Never Judge



"I can't believe you!" Cara shouted as she turned and threw a lamp at him.

Al dodged the lamp and heard as it crashed to the ground below. 

"Sorry." Al called out knowing that there was a bodyguard lurking around the corner, keeping watch so that Cara wouldn't escape.

"You had a bodyguard stand by the balcony!!!" Cara shouted, furious that she was so tightly watched.

"Yes. Because it was for your safety." Al said as he chose not to waver on the matter. "I already explained to you my actions! It was for the greater good!" 

"And you also admitted that we are only friends because of who my father and brother are! You used me Al!" Cara cried out as she threw a pillow at Al.

"Cara, we are friends because I enjoy being around you." Al was practically begging for her to understand him. "My family opened their doors to yours because we are friends, don't doubt that fact."

Cara shook her head and sat on the bed, turning her back on Al.

"Cara, please." Al begged as he walked towards her, only for Cara to hold out a hand telling him to stop.

"Out!" Cara shouted. "Leave me alone."

Al sighed and frowned, but he didn't leave.

"You can't make me." Al told her. "This is still my family's home, the people here work for my father."

"And if your father was as wise as everyone says, he will do as I want if he wants my father to stay and help him." Cara threatened Al as she looked him in the eyes.

Al didn't respond. 

He just watched Cara, annoyed that she was using the underworld as a threat. 

"People can die if you act because we fought." Al reminded her. "A lot of innocent people."

"Do you think I care?" Cara asked as she raised an eyebrow at Al.

Al frowned but didn't attempt to take a step forward. 

"Cara, we both know that this isn't you. You are letting your anger get the best of you." Al said in a calm tone as he tried to get Cara to relax. "You care about people and you don't like it when people get hurt."

"No! This is me, you don't get to dictate who I am Aldrich Lawrence!" Cara shouted. "Get out!"

As much as he didn't want to leave, Al worried that staying would make things worse for him and Cara, so he turned and walked out of the room.

He could tell that Cara was watching him go, making sure that he left her alone rather than tricked her.

When he reached the door, Al stopped and turned to look at his friend.

"Cara, I hope you know that I truly care about you and I never wanted to hurt you." Al said as he kept eye contact with her. "You are my friend because I like you, not because my dad needs your father and brother. Please I hope you know that."

"Leave." Cara said in a stern tone as she threw a pillow. This one hitting Al at the back of his head.

Al sighed and frowned, but he did nothing to retaliate.

He simply closed the door behind him and left.

"Any new instructions, sir?" The bodyguard asked as soon as the doors were closed behind Al.

"No. Just keep her in there, make sure she is safe. Give her anything she asks for." Al told the bodyguard as he continued to look ahead and left.

Al couldn't help but hope that things would be better the next day.

Maybe a good night's sleep was all they all needed, after all, today had been quite eventful.

When Al woke up, his first thoughts were on Cara. He wondered if anything had happened last night, if she had slept well. 

He quickly took his phone and asked the security team to connect him to the body guards stationed at her door.

"Were there any incidents last night?" Al asked.

"No sir. Miss Cara slept quite soundly." He informed Al. 

"Has breakfast been sent up to her?" Al was anxious, he wanted Cara to still be treated properly.

"Yes, sir. Your sister joined the maids as they sent the food up. They spoke for a bit but the young miss seemed quite distressed when she left." The bodyguard informed Al, much to his disappointment.

"Thank you for informing me. Has she asked if she was going to school today? Has her dad spoken to her today?" Al asked the bodyguard.

"Mr. Jao hasn't come to visit his daughter, but he has gone down for breakfast." The bodyguard reported. 

"I'll speak to Peter. Thank you." Al ended the call and quickly ran down the stairs, hoping that he would catch Peter at breakfast.

"Woah, slow down Al, you'll trip!" Al heard his mom's soothing voice, making him stop in his tracks and run over to give her a hug.

"Mom! You're home!" He said excitedly.

"I wanted to get back as soon as possible after I heard about your fight with Cara." Ayanna Lawrence told her son as she frowned at him.

"I tried not to fight with her, but she doesn't understand mom. She thinks that I'm just using her." Al complained.

Ayanna nodded as she listened to her son.

"I'll try talking to her. Will she be going to school today?" Ayanna asked her son.

"It's not up to me, or at least I don't think it is." Al told his mom, unsure about what to do.

"I think your dad will leave this one up to you." Ayanna said as she smiled at Al. "Go, he's having breakfast with Peter Jao. I'll just freshen up then speak to your friend." 

Al nodded and rushed down the stairs once more, happy to find his father and Cara's at the dining table.

"Dad, Peter, good morning." Al greeted as he took his seat to his father's right.

"Al, Mr. Jao has a favor to ask you." Ray Lawrence told his son as he nodded for Peter to speak.

"Al, don't let my daughter leave her room just yet. If you let her go to school she will run and put not just herself in danger but everyone as well." 

He was shocked when he heard what Peter had to say, wasn't this man supposed to beg him to release his daughter?