Never Judge

As Eric walked away, Cedric couldn't help but smirk. He was sure that news about what Eric had said would reach Katerina and the poor man would be in so much trouble when he finally made it home.

Since Eric had walked away, the reporters began to mob Ram for answers. 

"Sir, is it true?" A reporter asked as he pushed a microphone towards Ram.

"It's been years since Eric Chan has been in a relationship confirmed by him, who is this woman?" Another reporter asked.

"He's confirmed relationships in the past?" Ram suddenly asked with a laugh. 

They all knew that Eric never personally confirmed that he was in a relationship with any woman, it was the woman's side that was always saying she was in a relationship with Eric.

There was a reason behind this, Eric only wanted to announce one relationship to the public, and that was when he finally won Katerina's heart. 

"Sir?" The reporter asked as he thought of the last time Eric was in a confirmed relationship.

"He was dating that model, Amber." Another reporter called out as he recalled Eric's last confirmed relationship.

"Did my artist actually say he was dating Amber, or  that they were a couple?" Ram ask with a raised eyebrow. "Even Lights Entertainment never confirmed the relationship." Ram said with a shrug, stunning all the reporters.

Some quickly checked the articles of that day, and true enough it was Amber's manager and Amber's management team that confirmed the relationship. There was nothing from Eric's side or from Lights Entertainment.

"So were they false?" A reporter quickly asked Ram.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Ram said with a laugh as he looked back at Cedric and Adrianna who had chosen to stay behind.

"It's entertaining." Cedric said with a shrug.

Ram shook his head and laughed before finally returning his attention back to the reporters.

"The confirmation just didn't come from us." Ram said with a shrug. "It came from one side based on their understanding of the situation. As far as I am aware, Eric has only ever confirmed one girlfriend to me, and that's the one he is currently dating."

The reporters stood, wide eyed in shock at Ram's words as he grinned at them.

"Now if you will excuse us." Ram said as he placed an arm around Francesca's waist. "I am actually here on a date and not in any business capacity. If you have any questions, address them to my office or to Eric's manager." Ram said as he flashed the reporters another smile and left with his girlfriend in his arms.

Cedric laughed and followed them with Adrianna.

"I can already see the headlines tomorrow." Cedric teased Ram as they entered the venue for the after party.

"You don't need to wait for tomorrow." Eric said with a chuckle as he once more joined them. "It's already all over social media."

"Katerina hasn't called?" Adrianna asked Eric as she gave him a puzzled look.

"Katerina is busy at the moment. There is a state dinner that uncle Jose is hosting, he wanted Katerina and Alexi to attend to entertain the visiting minister's children." Eric said with a shrug.

"It seems the minister's son is very entertained." Cedric said as he showed Eric the latest piece of gossip on his phone.

It was a photo of Katerina speaking with the visiting minister's son as he looked at Katerina quite lovingly.

"He can stare all he wants." Eric said with a grin, clearly Katerina receiving attention from other men didn't bother him. "I know my Katerina is gorgeous, but she will never want them, because she has me." Eric said quite confidently.

  "Will you be using this against her?" Adrianna teased.

"Yep, this way I'm not sleeping on the couch tonight." Eric said with a laugh, confirming Adrianna's guess.

"Good luck with Katerina, she should call you soon." Ram said as they walked to their table. "News about what you said is blowing up, someone will bring it up at dinner, and she will be pissed."

Eric simply shrugged and smiled as he took his seat on the table. 

For the after party he and Francesca were no longer the hosts, the event organizers had hired a couple of young talents. They were now there simply as guests, prepared to enjoy the rest of the night.

The after party was a charity dinner mixed with some drinks and dancing where the businessmen and tech geniuses could all just relax.

Of course, this year was different, not only was Cedric and his wife there, but so was Ram. The Abads were a known investor in technology that could benefit their industry, so many people craned their necks to look over at the VIP table.

Many were surprised to see both businessmen being more casual, smiling and chatting with each other.

"They are waiting for us to mingle." Ram said with a smile as he nodded towards the general direction of the other guests.

"We have time." Cedric said with a smile as he pulled his wife to him and kissed her on the head. 

"Which one is he?" Ram asked. "Which one is Lucius Ting?"

"Three tables down to the right, tall guy that looks like Miguel." Eric said as he looked towards the stage where some performers were singing.

"That's quite disturbing." Ram said with a frown as he spotted the man Eric had pointed out. "I guess there isn't a need for a DNA test now."

"The fact that he and my brother look alike is not a guarantee that he is our missing cousin." Eric scoffed. "A DNA test would still be best."

"What's with the sudden change of opinion?" Cedric asked Eric, earlier that night he agreed with Cedric that Lucius looked quite similar to Miguel.

"I just don't feel like we should jump to conclusions." Eric said with a shrug. 

"Did the Chan family issue threats again?" Cedric asked Eric with a raised eyebrow. He had a feeling that events outside of tonight's celebration were affecting his friend.

"Nothing that we can't deal with." Eric said with a shrug. "I just don't think it's him now." 

"Why don't we go up and talk to him real quick?" Cedric asked as he stood up and offered his wife his hand. "If you promise not to stress out on this, you can join."

Adrianna smiled and took his hand.