Never Judge

Cedric had noticed that Adrianna was too tired from their flight so he decided to let her sleep through dinner. The next day Cedric was up quite early and decided to wake his wife up for a walk in the garden.

"Adri, honey." Cedric said as he gently shook the woman next to him.

"Mmmm. What time is it?" Adrianna asked as she rolled over and cuddled with her husband.

"You know that this will make things worse for you, right?" Cedric asked as he let his hand wander around her body. "It's 7am." He gently told her.

"I want to sleep in." Adrianna complained upon hearing what time it was.

"You've been asleep for over twelve hours Adri." Cedric whispered into her ear, giving it a playful bite.

"No, no, no sex. Too tired." Adrianna said as she pushed Cedric away. 

"Get up or I'll make sure you stay in bed for the rest of our stay." Cedric threatened seductively.

Adrianna quickly sat up not wanting to suffer from the nasty plot her husband was brewing in his mind.

"I'm up. I'll take a bath." Adrianna said as she quickly rushed into the bathroom leaving a laughing Cedric in bed. 

After Adrianna was ready Cedric took her downstairs to meet Ace's parents and to have breakfast. As usual his aunt fussed over Adrianna and even invited her to go shopping later in the afternoon while Cedric was meeting with Jonathan Carpio.

"Auntie, I'd prefer if everyone stayed inside the compound or in the office while I'm meeting with the Carpios." Cedric told his aunt as they ate breakfast. "I don't want them attempting to harm any of you or using anyone as leverage in this deal. I don't have the same control or power here compared to back home."

"Of course Cedric. We'll do as you ask." His aunt humbly said, respecting what Cedric asked them to do. "Tomorrow then, we can go shopping with Cedric." She said happily as Adrianna agreed. 

"I'll come along auntie." Katerina said with a smile. Katerina knew that Cedric would feel better if she tagged along, if things got bad Katerina could protect herself and her companions. The Sebastinas had made sure to train their children in case of an attack. 

"I'll take Adrianna for a walk before heading out." Cedric told his aunt and uncle as he stood up and offered his wife his hand.

Adrianna smiled and took his hand and the couple walked out of the dining room. 

"This compound was once owned by a Spanish duke, my grandfather bought it when he and grandma were on vacation here." Cedric said as he and Adrianna walked across the garden. "Dad told me that grandpa and grandma wanted to retire here at first, and well, they did, eventually." Cedric explained.

"It's beautiful here." Adrianna said as she looked around. "Our home is beautiful too, so is the Reyes mansion, but this place just feels romantic."

"It's the foreign air." Cedric teased as he held his wife's hand. "It's rare for us to have such a quiet moment." Cedric said with a sigh.

"I know. I'm sorry I've been very busy." Adrianna said apologetically. 

"Adri, it's not entirely your fault. It's my fault too." Cedric confessed. "And today I'll be going into a dangerous situation again. I know you don't like it when I do things like this, but I have to do this Adrianna." Cedric said as he placed a hand on his wife's cheek.

"I understand. Just come home safe." Adrianna said as she placed a hand on his.

"I will, and Leon will be with me. When I come back we'll have dinner under the stars and tomorrow we'll go shopping with auntie and Katerina." Cedric said with a gentle smile. "I love you Adrianna. I love you with all my heart."

The couple spent the rest of the afternoon walking around the compound, Cedric pointed out some of his favorite places as a child as well as areas where he planned to build some houses for the rest of the family so that everyone could have their own place to call home in Spain.

It was already 11 o'clock when the couple returned from their stroll. Cedric changed into something a little bit more formal before having a driver take him to the Reyes Group's office. 

When he got to the basement parking, Ace was waiting for him with Dave and Leon.

"You're men are very effective, cousin." Ace greeted Cedric. "Are you nervous?" The young man asked.

"It's just a meeting. Not a big deal." Cedric said with a shrug as he fixed his coat.

"I had extra men position themselves in and around the cafe where you will be meeting Jonathan Carpio." Ace told him with a straight face, gone was the usual bubbly smile, he looked like a real leader and businessman at the moment. "I'm sure the Carpio family has also set up their own precautions so I decided to help you, even if you didn't ask." Ace said proudly.

"Thanks Ace." Cedric said with a nod.

"I have several vehicles on standby including a medical van, I asked Miguel to be there as well." Ace explained.

"Veronica didn't get mad at you about it?" Cedric asked with a raised eyebrow. 

"She wasn't happy, but she's upstairs right now with Katerina who is dealing with some work." Ace told his cousin. "Cedric, be careful." Ace said as he looked at Cedric worriedly.

"Don't worry Ace, this is just a discussion, all words no action." Cedric said in an attempt to reassure and calm the younger man. "I only have a few questions and I won't be offensive, so don't worry ok?" 

"The Caprios have not always been clean in their dealings with us." Ace said with a sigh. "We've already lost several relatives to them, why do you need to go there yourself?"

"Because if I don't we won't get the answers we need. Have faith in me Ace." Cedric said with a stern look. 

Ace simply nodded.

Cedric bid his younger cousin goodbye as he went up to the main lobby. The employees didn't pay him any extra attention since they all assumed that he came with the head office delegation and was merely an office worker. 

Cedric and Dave hailed a cab while Leon took a different one. He was going to watch Cedric from a distance. 

"Dave, if things turn bad, I want you to run and leave." Cedric told Dave.

"Sir, I can't do that." Dave told Cedric.

"The Carpios will not go after you, they will know by now that you come from an important family as well, they wouldn't dare go against more than one family." Cedric explained.

"You knew sir?" Dave asked.

"Yes, it was Ian and I that first came to help your brother." Cedric confessed. 

"Thank you sir." Dave said as the cab drove away toward the meeting point.