Never Judge

When Al woke up on Sunday morning, he thought it would be another lazy morning before heading out to work with his father.

The underworld did not rest, and between Laurence Holdings and the Underworld, Ray Laurence had a lot of work to do.

"Get dressed, we have guests." Ayanna Laurence, Al's mother said as she turned her son around and ushered him back to his room.

It was clear that she was annoyed about the unannounced visitors, but it must have been some very important people for her not to put up a fit.

Ray spoiled his wife, if she wanted something, she got it. It didn't help that she had her own means of getting what she wanted. She just like asking her husband for it.

"Formal?" Al asked as he tried to figure out what clothes to wear.

"Something casual that screams intimidating." Ayanna said with a smile. "I'll go warn Andres, he can't avoid this one."

Al chuckled at the thought of his younger brother trying to escape through the back door again.

If Al hated dealing with public events, Andres hated dealing with people.

"Good morning, brother." Al's sister, Angelica Laurence greeted him as she walked elegantly down the hall, already dressed and ready, as if she knew they were having guests.

"Did you know?" Al asked her as he looked at how she had dressed, making sure that nothing was out of place.

"When I went out for my morning run I heard the maids talking about some guests arriving, so I made myself presentable." She said with a smile.

Angelica was five years younger than Al, but she was the one that took her training for the mafia most seriously.

As early as now Al could already tell that his sister would be at his side when he took his place as king, while Andres would help him deal with Laurence Holdings.

"Mom isn't going to be happy." Angelica giggled as she continued to walk away, making Al laugh. She was right, their mother was not happy.

Al quickly changed and rushed down, only to be surprised by a familiar laugh as he rushed down the stairs making him stop in his tracks.

"You're so nice." Cara cooed as Al slowed his steps.

"You should meet my brothers, they are nice too. I'm happy that there will be another girl in the house, even if you're older." Angelica said in a sweet tone.

She had already mastered how to manipulate people into doing what she wanted. She would become very dangerous when she grew up, an asset to the family and to Al.

"Angel, why don't you give Cara a tour later with Andres?" Ray suggested as Al finally made it to the bottom of the staircase.

He heard a gasp that was definitely from Cara as he turned and smiled.

"Al?" Cara and her father both asked in chorus.

"Cara, Mr. Jao." Al said as he didn't show a hint of surprise when he saw them.

"Why aren't you shocked to see us here?" Cara asked as she eyed Al. "Why are you here?"

"It's nice to see that you are acquainted with my eldest son, Aldrich Laurence." Ray said as a form of introduction between Al and the Jao family.

"No, no, no, his name is Al Reyes, he's my classmate!" She said in shock, shaking her head.

"Dad, can I speak to Cara alone?" Al asked his father, he needed to explain things to her so that she didn't hate him.

"After we speak with her father. Your mom, Angelica, and Andres can give them a tour around the property. They will be staying with us for a while." Ray told his son as he gestured for Al to sit down next to him.

Al did as his father asked as Cara continued to glare at him. He desperately wanted to explain why he had kept his identity a secret, but his father refused to let him, an act that confused the young man.

He thought that they had agreed that he needed to patch things up with Cara, but now it seemed Ray was stopping him.

"So you know my big brother?" Angelica asked Cara as she moved to sit next to the young woman.

Cara glanced at Al and nodded slowly.

"Are you friends?" Angelica asked, acting like a curious ten year old.

"Yes. We are." Al said, answering before Cara could.

She glared at him but said nothing more.

"Ah my beautiful wife, Ayanna Laurence and my second son Andres Laurence." Ray said as he saw Ayanna and Andres walking down the stairs.

Al resisted the urge to laugh as he saw the scowl on his brother's face.

"Darling, this is Peter Jao and his lovely daughter Cara." Ray said as Ayanna smiled and greeted them. "Cara is, coincidentally, Al's friend from school."

"Oh, that's surprising, Al barely has friends he actually likes." Andres commented, making Al laugh and shake his head. What Andres said was true, the only person he liked in his school was Cara. Everyone else was quite annoying to him.

"Wait, was it Cara's and Peter's house that you went to last weekend?" Ayanna asked as she feigned a shocked expression.

Al was sure that his mother had been fully briefed about the Jaos and why they needed to stay at their home.

"Yes mom." Al nodded. "Cara is probably the only friend in school I actually like, the others just want to be my friend."

"And they don't know who you are yet." Andres added with a grin. "Imagine if they knew you were Ray Laurence's son, Cedric Reyes' nephew, they would all be tripping over each other to be your friend."

"That's what happens to you in school, right Andres?" Angelica giggled as she threw sharp words at her brother.

Andres simply glared at his little sister but eventually brushed the comment off.

"We'll continue this conversation later. For now, Aldrich and I will speak with Peter, give Cara a tour of her house for the next few days." Ray said as he stood up and gestured for Peter to walk with him to his office.

Al gave Cara a longing glance as he watch his mother and sister usher her away.

"Can I join you?" Andres asked Al.

"I thought you preferred the legal side of things." Al asked as he raised an eyebrow at his brother.

"I'd like to give the other side a try as well." Andres said.

Al simply nodded, if Andres wasn't allowed, their father would send him away.