Ion nervously drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, glancing out of the car window as the autumn sun began to slip behind the hills. His birthday should have been a joyful time, but something was weighing on him.

Every year, his daughter Andreea would visit him with cake and flowers, celebrating together. However, since the funeral of his beloved wife Maria four years ago, things had changed.

Their meetings became less frequent, and the weekly phone calls grew more formal.

“What happened, Lord? Have I done something wrong?” Ion wondered as his car approached Andreea’s house. Why this distance? What could be keeping her away from him?

Shielding himself from the harsh wind, Ion stepped out of the car with a bouquet of flowers and made his way to his daughter’s door. He pressed the doorbell and spread his arms wide when Andreea appeared in the doorway.

“Surprise!” he exclaimed, beaming, hoping his unannounced visit would delight her.

However, Andreea had tears on her cheeks. “Dad? What are you doing here?” her voice trembled as though something heavy was weighing on her.

“I’ve come to celebrate with you. It’s my birthday… I’m turning 80!” Ion responded proudly, but his voice’s joy quickly faded when he realized something was wrong. “Why are you crying, my dear? What happened?”

Andreea quickly wiped her tears and tried to force a smile. “It’s nothing, dad. I just wasn’t expecting you today and it’s really not a good time. I’m sorry, but I have some urgent things to attend to. I’ll call you later, maybe we can go out for dinner. Please understand…”

Ion felt his heart tighten. Andreea had never been this distant. Before he could say anything more, Andreea closed the door, leaving him alone on the steps, hurt and confused.

“What the blazes is going on?” Ion wondered as he slowly descended the stairs. But he couldn’t just leave. His intuition told him that his daughter was in danger.

Acting on impulse, he crept behind some bushes near the house and peered through the back window. Inside, two men with intimidating demeanors were sitting in Andreea’s living room.

“Who was at the door?” one of them demanded harshly.

“No one important,” Andreea lied with a trembling voice. “Just a neighbor playing a joke.”

Ion froze. Something was seriously wrong.

“Your time has run out, Andreea,” said the second man. “Mr. Popescu is not known for his patience. Six months overdue on the loan? Don’t you think that’s a tad excessive?”

Andreea looked panicked. “Please, give me a little more time! Soon I’ll have enough money from my business! I’ll pay everything.”

The first man, Mihai, pulled a gun from his waistband and pointed it at Andreea. “I don’t have time to wait. You’re already on the list of those who… disappear.”

Ion felt a wave of terror grip his heart, but he remained hidden, unable to act.

After what felt like an eternity, Mihai lowered his weapon and grinned. “Well, let’s see what we can take from here for Mr. Popescu.” The men began to rummage through the house, stealing equipment and other valuables, leaving Andreea distraught.

After loading everything into a van, Ion decided to follow them. He drove at a distance, ensuring he wasn’t seen, until they stopped in front of a rundown building on the town’s outskirts. The bar, seemingly closed, was actually the hideout of a crime syndicate run by none other than Mr. Popescu.

Without hesitation, Ion entered the building. Nobody stopped him. He found himself facing Mr. Popescu, a tall man with a deep scar over his left eye, who seemed to have everything under control.

“What are you doing here, old man?” Popescu growled, raising an eyebrow.

“I’m here to discuss my daughter’s debt,” Ion said, trying to control his fear. “How much does she owe you?”

“80,000 lei,” Popescu replied, casting a sarcastic glance. “Her delay has tried my patience.”

“I have 20,000 lei saved,” Ion stated, striving to stay calm. “I can pay part of it now.”

Popescu smiled sardonically. “Only a quarter of the amount… But perhaps I can offer you another solution.”

Popescu proposed that Ion illegally transport goods across the border to cover the remaining debt. With no other options, Ion agreed, hoping to save his daughter.

On the way to the border, Ion was apprehended by authorities, but before being arrested, he managed to send a quick message to his daughter and the police, coordinating a sting operation that ultimately led to Popescu’s syndicate’s capture.

Andreea and Ion reunited at last, and his daughter promised never to make mistakes that would endanger her life again. Ion resumed his life, and Andreea succeeded in rebuilding her business, becoming stronger and wiser.

“I love you, dad, and I promise that from now on we’ll celebrate every birthday together,” Andreea said, hugging Ion, who found peace in his daughter’s smile.

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