Never Judge

By the time lunch rolled by Cedric and everyone else was exhausted and were in much need to leave the office.

"Let's take two cabs, parking is difficult at that place." Ian suggested. They were going to eat at a newly opened restaurant. One of the perks of working for the Reyes Heir was the fact that a lot of bosses wanted to suck up to them, so when Ian asked this particular business partner if they could get a table the man quickly agreed. 

"Why does it feel like things are busier when the boss isn't around?" Dave said with a sigh, as they entered the elevator.

"That's because we do some of the boss' work when he isn't around. But we're lucky, the boss doesn't miss out on work that much." Camilla explained. 

When the elevator doors opened Dave and Mae walked out first. Cedric pulled Ian and Camilla back making sure they were out of earshot.

"Might I remind you that this was your idea." Cedric whispered.

"We aren't the ones complaining Ced." Ian told him as he rolled his eyes. 

"Good, let's go." Cedric said as they walked out to hail a cab.

When they arrived at the restaurant's facade there was already a long line of people waiting to be seated. Many were happily chatting, people were clearly willing to wait for their turn just to eat at the new restaurant.

"What is this place?" Cedric asked.

"It's a budget Michelin restaurant." Camilla said proudly. 

"It's been a while since you descended to earth oh mighty god." Ian teased in a low voice so that only Cedric and Camilla could hear him.

"Well you should bring me food like this more." Cedric told Ian.

"Your father forbids it." Ian said with a laugh. Emilio Reyes had given them strict instructions to stop letting Cedric eat 'junk'. Cedric used to love eating in small cafeterias and street food, his father was only worried that he would eventually get poisoned this way. 

"I wanna eat here so badly, but look at the line!" Mae said with a pout as she pointed at the line.

"We have a cheat code kid." Camilla laughed as she and Ian walked to the head of the line.

"Yes?" The woman at the reception asked.

"I called earlier. Under Ian Lim." Ian told the receptionist.

"One moment, sir." She said as she left and went inside. 

"Wow, do you have connections Ian?" Dave asked.

"People want to suck up to the boss so sometimes you can nudge them in the right direction." Ian said with a wink.

Cedric looked at Ian and raised an eyebrow. He knew Ian would never be so easily influenced by small favors, he was worried that these junior assistants might be swayed by such bribes. 

"Mr. Lim!" A man in a suit said as he came out. "I hope you are doing well. Is the boss doing well too? I'm surprised you have time to have lunch out! From what I've heard Mor Co. is back to being extremely busy." 

"The boss is out today so we decided to treat ourselves. I hope we aren't a bother." Ian told the man.

"No not at all, I know Miss Camilla, who are the others with you?" The owner asked as he eyed Cedric, Dave, and Mae.

"Oh, well, this is Cedric, he was a former assistant to the boss too, but he got promoted and now works at HQ. These two are our junior assistants, Dave and Mae." Ian said quickly introducing the three.

"A pleasure." The man said as he went about shaking their hands. "Come in. I've reserved a table for you." 

The owner led Cedric and his group to a table that had a reserved sign on it.

"See Mr. Lim, I made sure to reserve a good table for you." The owner boasted. 

"Thank you." Ian said with a smile as they all took their seats.

"Ah, Mr. Ian, Miss Camilla, will you put in a good word for my proposed partnership franchise now?" The owner asked as he leaned forward, eager to hear their response.

"Sir, you know that Camilla and I have no say in these things. We are just mere employees. Furthermore, our boss has a strict policy, the work must speak for itself, if your proposal is good then the boss will accept it, if it isn't then it gets rejected." Ian calmly explained to the owner whose face had just gone pale when he realized that sucking up to the assistants would do him no good. "I'm sure you feel your work is good enough and that you have no need to bribe us." Ian added with a shrug.

"Yes, yes Mr. Ian. Please enjoy your meal, and thank you for your advice." The owner said, as he called the waiter over to get everyone's orders.

When they had given them and the waiters left, Dave and Mae both had a confused look on their faces.

"Out with it." Camilla told the junior assistants.

"Why would a restaurant seek favor from a tech company?" Dave asked.

"Ah, well, it's not common knowledge but the Reyes Group moved all approvals for new businesses to the boss. Anything that pertains to the future of the Reyes Group is his responsibility now." Ian explained, as Camilla and Cedric nodded in agreement. 

Emilio was slowly easing more work onto Cedric's plate recently, this was why he had to send Ian back to help Cedric, the workload was quite high.

"So the boss will be taking over soon?" Mae frowned.

"Why so down about that kid?" Cedric asked.

"Well that means that our boss will be different since we will stay with Mor Co." Mae pouted.

Cedric laughed at the young woman's worry, he knew from Ian and Camilla that Mae and Dave were both extraordinary people. They both graduated from top universities and although they did not finish at the top of their class, they were both extremely resourceful. Something Cedric needed his people to be.

"You're being silly." Cedric laughed. "You're Camilla and Ian's people, the boss will surely let you come along when they move. Since Camilla and Ian are like his left and right hand, they are sure to follow him to HQ." Cedric said with a wink.

"Really? But you got moved to HQ without the boss." Dave said.

"I'm on a secret mission for the boss." Cedric teased.

"Relax you two, the only way you'll lose your positions under the Reyes Heir's office is if you fail him. So no slacking, no betraying, and no taking bribes. Got it?" Ian reminded the two.

"Yes, sir." The two junior assistants said happily. 

When the food was served Cedric was surprised at the quality.

"Wow. This tastes amazing." Camilla exclaimed. "I see now why you were so confident about eating here." She praised Ian.

"Yes, this will definitely be a hit and the Reyes Group should invest in it." Cedric said with a nod.

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