Albert flinched. He recalled Josh saying he would ask George to find information about Anas on the night he killed Peter. Albert never wanted to know about it because he thought Josh wouldn't give him the order to take care of Anas to this extent.
"You know Anastasia's full name?" asked George, dismissing Albert's reverie.
"It seems that she told me once, but I forgot," Albert said.
"Anastasia Edwards. That's her full name," George said, then he picked up his mobile phone and fiddled with the tiny object and then turned to Albert. "I sent you a file on Anastasia's identity, check your phone."
Albert obeyed George's orders. The man gave a formal identity that seemed to be taken from the population data, Albert was quite surprised because it turned out that Anas was only 20 years old and the girl's birthday was coming soon. Albert's forehead wrinkled as he read sentence after sentence until the last word.
"If you have read the first one. Open the second page," George said.
Albert opened a second file that this time did not come from government data but from a social care foundation in Maryland far from New York. Albert didn't expect that Anas spent a dozen years there. He took down the mobile phone, from the two files that had been read, he could form one conclusion. A new fact that was enough to make him speechless.
"So, all this time...." Albert turned to George.
The man beside him nodded. "That's right. Anastasia Edwards is not Max William's biological child. She and Peter are indeed one mother, but different fathers. Chris Edwards and Anastasia Edwards were in the same car when the accident happened 14 years ago. Chris died, while Anas was blind. Jade, Anas and Peter's mother, is embarrassed and devastated by the loss of her second husband. So, she left Anas in a social care home, but was never picked up, until two years ago, Peter learned of Anas's whereabouts and climbed his sister to live together in the Netherlands and then returned to New York six months ago."
It turns out that Anas's togetherness with Peter is very short. The man thought, they grew up together especially when they saw Anas so spoiled to Peter. That means he has killed the only family that Anas has even though the existence of the mother cannot be ascertained.
"She's a really poor girl," George said.
"Does Josh already know about this?" asked Albert.
"I only got information about Anas yesterday afternoon. Today I will meet with Mr. Josh to give you a file on Anas," George said.
Albert nodded. "Maybe Josh will change his mind to sell the girl."
"Or it's you who will restrain Josh's intention to sell the girl," George said.
Albert turned his head quickly. Again George spoke carelessly. "What am I holding it for? Didn't give me any benefit."
"Yes, it is possible that you are encouraged to feel sorry for the girl. Never mind, I have to go to see Mr. Josh. He was the first person I gave information about Anastasia's identity, but I didn't want Mr. Josh to cover up anything from you." George immediately got up from the sofa, he was wearing a brown coat and a red knitting hat.
"Thank you for coming." Albert drove George to the terrace of the house.
George turned around before leaving the house. "Al, we are sinners, but it doesn't hurt to use your heart in certain moments. That girl is so poor, maybe it's much better if you go along with her that night. However, you let her live instead, so keep her as good as you can."
Albert didn't understand why these words could come out of a criminal's mouth. If it was George who lived with Anas, maybe what the man said could have happened willingly.
"Stop talking, George. It's useless to fight Josh," Albert said.
"It's useless when the one who fights is you," George said.
"Never mind." Albert didn't want to continue this conversation. When George disappeared from the first intersection, Albert went back in and went to the kitchen.
He didn't know what happened to him at this time, which was obviously like there was a squeeze on his chest that made him feel claustrophobic. Albert filled the bowl with George's homemade soup. The smell of broth spread and made him reflexively turn his head towards Anas's room. Again George's voice sounded in his head. The words imply that Anas's misfortune stemmed from Albert's decision that night. However, if George thought he was able to influence Albert with such cheesy words just now, the man was wrong.
For many years Albert lived without giving and got mercy. Anas's presence will not change that in the slightest. He was just serving orders, he was just doing this for money alone. Because he needs to survive longer.
Albert opened the door of Anas's room slowly. He put the bowl on the nightstand and sat on the edge of the bed. The girl's face was pale and looked very helpless, just like her life was on the verge of misery.
"Anas."
Not long after Anas's eyes moved.
"It's me, Albert," said the man, perhaps Anas still unable to recognize him.
"I seem to be sick," Anas said, quietly.
"I know. You fainted after a fever and nosebleeds. You have to eat before you take medicine. Are you strong to sit down?" Albert asked. There was no cynical tone and bent as usual.
Anas nodded softly. She tried to get up but staggered. So, Albert helped Anas to sit down. He picked up the soup bowl and intended to give it to Anas, but Albert immediately blocked his intentions when he saw Anas sitting limply with her head leaning against the pillow.
"I kind of floated," Anas said.
Albert looked at the spoon in their hand doubtfully. The girl was unable to eat herself and who else could help her besides her? Albert thought again, maybe this is what George meant when the man asked himself to use his heart when treating Anas. He relented, if it was just like this, it would be nothing. Acting like having humanity can still Albert do.
"Open your mouth. Let me take a bribe," Albert said.
"What to eat?" asked Anas.
"Cream soup with corn."
Anas opened her mouth slowly and Albert fed the girl carefully. This is the first time he has treated a sick person. No one made a sound until the soup in the bowl ran out. Anas was too limp to ask about Peter and Albert not knowing what to do but making sure the girl stayed alive by feeding her and medicine. Albert also avoided looking at the girl because the urge on his chest did not subside.
He decided not to tell Josh about Anas's condition. He didn't want to be dogged by any more strange orders from the man.
"Now I believe that you are indeed Peter's friend," Anas said, after taking a sip of water.
"Why do you think so?" asked Albert, not wanting an answer while storing Anas's medicine in the nightstand drawer.
Anas smiled even though his face was still pale and his body was limp, but she looked much fresher after eating and taking medicine.
"Because Peter also always cooks soup cream and feeds me every time I get sick," Anas said.
Albert could see a flash of fresh light on Anas's face as the girl mentioned Peter's name. Albert didn't know how Anas lived in Maryland, but being blind for 14 years was not a short time. It turns out that Anas can never see, it turns out that Anas is not a girl who has been nurtured with spoiled and love since childhood.
All that was only obtained by Anas when Peter came and had to lose again when Josh's grudge against the late Max William peaked after many years of subsidence. That's right George said, the girl is really poor.
"Oh! Peter also slept with me because every time I was sick, I was always a nightmare," Anas said, again. She recalled her dream last night, only vaguely, but Anas knew it was creepy.
"I am not Peter. So, sleep alone. I'll bring you an extra blanket," Albert said, getting up from Anas's bed while carrying a dirty bowl.
"Okay."
When Albert wanted to close the door of Anas's room, he stopped in the doorway. He turned to the girl who was still sitting in a blanket. His hand clasped tightly to the door, his lips moved like he wanted to speak, but not so. This is opposite to him who usually says at will when with Anas. Yesterday he could say that Peter was stupid out loud.
"But if you're too scared because of a nightmare, just call me."
And that was all Albert could say before closing the door of Anas's room.