Never Judge

Adrianna walked into the restaurant and was led to her reserved table. She saw the CEO of their partner company already there waiting for her with his assistant. Mia walked two steps behind Adrianna making sure that there was no threat. Of all places, R Tower was possibly the safest for the Reyes family.

The CEO was an older man, around the same age as her father-in-law, Emilio Reyes. He was on the heavyside and wore a fair amount of jewelry on his fingers. His name was Paul Quinto and he ran Meta Industries, a group of companies that did business locally. Despite his unappealing look, Uncle Matthew assured Adrianna that the man was an experienced businessman and was quite respected in many circles.

"Ah Miss Adrianna, I just arrived." The Mr. Quinto said sticking out his hand to shake hers.

"I'm glad you didn't have to wait long Mr. Quinto." Adrianna shook his hand and took her seat.

"No worries, I know it's difficult being pregnant. When my wife was as far along as you I had to hire a few extra maids to help her out in her day to day." Mr. Quinto said with a smile. "I'm actually amazed that you are able to keep working despite being so many months along. How many months are you pregnant Miss Adrianna?" 

"Eight. That's why I would like to close this deal as soon as possible Mr. Quinto." Adrianna said with a little push behind the tone of her voice. Cedric wanted her to stay at home three weeks before her due date and she needed to close all the deals before turning them over to her Uncle Matthew to handle while she gave birth and recovered.

"Yes, yes. On the deal however, I need to decline." Mr. Quinto said kindly.

"Mr. Quinto, I don't understand. The offer we gave you was quite attractive and the profit was quite large." Adrianna asked with a visible look of confusion on her face.Both she and Uncle Matthew made sure that Meta Industries would get above what was normally practiced. There was nothing wrong with their offer. 

"Miss Adrianna, I honestly don't know how to say this to you without you taking offense. The deal you offered was fine. We were ready to take it." Mr Quinto explained. "It's just that there was a new factor that came up. And we simply cannot ignore it."

Adrianna paused, she had an idea about what the new factor could be. But she didn't dare assume. 

"Mr. Quinto, please, tell me. What caused you to turn down such a lucrative deal?" Adrianna asked.

"Miss Adrianna, please don't get offended. But I'm sure a mistress such as yourself would understand that there are certain heiranchies that we must follow." Mr. Quinto said in a coaxing tone. It seemed he believed the rumors that Adrianna was the mistress of the Reyes Heir.

"Mr. Quinto, I am not a mistress, that I can assure you." Adrianna stood up and started down at the older man. The other dinners ended up looking at her, Adrianna didn't care, she was not a mistress.

"Madam, your temper. Your husband would be worried." Mia whispered to Adrianna. Cedric had given strict instructions that Adrianna was to be kept happy and relaxed at all times.

Adrianna took a deep breath and sat back down.

"Miss Adrianna, if you aren't his mistress that places you even further down. The people who asked for our partnership aren't those we can easily offend." Mr. Quinto's voice began to slowly rise as he realized that Adrianna was not the Reyes Heir's mistress. "The more you should know your place and not use their name." Mr. Quinto accused.

"Mr. Quinto I was told you were a reasonable man. Do not tell me you were only accommodating Island's Inc. because you thought I was some rich man's mistress?" Adrianna asked, she could feel her temper beginning to rise. This was what she wanted to avoid when she refused to announce that she was the Reyes Heir's wife. She didn't want people handing her things just because of who her husband was.

"As a business woman, you should know that our companies fall and rise because of what families like theirs want." Mr. Quinto lectured, of course Adrianna didn't need to be told this. She had seen first hand how Cedric had taken down all the companies that rejected his job application. 

"Mr. Quinto, I am well aware of what the Reyes family is capable of." Adrianna said. 

"Miss Adrianna, maybe if you made the proper connections then you would be half as good as Miss Moyra." Mr. Quinto finally dropped the name of the woman claiming to be Mrs. Reyes.

"So you really think Miss Elaine Moyra is actually Mrs. Reyes?" Adrianna asked the older businessman.

"Mr. Reyes bought that necklace for her." Mr. Quinto said.

"And you don't think it could be a fake?" Adrianna questioned. "Why would the real Mrs. Reyes suddenly reveal herself after years of remaining under the radar?"

"I'm sure they have their own reasons Miss Adrianna. You of all people should not dare question it." Mr. Quinto said in a ridiculing tone. It seemed all of the respect he held towards Adrianna was now thrown out of the window due to the fact that he no longer believed her to be the Reyes Heir's mistress. "Miss Moyra came to us asking for this deal and we will give it to her. It's your own fault for having such a capable competitor. Not only is she better than you in every way, but their products and designs are much better. You should have chosen a better partner Miss Adrianna. You should have thought like Miss Moyra."

"I refuse to continue to deal with a man like you, someone who only looks at the surface. This is a business deal, not some new toy you are looking to buy, I expected more professionalism." Adrianna accused.

"Madam, your husband just called. He said if you do not calm down he will be forced to come down and make you take a leave of absence." Mia whispered to Adrianna.

"You are not worth dealing with Mr. Quinto. Goodbye." Adrianna said as she marched out of the restaurant and headed to the basement. She had no plans of going up to meet Cedric, she was mad at him too.

"Why did you tell him?" Adrianna asked Mia.

"Mrs. Reyes it wasn't me. It was the Manager of Nouveau. Please understand, the whole Reyes Group only wants to see you and the baby safe. They are concerned about you." Mia explained to her boss.

Adrianna was still mad at Cedric. She couldn't understand why but she was irrationally mad at him. He had done nothing, but look out for her and care for her and to put her and the baby first, but for some reason she wanted to get as far away from him as possible.