"Wh- wh- wh- what are you talking about Al?" Eric said as he stumbled on his words.
Al knew that Eric was never this distressed, telling him that his cousin had indeed been speaking to Cara.
"What have you been telling her?" Al asked as he leaned closer to his cousin, looking him in the eyes.
"Aldrich Lawrence, what are you trying to do to your cousin?" Al heard his mother ask from behind him.
Al frowned as his mother and his aunts came up to them.
"I knew you were up to no good again." She said, rolling her eyes in annoyance. "Why did you have to date all those girls if you still loved her?"
Of course Ayanna Lawrence knew exactly who the woman who had captivated her son's heart was.
"Auntie Ayanna, why don't you scold him about trying to scare me?" Eric complained as he crossed his arms on his chest and pouted at his aunt.
"You're old enough to be able to handle whatever Al throws at you, Eric." Ayanna teased her nephew. "Plus, I doubt you were flirting with Cara. If anything you were probably trying to convince her to come home."
Eric looked guilty as he shook his head.
"It's none of your business, mom." Al hissed, angry at his mother as she tried to investigate his actions.
"You do know that you have numerous aunts and female cousins that you can ask for advice, right?" His Aunt Katerina asked with her hands on her hips, shaking her head. "You didn't even ask Emilio or Eric, did you?"
"Why do you all have to be up in my business?" Al grumbled as he turned away from everyone. "I'm meeting with Cara soon. I'll win her back, don't worry."
"They just don't want you to screw up, Aldrich." His Aunt Nicole said as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "They care about you and your happiness and they also have come to care about Cara."
Al sighed and nodded.
"Mom, Aunties, I'm nineteen, I'm sure I'm old enough to win her heart the right way." Al said as he winked at his mom.
"Right, cause your father even at his age still makes a ton of mistakes." Ayanna pointed out. "We'll leave it to you then."
As Ayanna said this she left the three boys alone and made her way to the table where the other parents were seated.
Soon, Al, Emilio, and Eric were no longer alone on their table.
The others from their generation joined them including Al's siblings and Emilio's siblings.
The girls were all quick to offer Al advice on how to win back Cara's heart.
"Flowers definitely appear there with flowers!" Christina exclaimed. "Whenever my boyfriend messes up that's one thing he always forgets!"
Christina was currently dating John Co, the heir to one of the biggest processed meat suppliers in the country.
Everyone had been so shocked when they first met John, he didn't seem to be the son of one of the richest families in the country.
He was simple but smart.
"Oh, bring her the pastries our chef cooks that she loved!" Angel exclaimed as she thought of the small things Cara enjoyed while she still lived with them.
"Don't worry girls." Al chuckled as several waiters came over to serve them their food. "I've got this covered." He said, winking at them.
"Didn't your mom just remind you that you have a bunch of females around Cara's age that you should listen to." Tristan pointed out, making everyone on the table laugh.
"Don't worry, Tristan." Al said with a mischievous grin on his lips. "I have a secret weapon, someone to whom Cara has been ranting to for two years now."
He placed an arm around Eric's shoulders and smiled.
"You're riding home with me, cousin." Al spoke as if the car ride itself was a threat. "And on the way home you will tell me every single dream and complain Cara has told you."
Eric turned pale at his cousin's words.
"Shouldn't you figure that on your own, Al?" Eric said with a nervous laugh.
"Well, why would I want to do that, cousin." Al said with a smile. "You've been speaking to her and know exactly what I should do. Unless. . ."
Al's voice trailed away as the girls giggled.
Everyone knew what Al was trying to say and found it quite amusing that Eric was his victim.
The two young men were as thick as thieves and rarely fought, but Eric still understood the extent of Al's influence and abilities.
Some even debated that Al was probably more powerful than Emilio, although Emilio would eventually be much richer.
"Oh look, they are calling me, it's my turn to perform soon!" Eric exclaimed as he slipped from Al's grasps and ran off to the backstage.
Everyone laughed as Eric ran as fast as he could, looking back to make sure that Al wasn't following him.
"You don't seriously think he could be flirting with Cara, right brother?" Andres asked as he looked up at his older brother.
Al chuckled and shook his head.
"No, of course not." Al responded, laughing at the ridiculous thought that Eric was flirting with Cara.
"Even if he did, I doubt he would be able to win her heart from Al." Angel said, smiling as she recalled her conversations with Cara.
"You know something." Al said as he glared at his sister.
"Of course I do. She's my sister and I hope someday she will be my sister in law." Angel teased Al, making him shrink back in embarrassment.
The night passed on quickly as Eric performed and speeches were made.
Cedric and Emilio awarded several employees for their dedication to the company as well as the top performers.
"I should go." Al said as he looked at his watch.
"You could always take the plane and not have to be pressed for time." Tristan pointed out knowing how stubborn Al actually was.
Al was never comfortable taking the private jet when he could fly commercial, he simply asked for first class tickets from his dad.
"It's a waste if I took a private plane, this way is easier." Al told Tristan as he waved for Eric to hurry up. He was serious about questioning his cousin on the way home.
"Do I really have to go with you?" Eric grumbled.
He knew he didn't have a choice, so he left with Al while everyone continued to enjoy the night.
Emilio remained with the rest of the family and was actually obliged to see the event till the end.
He suddenly saw his Uncle Ian rushing out of the venue. He was pale and had a worried look on his face.
Very little could bother Ian Lim this way, it was just not normal.
Something told Emilio that he had to follow.
He quickly pulled Tristan with him, making sure that no one noticed that they had followed Ian Lim out.
"Are you sure?" They heard Ian ask someone, his voice was harsh, Emilio had never heard him speak that way.
"Sir, yes. They found Eric Chan Jr. badly injured, but it seems that Aldrich Lawrence fell off the cliff with his car."
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