Never Judge



"It's done." Al said over the phone as Angelo loaded their bags into a cab they had hailed.

"I still don't understand how effectively you can deal with torture and disposing the evidence." Angelo groaned as they checked and made sure they had everything. "Weren't you the son of you know who? Shouldn't you be used to just ordering people around?"

Al chuckled and shook his head.

It amused him how people thought he couldn't get his hands dirty and do the job.

"My father always believed that the leaders should be able to do even the dirtiest and smallest jobs." Al explained as he thought of his father.

Al couldn't help but feel guilty about what he had done. 

He knew that his father was probably using every resource in his power to get to the bottom of Al's death. 

Raymond Lawrence was probably not allowing himself to properly grieve his son's death until he got revenge.

"People are more likely to respect their leaders if they can do what they do and understand the lives they live." Al pointed out as he slammed the trunk shut. 

He looked back at the apartment building. 

They might have only lived a week in that place but it had already grown on him.

"We are never coming back here, are we?" Angelo asked as he stood next to Al.

"In about a month's time Capital city will be shaken by a scandal." Al said as he painted a picture to Angelo. "A young actress, brutally murdered by her brothers."

"But I thought her brothers are with your father's people?" Angelo asked, confused with how Al planned to execute his plan. 

Al grinned and nodded.

"Things have been arranged." Al simply answered as he got into the cab and they drove off to the airport.

A few hours later, the pair landed in China.

"Do you know where we are going?" Angelo asked as he looked around. The airport was much larger than that which they had at home. 

"I do, my uncle Guan Ming sent someone to meet us." Al said, grinning as he recalled his last call with his cousin, Eric.

Two days ago. . .

"It's all set." Eric told Al over the phone as he whispered, careful that no one else would overhear their conversation.

"Thank you." Al responded to his cousin. "I know that my dad will be furious at you when he finds out."

"And when do you think he will find out the truth?" Eric asked as he mentally prepared himself for the confrontation with his uncle.

"If Uncle Ming acts like Uncle Miguel, my dad will find out as soon as Uncle Ming lays eyes on me." Al frowned as he thought of all his plans going up in smoke because of how much his family cared.

"And if Uncle Ming doesn't?" Eric questioned. 

"Then we can proceed as planned and hopefully in a few months I'll be home with Cara pissed off at me for lying." Al chuckled.

In the past he would have been annoyed if Cara or his mother scolded him, but now he missed it. 

He couldn't help but dream of the day when his mother and the woman he loved would scold him. 

"Do you really think you can settle this matter in a month?" Eric asked.

"I can and I will." Al told his cousin. "I don't plan on allowing my siblings to suffer the pressure of my death for too long. I don't want my mom to continue mourning, and most of all, I want to be with Cara."

"Damn you're in love." Eric teased. "I'll be ready to welcome you home in a month then."

As Al blinked he was pulled from his thoughts. 

Angelo was nudging him with his elbow as he tried to get the other man's attention.

"What is it?" Al was clearly annoyed by Angelo's insistence.

"I think that's the person that's supposed to meet us." Angelo pointed towards a chauffeur that was holding up a sign that read 'Mr. Max Cortez'.

Al was wary at first, worried that it was a trap. 

He then realized that it was unlikely since no one knew who Max Cortez was aside from Guan Ming and his people. 

"Let's go." Al walked ahead as he pulled his luggage and Angelo pushed the cart behind him.

"Mr. Cortez?" The chauffeur was clearly profiling Al the moment he stepped up to him.

'He isn't an ordinary man.' Al thought to himself as he nodded, pretending not to notice the simple actions of the chauffeur.

"The boss asked me to take you to his office as soon as you arrived, this way please." The chauffeur said as he took Al's bags. 

'It seemed he thinks that Angelo works for me.' Al noticed.

"Could you help my brother instead?" Al wanted the man to realize that Angelo was not his subordinate.

"Ah, my apologies." The man said, clearly embarrassed by the fact that he thought Al was the boss.

Al was surprised to find a luxury sedan waiting out front for them.

The chauffeur opened the door and gestured for Al and Angelo to take a seat as he opened the trunk to load their bags.

As they drove off, Al couldn't resist the urge to ask the man some questions.

"Are we really going to Master Guan's office?" Al asked as he played the part of the eager guest.

"We are, Master Guan wanted to meet with you as soon as possible." The man replied with a nod as they entered the city. 

"Is Master Guan as intimidating as they all say?" Al had heard stories from his parents.

They said that his Uncle Ming was a kind man to the people he liked, but dangerous to those that offended him.

"He isn't someone you want to mess with." The chauffeur answered as he glanced at Al through the rear view mirror.

Al was about to ask another question, but the chauffeur spoke before he could.

"That's Guan Enterprises." The chauffeur said as he pointed at a cluster of buildings. 

"It looks more like a small city than just one company!" Angelo gasped. 

Even the Reyes Group did not hold a candle in size compared to Guan Enterprises. 

When the car drove up to the entrance of the building, several bodyguards rushed to shield Al and Angelo from the public eye.

'I wonder if they are here to protect us or to keep us in line?' Al thought as he climbed out of the car.

"I will take your bags to the residence Master Guan has prepared for you. I'll be here after you meet with him, sir." The chauffeur informed Al before driving off. 

Al looked up at the building before him and took a deep breath. 

This meeting would determine if he could continue going after Colin or not.