The Numbers That Brought Our Fates Together Chapter 43: Global Heroes.

Another gala evening dedicated to the victory over the LDM virus gathered a full house of guests. Ministers, businessmen, famous artists – no one would want to miss such an event. And for the umpteenth time on stage another award was presented to representatives of Lee Pharmaceuticals and Greenline Inc.

"And how do you feel when your father and your boyfriend are global heroes who saved humanity?" Rick winked at Elena and laughed cheerfully.

"Oh God, Rick. Don't even ask. You have no idea how tedious this is. I see these constant trips and meetings for the hundred's times in my dreams already. I don't understand why my father decided to carry me everywhere with him," Elena sighed, tired of all this fuss, which had already been going for the second month.

"My dear, you are not good at business. Now you are not just the only heir to a global company; you are actually the heir to the global monopoly on goods, on which the lives of millions of people depend. Naturally, people should know you in person."

"Oh really? And why I do not see your face on all these posters, huh, Rick? The Berne Group laboratory also participated in the development of a vaccine, but there is almost no word on this in the media."

"Berne Group provided additional research equipment and technical capacity to increase production. But the research itself was carried out by your father's lab. So I'm more than satisfied with the percentage of vaccine turnover that the Berne Group receives. Moreover, my personal life is important to me," Rick replied and laughed out loud.

"Yeah, who would think about my personal life then," Elena added, feeling annoyed. Over the past two months, she and David have barely seen each other.

"Rick, stop teasing Elena! Otherwise, I will be offended!" Corey hit him on the shoulder, but it was obvious that it was not serious at all. "You know how busy David is because of all this. I would have gone mad with grief, probably, if I could not see you for a long time."

"Okay, I confess, the joke failed. I'm sorry, Elena. To be honest, I hardly ever saw David myself, so your annoyance is more than justified", Rick hurried to apologize.

"Oh, come on, you're not the one to blame for this," Elena smiled back and looked at the stage where Jason's father was reading a long thank-you speech.

"Hey, Jason, I didn't expect Mr. Barton to give a speech himself today. Your dad doesn't like such things, why did he agree to come here?" Corey asked Jason who was standing next to them.

"I do not know. I think this is because they are good friends with Elena's father. Therefore, he decided to present this award to Mr. Lee by himself," Jason replied.

"Hmm, I see. By the way, where have you been lately? I can understand that Elena is busy. But what can you be busy with? You don't even answer to my calls," Corey began to interrogate her friend.

Jason made a face full of sadness and despair, and continued in a mournful voice, "Guys, if you cannot find me in a month, so you just know that I failed in a hard battle after a fierce fight with a real monster!"

The faces of all three froze in complete bewilderment. Corey could not stand it and laughed out loud, "Haha, what monster are you talking about?! Admit it; you have done something crazy again, right?"

Jason raised his hand and, with full seriousness, pointed to the stage where his father was giving a speech at that moment. "Here! Here it is, this monster! You have no idea what he is doing to me! My father enrolled me in a group where Special Forces get their training! Can you imagine it?! Every day, every single day, shooting, running, working out, hand-to-hand fighting, shooting again, running again. Does he want me to be some Rambo or what?!"

"Haha, now everything is clear. Hold on, pal. This is good for you", Corey patted Jason on the shoulder encouragingly, then stopped and began to grope his arm intensely. "Elena, look! He is really working out! My goodness, Jason, you have some solid muscles here! So soon some pretty girl will fall for you, fascinated by your muscular body! But you still have a lot to strive for," the girl finished her praise and clung back to Rick, and her loving eyes made it clear who the number one was.

"Aha, I see that one has already fallen," Jason whispered faintly with annoyance and turned away so as not to watch the feely-touchy of these love birds. But his cheeks blushed from the words Corey had said to him. 'Um, maybe this training is not such a bad thing,' he thought.

Elena, watching the scene, just sighed in sympathy, 'Yes, Jason, hold on,' and her attention returned to the stage, where at that moment David and President Lee appeared.