Never Judge

It was already two in the morning by the time Cedric and Adrianna finished. Despite being exhausted Cedric woke up before 7 am the next day. He still had to go to Mor Co. and deal with some matters.

When he got down to eat breakfast his parents and Adrianna's parents were already having breakfast. Gracia was recounting Mark Chu's embarrassing episode to Priscilla and Emilio when Cedric joined them.

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"I'm assuming you dealt with it?" Emilio asked his son.

"Yeah. Ray and Ram helped me out. You know how it is dad." Cedric said as he ate a spoonful of rice.

"Where's Adri?" Gracia asked.

"Exhausted. None of you are to wake her up." Cedric said with a grin.

Emilio suddenly burst out in laughter at what Cedric said. He understood what his son meant while the other elders took a while to process why Adrianna was so tired. When it hit them Gracia was at a loss on how to react.

"Hurry up and give me grandkids Cedric. You've been married for years already. Gracia, do you want to come with me? Why don't we visit the traditional doctor to see if there is anything Adrianna can take to speed up the process." Priscilla said excitedly.

Gracia who had become Priscilla's constant companion nodded and agreed, still wearing her lost look.

"Mmmmm. Breakfast smells good!" Ayanna said as she came down the stairs.

"Ayanna, do you have any plans for the day?" Priscilla said in an attempt to bring her daughter along on their odd shopping spree.

"Yes mom. Ray is picking me up. We need to make a few public appearances." Ayanna said, picking up a piece of bread on the table.

"Too bad. I guess it's just us Gracia." Priscilla said with a smile.

After breakfast Cedric went up to their bedroom to check on Adrianna, just as he had expected his wife was still fast asleep, clearly exhausted. After everything they had gone through Cedric was quite determined to have a child.

After changing to his office clothes he left a note at Adrianna's bedside telling her that he went ahead to the office and that he had hired a driver just for her.

Due to the continued threat to his life, Cedric arrived in Mor Co. using his Maserati Levante which he had reinforced with a heavier body and bullet proof windows. Cedric had all the Reyes cars altered including those that his in-laws now used.

Cedric had even assigned a secret security detail for Charles and Gracia whenever they went out. However, recently Gracia was always with his mom so it was easier to ensure their safety.

At Mor Co. Cedric began work with multiple meetings, mostly on the expansion of Mor Co. into a bigger market and a new industry. Ian was always at the head of these meetings and Cedric took a back seat letting his friend and former secretary take the lead.

Ian excelled at the new responsibility Cedric had given him, based on their initial timelines it would take another year for Mor Co. to expand to the size Cedric wanted, but with Ian at the helm that time was cut in half. Cedric reviewed the plans repeatedly and found no flaws or major risks.

"Ian, at this rate dad will move me to the main office and I'd have to leave you here." Cedric teased as they ate lunch.

"Ced, I have no intention of letting you leave me behind at Mor Co. Your dad told me that wherever you were assigned I had to follow." Ian told Cedric.

"Be careful with your words Ian, people might start saying I'm gay, like Ray." At that the two men burst into laughter. They both knew it irritated Ray that people thought he was gay, not that they thought there was something wrong with it. Ray just felt that it weakened his chances with Ayanna.

While they were having their lunch Adrianna called Cedric up.

"Hey honey. Did you just wake up?" Cedric asked sweetly.

"Why didn't you wake me up? I'm supposed to have a meeting with Ray and the Chus later at 3pm. It's 12:30pm and I haven't even gone to the office yet." Adrianna was mad at Cedric for letting her sleep in.

"I tried. You were too tired. Maybe we shouldn't have done it so many times last night." Cedric teased over the phone.

"Then let's not do it on weeknights!" Adrianna said sternly.

"No, no. I promise to be gentler and kinder." Cedric said.

"I've got to go. I'll see you tonight. I love you." Adrianna said, dropping the call.

"You should bully your wife less." Ian said, shaking his head.

"Like you just give Nicole the cold version of you?" Cedric asked, teasing his friend.

"I don't have the luxury of dating. Women are only a distraction at this point." Ian said as he continued to focus on his food.

"Or is it because you're afraid of getting hurt?" Cedric asked. "You're twenty seven! Don't tell me you've never dated, because I know you have."

"They weren't serious. All just casual, and Nicole is serious material." Ian admitted.

"Do you like her or not?" Cedric asked.

Ian ignored Cedric's question and continued to eat.

Back at the office, just as Cedric sat at his desk Camilla came in with several papers for him to sign as well as a report on how badly Mark's wedding scandal affected Island's Inc.

"Sir, based on what we managed to gather, the wedding is still the talk of the town." Camilla said.

"Even among the employees, it's quite a hot topic." Ian added.

"What are they saying?" Cedric asked.

"Well, two things sir. They are talking about how even if Asia managed to worm her way into the Chu family with a pregnancy it's clear that Mark Chu won't be faithful. Then there is how Adrianna must have a powerful backer to get the Chus to apologize to her rather than to the bride." Ian said as he flipped through the report. Despite already heading the expansion team, it was in work like this that Ian excelled.

"I wouldn't want to be Asia right now." Camilla said, shaking her head.

"At least the backlash on Adrianna wasn't too much. Keep an eye on the news and on social media. I want my wife protected. If there is something you can't handle, call Ram's assistant. They already know the situation." Cedric instructed.

After signing all the documents Camilla had left, Cedric stood up and looked out the window. He could clearly see Island Inc.'s office. He smiled at the thought that his wife could also be looking out the window at the same time, looking back at him.