Never Judge

Chapter 7 - 7

"Mister, I think you're on the wrong table." Adrianna said, peeking from Cedric's side.

"What a shame, Miss Hernandez no longer recognizes me." Raymund said with a grin. "Or should I say Mrs. Reyes? I never managed to congratulate you guys, Cedric."

The whole function room was shocked. Mr. Raymund Laurence, one of the 5 princes was talking casually to the good for nothing Cedric Reyes.

"Mr. Laurence, you know them?" Mark Chu said in shock.

"Yes." Raymund said not wanting to waste his breath with an explanation.

"Sir, why don't you sit with us at the honorary table. I'm sure my father and future father in-law would like to talk to you a little bit more." Mark said, still trying to get Raymund to sit with them.

"Were we classmates at university?" Adrianna suddenly asked.

"Yes we were! But Cedric and I here go way back." Raymund replied with a warm smile.

"Ray, what are you doing?" Cedric asked with a flat expression.

"I'm a guest at this party sitting next to the only person I know here. Do you expect me to sit with strangers?" Ray said with a chuckle.

"You'll offend the host." Cedric said, still not showing any emotion.

Mark Chu who was still standing couldn't help but wonder how did this useless son-in-law of the Hernandez family know someone like Mr. Raymund Laurence. On top of knowing the man, they seemed to be quite close, since they were talking so casually to one another. It even seemed like Cedric was annoyed with Raymund.

"But old friend, they wouldn't dare offend me." Raymund grinned. He was enjoying messing with Cedric and embarrassing both the Hernandez and Chu families at the same time.

"Shouldn't you be on a date today? If I'm not mistaken, uncle was going to introduce you to someone tonight. I'm sure he is wondering where you are right about now." Cedric said tapping on his phone.

"I'm not even surprised that you know that. Fine, you win. I'll go back to my place." Ray said while doing air quotes as he said the word place. 

Raymund stood up, much to Mark Chu's relief, he took a step forward before stopping and turning to face Cedric and Adrianna once again. Cedric looked up at him and raised an eyebrow. 

Raymund signaled for his assistant to come over. The assistant then handed him a box.

"I wasn't able to attend your wedding, old friend, so let me present this gift to your wife. I'm sorry I gave it quite late." Ray said with a wink handing the box over to Cedric who in turn handed it to Adrianna.

At that, Raymund turned and went towards where Edward Chu was seated, leaving all the guests whispering and wondering.

"Quick open it!" Gracia urged her daughter.

"Mom, not here. Maybe at home." Adrianna said, in an attempt to hush her mother.

"Ray gave it to you, you should open it." Cedric said to his wife.

"How do you know Mr. Raymund Laurence?" Adrianna asked.

"I saved him a long time ago." It was technically true, he did save Raymund many times when they were children in the past.

"Oh, alright. I'll open it then." Adrianna opened the box to find a complete jewelry set made of diamond and gold. There were also two rings. Inside each ring, engraved were their names.

"I guess Ray assumed we never got decent wedding rings." Cedric said as he picked up the ring with his name on it. He then held Adrianna's hand and slipped the ring on her finger. 

Adrianna was still in shock at how lavish the gift was when Cedric handed her the ring with her name. "I think you should put it on my ring finger." 

Adrianna quickly snapped back into reality and slipped the ring on his finger. 

Ray was right, when Cedric and Adarianna got married the Hernandez family refused to pay for anything aside from Adrianna's wedding dress. Cedric managed to buy two bands that were simply gold plated, he told Adrianna that someday he would give her a better ring and a proper wedding. 

"You never mentioned that you had such influential friends, Cedric." Gracia said, staring at the jewelry Raymund had just given Adrianna.

"We hadn't seen each other in a long time." Cedric replied simply.

Fredrik stood in front of all the guests and raised his glass ready to make a speech.

"Family and friends, thank you for celebrating with both the Hernandez and Chu families! We are proud and happy that both of our children have found each other…" Fredrik continued his speech for 10 minutes thanking everyone and praising his future in-laws. When he handed over the stage to Edward Chu, he simply rejected the opportunity to speak.

When the food was served Gracia couldn't help but throw jabs at Cedric.

"This is what an engagement party should be! Cedric never even had one for you!" Gracia said to Adrianna.

"Mom. Stop. Just stop." Adrianna was already furious at this point. She understood that her family did not accept Cedric, but they had been married for five years now, and the whole Hernandez family never stopped making comments against Cedric.

"I'm just telling you Adrianna, had you just married better you would be living a better life! Look at your cousin Asia. She won't even need to work, her husband can provide for her." Gracia continued to berate.

"Look, mom, I like working, I like that I don't need to rely on a man to get by. That also does not make Cedric any less of a man. I love him and I love the fact that he is trying." Adrianna was fed up with her mother's nagging and had to put her foot down. "Mom, Cedric and I will leave now. You and dad could take a taxi going home."

Adrianna stood up and dragged Cedric out.

When Raymund saw this he saw no point in staying any longer and chose to leave as well. Both the Chu's and Hernandez's were surprised when their guest just stood up and left. No one would dare call him out on it, after all with just one word Raymund Laurence could end them.