Chapter 28

Chapter 28
The air in Mr. Tirtayasa's room froze into piercing crystals of panic. Adrian's words, "He just anonymously released excerpts of that recording to several online media outlets. And he added a narrative that a 'trusted source' has revealed that both of you will appear in an exclusive interview tomorrow morning," echoed, carrying a terrifying burden of threat. This was no longer just a lawsuit in a courtroom; it was an all-out battle they had to face before the eyes of the world.

Elara felt strangled. Her heart pounded, pumping adrenaline and fear through her veins. Tomorrow morning? How could Damar do this? Unless… there was someone on the inside, leaking information. Her eyes darted to Adrian, searching for answers, but found only the same shadow of despair etched on his face.

“An interview tomorrow morning?” Elara finally managed to speak, her voice hoarse and almost unrecognizable. Fear mixed with burning anger. “He's claiming there's an interview we haven't even agreed to, and he's leaked part of the recording? This is insane! This is blatant sabotage!”

Adrian slammed his fist on the table, the thud echoing in the silent room. “That bastard! He's not just trying to take us down; he's playing us. He's trying to force our hand to do what he wants.” His jaw tightened, his eyes flashing with anger. “Who leaked this, Pak Tirtayasa? Who knew about our discussion of an interview?”

Pak Tirtayasa, though his expression remained calm, seemed to weigh every word. “Only the three of us were here when we discussed the possibility. And no one knew for sure that we would do it. Only 'a possibility'.” He crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze sharp. “Damar couldn't know these details, unless he has someone planted in our inner circle. Or, he made a very, very bold guess.”

“A bold guess that just happens to be one hundred percent correct?” Elara scoffed, skeptical. “No way. There must be a spy.” The feeling of betrayal resurfaced, this time from a different, more anonymous direction, yet equally debilitating. Their world felt like a meticulously designed trap.

“Which means we have no choice but to go through with the interview,” Adrian concluded, his voice reverting to his cold, analytical CEO mode, though there was an undeniable trace of pain. “If we don't show up, or if we deny it, Damar will use that to prove we're trying to hide something. He'll win the narrative. We have to appear.”

Elara looked at Adrian, the pain in her heart clashing with the urgency of the situation. She still felt the sting of betrayal from the leaked recording of Adrian's conversation, but the need to protect Eyang's legacy and her own company was far greater than her wounded ego. For now.

“How are we going to do this?” Elara asked, trying to suppress her emotions, focusing on strategy. “We have less than 24 hours. We need to formulate a narrative, prepare answers, and most importantly… we have to appear convincing. Like we've actually resolved our issues.” Her tone was laced with painful sarcasm.

Adrian understood. It was an invisible slap for the wound he had caused. “I know it won't be easy, Elara,” Adrian said, his voice softening, trying to break through her defenses. “But for tomorrow, we have to be a team. For Mahesa. For Kencana. For Eyang.” He stepped closer, his eyes pleading. “I'll do whatever it takes to make you comfortable there. I'll protect you. I promise.”

Though Adrian's words sounded sincere, Elara couldn't shake the doubt in her heart. Past promises felt so hollow. “Protect me? Like you protected me when you talked about that ‘unexpected night’ with Mahesa's senior directors?” Her words were sharp, silencing Adrian, his expression once again filled with guilt.

Pak Tirtayasa quickly interjected, “Alright, Elara, Adrian. We don't have time to dwell on old wounds now. We need to act fast. Time is of the essence. I'll immediately contact the best PR team we can get. They'll be here within an hour to help formulate a strategy.” He pointed to the door. “Adrian, call Baskara. Elara, call Rina. We need moral and logistical support from your closest people.”

Adrian nodded, immediately pulling out his phone. “Baskara surely knows how to handle media pressure.”

Elara hesitated for a moment, then complied. Rina would be the support she needed. Someone who knew her, who could see beyond the CEO mask.

Not long after, the room was filled with a flurry of preparations. Baskara arrived with a serious expression, his eyes immediately fixed on Adrian and Elara, sensing the tension between them. Rina, on the other hand, entered with a cheerful aura that dimmed slightly as she sensed the heavy atmosphere. She immediately approached Elara, hugging her friend briefly.

“What happened, Elara? I heard Damar is causing trouble again,” Rina whispered, her tone worried.

Elara recounted the events briefly, her frustration mixed in every word. “He's forcing us into an interview tomorrow morning. And he's leaked part of… our past issues.”

Rina sighed deeply, looking at Adrian with a sharp gaze. “I knew this wouldn't be easy.”

The PR team recruited by Pak Tirtayasa arrived. They were a group of neatly dressed professionals with keen eyes, accustomed to crises. The meeting turned into an intense interview simulation. They tried various scenarios, repeating sentences, searching for the most appropriate words to convey the story of their ‘complicated past relationship’ and the ‘forced merger’ that was actually Eyang's legacy.

“Remember,” one of the PR consultants, a neatly coiffed middle-aged woman named Bu Kirana, said firmly, “you must appear united. There's a healthy tension between two strong individuals competing in business, yes. But for tomorrow, no doubt, no division. The public must see that you have overcome personal differences for a greater purpose.”

They practiced how to sit, how to look at each other, even how Adrian might place his hand on Elara's chair if the situation allowed, showing support without appearing possessive. Every gesture, every word, was analyzed.

“Adrian,” Bu Kirana tested, “how will you explain the leaked recording?”

Adrian took a deep breath, recalling the transcript Pak Tirtayasa had given him. “I will say that at the time of that conversation, I was under immense pressure, both professionally and personally. I sought advice from a trusted colleague about a complicated personal situation involving Ms. Elara’s name. My words were twisted, taken out of context, and manipulated by an irresponsible party for personal gain.”

Bu Kirana nodded. “Good. Focus on manipulation and pressure, not on the details of the conversation. Never implicitly blame Elara, even if it's just because you 'panicked' after that night.”

Then it was Elara’s turn. “Ms. Elara, how will you respond to the accusation that this merger is an attempt to cover up a scandal, rather than Eyang Subroto’s will?”

Elara felt a flush on her cheeks, her anger slightly ignited. “I will say that the accusation not only insults Eyang Subroto but also demeans our vision and dedication. This merger is the culmination of Eyang’s vision to unite two distinct creative forces for a better future. Our personal relationship, however complex, was never the motive behind the will.”

“And if they ask about your feelings after Adrian left you?” Bu Kirana continued, her voice flat.

Elara felt her heart sink. That question, the one she dreaded most, now had to be faced. She looked at Adrian, who was staring at her intently, as if reading her every emotion.

“I will say,” Elara began, her voice slightly trembling, “that every relationship has its ups and downs. There are misunderstandings. There are hurts. But we are both professionals, and we have learned to set aside personal differences for a greater purpose, especially when it concerns such a valuable legacy.”

“That’s diplomatic enough,” Bu Kirana commented. “But perhaps add a little about how you found common ground because of the threat to Eyang Subroto. A kind of new bond emerging from the crisis.”

Adrian looked at Elara again. Was it true? Had this crisis created a new bond, or merely forced a fragile truce?

Amidst the tense training, Baskara and Rina were in charge of logistical details. Baskara was busy coordinating with the security team, ensuring no incidents at the interview location. Meanwhile, Rina, with her keen designer's eye, helped Elara choose her outfit.

“You have to look strong, confident, but also a little… approachable,” Rina whispered as they were in one of the rooms prepared for Elara. “Not the cold Adrian, but the brave Elara. Show that you're not afraid, that you're in control of this narrative.” She pulled several dresses from the rack. “Dark colors, but with a soft touch. Not too formal, not too casual.”

Elara looked at her reflection in the mirror, her face pale. Beneath all the professional preparations, her heart still bled. How could she fake a smile and an understanding gaze in front of the camera, while inside a storm raged? Adrian, the man she loved and hated simultaneously, would be sitting beside her. They would act like a couple who had overcome their problems, even though their problems were far from over.

Adrian entered the room where Elara and Rina were, having finished his own practice. He wore a crisp white shirt and neat trousers, looking tired but still exuding the unshakeable aura of a CEO. His gaze fell on Elara, who was still standing in front of the mirror.

“How are you?” Adrian asked, his voice softer than before.

Elara didn't turn around. “How can I pretend, Adrian? How can I sit there, beside you, and talk about ‘resolving our issues,’ when all I feel is… disappointment and anger?”

Adrian approached, standing behind her, his reflection mirroring beside Elara’s in the glass. “I know, Elara. I know this is difficult. I would never ask this if there wasn't more at stake than our egos. But this is bigger than us.” He paused, his voice turning into an honest confession. “And, Elara… the part where I said I was afraid to love you? That part, it wasn't just about Mahesa’s reputation. It was about me. I was afraid of you. I was afraid of how you made me feel, how much you shook my world. It was a coward’s fear, not a cunning CEO’s.”

Elara finally turned her head, looking at Adrian through the mirror’s reflection. There was a deep wound in Adrian’s eyes, not only because of the situation they faced but also because of the betrayal he had committed. For a moment, she saw the real Adrian – the man behind the mask, who was, in fact, also fragile and afraid.

“That doesn’t excuse what you did, Adrian,” Elara said, her voice trembling. “But I… I will do my part tomorrow. For Eyang. For our company.” She took a deep breath, steeling herself. “But after this is over, we need to talk. Truly talk. Without cameras, without Pak Tirtayasa, without Damar’s threats.”

Adrian nodded, his eyes full of promise meeting Elara’s gaze. “I’ll wait for it, Elara. I promise.”