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"Congratulations Ayanna, Ray." Cedric said with a nod as the guests finally cleared out of the church. The only people left were their friends and the immediate family.
"Thanks brother." Ayanna said as she hugged her brother tight.
"Ayanna, your dress." Cedric said with a laugh as he hugged his sister back.
"I hope you're not mad that you have to act so cold and distant towards Adrianna and Emilio." Ayanna said with a frown.
"Don't worry Ayanna, it's our choice to live this way. Plus it's the best, it will keep your sister-in-law and nephew safe." Cedric said with a nod.
"Daddy!" Little Emilio shouted as he was finally allowed to run up to his father.
"Emilio." Cedric said, catching his son in his arms.
"Daddy, did you see me? Did you see me?" Emilio asked as he pointed towards himself.
"Yes, you were such a good boy. You even looked after Tristan. Daddy is proud of you Emilio." Cedric said as he laughed at how his son boasted about how well he walked down the aisle.
"Yey, daddy is proud of me!" Emilio said as he hugged his dad by the neck.
Everyone laughed at how silly and innocent the little boy was being at the moment.
"Well Emilio might have acted well, but Tristan just exposed us." Nicole said, shaking her head as she approached with the other girls.
"Why? What happened?" Ian asked as he wrapped an arm around Nicole's waist and kissed her. "You look gorgeous by the way."
"Our little boy crying and reaching out for his daddy made people suspect that you are his father." Nicole said as she leaned her head on Ian's chest. "They looked into all of your assistant's backgrounds, Cedric. They assumed that you were an illegitimate son."
"They come up with the wildest assumptions." Alexi said with a laugh as he approached with Jen by his side. It was evident to everyone that Alexi was being somewhat cold towards her. In the past his arms would already be wrapped around Jen at this point.
"So they found out who Dave is?" Cedric asked.
"Yup. They have already realized that he doesn't have a simple background either." Alexi said with a nod.
"It's too late to have this covered up." Cedric said with a sigh as he looked towards Ram.
"Way too late. Plus the moment people realized it the news exploded." Ram explained. He had let Francesca and Selina go ahead to the reception since Selina had no idea that Cedric and the Reyes Group CEO were one and the same.
"The elders are not happy." Raphael Chan said, shaking his head as he approached the group of young people. "But they are not as angry as I expected. The fact that you were a groomsman in the wedding helped dissipate that anger Ian."
"I guess you owe us." Ray teased with a grin.
"Ian, don't ever think that Raphael and I wouldn't want you in our family." Lucy Chan said in a motherly tone. "You aren't just Tristan's father, you're the man that my daughter loves. You're a good kid."
"Thank you auntie Lucy." Ian said with a smile.
"How many times do I have to tell you, stop calling me auntie and just call me mom." Lucy Chan scolded. "It's inevitable anyway."
"And if Lucy won't have you as a son, I don't mind adding one more in the Reyes Clan." Priscilla Reyes teased.
"Thank you mom, auntie." Ian was overjoyed with the love and acceptance that Nicole's family had given him. None of them had expected that Raphael Chan and Lucy Chan would be open to having a son-in-law whose family was no longer in power.
"We should release a statement too, regarding my assistants' background. While most of what people have uncovered is true, they had no business in digging into the personal lives of my employees." Cedric said sternly. He didn't like people prying into his people's lives.
"Smart choice son." Emilio Reyes said with a nod. "Also, your cousin Ace asked me to tell you he needed to talk to you after the wedding. Something about a special project you placed him on." Emilio Reyes said with a shrug.
"I'll talk to him later then." Cedric said. He couldn't help but notice Jen listening intently to their conversation. Was it possible that Jen was actually working for the Caprios? If so, then why would the Carpios place someone in Alexi's side and not closer to the Reyeses.
Something about Jen still didn't add up. He didn't know who she was working for or what her motivation was. He didn't like not knowing, he wanted to be able to study his opponent, and him coming in blind was a disadvantage.
"Let's go. I'm sure the guests are already waiting at the reception." Priscilla Reyes told the group.
"I'll see you later." Cedric said as he lowered his head and kissed his wife passionately in front of their family and friends. "You look amazing by the way." He whispered in a seductive tone into Adrianna's ears.
"Woah, I thought Ayanna and I were the ones that got married today." Ray teased. "Stop stealing the limelight."
Everyone laughed at Ray's grumblings. Cedric was too affectionate towards his wife.
"You get to kiss my sister in public, I can't kiss my wife in public, so let me have this win." Cedric said with a grin.
"Cedric, let your wife and son go ahead." Priscilla Reyes said scolding her son.
"Fine mom." Cedric said as he finally released Adrianna from his arms and placed down his son.
"Emilio, remember to behave." Cedric told his son sternly.
"Yes daddy." Emilio said with a nod.
"Watch over your mom and make sure Tristan doesn't get into trouble." Cedric said.
"I'll be a big strong boy." Emilio said with a nod.
"Good." Cedric said as he let his son and wife go ahead and leave the church with Nicole, Ian, and Tristan.
"Nicole and Ian are about to face a barrage of reporters." Alexi said as he walked up beside Cedric.
"The security team is keeping the paparazzi away. The worst they can do is to take photos." Cedric said with a shrug.
"Can I speak with you, alone?" Alexi asked Cedric.
Cedric nodded and walked ahead to a secluded part of the church.
"I need to speak to Cedric alone. Stay here." Cedric heard Alexi tell Jen quite coldly. Cedric couldn't help but wonder if Jen was already suspicious of Alexi's treatment of her.
"Cedric -" Alexi quickly said as he joined Cedric in the secluded area.
"Wait, before you say anything, you should treat Jen a little bit better. We can't have her getting suspicious." Cedric warned Alexi.
"I'm sorry. It's just hard being around her." Alexi said with a sigh.
"We won't get what we need if she suspects you." Cedric said, shaking his head.
"She already does." Alexi groaned.