Never Judge

The Gizmo Awards were the most prestigious tech awards in the country, everyone who was anyone in the industry usually attended. Of course, with the exception of Cedric Reyes, President and CEO of the Reyes Group and Mor Co.

This year however was poised to be different, somehow news had leaked that Mr. Reyes and his wife would be attending. All the major news outlets, the tabloids, and even entertainment and business bloggers came out to the event venue to wait for their arrival.

"I heard that Mr. Reyes and his Vice President, Miss Montero, had a falling out." A reporter said to the man next to him.

"Oh, and where did you hear that news?" The man asked as he gave a curious look.

"From a very reliable source." The reporter said with a grin. "I'm hoping to get confirmation on that rumor tonight."

"Good luck with that." A female reporter said with a laugh as she joined the pair. "Everyone knows that you will only get confirmation from the Reyes Group if it's something they want you to know."

"Well I'm sure I can trip him up with my questions." The reporter said with a laugh.

"Him?" The man next to him asked, confused as to whom the reporter was talking about.

"He means Mr. Reyes." The female reporter said, rolling her eyes. "And that's impossible, Mr. Reyes won't answer any questions on the red carpet unless it's planned. This guy is new, he doesn't know the rules." The woman said with a shrug.

"And you do?" The reporter asked as he eyed the woman.

"I know better than you." She said with a laugh. "Plus you wouldn't want to get into trouble with the Reyes Group. They are just too powerful." The female reporter said, shaking her head.

"Who are you even?" The cocky reporter asked as he lost his patience.

The woman smiled and laughed, she wasn't a popular reporter, she was relatively new to the industry, but she had a unique advantage compared to everyone else. She knew people inside.

"Jasmine Ortega, from Abad News Network." Jas said as she offered her hand for the man to shake.

"Nice try." The reporter scoffed at her. "Everyone knows Abad News Network doesn't hire newbies."

"No they don't." The man whom he had been boasting to suddenly said with a laugh. "If you are new and you got in, it only means one thing." The man said with a grin.

The reporter looked at the man, confused at what he was trying to say. This guy was just some random person standing around, that's why the reporter decided to chat him up, and now he was acting all confident.

"What do you mean?" The reporter asked the man.

The man grinned and laughed. "It means she's someone important, maybe as important as the people you want to interview. The only way in as a rookie is if someone asked the Abad family to let you in."

"Who are you even?" The reporter asked with a raised eyebrow as he looked at the man.

"I was just waiting for my boss, and for her." The man said with a shrug.

"What?" The reporter said as he was even more confused now.

"Boss asked me to hand this to you, Jas." The man said with a shrug as he gave Jas an envelope. "Oh, and Ian says hi." The man teased.

"Tell him to return my calls some time, Dave." Jas said with a grin.

The reporter may have been quite clueless, but those two names were enough for him to piece together a guess as to whom this Dave was.

He looked at the man next to him, wide eyed in shock.

"No, you can't be." The reporter said as he pointed at Dave.

Dave simply laughed.

"I'll make sure to warn my boss and Camilla about your plan." Dave teased. "Oh, and I wouldn't go against her." Dave said as he pointed at Jas.

"What why?" The reporter asked, still confused as to Jas' identity.

"You know who Ian Lim is right?" Dave asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah, we all know Ian Lim, just as we know the name Dave Lazaro." The reporter said, telling Dave that he knew who he was.

"Jas is his childhood friend." Dave said with a shrug, making Jas smile. Her past with Ian was something she did not want the media finding out about. "He personally asked Mr. Ramon Abad to hire her."

The reporter's jaw dropped in shock, he was speechless.

"What's in this?" Jas asked Dave as she held up the envelope he had passed, completely ignoring the once over confident reporter next to them.

"He just said to use it later." Dave said with a shrug.

"Why can't you tell me now?" Jas asked, placing her hands on her hips. "What's up with these rich and powerful men and being mysterious. No wonder he and Ian are best friends." Jas said, rolling her eyes.

"He?" The reporter asked.

"Yeah, he." Dave said with a laugh. "I think we all know that Mr. Cedric Reyes is a he." Dave teased, further embarrassing the reporter.

"You've spoken to Mr. Reyes?" The reporter asked Jas.

"Cedric and Adrianna and Nicole Chan, yes." Jas said with a shrug.

"Just do as he asks." Dave suddenly said. "Look I need to get back inside to work, so can you handle this?" Dave asked Jas.

"Yeah, yeah, next time tell Mr. Reyes and Ian to just give me a call." Jas said, rolling her eyes.

"Actually I forgot to meet up with you yesterday. Anyway, bye." Dave confessed as he left Jas and the reporter.

The reporter just stared at Jas, still in shock at the interaction. He had no idea how he had not recognized Dave Lazaro, all reporters knew to keep an eye out for Mr. Reyes' assistants, and yet the man was seated next to him and he didn't recognize the famous assistant.

"Don't feel too bad." Jas suddenly said with a laugh. "They like to fly under the radar like their boss. So they act quiet and humble and you completely miss out on them."

"Who?" The reporter asked.

"Cedric's assistants, who else." Jas said with a laugh. "Here, it's your lucky day." Jas said, handing the man a piece of paper.

"What's this?" The reporter asked.

"Questions that will change your career forever." Jas said with a grin. "I'll come find you after the whole event, and don't worry, Mr. Reyes will answer those questions." Jas said with a wink as she walked away.