Never Judge

When Adrianna came back Cedric knew something was wrong.

"Did you tell her something?" Cedric asked his sister.

"I did, but it isn't that." Ayanna told her brother.

"Honey, what is it?" Cedric asked his wife tenderly.

"Amanda just called. Her family is coming over to the Capital to introduce her to her fiance." Adrianna explained.

"Who is Amanda?" Ray asked.

"Amanda is Adrianna's favorite cousin on the mother's side. The one that knows Tony Tamano." Cedric told Ray and the others.

"Oh right, I forgot you had relatives aside from the Hernandezes." Miguel said, scratching his head. "Arranged marriage, bummer."

"You're in an arranged marriage, idiot." Nicole reminded her older brother.

"But I've known V my whole life, and I love her." Miguel said as he winked at his wife who just rolled her eyes at him.

"Don't be so cold V. I promise to warm your bed tonight." Miguel said in an attempt to flirt with her.

"Grow up Miguel." Veronica scolded her husband.

"Does she even know who this person is?" Cedric asked his wife.

"She only has a name. Amanda left that province early so she didn't get to interact with the rich families there, she's more familiar with the Capital." Adrianna explained.

"Give me the name. I think I'll be able to find out more about this person." Cedric told Adrianna.

"Really? You can? How?" Adrianna asked.

"Are you really questioning the Reyes Heir's capabilities?" Ray asked his sister-in-law. "It's like questioning if the Reyes Group has money!" Ray teased.

"Ray, don't be a bully." Priscilla Reyes scolded her son-in-law.

"Mom's right Ray, don't tease Adrianna!" Ayanna joined in to scold him.

"Adrianna, don't worry, if Cedric doesn't have the resources, someone on this table will." Emilio Reyes said in an attempt to reassure his daughter-in-law. "There is very little that can be hidden from the people here."

Everyone agreed with Emilio Reyes' statement and all of them simply nodded in agreement, there was nothing more that needed to be said.

The next day Cedric decided to make a stop at the main Constellations Resort in the Capital, he had a friend to visit.

Cedric stood outside room 2501 and rang the doorbell.

"Wait a moment!" A voice from inside called out.

"I don't have all day." Cedric said in an annoyed tone.

"Cedric?" The voice asked from the otherside. "Wait, wait. I'm dressing up. Why are you here?"

"I really can't say it in the hallway, hurry up." Cedric urged.

After a minute Cedric heard the door unlock and it swung open. The man inside had clearly just woken up, his hair was a mess and he wore casual clothes.

"Couldn't you have called before coming over? And how did you even know I was in the Capital?" The man inside asked as Cedric pushed the door and walked in.

Outside Leon and another bodyguard stationed themselves on each side of the door, keeping watch for danger.

"Nice to see you too Tony." Cedric said with a grin. The man he had visited was Tony Tamano, according to records he had arrived at the Capital three days prior and Cedric had planned to give the man a visit. He wanted to enlist Tony into his inner circle. "I own Constellations Resort. Well I and a couple of friends." Cedric said with a shrug as he put the electric kettle on and boiled water for them.

"I should be the one doing that." Tony said as he tried to shoo Cedric away. "Coffee or tea?" Tony asked as he took out two cups.

"Coffee. I haven't had cheap coffee in a while, I kinda miss it." Cedric said with a shrug.

"So why are you here?" Tony asked as he prepared Cedric's drink.

"I need to know everything about someone in your province." Cedric told Tony.

Tony brought two cups of coffee to the table and sat across Cedric. "Who? And don't you have sources that can look for these things?" Tony asked as he blew on his cup.

"I need to know about the person's integrity and personality, no file can tell me that." Cedric said as he leaned back and looked out the window.

"Who is it?" Tony asked.

"Aiden Ortiz, Amanda Lobo will be engaged to him soon." Cedric explained. "I'm just looking out for my wife's cousin."

"Aiden is bad news. 100% rotten to the core." Tony said, shaking his head. "His family is rich in our province, they built almost every road, bridge, and building there. I guess it's only natural that they would try to build a relationship with the Lobo family. There are very few families richer or more powerful than them."

"Like you, you mean?" Cedric asked with a raised eyebrow.

Tony laughed and shook his head. "Yes Cedric, I guess you could say with your support the Tamano family is the most desirable in the province."

"So why didn't they arrange a marriage for Amanda with you?" Cedric asked.

"Because they've been trying to set me up with Adrianna, and Amanda is much younger than me, add to that the fact that they are embarrassed that Adrianna rejected me." Tony explained. "Tell Adrianna to save her cousin from the Ortiz boy, he's bad news."

"Well then that takes me to the second reason why I'm here." Cedric said as he took a bunch of photos from his pocket and handed it over to Tony.

When Tony picked them up and took a look he was stunned.

"How- Where?" Tony couldn't say full sentences. He was too shocked at the photos Cedric had given him.

"I'm guessing you met when you were chasing my wife?" Cedric asked with a laugh. "There is nothing wrong with your relationship Tony. Can you really stand idly and watch her marry someone else?"

"Does Adrianna know?" Tony asked.

"No, just me." Cedric said, shaking his head.

"Her family won't accept me." Tony said, shaking his head.

"They tried to set you up with their married niece, and your position in your province is much higher than it was before." Cedric reminded the man.

"It has nothing to do with my position. It's my age and my personal history. Don't pretend you didn't know." Tony knew that there was almost nothing you could hide from someone like Cedric.

"So what if you were married before, she left you, cheated on you, and passed away. You were even the bigger man when you adopted her daughter. In my books that's a responsible man." Cedric said as he took a sip of his coffee.

"Have you met the Lobo Family? Their gauge is way off. They were setting me up with a married woman who was happy in her marriage!" Tony said with a sigh.

"Come to dinner tomorrow. It'll be at Nouveau." Cedric said as he got up to leave.

"I'll think about it." Tony said as Cedric closed the door.