One Week Is Enough.

Taking a few deep breaths, she pressed the call accept button and brought the smartphone to her ear, "Hello," she replied a bit hesitantly.

"WELL, FINALLY !!!" A loud male voice in the receiver made her jump on the spot. "Why aren't you picking up?! I could not get through to you since yesterday!" David said a little discontentedly.

"I am sorry, so many things happened yesterday... I didn't want to talk to anyone," she replied.

"Hmm, I see..." David stopped for a moment and then continued, "Elena, I am very sorry that everything turned out that way and that I was not around at that moment. But be sure, everything will be fine. In any case, we planned to publicize our relationship, so we just have to do it a little differently," the young man said, trying to reassure his girlfriend.

"David, about our relationship. I do not think it is possible at the moment. At least, until one important issue is clarified."

"And what kind of issue are we talking about?" the young man asked.

The intonation of the girl made him very worried. And this anxiety grew more and more as Elena was telling him about the details of her conversation with her father the other day. The man froze on the spot. The information that he found out struck him deeply. He could not think of what to answer.

Elena kept silence as well. She was waiting for his reaction. So they both had said nothing for two minutes.

In the end, David collected his thoughts and replied, "Sorry, I didn't know anything about that. Damn ... " he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"You know, the irony of the situation is that I am now standing at the airport and waiting for boarding. I really wanted you to see me off, but, obviously, this will not happen," the young man said bitterly.

"W-what? What boarding? "Elena wondered.

"I was calling all day yesterday to warn you that I need to fly to England for family matters urgently. I really wanted to see you before leaving."

"Aah, I see...," the girl replied, a bit shocked by the unexpected news.

"Elena, listen. I do not know what happened between your father and my father 16 years ago, but I am sure of one thing. My father does not look like a man who would do this. There is something wrong here. I'll meet with him and find out, okay? Wait for me for a few days. I'll be back, and we'll solve everything."

"Okay, I'll wait," Elena said. David's words brought a little hope to her. The hope that everything will really be fine, and that this whole situation is just a big misunderstanding.

"Ehh, it's a pity you won't be able to see me off after all," David sighed sadly.

"I would not have been able to do it anyway. My father asked me to stay at home."

"Aah, well... Um, I have to go. They will soon call for boarding... Elena, I love you," David said with a breaking voice.

Elena opened her mouth to answer him but stopped herself.

"Fly safely. I will wait for you," she said instead of the desired words, but her voice sounded very tender.

The man grinned, "Take care of yourself," he answered, and hung up.

As soon as he put the phone in his pocket, his face became very serious. He walked over to Daniel, who was waiting for him nearby.

"Well, did you finally talk to your little bird?" his older brother asked.

"I did. Are you aware of the 16-year-old situation between our father and Mr. Lee?"

"Oh, uncle Lee has given his daughter the new details of our complex family relationships?"

"Uncle Lee? Isn't it too informal?" David asked his brother.

"He himself asked me to call him that way many, many years ago. As for that situation, you'd better ask dad. I am not aware of the details," Daniel replied.

David looked at his brother. "You are planning something, aren't you? The feeling that bad thoughts have lodged in your head does not leave me. At first, you wanted shares, the documents for which you did not even bother to pick up. Now, suddenly, you came to see me off to England, saying that mom can no longer live without me. Daniel, you're not going to do anything stupid, are you?"

"Well, common! What stupid things can I do?! My schedule is so tightly set up with meetings with beautiful ladies that I won't even have time for sleep," the elder Anderson replied and winked foxily.

"I don't even want to hear about it. Ok, bye," David waved his hand and headed for the passport control desk.

Suddenly, a young girl appeared in front of him.

"Oh my goodness, you are Mr. Anderson, right? David Anderson? Can I have a short interview with you? My name is Lucy. I am a journalist from the Sunday Times," the girl quickly rattled and smiled sweetly.

"Miss, I have neither time nor the desire to give any interviews," David replied and took a step aside.

The journalist immediately blocked his attempt to sneak away, "Mr. Anderson, let's not attract undue attention. You don't need it, right? Just answer a few of my questions. It takes no more than five minutes, but I can get an award from my boss and pay my old grandma's hospital bills," the girl made her eyes look very sad, clearly imitating the Puss in the Boots from the Shrek animated movie.

David sighed helplessly, 'God, what an absurd argument this lady has. It's easier to agree with that.'

"All right, go ahead and ask your questions," he said to the journalist approvingly.

The girl's face shined with a happy smile. She quickly pulled a tape recorder out of her pocket and turned on the recording.

"Mr. Anderson, tell me, how long have you known Elena Lee?"

"I met Ms. Lee recently, but I have a feeling that I have known this girl for a very long time. She is a wonderful person," David replied.

"I am glad to hear it. And how serious is your relationship?" Lucy's eyes were burning with genuine interest.

"I do not consider it necessary to comment on our relationship without the presence of the person who I have this relationship with, by this person I refer to Miss Lee, of course. I can only speak for myself. I am serious and will be happy if she agrees to be with me. But it's up to her."

"You are such a caring man, Mr. Anderson! Your girlfriend is very lucky! And what about the huge number of other girls who are ready to give you their heart and not only that?" the reporter asked slyly.

"I do not want to offend anyone, but these girls are not interesting to me. My heart is not vacant. Therefore, I wish each of them to find someone else," David replied. Time was running out, and it was already time for him to go, "I think this is enough."

"Yes, thank you, Mr. Anderson! You helped me out a lot. Have a nice flight! Goodbye!" The journalist answered happily and disappeared as quickly as she appeared.

David looked at how her silhouette quickly dissolved in the crowd, turned back and went for boarding.

Lucy passed along the check-in desks, turned to the corner and walked over to the man waiting there.

"I did everything the way you asked. Is there anything else I need to do, Mr. Anderson?"

Daniel gave the girl his charming smile, "Thank you, dear. You did an excellent job with the task. As for the rest, I'll let you know later. Now you can run home and get ready for our evening date. I'll take you to one interesting place," the man answered and winked playfully.

The girl's cheeks glowed red. She gave him a light kiss on the lips, waved him goodbye and went to the exit from the airport, feeling utterly happy.

As soon as she was out of sight, Daniel took a napkin from his pocket and wiped his mouth. Then he took the phone, chose the necessary number and made a call.

"Hello, mom? David got on the plane. As soon as he arrives in England, please do everything as I asked you. I need him to stay there for a week. This time should be enough... Yes, bye."

Daniel hung up and put the phone back in his pocket. Through the high window glass, he looked at the planes, taking off and landing smoothly, 'Damn, David will kill me for sure,' the man sighed heavily.

'Sorry, bro, but I have no other choice.'

Daniel watched his brother's plane take off, threw the hood of his coat over his head, and walked slowly towards the exit.