Never Judge

After Cedric had that conversation with Ram, Abad Network and several of its affiliates released an interview with Capt. Damien Park. In an interesting turn of events the article not only made it clear that the previous article was insensitive and in breach of an existing investigation, it made Capt. Damien Park, an overnight celebrity, women were swooning over the half foreign police officer. 

Two weeks passed and Cedric thought that the public would forget about the incident, but it remained a hot topic all over the internet. Capt. Damien continued to give Cedric updates on the investigation every other day. 

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"I don\'t think they\'ll be able to make any significant progress soon." Cedric told Ian and Camilla as he placed the tablet gently on the table. "I suggest we return to normal operations." 

"How about the Tech Hub sir?" Ian asked. Cedric had placed him in charge of the project and it was something he had every intention of seeing through. 

"We can only plan. We can\'t begin to rebuild until this investigation comes to a close." Cedric informed Ian. "Go back to R Tower to work for my dad, and take this time to straighten your personal affairs."

"Sir, I suggest hiring a junior for Ian." Camilla said. "I hope you do not see us as incapable but the workload is really too much for just the two of us. Aside from the regular Mor Co. affairs we also have the expansion to handle and several Reyes Group interests."

"You should have told me sooner." Cedric said with a sigh. "But I assumed as much since Ian and Nicole had that fight. Inform the HR department to hire two new members. I will assign one for each of you. I expect that you will both hire only the best." 

The pair nodded and left. Cedric decided to let everyone rest early today so he asked Camilla to send out a memo informing all employees that work today would only be half a day, but their pay would still remain.

When the memo went out the employees celebrated, ever since the incident there had been an added pressure on all of them and this treat was welcomed break.

Ian did as Cedric told him and drove to Saints Hospital, he knew that Nicole had an operation and would be done with work a little bit after lunch. He was sure she would be hungry after so he picked up take out from her favorite restaurant and went to her office. 

Nicole\'s assistant knew who Ian was and happily greeted him when he arrived, he had the take out in one hand and a bouquet of roses in the other.

"Is the operation done?" Ian asked.

"Not yet Mr. Lim." The assistant said.

"Does she have anything else on her plate today?" Ian said as he tried to peak at Nicole\'s schedule.

"Nothing after her operation." The assistant answered as she checked Nicole\'s schedule.

"Great. I\'ll wait for her inside. Don\'t tell her I\'m here." Ian said with a wink as he entered Nicole\'s office.

He went in and placed the food and flowers on a table. He noticed that her desk was a little bit messy so he decided to straighten it out a bit for her. Even after fixing the documents on the desk Nicole had not yet returned so Ian decided to sit on the couch and get some work done. He took out his laptop and started replying to some emails he received earlier that day. 

Five minutes later Ian could hear Nicole\'s voice coming from the otherside of the door. It sounded like she was giving instructions to her assistant. Ian quickly put aside his laptop and picked up the flowers. 

When Nicole entered she jumped in surprise.

"Hey Nic." Ian said with a wink. Despite their recent fight he managed to convince Nicole not to push him away, but the couple had yet to talk about the issue that caused the fight.

"You should have called." Nicole said as she closed the door behind her. "Doesn\'t Cedric have any work for you today?\' 

"Nope." Ian said, handing her the flowers and giving her a light peck on the lips. Nicole flinched a little but not as much as right after the incident at the bar. "Cedric gave everyone the rest of the day off. So I grabbed some take out and came here."

"That\'s sweet of you." Nicole said as she tried to hide her blush.

"Nic, why don\'t you eat your food then we can go to the park and talk." Ian suggested.

"The park is too public, let\'s just go home." Nicole said, shaking her head.

"Alright, whatever you want." Ian said as he kissed her on the forehead.

Ian watched as Nicole slowly ate her food. "Are you alright?" Ian asked. "Normally you would inhale this." He teased.

"Just tired from the operation. Do you have any idea how unappetizing it is to see Miguel open up a person\'s body." Nicole said as she made fake vomiting sounds.

"I guess that isn\'t the best sight." Ian laughed. 

"I\'ll just eat this at home." Nicole said as she returned the lid on the food. She picked up her keys and tossed it to Ian. "Ask my bodyguard to drive my car home. You can take me home tonight." Nicole said with a wink.

Ian laughed and kissed her. This time his kiss was a little bit more passionate but it was still slow, as if he was trying to savor every moment. 

"Aren\'t you worried that someone might see us walking out together?" Ian asked.

"The elders aren\'t here. They are trying to suck up to Uncle Emilio and Uncle Benedicto for more funding." Nicole said with a laugh.

"Alright. Meet me at the front in five minutes." Ian said as he picked up the food he had brought.

"I\'ll be there." Nicole said with a smile as Ian left. 

Ian found Nicole\'s head bodyguard waiting at the entrance of the hospital. He handed him Nicole\'s keys and gave him instructions, after which he walked over to the parking lot to get his car. 

When he arrived at the entrance he saw a smiling Nicole looking at the flowers he had brought her. He watched as several female passersby looked with envy at the bouquet in Nicole\'s arms. Some women even nudged their male companions as if telling them to get them one as well. He couldn\'t help but smile, he wanted Nicole to be the envy of other women, he wanted to shower her with love and happiness. 

Unwillingly Ian honked his car\'s horn to grab Nicole\'s attention, when she saw his car she smiled and walked up to. Ian quickly got off and opened the car door for her and helped her in. He placed a hand over her head to make sure she didn\'t hit her head on the car.