Never Judge

Just like Cedric's lounge, Ayanna's had a bed, a TV, and a bathroom with a shower. It seemed that the Reyeses had expected the possibility of having to sleep in the office overnight due to their heavy work loads. Luckily Cedric had never had to use the lounge to sleep overnight yet, or at least he has always chosen to come home, no matter how late he finished. 

There was also a table and chair near the door where Adrianna chose to stay as she continued drinking her tea and checked her emails on her phone. But she could hear the conversation going on in Ayanna's office and she couldn't resist listening in.

"Miss Reyes you must fire him!" A person demanded.

"Yes Miss, he brings shame to the company and to all of us. His continued presence here will only drag us down further." Another employee argued. 

Adrianna noticed that despite being mad none of them dared raise their voices at Ayanna. They were speaking in forceful yet respecting tones. Clearly they feared Ayanna.

"Miss Ayanna, it already came from your family friends the Abads, Jason is a fraud. What use is keeping him around especially when Veronica is willing to do a partnership with us on the design of Elisia Malls." Another employee tried to reason out. Adrianna understood what these employees were complaining about, but she was left confused on why they needed to go up and complain to Ayanna. Veronica is Ayanna's friend, surely she wouldn't let such a despicable person stay.

"Enough." Ayanna suddenly said, clearly her patience had run out. "This matter will be dealt with accordingly. Jason has a contract with the Reyes Group and our lawyers are reviewing the terms. Unlike all of you, my family does not rush into decisions like this."

Adrianna could hear as a sudden silence took over the room, the employees clearly realized that they had made a mistake coming to Ayanna and demanding for her to take action over the matter.

"Jason Evangelista has been exposed as a fake. If it is proven, he will be fired." Ayanna said forcefully. "For the meantime we will push through with the partnership with Veronica. Patrick, as the manager on this, I do not want to hear any complaints. Jason will remain under you in that team. He will continue to do his work and follow your orders. You are to do everything to keep Veronica happy and to stick with the design she has made. Do you understand?" Ayanna said the last sentence slowly in order to get her message across.

"Yes Miss Reyes. We will keep working." The man Adrianna assumed to be Patrick said.

"If Jason complains about his position, say it was my order. If he wants to complain about me, tell him to go to my dad or brother. You may all leave." Ayanna said in an irritated tone.

Adrianna could hear as the employees all scrambled to get out of Ayanna's office, clearly a mad Ayanna was not something they wanted to witness any further.

When the door closed behind them Ayanna's assistant came in again.

"You can come out now Adri." Ayanna said in a suddenly sweet and cheery tone.

Adrianna stepped out to see Ayanna's assistant handing her a cup of coffee and arranging the things on Ayanna's desk.

"Help my sister in law with the tea and snacks first." Ayanna said as she leaned back on her chair.

"Yes, Miss Reyes." The assistant said as she went over to the lounge to pick up the snacks Adrianna had left inside.

"Mrs. Reyes, where do you want these?" The assistant asked.

"Oh, just on the table like earlier." Adrianna said.

The assistant arranged everything before finally leaving the room.

"I'm sure you heard everything. That room was designed for someone to listen in." Ayanna said as she took a sip of her coffee.

"I'm surprised you haven't fired Jason Evangelista." Ayanna admitted.

"Miguel has bigger plans. Jason hurt Veronica, and that's Miguel's bottomline." Ayanna said with a laugh as she placed her drink down and opened up her laptop.

"I didn't expect that ordinary employees could just come here and complain to you." Adrianna admitted.

"I'm more approachable than my dad or my brother. And this matter is quite sensational so I let them come up and voice their complaints." Ayanna said as she continued to type something on her laptop. "Plus it helps to listen to them. It gives me ideas on what else I can do to torture Jason. He was never a nice guy." 

"So why hire him in the first place?" Adrianna asked.

"It was a business decision I was not involved in. But it turned out for the better. At least this way we can trap him." Ayanna said with a laugh.

"Miss Ayanna? Mrs. Reyes?" Camilla said as she knocked.

"Come in." Ayanna called out.

"Mr. Reyes said to remind you that his wife still has a meeting. You might hold her up." Camilla reminded.

"Yes, yes. Tell my brother that I will be letting her go now." Ayanna said waving Camilla away.

Camilla simply nodded and left the room.

"I guess I need to let you go now." Ayanna said with a sigh as she closed her laptop and got up. "I'll walk you to the elevator."

Adrianna slowly got up and walked with her sister-in-law.

"Adri, please reconsider letting my brother help you. He just wants to give you the best of everything." Ayanna said as they walked side by side in the lavish hallway.

"I just want to prove myself first Ayanna." Adrianna said.

"Alright. But please promise me that if you need any help or if things get too difficult for you to handle you'll ask my brother, or me, or any of our friends. We are all more than willing to help." Ayanna said, looking at her sister-in-law. Adrianna could see that Ayanna was being genuine about her request and it was clear that Cedric had not put her up to this.

"Alright, I promise." Adrianna said as the elevator door opened.