Never Judge

The next day everyone woke up early, they were going to take Jam's body to his final resting place, the Lobo family tomb.

"I misjudged you. I'm sorry." Patricia Lobo said as she came up beside Cedric and Adrianna. 

"It's okay auntie, what's important is how we pick ourselves up after." Cedric wasn't just referring to how the Lobo family had treated him but about Jam's death as well.

When Miguel was trying to save Jam, Cedric saw how much the members of the Lobo family loved each other, it was a far cry from what he saw with the Hernandezes. Patricia's pleas and cries drove daggers into his heart, he couldn't be angry with people who loved their family this much.

Everyone who was anyone from the province had turned up to join the funeral, some because they knew Jam, others because they had businesses with the Lobo family, and many more arrived because the top families arrived. All but the Reyes Heir was there, even the famous and mysterious Eric Chan arrived that morning with his manager to pay his respects. Everyone was shocked at the people Jam's funeral managed to bring to their rather quiet part of the country.

"I guess Jam got his wish." One of Jam's childhood friends said in his eulogy. "He had always dreamt of meeting the five princes, and four out of five are here, not bad Jam, not bad." His friend said as his laugh turned into tears as he recalled his friend's greatest dream. 

For the eulogy, the Lobo family invited Cedric to say some words, many of the attendees didn't understand why this poor son-in-law was invited to speak when he and Jam rarely even interacted. But the family knew, the people who mattered knew that Jam would be happy to have the Reyes Heir say some words at his funeral. 

Cedric stood at the podium, handsome in custom made all white clothes matching his son and wife. His hair combed back and not in it's naturally messy form, many ladies who attended sighed and lamented the fact that he was poor, he was pleasing to look at. 

"People say that wakes and funerals are not for the dead, but rather for the living, I think they are right. Jam was taken so quickly from us that we didn't even get to say a proper goodbye. Jam and I weren't close for long, our friendship was short but I really got to know him. He was smart and eager and he would have grown up to be an amazing leader. Jam thank you for touching all of our lives." Cedric closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He folded the paper from which he was reading his speech and leaned forward towards the mic. "Parents should never have to bury their children, Auntie, Uncle, our hearts go out to you and the rest of the Lobo family. If you need anything, I swear we will be there." To everyone else Cedric's promise sounded like something an ordinary relative would say, like emotionally we will be there for you, of if you need to talk to someone we will listen, but to those that knew Cedric's true identity they knew that this offer meant that all the resources of the Reyes Family would be put into motion should the Lobos need anything.

From her seat Patricia Lobo cried at Cedric's words, Ivan Lobo simply nodded, they may have argued heavily yesterday, but that was in the past. After the Lobo elder told his son to drop the matter Ivan immediately stopped pushing for a union between Amanda and Aiden. 

Jam was finally interred in the family tomb at two in the afternoon, the Lobos and their closer guests returned to the old mansion while everyone else went home.

It was quite a struggle to get the top families from the burial to the Lobo home, everyone wanted to speak to them. For people like Emilio Reyes and Benedicto Laurence they could just walk away and their aloof attitude was accepted and understood, but for the Sebastians, the Chans, and the Abads whose careers and businesses depended on the public's perception they greeted every businessman and small politician that came up to shake their hand. 

Cedric was already at the Lobo home for an hour when Alexi suddenly slumped next to him on the couch. 

"I hate being from a political family." Alexi said with a sigh.

"You don't hate it." Cedric teased. "You just hate days like these." He pointed out.

"Cedric, could we have a word?" Uncle Ivan asked as he approached.

Cedric simply nodded and followed the older man. He was brought to the home office where Patricia Lobo, Amanda Lobo, Adrianna's grandparents, Adrianna's parents, and even Adrianna were already waiting.

"We all wanted to apologize to you Cedric." Ivan Lobo told him. 

"Uncle, don't worry, I've already forgiven you, for Jam." Cedric said in a solemn voice.

"For Jam." Patricia Lobo said with a nod. "Did you find anything out?" She asked.

"All we know is that this attack was premeditated. The killer knew that he could be caught, so he has ready with a suicide pill, which he took as soon as my men apprehended him." Cedric explained to the group. "The mastermind hid well. From what we can see it seemed that Jam really was the target, at first I thought it could have been a mistaken identity case, but with the help of the police we have already ruled that out."

"Mistaken identity for whom?" Grandpa Lobo asked.

"For the Reyes Heir." Cedric explained. "We thought that the killer saw him getting off the car and decided to assume he was the Reyes Heir, but it still didn't add up since if it was premeditated how did the murderer assume I would be there? The Reyes Heir never goes there, to add to that there has been no attacks on our end."

"But, who would want my older brother dead?" Amanda asked "He was not some rising business star, he was ordinary."

"I don't know Amanda, but I promise you, we will find whoever is behind this." Cedric swore to the Lobo family.

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