"Sir—" Edgar’s words lingered in the air, his usual calm demeanor replaced by a tense expression and a flicker of anxiety in his eyes.
Noah witnessed all that and was shocked to see Edgar’s expression change.
Gradually, Noah felt his heart tighten and realized something was wrong.
"What’s the matter, Edgar? Why do you look as if you’ve just seen a ghost?"
As Noah heard his own sentence, he glanced back, a sense of dread creeping in as he glanced back. He imagined a terrifying devil ready to consume him, but his fears were misplaced.
In truth, the vast living room was empty except for the two of them.
Returning his gaze to Edgar, Noah was surprised to see his calmness return; there was no trace of worry or tension in his eyes.
"I’m sorry, sir, but I’m afraid you won’t be able to meet your father for the time being."
Noah’s confusion deepened. This was completely different from what Edgar promised him the first time they met in Opal City. He remembered Edgar saying he could meet his Father if he flew to the capital.
Countless questions now swirl in his mind: Why did Edgar suddenly change his mind? Did something happen to Anderson Morgan? Did he lie to me? Why did he do that?
That thought made his heart feel heavy, and without even realizing it, he tightened his grip.
"Edgar, I remember you promised I could meet him when I arrived here. But now you’re saying I can’t meet him. That is unacceptable, Edgar. Now, drop the bullshit! I want to meet my Father, and if that’s impossible, you must give me one good reason why."
"It’s because..." Edgar paused again for a moment, but seeing the disappointment in Noah’s gaze, he could only comply with his request.
"Alright, sir, let’s meet him..." Edgar said with a helpless smile, gesturing for Noah to follow him.
Once again, Noah was taken aback. However, this time, he chose not to question him further.
He followed Edgar to the elevator but, to his surprise, noticed that Edgar didn’t press the elevator button. Instead, he opened a nearby metal door.
’Emergency stairs? What? My dad is in this building?’
Noah feels a mix of excitement and anxiety, but when he glances at his watch and realizes it’s almost midnight, he feels awful.
’Oh, crap! That explains why Edgar said I can’t meet him right now. My dad must be asleep, right? Damn it, Edgar! You could tell me he’s sleeping!’
He quickly hurried down the stairs to stop him from heading to his Father’s place, but paused when he saw Edgar opening the emergency door on the 69th floor.
Noah observed the spacious, brightly lit lounge, reminiscent of the seventieth floor; however, this level intrigued him. He could spot a few medical personnel in stand-by positions around him, making him feel like he had entered a healthcare facility rather than an apartment or office.
He noticed several guards in black suits positioned strategically near the elevator. The security on this floor is quite tight.
Noah quickened to catch up with Edgar, who was now a few steps ahead of him.
"Is my father sick?"
Edgar hesitated momentarily before walking toward the only door at the end of the room. He paused there, turning to look at Noah and finally responding, "Yes. Your Father is sick. That’s why I don’t recommend you meet him now, sir."
"Ah, Edgar... I’m sorry. I felt confused when you rejected me earlier," Noah admitted, feeling remorseful. "We don’t have to meet him now. We can come back tomorrow..."
"It’s fine, sir..." Edgar replied before casually opening the door and letting him enter first.
Noah felt a twinge of regret as he entered the room, knowing he had no other option.
In the center of the space, painted in white, lay a man sleeping peacefully in a hospital bed.
He was taken aback to see his Father looking so frail in his sleep. His skin had turned very pale and aged, and his once-black hair was now mostly gray, giving him a white appearance.
Noah struggled to see any resemblance to the man Edgar told him as his Father.
’Is he my dad? Could they be mistaken about me?’ Noah wondered, observing the old man for a few more seconds before turning to Edgar.
Curiosity gnawed at him as he felt compelled to ask why several cables were attached to his body.
Just as Noah was about to speak, Edgar interrupted him, saying, "Your father is in a coma ..."
Edgar’s words made Noah flinch. "H-he is in a coma?" he stutters.
"Yes, he has been dealing with a health issue, yet he continues to battle against it in search of you. For the past two years, he has tirelessly sought to find you, and only recently did he succeed. However, he took his time and chose not to inform you immediately. He carefully prepared to bring you back, ensuring no one could harm you..."
Noah gasped, utterly shocked to know that.
"Well, sir, you know how you finally found the envelope in your apartment..." Edgar reminded him of what he had said when they first met.
Noah nods and shifts his attention to Anderson Morgan, who lies stiffly.
If his breath didn’t rise and fall, he might believe the man before him was lifeless.
He wishes to ask Anderson Morgan numerous questions that have bothered him since discovering that Anderson is his Father. However, how could he do so when his Father lay in a coma?
Now, those questions are starting to fill his mind:
Why did he end up in an orphanage?
Why does he share the same name as his foster parents, Morgan?
Why can’t his father find him earlier?
Who is his mother?
Why doesn’t his father’s face look the same as his?
Are you seriously my Father?
The more he tries to find the answers, the more troubled he feels.
"Edgar, did he have a chance to wake up?"