Chapter 1

ANDREA

"Happy Birthday to You! Happy Birthday to You! Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to You!"

The voice I heard made me open my eyes. I was having yet another dream about him again. I haven't met this person in real life, why do I always see him in my dreams? He just appears from nowhere, says I'm his and he wants me so bad. And that's it, I woke up again. This started a few days ago. I was brought back from my thoughts but the voice again.

There stood my roommate, Kelsey holding a cake and smiling at me. Today is my birthday. I didn't even remember. I sat up from the bed and tried to manage a smile, my own family doesn't even remember my birthday. Right, I don't have a family.

"Happy birthday Andrea." She wished me.

"Thank you so much for the wishes Kelsey, it means a lot," I said, still smiling.

"There's no need to thank my roomie! You should cut this cake quickly. Make a wish and blow the candles, come on." She urged me.

I closed my eyes and made a wish. Then I opened them and blew the candlelight.

"Yay! Happy birthday!" She cheered me on.

She gave me a knife to cut the cake and took pictures with it. We also took pictures together. Kelsey is a nice person, she has been good to me since I met her. My own family, well they chased me out.

I come from a very rich and popular family, but I am the stepdaughter. My father, Damien Hilary, married a witch since my mother died and all we've ever done is fight. Rosa always hated me, she would try to maltreat me and I would always retaliate. My father never believes me, just like all those stepmother stories I've read before. I never thought it would happen to me in real life.

Since I always fight my stepmother and step-sister, Emma, they told me to get out when I turned eighteen two years ago. On my birthday actually. They told me it was high time I got out and looked for a job. I had to use my savings to find this apartment.

Kelsey was looking for a roommate so, here I am. Though my mother's share of the assets is with my father, I don't have the money to get a lawyer yet. Rest assured, I will get one once I've saved enough. I'm going to get back at Rosa and her daughter Emma.

"Do you plan on going out today?" Kelsey asked me.

I shook my head, "Where am I supposed to go? You saw it right? My boyfriend of three weeks broke up yesterday and said I was too toxic. But I think what he was avoiding was getting me a gift on my birthday. He could come back a few days later to apologize."

"You're right about that. Those men are scumbags! How about we go out tonight and celebrate this further? We've both got work today, let's meet at night?" Kelsey suggested.

I nodded, "Sounds like a great plan. I can't wait to go out with you tonight then. Thank you, Kelsey."

I was able to make it to college thanks to my dedication and hard work. I started a few days ago and there is nothing unusual yet. I am more than excited to finally study real estate, which is my dream. I want to build my empire and completely ignore my father.

Kelsey has always been there for me since we are almost the same. The only difference between us is that both of her parents are alive, but none is ready to help in her education. Therefore we have to do everything on our own. You have to work hard and look for money to study at the same time. It's hard to survive but we are doing it. It's like we have no family, we are our own family.

My biggest concern now is getting my mother's assets from my father since he chose them over me. I would like for him to be fair but that will only continue to be a dream which I don't want to live in anymore.

"I made some food for us to eat and celebrate your birthday. You should get up and get ready to eat now. Do you have to go to work today?" Kelsey asked me, coming back into the room.

"We have to earn our keep. That's why I have to go to work. We can always celebrate later when we are free. You've got to go to college and work at the same time. It's not easy to ignore all that." I replied, getting up.

Kelsey sighed, "I guess. Let's go eat then, you still have an hour before preparing for work."

I nodded, "That's right. Thank you again for this Kelsey, you have no idea how much it means to me."

She smiled, "Come on Andrea. There's no need to thank me. I told you before, what are friends for? I know you will do more than this on my birthday. You're my family, after all, I should do whatever I can to make you happy. You've brought joy to my life enough that I can repay you."

I hugged her. We left the room and had the food she made. She took her time in making very delicious food, she's more of a great cook than I am. It's always good whenever she cooks. I am supposed to cook today, but I guess she made an exception because it was my birthday.

"This is so delicious Kelsey. You are the best." I commented.

She blushed, "Come on, you know I am nothing compared to what my mom can do. Though she doesn't consider me her child because I am going against her wishes and going to college."

"Yeah, but all that will change when you graduate and become the best lawyer in the country," I assured her.

"I hope I do."

***** LATER IN THE EVENING *****

I finished my shift at my job and made my way back home. I am going to a famous big club with Kelsey to get wasted. I can't wait to celebrate my birthday finally somewhere I can be happy for once. I dressed up and waited outside for Kelsey. I had to wait for her for a few more minutes in which she later came out all dressed up.

"Wow, Kelsey! You look so hot, I'm falling for you right now!" I complimented her.

"Don't be such a tease, Andrea. Let's go or we will miss out on all the fun at the club." She pulled me out, and I laughed.

We got to the front of the club after getting down from the cab. A lot of people including the rich and famous people are here. They always have a VIP section so people like us don't bother them.

"Let's go get wasted!"