Never Judge

"Did that woman really save you from embarrassment?" Alexi asked as he watched Cedric come back with flowers to thank Selina.

Cedric nondded. "She did." They were currently in Ian's car with Alexi in the back seat and their security teams at a distance. 

They decided to get to know Selina Ramirez by having Cedric thank her and take her out to dinner. They were planning to trick her into showing her true colors while she was having dinner with Cedric.

"Didn't she ask how you got her contact details? I mean that's creepy." Alexi pointed out.

"I'm an assistant to the Reyes Heir. We have our ways." Cedric said with a wink as Ian drove them towards SR Designs. 

"Really? Do you think that explanation is enough?" Alexi asked.

"It works every time." Ian said as he continued to drive. When they got to the building where SR Designs Cedric got off the car while Ian and Alexi drove off. 

When Cedric arrived at SR Design's floor the receptionist led him to Selina's office at the end of the hall. 

"Mr. Cedric, she's waiting for you." The male secretary said as he led Cedric in.

"Ah, Mr. Cedric Reyes." Selina greeted as she approached and extended her hand.

Cedric took it and shook her hand. "Miss Selina, I hope you didn't find it creepy that I could find your contact details." Cedric said with a grin.

"I wouldn't expect anything less from one of the Reyes Heir's men." Selina said with a smile. 

"I wanted to treat you to lunch as a thank you for helping me out last time." Cedric nodded.

"Yes, you did mention over the phone. I'll happily accept." Selina agreed and walked over to her desk to grab her things.

"Would you prefer to take a cab or your car? Unfortunately mine is at the shop, it broke down recently." Cedric explained.

"Let's just take my car." Selina said with a sweet smile. "Where are you planning to take us?"

"Constellations just opened a new restaurant in one of it's top floors. I made a reservation." Cedric said as he held the door for Selina as they walked out. 

When they arrived at the restaurant Cedric and Selina were led to a reserved table, unknown to Selina, Alexi and Ian were walking behind them. Ian was wearing casual clothes and sat with his back turned on Selina. 

"Mr. Cedric I was honestly embarrassed when I found out who you were." Selina admitted after they had finished ordering.

"Why? I'm just an assistant." Cedric said nonchalantly. 

Selina let out a gentle laugh. "I'm not as foolish as that couple. I know that assistants of people like the Reyes Heir or his friends are more powerful than they seem." 

Cedric smiled. "Is that why you accepted my invitation to have lunch?" Cedric asked, he was trying to trick Selina.

"I'll be honest Mr. Cedric, a part of it yes. I want SR Designs to partner with the Elisia Malls." Selina confessed. 

"Then you know what my new position in the group is?" Cedric asked.

"I would be lying if I said I didn't." Selina said as she leaned forward. Cedric was about to tell Selina how he would look into influencing the partnership when she said something he didn't expect. "I'm not trying to bribe you Mr. Cedric. I just want a chance to present my company to Miss Ayanna. I don't want special treatment, I got this far without it and I don't plan on getting any." 

Cedric placed his hand on his chin and considered what to say for a minute. Behind Selina he could see Alexi glaring at him, the man was clearly biased.

"From what I know, your family is quite familiar with the Sebastians, why not ask Miss Katerina to speak to Miss Ayanna for you?" Cedric asked.

Selina let out a laugh. "This is embarrassing, but I have a past with the Sebastian siblings. And I've only spoken to Miss Katerina a few times." Selina said with a shrug.

Alexi continued to glare at Cedric from his seat.

"Alright, I'll arrange for a meeting." Cedric finally said. 

"Thank you, Mr. Cedric!" Selina said excitedly, her frosty demeanour suddenly melting as she acted like an excited highschooler.

"Might I ask, why not ask me to place the partnership among those that I assess?" Cedric asked.

"Well, for one, I don't think you are that kind of person. You wouldn't take bribes. The other being I don't give bribes. I've gotten to where I am by playing fair, and I don't plan on ruining my reputation." Selina said with much determination.

Cedric quickly took out his phone and sent a message to Ayanna, to which his sister quickly replied. 

"Miss Selina, if you aren't too busy after this Miss Ayanna would like to see your presentation. She has asked me to take you to R Tower. She said her brother will be there too, so you'll be hitting two birds with one stone." Cedric said with a smile.

Selina gasped, she didn't think that she would be able to get a meeting so soon.

'Seriously?????' Cedric saw Alexi message him.

'You're biased, she's not a bad person.' Cedric quickly replied.

'I trust my love.' Alexi replied like a love sick teen. Cedric ignored his message and continued to eat.

"Would you know if Miss Ayanna would look down on me for my past interactions with the Sebastian siblings?" Selina asked Cedric. It was clear she was worried that this stain would affect her opportunity. 

"Miss Ayanna is fair, and I'm sure whatever your past interactions with the Sebastians, it can't be that bad." Cedric said with a shrug.

"It's too complicated." Selina said, shaking her head.

"Maybe some transparency will help?" Cedric suggested.

Cedric could see that Selina was hesitating, she wasn't sure if she should tell Cedric or tell Ayanna later. Eventually she let out a sigh and spoke.

"My family and the Sebastians go way back, our dads are friends. A long time ago, the Sebastians came over in the hopes of changing Alexander's, ummmm… ways." Selina said with much hesitation.