Never Judge

Alexi didn't need directions from Selina on how to get to her place, he had gone there several times over the years with his parents. He knew that every single time they brought him along they were hoping that Selina had come home and that they could re-introduce the two. 

Alexi found it quite funny since his parents didn't like arranged marriages, but they wouldn't hesitate setting him up with the daughters of their friends, despite his history. Some of the daughters ended up on his bed and gone a week after. 

"What's with the evil grin?" Selina teased. Alexi was happy that she was no longer awkward around him, she seemed to have adjusted to the idea of them becoming friends.

"I was just thinking about how desperate my parents were in the past for something like this to happen." Alexi said with a chuckle.

"Like this?" Selina asked in confusion. Alexi wasn't sure if she really didn't understand what he meant or she was simply pretending because she didn't want to misinterpret his words.

"My parents would go to your house often in the hopes that you had come home and we would become, um…. acquainted." Alexi explained. "Me dropping you off at home is like a dream come true to them."

"But it's not like that." Selina said shyly.

"I know, I know. Don't misinterpret." Alexi said quickly, although a part of him wanted her to misinterpret. 

"Well, here we are." Alexi's car slowed to a halt as they stopped at the driveway of the Ramirez mansion.

"Thank you." Selina said with a smile.

"Hey, will you be at the wedding?" Alexi asked.

"Of course. We are business partners with the Reyes Family." Selina said with a nod.

"Great, I'll see you then friend." Alexi said with a wink right before he drove off into the night. 

The week flew by very quickly, before anyone had realized it was the night before Ayanna and Ray's wedding ceremony. 

Alexi had decided to hang out at Cedric's office and play with Emilio who had recently become a permanent companion of Cedric in the office.

When Priscilla had come home from her trip and Cedric tried to leave Emilio at home the boy cried and threw a tantrum for the first time ever. He wanted to spend the day with his dad again.

Cedric had no choice but to bring his son to the office again. This went on for days until Cedric realized that Emilio wouldn't give in and wanted to go with him to the office.

"You know Emilio, one day you will have to go to an actual school and you can't stay with your dad all day." Alexi told the little boy.

"Then daddy will go to school with me." Emilio said proudly.

"This child is just too much." Alexi shouted back at Cedric with a laugh.

"You don't think my wife already tried that?" Cedric asked as he continued to focus on his work. "I have no idea why he likes coming over. All he does is sit in his corner." Cedric added.

"He probably just wants to spend time with you." Alexi explained. "Remember when we were younger and we wished our parents would spend time with us? This is Emilio's way of saying that to you."

"So have you decided if you're bringing Jen along to the wedding?" Cedric asked as he diverted the topic.

"It's not like I have a choice. If I don't bring her along she will get suspicious and we don't want that." Alexi said with a sigh. "I just feel like it will be awkward especially since Selina is there."

"The Ramirez and Reyes families do business together, plus Selina's SR Designs is one of the highlight shops at Pris Mall now. On top of that she helped design all of the gowns."Cedric said with a shrug.

"I'll have to pretend to still hate her." Alexi said with a frown.

"Have you sorted out your feelings then?" Cedric asked his friend. He knew Alexi was conflicted, but then now that Jen's true colors were showing he hoped Alexi would have a clearer image of how he felt.

"I don't dislike her." Alexi said. "I enjoy her company. I had fun last time we met up. It just felt right."

Cedric grinned and nodded. 

That night Cedric, Adrianna, and Emilio stayed at the old Reyes Mansion together with the rest of the family. As per tradition, Ayanna and Ray would be coming from their family homes and not from their Mountain View one. It was Adrianna's first time staying at the ancestral home so she was quite overwhelmed with the size of the place.

"It's practically a palace Cedric!" Adrianna exclaimed as their car entered the gates.

"Well, it's basically the Reyes Family's seat of power." Cedric said with a laugh. "If my parents had their way we would be living here as well. It's tradition that the eldest son lives at home and when he becomes the family head he will take on the master bedroom. I swear it's such an old time tradition, it annoys me. Plus I don't think you would be comfortable with it."

"Thank you." Adrianna said as she looked up lovingly at her husband.

"For what?" Cedric asked as their car pulled up in front of the grand doors.

"For thinking about how I would feel." Adrianna said with a smile. "I know it's not easy going up against our elders, but you still did so. Not just with this, but with revealing your identity. You've done so much for me, while I've done so little."

"Adri." Cedric said as he placed a hand on her cheek. "You've done more for me than you can imagine. You are my love, my life, you are my reason for being. You have not only loved me for me, but you have given me the smartest and cutest child in the world." Cedric looked to his son who was sleeping on his lap and smiled.

"Hiding my identity worked to our favor Adri. You are my lucky charm." Cedric said as he lowered his face and planted a passionate kiss on Adrianna's lips. He wanted the world to stop at this moment while everything was peaceful and happy.