Never Judge

When Cedric woke up the next day, he made sure to first check on Dom.

The child was still fast asleep, Miguel had warned him before leaving that Dom's body would need to recover so he would probably end up sleeping most of the time.

As Cedric checked on Dom, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in." Cedric called out.

"Sir." Dave entered, bowing and placing a bag on the coffee table. "Mrs. Reyes asked me to bring you some clothes. I also drove over a maid who will keep Dominic company. She has also brought over dinner."

Cedric nodded his thanks and fished out some clothes from the bag.

When Cedric was done taking a bath, the maid had already laid out breakfast for him.

"You've eaten?" Cedric asked Dave as he took his seat.

"Yes." Dave said with a nod. "Your wife made me eat before leaving."

Cedric smiled at the thought of his wife making sure his assistant ate breakfast before leaving.

"What's your name?" Cedric asked the maid as she waited on Cedric and Dave.

"Abby, sir." The maid told Cedric.

"Okay, Abby. Did my wife tell you what you will be doing here?" Cedric asked the maid.

"She told me that I was to care for Dominic and to keep him company." Abby explained.

Cedric nodded, she wasn't wrong, but there were some things he wanted to make sure she understood before leaving for work.

"Dominic has been through a lot." Cedric said with a frown. "He was abused and beaten, so he isn't quick to trust others. There is no need to rush him or to be worried if he pulls away."

"Yes, sir." The maid said with a nod. 

"He needs to recover his strength, so he needs to eat, I need you to make sure of that." Cedric told the maid in a stern tone.

"The madam informed me of the diet that he needs to follow." The maid said with a nod.

"Good, I think that's all." Cedric said as he tried to think of what he needed to remind the maid about. "I would have wanted to be here when he woke up so that I could introduce you, but there are matters in the office that need my attention."

"I'll do my best, sir." The maid said as she handed Dave Cedric's bag.

"Don't be startled if he starts to panic when he wakes up." Cedric  said as he recalled how the boy behaved the day before. "He will be confused and afraid. Tell him Cedric sent you to watch over him."

"Yes, sir." The maid said with a nod as Cedric and Dave walked over to the door. 

"Make sure he eats his breakfast." Cedric reminded the maid right before closing the door.

"Yes, sir." The maid said with a nod as Cedric and Dave left. 

The whole day Cedric couldn't help but think about Dominic. The child was so young and yet it seemed like he had to go through so much. 

"Any development on the investigation?" Cedric asked Ian as he arrived in Cedric's office. 

The day was already ending and Cedric was getting anxious.

"Which investigation?" Ian asked with a laugh.

"Dominic's, on the school?" Cedric asked in an annoyed tone. 

Ian laughed at Cedric, clearly he had a lot of emotions invested in the child.

"Just adopt the kid." Ian teased as he placed a folder on Cedric's table. "You know well enough that this is the reason I came over." 

Cedric picked up the file and skimmed through it quickly.

"These are a lot of accusations." Cedric said as he placed the files back down on the table. "How did you get them so fast?" Cedric asked.

"Dave, Helios, and Selina helped us out." Ian said with a shrug. "It seems that not everyone who graduated from that school is on board with their traditions."

"Is this enough?" Cedric asked, pointing at the folder.

"Katerina said it would be easier to prosecute if Dominic was willing to take the stand." Ian explained. 

"Let's see how it goes." Cedric said with a nod. "Eric will be helping me talk to Dom later."

"Well that's it for the day I guess." Ian said with a shrug.

"I seriously have no more work?" Cedric asked Ian in surprise.

"Yeah." Ian said with a laugh. "Adrianna and Ayanna demanded that we lessen your work."

"Don't lessen it to a level where the company's progress will be at stake." Cedric told Ian in a more serious tone.

"It won't." Ian said with a nod. "Don't forget about the Gizmo Awards tomorrow night." 

"I won't." Cedric said with a nod.

Cedric got up and left.

"Sir." Dave said, quickly chasing after Cedric. 

"Yes Dave?" Cedric asked.

"Can I come along to visit Dominic?" Dave asked in a shy tone.

"Of course. Do you have any work left for today?" Cedric asked Dave.

"None that I can't do in the hospital." Dave said with a nod.

"Alright, pack up and let's go." Cedric told his assistant who promptly showed him his bag, all ready to go. 

When they arrived at Saints Hospital's VIP ward, Cedric was surprised to find Veronica sitting by Dominic's bed, talking to the kid.

Abby the maid quickly noticed Cedric and Dave arrive, she quickly stood up.

Veronica turned, she had an embarrassed expression on her face, as if she was caught doing something forbidden.

"Miguel said I could visit." She explained.

"It's alright Veronica, I just never pegged you as the type to like kids." Cedric said with a shrug.

"Hey Dom, how are you feeling today?" Cedric asked the child in the hospital bed.

"Better Ced." Dominic said with a smile. "Miss Veronica is really nice."

Cedric nodded and smiled back.

"Ced, can I have a word with you outside?" Veronica asked in a shy tone.

"Sure." Cedric said as they stepped out of the room.

"Miguel said you planned on adopting him." Veronica told Cedric.

"Yeah, I mean, he has nowhere else to go and he is a good kid." Cedric said with a nod.

"I want to adopt him." Veronica suddenly told Cedric, catching him by surprise.