Chapter 40

That night, Andrew had a dream. That dream was very long and very realistic. As if he really experienced it himself. In that dream, Andrew can see himself befriending a little girl who was standing proudly beside her brother. It was Rhianne. He was trying to get close to that girl. And in just a few minutes, Andrew succeeded befriending that girl. He was following his mother's orders. She was a woman who will do anything just to be a part of high society. She was a woman who loves money and fame. As her son, Andrew obediently followed her orders. Unfortunately for his mother, she died in a car accident. But his mother's words were still lingering in his head. 'Steal other people's fortune.' 'You should become the most powerful.' 'Hurt other people if that what it takes for you to achieved your goals.' 'You should always be on top! Never let those people dragged you down!' That is why he decided to pursue her mother's original plans and tried to get close to Rhianne. The Cartel family is well-known in high society. They have a lot of business not only in their city but also in abroad. Because of that, they were considered as one of the richest and powerful families in their city. After their first meeting, Rhianne always demanded to meet with Andrew. Though she was sweet and kind, Rhianne was also a little proud princess. Maybe because she is a pampered little miss of the Cartel family. But Rhianne treated Andrew so well. In just a few weeks, she was more close to Andrew than to her own brother. In truth, it was all because of Andrew. He was taking advantage of his position as Rhianne's friend to manipulate her ways of thinking. He was feeding her false information. He told Rhianne that she will be disposed of by her family because she was stupid and a good for nothing daughter of the Cartel family. Her brother was more brilliant than her so they will surely choose Francis in the future. At first, Rhianne was doubting her friend. But after more persuasion, she believed him in the end. Rhianne was way more innocent and naive that Andrew can easily manipulate her ways of thinking. He also knew that Rhianne trusted him the most. At school, Rhianne was always with Andrew all the time. She has no other friends aside from Andrew. There were two reasons for it. First, their classmates do not like her proud attitude. Second, it was because Andrew was secretly spreading more rumors so their classmates will hate Rhianne and make sure that no one will dare to become close with her aside from him. Their relationship continued until they became adults. Andrew told Rhianne that she is the only girl he loves. After that, he courted Rhianne to show his 'sincerity' towards her. Of course, Rhianne believed him. In fact, Rhianne is in love with him. After a month of courtship, Rhianne and Andrew became a couple. But Rhianne's family were against their relationship. Maybe it was because they had already noticed his two-faced personality so they do not want Rhianne to be more involved with him. But for Andrew, they were already late. Rhianne had fallen deep in his trap a long time ago. When the Cartel family forced Rhianne to break up with Andrew, she became furious and mad towards her own family. She pushed them away while believing that they only wanted her to suffer. Rhianne even threatened them with her own life. Rhianne will kill herself if they still insist on breaking her up with her boyfriend. Of course, they were scared that Rhianne will do it. She is their most beloved daughter and a treasure for them. When they saw the seriousness in Rhianne's eyes, they reluctantly agreed to Rhianne's wishes. As long as Rhianne stopped hurting herself, then they will do anything for her. After that event, that was the start of Andrew's plan. He used the Cartel's reputation to make himself a part of high society. He used Rhianne to create more connections with those people who have a strong reputation. He continued doing it for a few months. When Andrew achieved a stable position in high society, he can finally execute his plans. He devised a plan to kill Rhianne's parents. After that, he secretly pushed all the evidence towards Francis. After a few investigations, Francis was sent to jail and was branded as a murderer of his own parents. Rhianne was the only one left to manage their business. But she did not know how to do it. She was lost on what to do next. That was when Andrew entered the scene and offered his help. Rhianne quickly agreed with Andrew and asked him to manage the Cartel's businesses while she was trying some ways to help her brother. Andrew asked Rhianne to signed some documents under the pretext that he needed her signature to make a better plan for their businesses. Rhianne never once doubted her lover and signed the documents without even reading the content of it. In just three months, a lot of things had changed. Andrew changed all the maids in the Cartel mansion. These maids never treated Rhianne as if she was not the mistress of this mansion. They either ridiculed her or ignored her orders. Even if Rhianne threatened them, they continued their bad treatment towards her. It was already late when Rhianne realized what was truly happening in her surroundings. She was branded as a madwoman in the society. She also discovered that Andrew is now the new owner of their businesses. Those papers she signed before were legal documents stating that she will transfer the Cartel's properties to Andrew Gartin. The worst part of it, she discovered that it was Andrew who truly killed her parents and send her brother to jail. When Rhianne confronted him, he admitted all of his sins to her. Andrew told him that he also did not love her. Not even once. The only one he truly loves is Donna, the girl who was also one of Rhianne's friends in high society. After that, he also killed Rhianne and make it looked like she killed herself because of depression. After that, Andrew spent his life in riches. But that was only for a short time. That is because someone defeated him in the business world. It was Keith Tristan Lancester. Keith became a powerful CEO after his father resigned from his position. The first thing he did after Keith became the CEO of their company was to take down the businesses of Andrew Gartin. And he only finished this task in just a month. Though Andrew tried to save his company, it was all useless. The first and last meeting of Andrew and Keith was when the police were arresting Andrew in his company. They were arresting him for murdering the Cartel couple and for killing Rhianne Cartel. There was also evidence and witnesses that's why Andrew cannot escape the law anymore. When Andrew saw Keith, he asked him why he was doing it. "Why are you doing this?! We never had a grudge with each other!" "That's right. But I am helping Francis to return all the things you stole from his family." Keith answered him. "And also..." Keith looked at Andrew for a second before he continued. "I wanted to take revenge for my friend's miseries and death." "What?" "Rhianne Cartel. If you did not know, she was my first friend." Afterward, Andrew was given sent to jail and spend his whole life in misery. There were people inside the prison who tormented him. They mostly used Andrew as a punching bag and left him full of bruises and broken bones. Before he lost his life, Andrew remembered the girl who used to worry about him before. She was always worried about him all the time. She sincerely gave her love and trusted him the most. Although she was foolish most of the time, he knew that her love for him was true and sincere. "Rhianne..." He murmured in a soft voice before he closed his eyes. Upon waking, Andrew was drenched in his own sweat although it was very cold that night. Cold sweat was dripping down from his forehead. Andrew took a few deep breathe first before massaging his temple. After that, he gets up from his bed to change his shirt. When frowned Andrew saw himself in the mirror. He can vividly remember every detail in his dream. He saw himself doing those things and he cannot do anything to stop it. The worst part of his dream was the things he did to hurt Rhianne. After all the things she did for him, he paid her love and kindness with miseries, grudges, and lies. In the end, he even killed her with his own hands. Fortunately, it was all a dream. While Andrew was washing his face, his phone suddenly beeps four times. When he checked his phone, he saw four messages. Three messages came from Keith while the other one came from Rhianne. Andrew read Keith's messages first. 'Good morning, Andrew! This is Rhianne! I am just messing up with Keith's phone. It's because he stole the chocolate in my bag!' 'Wait. It was still midnight there, right? Sorry to disturb your sleep!' 'Goodnight, Andrew! Talk to you later!' Then Andrew read Rhianne's message next. 'Do not reply to Rhia's messages. She is just having a tantrum right now.' It turns out that Rhianne was using Keith's phone and Keith was holding Rhianne's phone. Andrew can only shake his head because of these two. It's been six months since he last saw them, but those two were still close as ever. He decided to give Rhianne a reply later and put his phone back on the side table. Laying down on his bed, Andrew still cannot erase the details of his dream on his head. It was too realistic as if he really did those things. Then he thought of Rhianne's ending in his dream. Is he really that bad and stupid to kill the only person who loves him the most in that dream? When he first met Rhianne, he already knew that she was wary of him. She was obviously avoiding him as if he was a snake. Though he can still approach Rhianne sometimes, Andrew can still notice her wariness towards him in her eyes. But still, he keeps on approaching and observing her from afar. It was already late when Andrew learned that he has feelings for Rhianne. Andrew discovered his own feelings for her when he showed her the last painting his sister made before she got admitted to the hospital and died. Rhianne mentioned that she does not know anything about art. But he got surprised when Rhianne understood the hidden meaning of his sister's painting. That was the time when Andrew does not want to involve anyone with his own problem, especially Rhianne. Andrew was aware that his mother wanted to use him for her own benefit. And to achieved her goals, she wanted him to use Rhianne and her family to have easy access to the high society. And Andrew does not want it to happen anymore. So he did the right thing. Andrew did not follow his mother's orders anymore and readied himself to be separated from her. He wanted to have control over his own life. He does not want anyone to dictate the things he needs to do in the future. Even if it was his own mother. Andrew wanted to thank Rhianne for it. Because of her, he finally realized that he was doing the wrong things all this time. She was the reason why he saw the real picture of his situation. Because of her, Andrew finally made a choice to change his fate. Andrew still likes Rhianne. But he chooses not to pursue her. It is because Andrew knew that she had already a person who was willing to protect her in every situation. Even if Andrew tried to pursue Rhianne, he knew that he will just fail in the end. It was already enough for him to be her friend and see the girl he likes smiling all the time. Before Andrew fell asleep, he sincerely wished for Rhianne's happiness and good fortune in this life. SPECIAL ###Chapter A few months after Andrew left Finrel City, the relationship between Keith and Rhianne remained the same. They are still a pair of inseparable teenagers that everyone knows. If someone sees Rhianne outside, always expect that Keith is also nearby. Both of their parents have no problem with it. Their families are on good terms and they are supportive of their children's friendship. The Lancester couples often tell their youngest son to take good care of Rhianne. Not only because Rhianne is a fragile girl but also she is the precious daughter of the Cartel family. Since Keith is a bit older than Rhianne, then he should become a big brother to her who treats her like his own younger sister. Keith cannot believe his ears when he first heard those words. His parents want him to treat his crush as his younger sister. And the worst part of it, his parents told him those words right in front of his older brother! As expected, when Calvin heard those words, he spat the cold coffee he was drinking at that time on his face and laughed so hard as if his lungs will explode any time soon. Calvin kept on repeating the words 'younger sister' on Keith's face until his patience ran out and tackled his brother on the floor. Still, the teasing smile on Calvin's face did not disappear. He even told his little brother that Rhianne is probably seeing him as her younger brother too although he is older than her by a few months. Anyway, Keith told his parents to stop telling him to treat Rhianne as his younger sister. Keith also added that he can never treat her like a younger sister. At first, the Lancester couple is confused with their youngest son's words. But they soon get the meaning of his words by just observing Keith's reddening cheeks and Calvin's breathless laughter. His mother had already anticipated it. In just one glance, she knows that her youngest son has a deep affection for that little girl. But that's alright. Rhianne Cartel is such a cute and sweet girl. She is also a caring person in her son's life. But his father has a different reaction to it. While staring at Keith with a sympathetic look on his face, he patted his son's shoulder and told him to be brave in the future. When Keith asked him the reason why, his father told him a story about Rhianne's father. Eugene Lancester already know Tim Cartel since they were still college students. He is a person who takes his job seriously. He is a strict boss to everyone. But he is also fair to his employees especially to those who are dedicated and passionate about their work. When the news spread that his wife was pregnant with their second child, everyone congratulated Tim Cartel and sent their good wishes for the couple. Their close friends know how much they wished to have a second child. And after a few years of endless efforts, their prayers are finally answered. And after nine months, Carmie gave birth to a baby girl. A year after Carmie gave birth to their daughter, the Cartel family held a two-day celebration to welcome the new member of their family. That was also the time when everyone saw Tim Cartel acting like a different person. Instead of his stern and serious persona, they all witnessed how he carefully carried his little daughter in his arms. He even personally held the milk bottle in his hand and carefully helped his daughter to drink her milk. Tim does not mind whether a few drops of milk formula was staining his expensive suit or if the baby in his arms was playfully pulling his hair. Instead, he patiently dealt with his baby daughter by teasing her until she showed him a smile. There were also times when Tim will talk in a baby voice just to see his baby daughter laugh. That was Eugene's first time to see his friend acting like that. Although he already witnessed how Tim cares for his eldest son, the way he carefully held his little princess was full of gentleness. It really shows how he treasures his daughter so much. Although Eugene has a baby boy waiting for him in their home, he still cannot imagine himself being too much of a hands-on father to his youngest son. The most extreme pamper that he gave to Keith was lifting him in the air while running around their mansion. And that was also the time when his wife scolded him for being a reckless father. But from that day on, everyone who is associated with Tim Cartel knows that he treasures his daughter a lot. Some businessmen who also have their own daughters can completely understand him. In the eyes of these doting fathers, their little daughters are the little princesses that they need to love and protect. But there were also a few businessmen who wants to take this golden opportunity to be connected with the Cartel family. Eugene can still remember that on the same day, there was this businessman that approached Tim who was busy teaching his daughter how to speak. At first, there was nothing wrong with him since he congratulated Tim for having a cute daughter. They also exchanged a few pleasantries after that. When that businessman thought he already made his presence known to Tim, he quickly talked about his son who is five years older than Rhianne. That businessman told Tim they can make their children meet in the near future and let them become friends. Maybe because he did not notice the darkening mood of Tim at that time, the businessman continued conveying his so-called plan to him. He even plans to make an early engagement between their children and merge their family businesses after their wedding. And since they are going to be in-laws soon, he started being too friendly with Tim that night. And that was probably the biggest mistake that man had ever made in his life. While he was happily building the future of their children, he did not notice the 'future' that Tim was brewing in his mind for him. The next day, Tim Cartel put an end to their business partnership and stop investing his money in that businessman's company. He even banned them from their possible transactions in the future. When everyone heard what happened, they can only let out a sigh and pity that businessman. They all thought Tim Cartel did that because he dares to act too close with him and even planned to marry his son to Rhianne Cartel. But that was only the partial reason why Tim Cartel did that. Eugene knows that his friend does not like it when other people forced themselves not only on him but on his family. As a person who has a high status in their city, it is already given that a lot of people will try their best to please them in any possible way. No one can understand the true power that money and reputation hold except for them who are considered sitting on the top. Tim does not like it when people are obviously approaching them for their own gain. And he hates it the most when people start bothering his family because of their greediness. As for his children, Tim never plans to use his children to expand his business or to arrange their marriages in the future. Despite the rumors that Tim is a strict and ruthless person in the business world, he is actually a sentimental man who truly loves his family. As long as the person they choose to marry is someone who they truly love, has a good character, and will love them with all their heart, then that is already enough for the Cartel couple. They will never force their children to marry a random person for their own gain. What they want for their children is to experience love and cherish that feeling in their hearts. Of course, it does not mean he will not evaluate the people who dare to approach his children especially his beloved daughter. Francis is already old enough to know the intention of those people around them. But that is not the case for his daughter. In his eyes, Rhianne is still young who does not know the cruelty of this world. As much as possible, he wants to let his daughter enjoy her life until she is ready to face the world and spread her wings. Before leaving, Eugene sincerely gives Keith his blessing to pursue the Cartel's little princess. Knowing his friend, Eugene knows very well that Tim will not give any leeways to his son even if they are friends. If Keith is really determined to pursue that little girl, then he can only support him and give him a lot of encouragement. But Eugene reassured his son that as long as he show his sincerity, then everything will go well for him.