Another Taste. This one came to me because I was thinking about another one of my stories... this one just happens to have been done before and thought Could I make it Jori. so I am making it Jori. Tell me what you think! ~S.K.

Prologue

Tori awoke to the shrill ring of her phone cutting through the early morning silence. She groggily reached for it, squinting at the screen to see her sister Trina's name flashing.

"Trina?" Tori's voice was thick with sleep and confusion.

"Tori, it's Dad. He's... he's dead," Trina's voice trembled, a mix of relief and sorrow evident.

Tori sat up abruptly, her heart pounding. "What? How?"

"Heart attack, last night," Trina replied, taking a deep breath. "Tori, you need to come back. You have to take over."

"Take over? Trina, you know I don't want any part of that dictatorship," Tori said, frustration creeping into her tone.

"Tori, listen to me," Trina's voice became urgent. "You're the only daughter he even talked to anymore. The only one who can take over without causing a power struggle. But you can change things, Tori. You can turn Yerba around."

Tori stared blankly at the ceiling, her mind racing. The idea of going back to Yerba and taking over the regime her father had ruled with an iron fist was something she had never wanted. She had built a life in the Maldives, away from the shadows of her father's tyranny.

Before she could respond, her daughter Sirrah appeared in the doorway, holding up her own phone. "Mom, it's all over the news. Grandfather is dead."

Tori's heart ached at the sight of her daughter's worried face. She motioned for Sirrah to come sit beside her on the bed.

"Trina wants me to come back to Yerba and take over," Tori said, her voice heavy with the weight of the decision. "She thinks I can change things."

Sirrah looked up at her mother, her eyes filled with determination. "You should do it, Mom. You need to do it fast before anyone else tries to take control. You can make a difference."

Tori felt a swell of pride at her daughter's resolve. She had raised Sirrah to be strong and compassionate, and now, it seemed, her daughter was offering her the same strength in return.

Taking a deep breath, Tori nodded. "You're right. Both of you. I'll go back. I'll do what needs to be done."

With a sense of purpose settling over her, Tori stood up and began to pack. The weight of responsibility pressed down on her, but she felt a newfound determination rising within. She would return to Yerba, not to continue her father's legacy, but to reshape it. To bring hope where there had been fear. And with her sister and daughter by her side, she believed she could succeed.

President Jade West sat in the Oval Office, the soft glow of her desk lamp casting shadows on the stacks of reports and briefings. She rubbed her temples, trying to ease the headache that had been building all day. The country was slowly recovering from the economic turmoil of the previous administration, and every day was a relentless push toward progress.

Her chief of staff, Helen, entered the room, her expression grim. "Madam President, there's breaking news. David Vega is dead."

Jade straightened in her chair, eyes widening in surprise. "David Vega? Are you sure?"

Helen nodded, handing over a freshly printed report. "Confirmed. Heart attack last night. We've been monitoring his health situation since intelligence picked up on his illness six months ago, but... well, some of the worst guys tend to beat the odds."

Jade scanned the report, the reality sinking in. Vega's sudden death could send shockwaves through Yerba. "I didn't think he'd be gone so fast."

Helen glanced at her watch. "The Joint Chiefs are assembling in the Situation Room. They're expecting you."

Jade stood, her mind already shifting gears. "Alright, let's go."

In the Situation Room, the atmosphere was tense. The Joint Chiefs sat around the large table, screens displaying live feeds and intelligence reports on Yerba. Jade took her seat at the head of the table, her presence commanding the room.

"Alright, everyone, let's get started," Jade began, her tone authoritative. "David Vega's death presents us with a unique opportunity. What do we know about the current situation in Yerba?"

General Matthews, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, spoke up. "Madam President, our intelligence indicates that Vega's death has left a power vacuum. His daughter, Tori Vega, is the most likely successor. However, she has been living abroad and has shown no interest in continuing her father's regime."

Jade leaned forward, considering the implications. "If Tori Vega takes over, there's a chance for significant change in Yerba. We need to be prepared to support any moves toward democratization. What are our immediate options to disrupt the regime and support a transition?"

General Rodriguez, the head of Cyber Command, chimed in. "We could initiate cyber operations to disable key elements of the regime's infrastructure, creating pressure for reform. Additionally, we can increase support for underground resistance movements that have been gaining momentum."

Jade nodded, her mind working quickly. "And what about diplomatic channels? Do we have any contacts within Yerba who could facilitate communication with Tori Vega?"

Secretary of State Adams replied, "We do have a few trusted contacts. If Tori decides to return and take control, we can reach out and offer our support. It's a delicate balance—we need to ensure that any intervention is seen as supportive, not as an imposition."

Jade's gaze swept the room, determination in her eyes. "This is a pivotal moment. We need to act swiftly but thoughtfully. I want a detailed plan for both cyber operations and diplomatic outreach on my desk by morning. We have a chance to help Yerba move towards democracy and stability, and we can't afford to miss it."

The room filled with murmurs of agreement as the officials began discussing the specifics. Jade leaned back in her chair, her thoughts briefly drifting to Tori Vega.

The sun was blazing down on the courtyard of Hollywood Arts, and the air buzzed with excitement. News had spread like wildfire that an Arab princess had bought her way into the prestigious art school, and every student was eager to catch a glimpse of this mysterious new arrival. Clusters of students milled around, whispering and speculating, their eyes fixed on the entrance.

Jade West stood at the edge of the crowd, arms crossed, her expression one of disinterest. "A princess," she muttered to herself. "How cliché."

The rumble of engines grew louder as the motorcade approached. Sleek black cars rolled up to the entrance, and the anticipation among the students reached a fever pitch. As the lead car came to a stop, a team of security personnel sprang into action, forming a tight perimeter around the vehicle.

All eyes were on the car door as it swung open. But to everyone's shock, the backseat was empty. The security detail erupted into a frenzy, scrambling to locate their missing charge.

"Great, a vanishing act," Jade sighed, turning on her heel to head back inside. As she walked away, the chaos behind her became a blur. The princess could play hide and seek with her security all day for all she cared.

Turning a corner, Jade spotted a girl standing by a blank locker, looking slightly out of place yet entirely self-assured. Her long, dark hair framed a face of striking beauty, and her eyes sparkled with mischief. Jade's breath caught in her throat. She knew immediately that this was the princess everyone was talking about.

She approached the girl, her curiosity piqued. "How did you slip past your security?" she asked, unable to keep the awe from her voice.

The girl turned, a slow, amused smile spreading across her lips. "That's my little secret," she said with a playful glint in her eyes.

"I'm Jade," she offered, trying to keep her cool despite the rapid beating of her heart.

"Tori," the girl replied, extending her hand.

The moment their hands touched, Jade felt a jolt of electricity. She knew she was in trouble. Tori Vega was not just a princess; she was the most captivating person Jade had ever met. In that instant, Jade fell hard, and she knew there was no going back.

"So, Tori," Jade began, a smirk playing on her lips. "What brings a princess to Hollywood Arts?"

Tori's smile widened. "Let's just say I'm here to explore my artistic side. And maybe cause a little chaos."

Jade laughed, feeling an instant connection. "Well, you've definitely started with the chaos part."

As they stood there, the world around them seemed to fade away. For Jade, this was the beginning of something extraordinary, even if she didn't fully understand it yet. All she knew was that she was drawn to Tori in a way she had never been drawn to anyone before. And she was determined to uncover every one of Tori's secrets, starting with how she managed to slip past her security.

But that was long ago…

Now here she was. The girl she had once known was now at the center of a potential turning point for an entire nation. She silently hoped that Tori would seize the opportunity to bring change to Yerba.

With a deep breath, Jade refocused on the discussion at hand. There was work to be done, and she was determined to see it through.