Never Judge

"You know, it's an issue between the Abads, the Chans, and their children. I know they are your friends but don't get thrown into the fray too much." Emilio Reyes advised his son without even looking.

"I'm only doing as you did dad." Cedric teased. He knew from stories that his father had tried but failed, in the past to help his friends in stopping arranged marriages.

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When Cedric got to the guest house he saw Veronica organizing the maids to help her unpack.

"How long did you think you were going to stay?" Cedric asked.

"As long as it takes!" Veronica stubbornly said.

"Cedric Reyes, you will not send my friend away." Ayanna's mad voice said as she barged into the guest house.

"Relax Ayanna, I'm not sending Veronica away." Cedric said in a calm voice.

"Ayanna! You came." Veronica said as she hugged her friend.

"Of course. I told Ray to get me a plane back home as soon as you called yesterday." Ayanna told Veronica.

"Adrianna will pass by later, don't you dare stress her out, she's pregnant. I'm going with Miguel later when he meets your parents for lunch." Cedric said as he left the girls to talk.

By the time Cedric got to his office at Mor Co. Miguel was already pacing around.

"You need to calm down." Cedric said as he opened his laptop and sat down.

"How can I calm down? My future in-laws announced my engagement ahead of schedule and they all think my fiancé ran away!" Miguel said as he finally sat on the couch.

"First of all, you'll try to talk to them calmly. Ask them to move the wedding date, at least until you can maybe court Veronica. Second, just tell them you know where she is and that you will keep her safe. We have all known each other for a long time. There is no need to panic. The Abads are more understanding than you think, I hope." Cedric said as he reviewed the documents on this desk.

"And if they aren't?" Miguel asked.

"Then give Veronica the life you've always planned for her. It's not like you haven't been planning this since we were young." Cedric told Miguel.

"They weren't even supposed to tell her about the arranged marriage!" Miguel was frustrated with Victoria and Benedicto Abad for failing to abide by the conditions Miguel had initially agreed to.

"I can't blame them. No one was sure if Veronica would fall for you." Cedric said with a shrug.

"I was getting there, then they told her. Now she hates me as much as she hates them." Miguel complained.

"At least she can't say you lied to her. You never had the chance to lie." Cedric told Miguel.

"Has Ram contacted you?" Miguel asked.

"Nope." Cedric said as he continued to work.

"I don't even know which side he's gonna take." Miguel said worriedly.

"Ram has his own battles to fight within that family. Don't let this change your perception of him." Cedric said.

"I know, I know. Ah speaking of Ram, here he is calling." Miguel said, waving his phone. Miguel stepped out to take Ram's call.

After several minutes Miguel stepped back in with a smile.

"I'm guessing Ram decided to side with you and Veronica?" Cedric asked upon seeing Miguel's reaction.

"Yup. I've told him to come over. Ray, Alexi, and Eric, will also be joining us." Miguel said.

Cedric let out a sigh and looked up at his friend. "I guess I'm not going to get any work done today." Cedric complained.

"We won't be a bother." Miguel said.

"I doubt that. Just having you here already has my attention split in half." Cedric complained.

Miguel could only shrug as he sat back down on the couch and played with his phone.

Cedric got an additional hour of peace before his friends began to arrive.

"So we're going in full force?" Ray said with a laugh.

"I doubt my parents will listen." Ram said with a deep frown.

"At least we tried." Eric said.

"What have the Chan family been saying about this?" Alexi asked Miguel.

"That the Abads were right to force the issue." Miguel said, shaking his head.

"They are so traditional." Ray said with a sigh.

The boys let Cedric finish his work, at 11:30 AM, wearing his Reyes Heir disguise, Cedric and the other princes marched out of Mor Co. and drove to Maharlika Hotel. The Abads had reserved a private room there to speak to Miguel.

Victoria and Benedicto Abad were surprised to see that Ram had arrived together with Miguel and the others.

"What is the meaning of this Ram?" Benedicto questioned his son.

"I'm just accompanying my friend." Ram calmly answered.

"Uncle Benedicto, why don't we take a seat and talk calmly." Miguel suggested.

The elder couple nodded and sat down, the boys followed suit and took their seats as well. Since the Abads had not expected all of them, additional chairs had to be brought in.

"Uncle Benedicto, Auntie Victoria, I'd like to ask for the chance to delay my marriage to Veronica for a little while longer." Miguel asked in a calm and charming tone. Among the five princes, Miguel had the most charming and alluring personality. Most elders could never refuse him when he asked for something.

"You've asked for too many extensions Miguel. Most arranged marriages would have been completed by now! You and Veronica are not getting any younger. This marriage must happen soon." Benedicto Abad told Miguel.

"Dad, you can't force them. Plus Veronica is missing right now. You can't have a marriage without a bride." Ram complained.

"Of course we can. We can arrange for a marriage certificate without Veronica being there." Benedicto said, crossing his arms.

"Uncle, that would be unfair to both Veronica and myself. It is still our wedding." Miguel said calmly.

"I may not know where my daughter is right now. But I'm sure one of you six would know. She probably sought refuge with a friend. I've also spoken to your family Miguel, they too are all for this wedding to happen, and soon." Benedicto told Miguel.