Chapter 307 - 307: Overflowing Kindness

The middle-aged man woke up with a huge gasp escaping from the unpleasant memories of yesterday's incident that came to him again in the form of a dream. He felt the throbbing pain throughout his body.

"Mister, good morning."

When the man looked up, he saw Erick holding a tray of food. The middle-aged man glanced at him with confusion.

"Where am I?"

"At my house. By the way, I am Erick." Erick muttered as he slowly put down the tray of food on the bedside table.

The middle-aged man sat up and leaned back on the headboard of the bed.

"Thank you for saving me, Erick… and thank you for not calling the cops nor bringing me in the hospital." The middle-aged aga man softly said to him, feeling grateful for what Erick had done.

Erick just nodded with a smile.

"You should eat. You haven't eaten anything since last night. My doctor friend came over here. He's the one who treated your wounds. He said you need to have an X-ray. We can go to the laboratory clinic if you don't want to ho to hospitals."

The middle-aged man just kept silent. His gaze fell on the tray of food. This was the first time someone had helped and cared for him like this.

"You are so kind and generous, helping a stranger. Are you not afraid that I am a bad guy? What if I am just lying to you? Why did you listen to me instead of calling and reporting me to the cops?" The middle-aged man felt like he wanted to scold his young savior.

Erick just let out a soft chuckle.

"I can protect myself. What can an old man who was beaten so badly do to me? I am a healthy young man. Besides, I am also a detective." Erick said, trying to lighten the atmosphere between them.

This time the middle-aged man burst out laughing.

"I am Matt… Matt Carter." The middle-aged man introduced himself to Erick.

"It's my pleasure to meet you, Mr. Carter," Erick responded with a smile.

"Oh, where's the young bold and brave lady with you last night? Is she your wife or your girlfriend?" Matt asked, peering at the room while looking for Elle.

"She's my wife," Erick stated, his eyes filled with love and tenderness. His lips curled up into a gentle smile.

"Oh, your wife is bold and very fierce. I really thought she's a policewoman. Where's she?." 

Matt let out a soft chuckle as he remembered how Elle suddenly appeared before them, facing those gangsters with no fear.

"She's temporarily living in her apartment. But don't worry, I will make her come back here… soon." Erick said to him meaningfully.

"Hmm, you mean you are both living separately as of now. I couldn't understand young couples nowadays. Tsk tsk tsk." Matt shook his head. Then he began to eat his food.

"What is her name?" Matt asked him out of the blue.

Erick paused for a moment. He was thinking of what he should reply to that question.

"Elle…Ali" Erick mumbled. Even he didn't know what to call her. He wanted to call her Elle but she was insisting on calling her Ali or Aliyah.

"Elle? Ali?" Matt repeated as he frowned.

"Aliyah 'Elle' Ross. That's her name." Erick said as he made up his mind.

"Oh, she has a nice name."

Erick let Mr. Carter finish his food while he took a shower. He decided to take a day off today to accompany the middle-aged man. He would try to talk to him regarding yesterday's incident. 

He wanted to help him. He could somehow sense that this old man was not a dangerous man but he appeared to be a mysterious one.

He was not sure whether the man would trust him completely but he would try his best to make him feel safe and comfortable in his presence.

When Erick got out of the bathroom, Mr. Carter was no longer in his bed. Erick swung his bedroom door open and ran out, darting his eyes searching for him.

Erick heaved a sigh of relief when he saw him in the kitchen, washing the dishes.

"Mr. Carter, you don't have to do that. You are still weak." Erick said to him helplessly.

Erick stopped him as he turned off the faucet. He took the plates in Mr. Carter's hand.

"You should rest." Erick insisted. There was a genuine concern in his eyes.

Mr. Carter smiled at him. He appreciated Erick's thoughtfulness and generosity. Erick guided him to the chair near the table and let him sit down.

"Don't worry about me. I know my body well. By the way, you don't have to bring me to the Laboratory clinic. I only have a few broken ribs but it will heal naturally. I knew the proper medicine to drink. Tell your doctor friend that he had done a good job taking care of me last night." Mr. Carter said. He sounded very reassuring.

Erick gave him a questioning gaze. Mr. Carter burst out laughing once again.

"I have some knowledge in the field of medicines. Though you might not believe me because I just look like a poor old man who is broke." He said nonchalantly.

Mr. Carter laughed again when he saw the confusion in Erick's face.

"Haha. I know you heard about my debts and my gambling issue. Those gangsters were so loud and noisy. Now I felt embarrassed to face my young savior. I don't even have money to repay you for your help."

"I am not expecting anything for a return. I just did that because it was the right thing to do." Erick stated firmly.

"But Mr. Carter, as your savior, please let me ask you a favor," Erick added, looking at him seriously.

Mr. Carter was taken aback by Erick's seriousness. He just nodded at him, anticipating his request.

"Can you please stop going to those dangerous places owned by those gangsters? And please stop gambling. This is for your own good."

Mr. Carter was rendered speechless once again. This young man's kindness was overflowing. He didn't expect him to ask him that. He thought Erick would ask him something that would benefit himself. But in the end, he was still thinking about Mr. Carter's safety.

"If you also need protection against those gangsters, I can also help you with that." Erick offered him another hand.

'Haha, this man never fails to amaze me.' Mr. Carter thought to himself.

"Hahaha… young man… Tell me honestly. Are you an angel? I couldn't believe that there are still good Samaritans like you in this very dangerous world." There was a hint of amus.e.m.e.nt in his voice.

Erick: "..."

Erick was baffled. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. This old man just compared him to an angel and a good Samaritan. He didn't know what to say.

"Hahaha… why are you looking at me like that, young man?"

Erick just smiled awkwardly and scratched the back of his head.

"Nothing sir." Erick simply stated.

Then Mr. Carter suddenly became serious.

"Young man. I know you are curious about why I didn't allow you to bring me to the hospital nor call the police. I am sorry I couldn't tell you the reason why. I know you are a good person but I don't want you to be involved. I am not a dangerous man but the danger is always hunting me. I don't want innocent people to be hurt because of me. But I am really glad to meet you." Mr. Carter patted Erick's shoulder.

"But I will make sure to return this favor in the future. If ever you need my help, I will not hesitate to give you a hand."

Erick nodded.

"I understand. I won't force you to tell me. But Mr. Carter… will you promise me to do what I just requested from you? Don't waste your life because of money. Don't go back to the gambling house. Live a happy and simple life together with your family."

Mr. Carter's expression became sullen when he heard the word 'family'.

"How I wish I still have one." He said with a bitter smile on his face.

"I am sorry... I didn't mean to…"

"It's alright, young man. I lost them a long time ago. You don't need to apologize. Anyway, don't worry about me. I will fulfill your request. I promise. Thank you, Erick."