Never Judge

Miguel quickly got into his car and asked his driver to take them away, he didn't want to linger too long since the Chans hadn't announced Dominic's adoption yet.

He wasn't worried that the child would be taken from them, all the legal proceedings had been completed and Dominic was legally, Dominic Chan. He just didn't want his fake cousin spreading rumors about the boy. He never wanted Dominic to get affected by all the fighting.

"Is something wrong?" Veronica asked her husband as she gave him a worried look. She had noticed that after taking a call he seemed worried and in a rush to leave, something very uncharacteristic of Miguel.

"Let's talk about it at home." Miguel said as he tucked a stray hair behind Veronica's ear and smiled at her. It was not something he wanted to discuss in front of their son. 

"Okay." Veronica said with a nod and a smile as she turned her attention back to Dominic, who was looking up at them, observing the sweet exchange between the couple. 

"How was school today, son?" Miguel asked the little boy. 

"It was alright, I guess." Dominic said with a frown. Miguel noticed how his mood shifted when he was asked about school. It seemed the little boy was happier at home than with kids like him.

"Did any of the other children treat you badly?" Veronica asked her son as she lifted up his little face to look him in the eyes. 

She held a gentle look, something quite different from what people normally saw of Veronica. To the outside world she was a tough, cut throat designer that would do anything and everything to seal the deal and stay on top. But in front of this child, she was simply a mother. 

"No mom." Dominic said with a frown as he looked at Veronica. "The other kids were nice to me. Nicer than in my old school."

"They should be." Miguel scoffed. "If they treat you badly, you should tell me, we'll make sure they stop."

"It's not that dad." Dominic said with a frown.

"You know that you can tell me and your dad anything and everything, right?" Veronica asked the little boy as she hugged him tightly. "We love you and we will do anything for you."

"It's just. . ." Dominic began to say, but he hesitated, he seemed quite embarrassed to talk about what was bothering him. 

"I have an idea." Miguel said to his wife with a wink. 

"Drop us off at an ice cream shop, then take my wife home." Miguel instructed his driver. "Have someone take my car to me as well." 

"Yes, sir." The driver said with a nod as he signaled to change lanes. The closest ice cream shop to the area they were in was at Pris Mall. 

"Father and son bonding?" Veronica asked her husband with a raised eyebrow.

"It's just an idea." Miguel said with a shrug. "I hope you don't mind." Miguel told his wife he was 99% sure she would be alright with it, the 1% variable being that in case he miscalculated her mood for the day.

"It's fine." Veronica said with a smile. "I think it's quite nice that you want to spend some one on one time with our son."

"Of course I do." Miguel said proudly. "There are some things that we boys can only talk about." Miguel winked at his son who smiled at him. 

"Okay, but be careful." Veronica told him as she extended a hand and placed it on his arm. "These are unpredictable times." She reminded Miguel.

"I'll have our bodyguards." Miguel said, promising her to stay safe.

It took them ten minutes to get from their location to Pris Mall. When the driver announced that they had arrived, Miguel leaned forward and planted a kiss on his wife's lips.

"Ewwwwww." Dominic said, reacting to the kiss. The little boy had quickly become comfortable around Miguel and Veronica. He was often vocal and happy, but there were still times where he would become silent and withdrawn. It was moments such as those that got Miguel worried.

"We'll be home before you know it." Miguel told Veronica.

"I know, don't forget we have dinner at Cedric's." Veronica reminded her husband.

"I won't, we won't be late." Miguel said as he opened the door to step out of their car.

As he stepped out he heard Veronica telling Dominic to stay close to his father and to be a good boy. Miguel smiled as he looked back at the mother and son as they hugged and Dominic smiled and stepped out after him.

Miguel offered his hand to his son, who took it as they watched the car drive away with Veronica inside. When the car was finally gone from their sight, Miguel looked down at the little boy who continued to stare at the direction the car had gone.

As much as Miguel hated to admit it, Dominic loved Veronica more than him, he was more attached to his mom than his dad. It was another reason why Miguel wanted to have one on one time with his son, for them to form an even closer bond.

"So, what ice cream do you like?" Miguel asked Dominic as they started to walk towards the mall.

"Chocolate!" Dominic said proudly.

"Just like your auntie Katerina." Miguel said with a smile. Of course with the number of aunts and uncles Dominic had suddenly gotten, he was going to have the same favorite flavor with at least one.

Miguel noticed that Dominic didn't seem too comfortable as he looked around, as if constantly looking for something.

"Is something wrong?" Miguel asked Dominic.

Dominic shook his head, refusing to tell his father what was bothering him.

Miguel took a deep breath and paused. He then got down on one knee, placing him at the same height as his son.

"Dominic, don't ever be scared of telling me what's bothering you." Miguel told his son in the most tender and loving way that he could. "I'm your dad, I'll always want you to be happy."

The little boy hesitated at first, unsure if he could speak up or if he should remain silent. In the end it seemed that his trust in Miguel had prevailed and he decided to voice himself out.

"Dad, I'm not used to being followed around all the time." Dominic said as he awkwardly looked at the bodyguards that were shielding them from the eyes of the public. 

Miguel laughed at his son's concern.

"Dominic, if it's just the bodyguards I can ask them to be less visible." Miguel told his son with a smile. "But you will need to get used to them eventually, they are there to protect you."

"Okay, dad." Dominic said with a smile. 

Miguel gestured one bodyguard over to them and gave his instructions. In the few minutes that it took them to get from the entrance of the mall to the ice cream shop, it was as if the guards were nowhere to be seen.

"Do you feel comfortable now?" Miguel asked his son as they lined up for their ice cream.

"Yes dad, thank you." Dominic said as he smiled at his father.

Behind them, Miguel knew that several people were already snapping photos and news of him having a son would spread like wildfire.