Never Judge

Adrianna and Cedric had no choice but to sit at the assigned table. Cedric knew that Ray was going to do this so he wasn't surprised at all. Ayanna sat next to Adrianna while Ray sat next to Cedric.

"It would be awfully boring if you were at another table." Ray said.

'‹'‹

"And you didn't think people would talk about this?" Cedric asked him.

"Who cares about them? You only care about Adrianna's opinion anyway." Ray shrugged.

Cedric grinned. His friend knew him too well.

When all the guests had arrived, Ray took to the stage and welcomed everyone. There were roughly two hundred guests, and at that rate each guest had been carefully selected. Ray did not want to invite just anyone to this party. Getting invited meant that you had the opportunity to interact with the most powerful and most famous people in the country. Members of the media would pay just to get photos of this event, and there were always people willing to sell photos.

The night was filled with food and performances. Ray had brought in several famous international singers and dancers to entertain his guests. When the program was done the older guests headed to the viewing deck for some drinks, while the younger guests took to the dance floor as Ray also brought in several famous international DJs.

Just as the younger members took to the dance floor Cedric pulled Adrianna out of the ballroom and invited her to take a walk. Adrianna's face was red and she leaned on her husband as they walked the hall to the rooftop.

Cedric didn't show it, but he was quite nervous about what he was going to do. He had asked Ray to clear the roof deck and make sure no one else was there.

"Cedric, are we allowed to go to the rooftop?" Adrianna asked her husband as they continued to climb.

"No one has stopped us yet Adri." Cedric said kissing his wife on the forehead.

"It's just odd that the halls are so empty and we're going to the spot with the best view.�� Adrianna said voicing her doubts.

Cedric however continued to climb while holding her hand.

When Adrianna and Cedric got to the roof deck Adrianna was surprised. The Reyes, Laurence, Sebastian, Abad, and Chan families were all there.

"Cedric, I think we shouldn't be here." Adrianna said, pulling on his sleeve.

"No honey, we are meant to be here." Cedric told his wife, holding her hand.

"Cedric, these people look like they are having a private after party." Adrianna told her husband.

"Adri, there is something I need to confess." Cedric began as they walked closer to the group.

"Cedric we can talk about it downstairs or in the villa." Adrianna said in an attempt to get Cedric to leave.

"Adri, listen to me. I've been lying to you for eight years about who I really am." Cedric said, holding onto his wife's shoulders.

"What?" Adrianna was shocked.

Cedric held Adrianna's hand and brought her to his parents.

"Adri, honey, these are my parents, Emilio and Priscilla Reyes." Cedric said, introducing his parents to Adrianna.

"Cedric, stop joking!" Adrianna shouted.

"Adrianna, I'm not joking. I know I lied to you for eight years, but there was nothing I could do. It's part of a family tradition." Cedric explained.

"I don't want to be the wife of some CEO that gets everything she wants. You know that that's not me! That's what I've been avoiding." Adrianna said as tears rolled out of her eyes.

"Adri, this is my family. This is the world I was born into. I didn't get to choose who my parents are." Cedric explained.

"Cedric, I know the Hernandezs and Lobos don't like you. I know you want them to accept you, but this isn't the way. You can't be him. You just can't." Adrianna continued to insist. She never wanted the CEO husband or the well connected in-law. She chose Cedric for the very reason that he wasn't any of those. With Cedric she was herself. She wasn't some daughter of a rich family. People wouldn't say that she succeeded because of who she had married.She didn't want people to think that she was just a pretty face. She wanted to be more, to shine by her own right and not by someone else's.

"Adri, this is who I am." Cedric said.

"Cedric, my family's approval shouldn't be something you need to chase. You don't need to be a successful man. Drop this act please." Adrianna told Cedric.

"Adri, this isn't a lie. I'm begging you. Please believe me." Cedric was on his knees begging Adrianna to listen to him. He was trying to confess to her who he really was and to introduce her to his family.

"Adrianna, dear, it's true." Priscilla said.

"Adrianna, Cedric is my brother." Ayanna said in an attempt to convince Adrianna.

"Ayanna?" Adrianna asked as she heard Ayanna's voice.

"Yes. I'm so sorry I had to lie to you too. I always wanted to tell you that you're my sister in law. I understand if you're mad at me." Ayanna told Adrianna.

"No. I'm not mad. I just don't think this is true. How can Cedric, my Cedric, my husband of four years be your brother. I met your brother and he's a cold and heartless man." Adrianna reasoned.

"Adri, honey-" Cedric started to speak when Adrianna cut him off.

"You have no right to speak. I don't believe you. You can't be him. You just can't." Adrianna turned hostile when Cedric tried to talk to her.

"Brother, let me introduce her to everyone." Ayanna said when she noticed that Adrianna only got agitated when Cedric tried to explain himself.