-charge of the company yet.

"Fine", Rose answered, staring at her food.

Tiffany stared at both of them, feeling the awkward atmosphere between them.

"Okay", Nathaniel coughed, staring at his food. "Any news about the contract with TAC Limited?".

Rose raised her head, "yes, they are coming to city S to finalize the contract with us, and hopefully we'll start work immediately", Rose said proudly the glint in her eyes wasn't missed, on how happy she was to talk about her achievement.

"Wow dear that's great news", Tiffany said cheerfully as she squeezed Rose's hand.

"It indeed is", Nathaniel nodded in agreement. "So when are they coming?"

"Next week Monday".

"Oh that's great, we've got the weekend to prepare for their arrival ".

Rose nodded in agreement.

Everyone went silent.

"Kate would have been so happy to hear this", Nathaniel said, breaking the silence.

Rose gripped her spoon tightly as the air around her turned dark,"even when Kate was dead, she still heard the name", she thought angrily.

Tiffany sensed the change in Rose aura and eyed her husband.

"But of course Rose you did well".

Rose kept on looking at her bowl,"no matter what she did, she couldn't make him forget about Kate".

"I'll go to my room now", Rose said standing up.

"Aren't you gonna finish your meal", Tiffany gestured at the unfinished food.

"Thanks mum but I'm full",Rose said, patting her still flat tummy.

"Okay", Tiffany nodded.

Rose was about to leave when Nathaniel called her back.

"Tomorrow grandpa is coming and I want you to pick him up at the airport", Nathaniel said, staring at Rose.

"Why me?", Rose asked with obvious displeasure in her tone.

Old man Andino was like a thorn in her flesh, that man didn't like her one bit even when she was friends with his grand-daughter, and she felt the same way.

Nathaniel signed, " I know you don't like grandpa and he doesn't either, but you need him to accept you as part of the family now".

"And how was she gonna do that",she thought.

"At least behave civilly with him, you don't have to show your dislike towards him", Nathaniel pointed out.

"She was trying but the old man didn't even want to be civil with her", she screamed in her head.

"So what do you think?"Nathaniel probed.

Rose briefly looked at Tiffany who signaled her to say yes.

"Sure why not", Rose said lazily, and left the dinning heading towards the stairs.

"His flight will land by 3pm tomorrow", Nathaniel informed.

"Okay", Rose hummed in response, when she got to her room door and walked in closing it with a loud bang.

The couples could only sign.

"You need him to accept you as part of the family", Rose mimicked in annoyance once she was in her room.

"That Old man, she hated him", Rose climbed into her bed preparing to sleep. She was really tired after a stressful week and badly needed some sleep. Luckily the flight wasn't going to land until 3pm.

Rose covered herself with the duvet and drifted off to sleep.

In another country far away from city S, in city X. A woman sat on a rocking chair as she looked out the window, "the night was looking really beautiful tonight", she thought.

Her midnight blue black hair danced freely with every swing she took. Her mind in deep thought, as her sapphire eyes twinkled under the moon's light.

"Oh, I see u are still awake", a male voice said, breaking her from her reverie.

"Andrew", the woman smiled sweetly at the man who just walked in, one that didn't reach her eyes.

"Are my flight tickets ready?"she asked expectantly, staring intently at the man called Andrew.

"Yes, yes they are", Andrew announced with a small smile. "You'll be in city S by 3pm tomorrow ".

The woman smiled brightly after hearing the good news, the joy in her eyes wasn't missed.

"Thank you Andrew", she said to him before turning back to look out the window with a wicked smile on her face.

"Do you think it's necessary Kate", Andrew asked as he watched the woman called Kate slowly turn to look at him.

"Very", Kate said with malice in her beautiful sapphire eyes. She will make sure Rose paid dearly for what she did to her.

Yes, Kate Andino was alive but with a new face and identity. Kate didn't know how she even survived the crash, after passing out she found herself lying on a hospital bed.

She couldn't move her body or do anything, her face and body were bandaged due to the injuries she sustained as she had to stay in the hospital for 3 months and was finally discharged but with a new face.

Her burn injuries had improved just that some left scars on her body, prompting her to get a tattoo especially on those which were visible whenever she wore something revealing.

Kate was so happy to be alive, and she couldn't be more thankful to Andrew who saved her and stayed with her every step of the way while she was recovering.

He had really been a great support for her, she just hopes that one day she'll be able to repay him for his kindness.

Andrew Cain was the heir of the Cain family, the most influential and powerful family in the country, CEO of Cain industry.

Kate surely hit the jackpot when she was saved 4 years ago. Andrew was the one who took care of her and provided for her needs.

After surviving the crash, Kate couldn't help but wonder why Rose would do that to her. And she could only think of one reason, Rose was jealous of her,why, they were best friends.

Now that Kate thought about it she never had a true friend and Rose proved it or even a good boyfriend as Kyle turned out to be a jerk.

They were all after her fame and wealth, because of how naive she was she failed to see how fake her best friend and boyfriend were.

Now she was different, she was no more the naive, sweet and innocent Kate Andino but an independent, fierce and capable woman ,Taylor Cosgrove.

After the tragic incident Kate finally saw the world for what it was. She really had to thank Rose and Kyle for what they did cause they helped her leave her shell and turned her into an independent woman.

That doesn't mean she'll let them go scott free she was going to get back at them, her revenge will be epic.

"This time she will have the last laugh", she thought with a wicked grin on her pretty face.

"Very necessary Andrew", Kate said, "And there's no turning back". Andrew signed in defeat.