I am quick to read the atmosphere, sensing a potentially heated argument between Lily and her grandmother. I hastily say my farewell to Mrs. Lee and seize the earliest opportunity to leave.
"Then, I will enter your name in my firm's database and will reach you as soon as I am done formulating a strong case for you."
I rise from the edge of the bed, where I have been perched to avoid touching Lily. As I walk away from them, I glance back at Lily's face. Her eyes are squinted, and her lips are pursed, as if she is holding back a torrent of tears.
I feel awful looking at her, just imagining the emotional turmoil she must be going through listening to all this; it pains me to see her pretending to be asleep.
The next few days, Mrs. Lee has been busy with surgery to place a stent for the blockage. Meanwhile, I prepare a strong case to present in court. I also consult an acquaintance, an estate lawyer, for more insights on the local laws.
In the mornings, I often see Lily traveling back and forth from the hospital to home. They have also hired a new caretaker for her grandfather, who already seems to be infatuated with Lily. I frequently see him flirting with her, which concerns me, although I know it shouldn't. However, I have become so involved with this family that I can't help but think twice about everything they do.
We cross paths quite a few times during the day—when I head out for work, buy groceries, get drinks, buy eggs, and buy meat. I have been stepping out more often than usual, coinciding with the times Lily is downstairs. But whenever our eyes meet, she turns away, avoiding even looking at me.
I can't say I don't understand her; it would be a natural reaction after knowing that I am a lawyer helping her grandmother pursue a divorce. Anyone would be upset with me.
Therefore, I also maintain my silence and do not try to approach her, even though I want to help.
One night, as I am about to ascend the staircase, I hear a muffled scream coming from their door. The sound is faint but distinct enough to catch my attention. I freeze for a moment, trying to make sense of what I am hearing, and then I see the door burst open.
The creepy caretaker, who has only been here for a week, is forcibly ejected by someone. He is pushed outside with such force that he is startled. Soon, his belongings follow: a whole suitcase is hurled at him, opening in mid-air and spilling his clothes everywhere. Almost immediately, a pair of sandals flies out, one after the other.
"Get out, you pervert!" screams Lily.
It takes a moment, but I grasp the situation. Something inside me snaps, and I suddenly feel an urge to choke this guy with my bare hands, forgetting that I am a person who places the law above all else. I hurry forward and grab him by the scruff before he can flee. I see Lily walking out of the door, frowning, her hair messy.
"Did this guy do something to you?" I ask, tightening my grip on him before even hearing from her.
"I will get him arrested; he dared to lay his hands on me while I was sleeping."
"No. No. No. Sir, please don't believe what she says. I didn't do anything," he pleads.
"Just how shameless can you be, denying what you did just now? Pathetic piece of shit," Lily retorts.
"Hold on a second," I say, stepping between the two to facilitate justice through communication. "Let's try to determine who is right and who is wrong by stating the facts."
"I was watching TV and don't even know when I dozed off and fell asleep there, but after that, I remember waking up when his hands were touching my boobs," Lily explains, her voice shaking with anger.
I clench my fingers into a fist and feel the blood rushing through my veins. For a moment, I want to forget about the law and kill this man.
"No. Sir, I swear I would never think of doing such a thing," he continues to claim innocence.
"Ah! Just don't say you were shooing away a fly from my chest. Ridiculous!" Lily snaps.
"Ma'am, you had the remote control in your hand when you were sleeping. Grandpa has trouble falling asleep with loud noise. I just wanted to take the remote from your hands and turn off the TV, and that's when I accidentally touched... it because your hand was so close to your...," he stammers.
"What rubbish! Mr. Alex, I want you to file a case of harassment and get him punished," she demands.
I think about the situation for a minute and consider the statements of both parties. "Is it true that you had the remote in your hands when sleeping?" I ask Lily.
She looks at me with narrowed eyes. "Yes, so what?"
"Then it may be true what the guy is saying. It may have been an accident," I suggest.
Lily folds her arms and scoffs, turning her face to the side with a slight chuckle. "You seriously need proof to believe me? Aren't you the lawyer for my grandmother? Shouldn't you simply believe what I'm saying without looking for the facts, huh?"
"Lily, let's not bring that matter here," I request.
"Why not? If you are so intelligent and righteous, then why don't you listen to both sides before arriving at a decision?"
"Well, that's the job of a judge," I reply.
She scoffs again, looking utterly baffled, fanning her hands in front of her face. "Now I'm sure it is you who has poisoned my grandma's mind with this nonsense about divorce."
"Don't you see for yourself that she is in a miserable state? She could have died if these neighbors hadn't been here. All her life, she has lived for her husband. She did tasks that someone would require caretakers for. She took care of him like a nursing home would. And still, you think she's wrong for wanting to live for herself once?"
"But she wants the entire fortune for herself. Do you know why my dad sent me here? To complete the legal work regarding his inheritance. Otherwise, he wouldn't even let me near my grandparents... What do I tell him?"
"See, that's not something I care about. I will represent Mrs. Lee in court and try to get her everything she deserves."
"Yeah! I could have guessed it. You have made some kind of deal with her, right?"
"Wait, where is he?"
Suddenly, I notice my arms are empty. The guy I was holding is nowhere to be found. We both stand silently, staring into the distance, watching him run away out of our sight.