Never Judge



Al quickly stepped aside, allowing his instinct and reflexes to take over. 

Cara had thrown a vase at him. Luckily he was already expecting the worst and had managed to dodge it.

"I'm sure I'm not a bastard Cara." Al teased as he tried to lighten the situation.

His joke clearly didn't work as Cara walked up to him and gave him a slap on the cheek. 

Al knew he could have avoided it, but what was the point? It would have only made her possibly more mad and that was not Al's goal in visiting her tonight.

"You have the guts to show up here after you sent my dad to reason with me on your behalf? How pathetic are you?" Cara spat as Al slowly closed the door behind him. 

He didn't want the entire house waking up, nor did he want Cara to try and run away.

"The only time today that I saw your father was outside your door less than five minutes ago." Al said as he tried to defend himself and Peter Jao.

He was honestly surprised that Cara thought he had spoken to her father to convince her to forgive Al.

"You're lying!" She shouted at Al.

"I really didn't ask him to speak on my behalf, Cara. But I am here to try to reason with you." Al confessed as he made his way to pour them a drink. 

"That's mine." Cara said as she glared at Al.

"Well, technically, you're in my house so. . ." Al said, his voice trailing off as he decided against continuing his sentence.

"Shut up." Cara told him as she sat on the couch and leaned back.

Al smiled to himself as he realized that Cara had not told him to leave the room yet. He couldn't help but think that it was a sign that she was willing to hear him out. 

"Cara, I came here to explain myself and my actions, I hope you will hear me out." Al said as he approached her and sat next to her.

Cara turned her back on him, acting as if she wasn't willing to listen, but Al knew otherwise.

As long as he was still in her room, it meant that she was going to hear him out. 

"It was a difficult high intensity situation earlier today." Al began his explanation, not waiting for Cara to confirm that she would hear him out.

"And that gives you the right to manhandle me and lock me in my room?" Cara questioned as she turned to glare at Al.

"You refused to listen, to understand!" Al argued back. "Your questions and stubbornness were reaching a dangerous point, I did it for not just your safety but everyone else's."

Cara let out a scream of frustration as she stomped away from Al.

Not being one to simply let Cara have her way, Al stood up and chased after her. 

She walked towards the balcony and threw the doors open, stepping out.

"All I wanted was the truth, to understand what was happening, then you go and talk about me and my father as if we wanted Colin to betray your family!" Cara shouted at Al as her voice carried over the silent night sky outside.

Al was sure that everyone could now hear her getting mad at him, and as much as he wanted to pull her back into the room, he knew that it would only make things worse.

"I know that you didn't want Colin to do that, I know you and your father had no control over his actions. Will you just listen to me Cara." Al answered calmly.

Cara didn't answer him.

She simply turned her back and looked out at the night sky.

Al took the opportunity to close the gap between them. He stepped out of the room and joined her on the balcony, standing shoulder to shoulder with her. 

It was silent outside. 

Everyone in the mansion was now in their rooms, even Ray who was probably done explaining the situation to Angelica. 

Al took a deep breath as he hoped Cara would finally calm down and listen to him.

"You know, it breaks my heart that we are fighting like this." Al bravely confessed. "You're someone I really care about and I think everyone else sees that." 

Cara didn't say a word, she just continued to look out of the balcony, taking deep breaths as they enjoyed the cool breeze. 

"Did you ask my dad to talk to me?" Cara finally spoke without turning to face Al. "I want the truth, not some well-said lie. I hate it when people lie to me. They think I'm innocent and naive, I'm not." 

Al nodded even if Cara couldn't see him.

"What I told you earlier was the truth, I didn't ask your dad to speak to you. I haven't seen him all day." Al admitted.

It was the truth, he hadn't seen Peter Jao that day.

"But, I have to confess, I was already planning on asking for his help if you would be stubborn tonight." Al laughed awkwardly, unsure of how Cara would take it.

He noticed as the side of her lips curled up, giving him a small smile. 

Al couldn't put into words how relieved he was that Cara was smiling.

"Fine. I'll forgive you, but I need to know something Al. The truth please." Cara pleaded as her eyes met his.

Al nodded as he promised himself to tell her the truth no matter what she asked. 

"I'll start with an easy one." Cara told him with a sad look in her eyes. "How are your mother and brother?" 

"They are safe." Al told Cara.

He was touched that Cara was actually concerned about the condition of his mother and brother.

"That's good, I didn't get to interact with Andres much, but your mom is so nice and such an angel." Cara said, smiling as she spoke about Al's family.

"She'll be flattered to hear that." Al teased, making Cara blush. 

Cara then straightened herself and looked Al in the eyes with a serious expression.

"Tell me, Al, are we friends because you actually found me interesting is school or are we friends because of what my father and brother did?" Cara asked, catching all off guard.

He didn't think she would ask that question.

By the time he processed what she asked, it was too late.

Cara was furious as she walked out of the balcony and away from Al.

His silence was the answer she needed.