Never Judge

"Mom, calm down." Cedric said in a gentle tone, signifying that he had no bad blood and he refused to make a scene.

"My daughter is happily married, Patricia, don't try to put someone in between." Gracia warned her sister-in-law.

"Tony is a much better man than Cedric." Patricia told Gracia.

"Mom, let it go." Adrianna gently told her mom as she held her hand.

Gracia closed her eyes and took several deep breaths before finally calming down.

"Thanks mom." Cedric said with a smile. His thanks was meant for two things, he thanked her for not making a scene and he thanked her for finally defending him. He knew that things had changed since the days when Gracia hated him for marrying Adrianna, he knew that now his mother-in-law truly cared.

"Aiden, why don't you tell Amanda about your adventures in Germany and Italy and Spain." Ivan Lobo happily encouraged the young man.

"Oh, well, I graduated University in Germany then I traveled quite a bit. Taking in the culture, learning from people who were truly successful. I like to think of myself as a student of the world." Aiden eloquently said.

"Did you know that the top families traditionally do not send their children to study University abroad?" Tony injected. Cedric looked at the man seated across him, it seemed Tony wanted to out him tonight. He glared at his former love rival turned friend who simply grinned at him.

"That's such a stupid logic. Are you sure about that Tony?" Patricia Lobo asked.

"Mom, Tony is telling the truth." Jam quickly said before anyone could respond. "Of the five princes, only Miguel Chan and the Reyes Heir went to university abroad. I heard it was to help them understand the local market and to make the right connections locally first. They usually go to other countries for further studies." Even Cedric was surprised at the young man's knowledge and understanding of their reasons. It seemed Jam Lobo was smarter that Cedric expected.

"Then why does everyone else keep sending their sons and daughters to study abroad if our top families have chosen to study locally?" Ivan Lobo asked.

"Simple, they want to be like them, but they can't if they stay here." It was Charles Hernandez that spoke this time. "To be at the same caliber as the top families requires an innate talent, something most people do not possess."

"I did learn a lot in Germany." Aiden said, quickly defending his education. "I know I'll never be at par with the five princes, just meeting them would probably be the highlight of my life." Aiden exclaimed, much to Jam's approval.

"Seven." Tony suddenly said.

"Pardon?" Aiden asked.

"Seven, there are actually seven princes." Tony said with a shrug.

"Tony, you must be listening to gossips again." Patricia Lobo said with a laugh. "Everyone knows there are only five princes."

"Mom, Cedric already told us in the car—" Jam began to complain but was cut off by his mother.

"Cedric doesn't know anything." Patricia said quite angrily. 

"The five princes, the sixth prince, and the fallen prince." Tony said as he lifted seven fingers. "Of course, you would only know this if you were relevant to them." Tony said as he glared at Patricia Lobo. Normally Tony was an easy going guy, kind and respectful to his peers, elders, and even those others would see as beneath them. But it seemed tonight he was on a short fuse. It was a combination of Aiden Ortiz being there with the intention of getting engaged to his girl, as well as Patricia Lobo's continued praise on the worthless man. 

"Patricia, drop it." Ivan Lobo scolded his wife.

It seemed to Cedric that Ivan Lobo had not lost all sense of reason, unlike his wife. Tony might not orbit in the same circle as them, but he was still very influential and powerful in his home province, the Lobos couldn't afford to offend him. 

The awkward air was broken when a waiter approached with their food. It was elegantly served and extremely tasty. For the rest of dinner the elders spoke among themselves and the young men and women chatted peacefully. Unfortunately this made Aiden Ortiz feel extremely out of place. Cedric observed how the man simply ate his food and checked his phone from time to time. Being a courteous man Cedric would occasionally ask Aiden a question, but that topic would quickly die out when Jam found a way to divert the topic to the five princes, making Cedric feel extremely awkward. 

As they finished their meal, waiters brought over a selection of deserts and whiskey, the manager knew that whiskey was the boss' drink of choice, so they always had his brand on hand.

The waiter asked Cedric to choose and naturally Cedric chose the bottle that was specifically brought out for him.

"Cedric, are you sure about that bottle? That drink is extremely rare and expensive." Aiden said when he noticed what the waiters were serving the men.

For the ladies it was a selection of cocktails and wine, Adrianna politely refused since she was still breastfeeding her son.

"Don't worry Aiden, Cedric can handle it." Tony said with a grin. 

"Aiden, you can do it now." Ivan Lobo said, nodding at the young man. 

Aiden stood up and placed his hand in his pocket. He walked over to Amanda and got down on one knee. As he did this Cedric began to regret choosing an outside room, he had initially planned on using the family room, but his mother, Priscilla warned him that it might shock the Lobo family and their guest. It also risked him exposing his identity.

"Amanda, I just met you, but I think you're amazing." Aiden began.

"Aiden." Amanda said as she attempted to make him stop.

"Amanda, our parents agreed that we are a good match." Aiden continued to say as he took out a blue velvet box.

"Aiden, don't do this." Amanda warned.

"Amanda Lobo, will you be my wife?" Aiden asked as he opened the box, inside was a large diamond ring.

The other patrons in the restaurant noticed the proposal and were now keenly watching. A few women in the nearby table gasped as they saw the ring, many were jealous and wished their man would buy them something as extravagant.

"No." Amanda said clearly. It was louder than she had intended so the other patrons accidentally heard her reject the proposal.

"What do you mean no?" Her father, Ivan Lobo, demanded. "Aiden is a perfectly good match for you." 

"Because I love Tony." Amanda said as she held Tony's hand.

"He is too old for you, he even had a daughter that isn't his! What will people say when they find out you've been dating him!" Ivan Lobo asked in a raised tone.

"Uncle, calm down, you're causing a scene." Adrianna said as she attempted to diffuse the situation.

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