Never Judge



"So where were you supposed to be?" Al asked his cousin as Emilio drove them home.

Their father's had both gone ahead to R Tower in order to plan out the press conference that had been called for.

Al and Emilio on the other hand were sent home to make themselves presentable.

Al was still dressed in his muddy and bloody clothes after he had the fight in the alley with Colin's people. 

"I didn't exactly lie. I told dad I'd be hanging out with you and Hendrick." Emilio shrugged. 

"But you didn't say we were on a mission, did you?" Al chuckled as his cousin gave him a guilty smile.

"Dad would never have let me meet up with you or Hendrick if he knew you were on a mission." Emilio explained to his cousin. "He thinks that I would probably try to save you if you got into trouble."

"Is he wrong though?" Al asked as he gave his older cousin a knowing smile.

"Of course not." Emilio laughed as he gently stepped on the breaks, pulling their convoy to a halt.

Emilio loved driving, and in exchange for his identity getting out, Cedric Reyes allowed his son to drive his own car. That was provided he would have a fleet of security vehicles surrounding them.

"I wonder if Auntie Adrianna will scold you too." Al chuckled. 

Adrianna Reyes spoiled her son to no end. It was probably because he had less materially compared to his brothers and sisters. 

"She will probably be pissed at me too." Emilio told his cousin as the light turned green. "Anyway, did your dad tell you the plan yet?"

"No. I'm in the dark. He just said to get everyone dressed then head to R Tower." Al told his cousin.

Al spotted several people snapping photos of Emilio's car and motorcade as they drove through the bustling city.

When they got home, Al did as his father asked and told his mom and siblings to prepare for a presscon.

"Did something happen, Al?" Ayanna Lawrence asked her son. 

Al nodded and frowned as he gestured for his mom to take a seat on the couch. 

"My identity got leaked." Al revealed to his mother. "They followed me from school and saw me getting into our car. Then they also got a hold of my school documents."

"So your dad will do a press conference in front of R Tower?" Ayanna asked, suspicious of why it would be done in front of her family's building instead of the Lawrence family offices.

"Mom, since I used the name Reyes in school, there is now a debate online on who I am." Al explained to his mother.

"Oh my gosh, they think you're Cedric's kid." Ayanna gasped. "No wonder the press conference will be in front of R Tower. Don't worry, I'll be ready as quickly as possible." 

Ayanna planted a kiss on her son's forehead as she quickly ascended the stairs and called out to the maids, giving instructions on what to prepare.

Al smiled as he went up to his room to change too.

He not only needed to change clothes, but he needed a bath.

While he was soaking in the tub he couldn't help but think back to the mission. 

Where had they made a mistake? 

He had infiltrated the hideout and waited for weeks for Colin to show himself. 

Peter had called him home on the pretense that they had learned more information on who the King of the Underworld was. 

Colin had gone to the hideout to plan a new infiltration of the gangs and mafia when Al saw him walking in the hall.

Al couldn't help but wonder if he had moved too fast, should he have waited? Did that trigger them?

"Young Master Lawrence?" A butler called from outside his bathroom, most likely sent by his mother to check up on him.

"Yes?" Al called out to signify that he was alright.

"The madam asked us to inform you that your father asked them to leave ahead. You will be taking a separate car to R Tower." The butler informed Al.

"Very well. I'm almost done." Al answered.

"We've laid out your clothes on your bed, your father asked us to prepare a suit for you." The butler informed him. 

"Is that all?" Al asked, seeking a little bit more privacy.

"Young Master, your father also said that you should be there in the next hour." The butler informed Al.

"Alright, I'll get out and dry up. Thank you for informing me." Al said with a sigh as he reluctantly got out of the tub.

By the time Al was done and ready, Emilio had already informed him that they were already on the way to R Tower. 

Al took a deep breath as he fixed his hair and looked at his reflection.

Gone was the ordinary young man that would wear jeans and a plain shirt. 

He was now dressed to look like the heir to one of the biggest companies in the country. 

As he observed himself in the mirror, he couldn't help but think that he looked more like a younger version of his father.

He had seen his father's photos when he was Al's age, and they did look very similar. 

Al did a final check to see everything was perfect before taking a deep breath and leaving his room. 

Outside their home, one of his father's favorite luxury sedans was waiting for him.

"Young Master Lawrence." Al's bodyguard greeted as he opened the door for Al.

Al nodded as he made his way to the car.

Before getting in, he paused and spoke to the bodyguard.

"I guess after today you won't need to be hidden at all times." Al said with a sad smile.

"Unfortunately, sir." The bodyguard said with a nod. "I quite enjoyed being your teacher."

"You can still be one of my tutors, you have the background for it." Al shrugged.

"We will see what your father wants, young master. I don't even think you need to go to high school anymore." The bodyguard said with a proud smile on his face. "I know you're trying to delay, sir."

Al smiled and shook his head as he slipped into the car and closed his eyes.

He heard the door close as his bodyguard moved to the front seat.

"You are the heir to the Lawrence family, the prince of the underworld, the son of mafia, this is just a press conference." Al repeatedly said to himself as he tried to gather his courage. 

Today was definitely going to be a long day.