Never Judge

Cedric wanted to keep Guan Ming and his mother a secret until everyone arrived. It wasn\'t because he was looking for some huge spectacle, but because he didn\'t have the energy to keep repeating the same story and to answer the same questions over and over.

When Ray\'s parents arrived, Ayanna and Ray told them the good news and they were ecstatic. Everyone had been waiting quite a while for the couple to get pregnant so the news couldn\'t come at a better time.

Soon everyone began to arrive at Mountain View. 

The back patio of Mountain View had been set up to host a party. There were seats and tables enough for their small gathering.

Tristan, Yoyo, and Damien were running around while a maid chased them. The two boys happily laughed as they enjoyed the company of everyone they knew.

When everyone was settled, Ayanna nodded at Cedric telling him they were ready to make the announcement.

"Everyone, thank you for making it today." Cedric said as he stood from his seat. "My sister has an announcement to make."

Cedric offered his hand to Ayanna, helping her stand up.

"So you all know that Ray and I have been trying for years." Ayanna began to say, earning her gasps from her friends. 

Her first line foreshadowed her news.

"We\'re pregnant." Ayanna happily announced to the delight of everyone they invited.

People said their congratulations and the couple respectfully thanked them.

"Shame on you for keeping secrets from us." Veronica teased as she gave Auanna a tight hug. "I\'m so happy for you guys and Damien will have more friends."

"Thanks girls." Ayanna said with a smile.

"Cedric, did your maids miscount the guests?" Katerina asked as she pointed at the empty seats next to Camilla. 

"No, they didn\'t." Cedric said as he shook his head. 

"Camilla, will you call our other guests over?" Cedric asked, to which his assistant dutifully nodded, got up and made her way back inside Cedric\'s home.

"More guests?" Alexi Sebastian asked as he looked at his friend. 

"Yes, friends and allies." Cedric responded with a nod as he waited for Camilla to return with Guan Ming.

"Mr. - Mr. -" The president, Jose Sebastian, began to stutter as soon as he saw Guan Ming and his mother step out of Cedric\'s home.

There were very few people that could get that kind of reaction from any of Cedric\'s guests. 

When Guan Ming arrived in the capital, both he and Wu Jun needed to pay courtesy calls to the president, thus he had met the Sebastian family in the past.

"President Sebastian." Guan Ming said with a respectful nod.

"You don\'t have an accent?" Alexi suddenly asked, making Cedric laugh.

"Alexi!" Jose Sebastian scolded. 

"Dad, if he is here then this means he is a good friend of Cedric\'s." Alexi said as he rolled his eyes at his father. "You don\'t need to worry about him badmouthing us to officials in China because I was direct."

Guan Ming laughed at Alexi\'s comment. 

The young politician was not wrong.

"I would never badmouth you to the officials." Guan Ming said as he shook his head. "No, I simply fake that accent for fun."

"Wati, how do you know Cedric?" Ram asked as he looked at Guan Ming. "And aren\'t you working with Lucius Ting?"

Guan Ming glanced at Cedric, checking to see if he would be the one to explain or Cedric.

"Guan Ming and I met a long time ago." Cedric began as he explained how he and Guan Ming met and how Guan Ming and Camilla were currently in a relationship.

"Is that why you\'ve been so calm about the whole Guan Ming - Lucius Ting matter? Because you planned this?" It was Miguel that asked this time.

"Yep." Cedric said with a sly smile as he nodded.

"What about Wu Jun?" Alexi asked.

"I knew Wu Jun\'s father." Emilio Reyes suddenly said. "I thought the son would be as good as the father."

"He isn\'t." Guan Ming said, joining the conversation. "Wu Jun is good in a business sense, but he is corrupt and has no morals."

"So what are you planning to do with Wu Jun?" Ray asked Cedric.

"Nothing." Cedric responded.

"Wu Jun is mine to deal with." Guan Ming hissed. "Wu Jun and the fucking Lucius Ting."

"I\'m surprised you haven\'t punched Cedric." Alexi pointed out. 

"Trust me, he has." Ian said from the side as he helped his son up on his seat. "He came charging in here and punched Cedric because of Camilla fake dating Lucius Ting."

"Ah that makes sense." Alexi said with a nod. 

"How does that make sense?!" Cedric asked in disbelief. 

"If you vanished and I made Adrianna date your kidnapper to find out where you were, wouldn\'t you punch me?" Ray asked his friend.

"That\'s different. She\'s my wife." Cedric said as he crossed his arms on his chest.

"It\'s the same thing and you know it." Ian told Cedric as he rolled his eyes.

"Fine." Cedric admitted.

"It\'s a good thing you are on our side, Guan Ming." Ram said as he raised a glass at Guan Ming.

"Thanks, I would hate to be on the same side as someone as vile and disgusting as Lucius Ting." Guan Ming hissed.

"Aren\'t you going to ask?" Miguel reminded Cedric as the conversation moved on.

"I will." Cedric said with a nod as he once again stood up, getting everyone\'s attention.

"There is actually another reason why I called everyone over." Cedric announced as he looked at all the guests. 

This time Cedric wasn\'t smiling. 

He had a more serious expression on his face, he knew that no matter how he said it the conversation would still end up as an argument.

"Dad, uncles, this is your last chance." Cedric said. "Please, tell us the truth about Andrew Chan or we will find out for ourselves." He threatened. 

"What are you talking about?" Emilio Reyes asked his son.

"We may know where Andrew\'s son is." Ram told Emilio Reyes knowing that Cedric was already quite hot headed.

"Impossible, Andrew doesn\'t have a son.." Emilio Reyes said, revealing that they knew where the man was.