«It was an act of heroism,» she replied, delighted.
«It was an act of boyishness.» Mr. Limpson snorted. «So, Mr. Merkulov, you risked the life of my daughter, eh?»
«Dad,» the girl drawled unpleasantly. Mr. Limpson glanced at her, then back at Oleg. «I want to talk with you, Mr. Merkulov. Lana, stay here.»
The men walked away, and the girl stood next to Ruslan.
They both were disappointed and irritated. Ruslan wanted Mr. Limpson to see the demonstration of his innovation, while the girl wanted to know what her father and Oleg were talking about.
Ruslan sighed and signaled the crane’s operator. The engine roared to life and the sheaf of slabs started rising.
«Mr. Merkulov,» Mr. Limpson addressed Oleg, when they went out of earshot from Lana. «I am a man also, and I can understand that a pretty girl, like Lana, can easily catch the interest of a male. Don’t take it as an offense, but for an experienced man it’s not difficult to turn the head of a young thing. You have done it. Great. But I’d like to know what you think about the future. I’ll be open with you. You are not the ideal husband that I wish my daughter to have. However, not the worst, I have to admit. But you’re married, and it makes me concerned. So, could you explain the situation to me?»
«I’ll be open with you, too.» Oleg smiled as nicely as he could. «I love your daughter crazily. I never imagined such feelings could ever exist. But I don’t want anyone to think I’m doing it because of her money, so I didn’t propose to her, and it’s all up to her. About my wife. We don’t love each other, but we are good friends. She has a student visa, and I can stay in the United States only because I’m her spouse. I can’t leave the U.S.A. Lana is here. She is the breath of my life. I can’t live without her, like a plant can’t live without the sun.»
«Oh, what a talker!» Mr. Limpson thought with vexation. «No wonder my poor girl fell for that.»
«Vera is a good person,» continued Oleg. «She has no one in her life, and she kindly agreed not to divorce me right now. But she’s able to do it any moment if I ask her about it. We already have separate budgets. Our divorce would be just a few formalities. So, I repeat, everything depends on the feelings of your daughter. She is an idol and goddess to me. If she says so, I’m ready to jump into the center of a volcano.»
Controlling himself, Mr. Limpson closed his eyes for a second. «If that bastard utters one more gibberish phrase,» he thought. «I’ll hit him.»
Gazing at her father and Oleg, Lana slowly walked in the direction of them, hiding herself from their view. She heard Ruslan shout something, but, having been buried in her task, the girl paid no heed and even the loud «pomp!» did not take her attention.