Chapter 29

Chapter 29
That night, they worked late, crafting every word, every tone, every facial expression. The mental and emotional pressure was so immense that Elara felt like she would explode. She saw Adrian was also exhausted, but his resolve was unshaken. They were two warriors forced to fight side-by-side on the same battlefield.

When dawn broke, bringing the cold morning light, Elara and Adrian were already at the television studio. A tense atmosphere enveloped the room, filled with fast-moving crew members, dazzling spotlights, and the strong aroma of coffee. Elara felt her heart beating erratically. This was it. The moment that would determine everything.

“Are we ready, Adrian?” Elara asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Adrian turned, looked at her, his eyes sharp yet also radiating something deeper. “Ready, Elara.” A brief, almost imperceptible touch, he clasped Elara’s hand, like an unspoken promise, a reminder that, at least for now, they were on the same battlefield.

A production assistant gave a signal. The red light on the camera turned on. The host smiled warmly, welcoming them. “Good morning, viewers. Today we have special guests who will clarify various circulating speculations. CEO of Mahesa Group, Adrian Mahesa, and CEO of Kencana Mode, Elara Kencana. Welcome.”

Elara looked at Adrian, her lips forming a forced smile. They were about to start the show. A show that would determine the fate of their companies, her grandfather's legacy, and perhaps, a little about their wounded hearts. However, just as the host opened her mouth for the first question, Adrian’s phone, tucked in his suit pocket, vibrated. A message came in from an unknown number. Adrian glanced at it, and the expression on his face changed, becoming dark and startled. The message contained only one sentence: “Welcome to the new chapter. The real show hasn't even begun. I have more to reveal.”

Adrian’s heart pounded against his ribs, frantic like a beating war drum. His eyes were fixated on the mysterious message on his phone. “Welcome to the new chapter. The real show hasn't even begun. I have more to reveal.” A cold threat crept under his skin, making him realize that this wasn't just Damar's usual dirty trick. This was a trap, a theatrical performance that Damar had perfectly designed, and they, Adrian and Elara, were two marionettes forced to dance on his stage.

Adrian hid his phone with a quick, almost imperceptible movement. He turned to Elara, a thin smile etched on his face, a smile that didn't reach his dark, worried eyes at all. Elara looked at him with a gaze that implied, ‘What's wrong?’ before the host interrupted.

“Good morning, viewers. Today we have special guests who will clarify various circulating speculations. CEO of Mahesa Group, Adrian Mahesa, and CEO of Kencana Mode, Elara Kencana. Welcome,” greeted the host, a neatly coiffed brown-haired woman with a professional smile, her gaze shifting from one to the other. The spotlights overhead felt hot, the air in the studio was thin, smelling of dust and burning cables.

“Thank you for having us,” Adrian replied, his voice calm, controlled, as he had practiced many times. He felt Elara’s grip on his hand tighten, a sign of both support and shared tension.

“Mr. Adrian, Ms. Elara, many speculations are circulating regarding the merger of these two fashion giants, especially with the will of the late Eyang Subroto. Could you both explain the truth about your personal and professional relationship, and its impact on the company’s big move?” the first question cut straight to the core of the issue, skipping pleasantries.

Adrian slowly took a breath, activating his CEO mask. “Certainly. Eyang Subroto was a visionary, a leader who looked far ahead. His will is proof of his belief in the potential synergy between Mahesa Group and Kencana Mode. Our professional relationship indeed began with fierce competition, a dynamic that pushed both of us to achieve our best in the fashion industry.” Adrian deliberately slowed his speaking pace, giving a false impression of calmness. He had to stick to the script, no matter what.

Elara added, her voice slightly higher, more spirited, yet still controlled. “And as professionals, we respect that vision. Kencana Mode has always upheld innovation and creativity. Mahesa Group possesses unparalleled precision and legacy. The merging of our strengths is an opportunity to create something truly new and transformative for the Indonesian fashion industry. This is not about personal ego, but about the future.” As she said ‘personal ego’, she glanced at Adrian, a faint hint of sarcasm, too subtle for the public to notice, but clear enough for Adrian.

The host nodded, then her gaze shifted to the monitor screen in front of her. A frown appeared on her forehead. “Excuse me, there’s a rather sudden new development. We just received an online post showing an image. The image appears to be of both of you, Mr. Adrian and Ms. Elara, on the morning after what has been widely referred to as the 'unexpected night'. Could you explain the context of that image?”

Adrian’s heart sank into his stomach. An image? Damar was moving incredibly fast. He tried to remember. The morning after the incident, when he woke up in Elara’s apartment… he was still wearing the same shirt, looking disheveled. Adrian felt a cold sweat run down his back. He glanced at Elara. The woman beside him froze, her emerald eyes wide with shock. Elara remembered it too. It was a morning full of vulnerability, full of confusion, and now it was being exploited.

“The image you’re referring to…” Adrian began, his brain working hard to construct a narrative. “That image was taken on the morning after a celebration… a rather lively event. Both of us, as adults and professionals, were in a vulnerable state after an incident at a party. The photo was taken without permission and published without context, solely to manipulate public opinion.” Adrian tried hard to keep his voice steady, even though disgust at Damar’s actions boiled within him.

“It needs to be emphasized,” Elara cut in, her voice sharper, her eyes radiating burning anger. “Our focus is not on manipulated photos created by others, but on Eyang’s legacy. A legacy that irresponsible parties are trying to sabotage. We are committed to Eyang’s vision, not to personal dramas created to divert attention from a greater purpose.” She looked directly into the camera, radiating an aura of unwavering strength, a pure defiance against Damar’s efforts.

Behind the scenes, Baskara clenched his fist. “Damn Damar! He knows when to strike.” Rina, beside Baskara, clutched Adrian’s friend’s arm. “They have to be strong, Adrian, Elara…” Rina hissed, praying inwardly.

The host seemed to receive other instructions through her earpiece. Her smile faded somewhat, replaced by a serious expression. “However, Mr. Adrian, Ms. Elara, there is also an audio recording that has just circulated, which appears to be your conversation with a colleague, about your ‘fear’ of a relationship with Ms. Elara. That recording circulated simultaneously with the image we just discussed. How do you explain that amidst the unification efforts you are currently fighting for?”

A cold wave swept over Adrian. The recording of his conversation with Baskara. The one he thought only Damar possessed. Now it was public. This was a double blow. He looked at Elara, his eyes filled with deep regret. The words he had uttered then, about how Elara shook his world, about his fear for his reputation… all exposed.

“That audio recording is a fragment of a private conversation taken out of context, amidst immense pressure,” Adrian began, his voice now slightly hoarse, the struggle to maintain control evident. “The fear I expressed was the fear of a man facing significant challenges, both professional and personal. Not a fear of a person, but a fear of the potential impact on the company’s reputation and the precious legacy I had to protect. A legacy so grand that it could erode personal boundaries.” He tried to shift the focus from Elara personally, and link it to the burden of Mahesa’s legacy.

Elara felt her heart sink hearing Adrian’s explanation. His explanation, though imperfect, contained a raw honesty. Adrian was indeed afraid. Not just of her, but of the ruin of the great name he carried. However, old wounds still throbbed. She could see the guilt and vulnerability in Adrian’s eyes.

“Every human has fears,” Elara countered, her gaze now softer, showing that for a moment, she allowed herself to transcend her own anger. “The fear of failure, of not being able to meet expectations. What’s most important now is how we choose to face those fears together, for a greater purpose. A purpose inherited from Eyang Subroto, which is far greater than any personal drama attempted by those who wish to see us fail.” She let her anger at Damar strengthen her tone, shifting the focus away from Adrian and herself.

The host nodded slowly, impressed by their quick and coordinated responses. “So, both of you state that despite personal obstacles, you are united for the sake of Mahesa Group and Kencana Mode?”

“That’s right. We are united,” Adrian affirmed, looking straight ahead.

“Certainly,” Elara added, her lips forming a thin, bitter smile. She felt Adrian’s touch on the back of her hand, a fragile gesture of solidarity.

“Alright, let’s see how the synergy of these two fashion giants will unfold,” the host said, as if about to conclude the segment. However, suddenly, an alarm flashed on her monitor screen. Her expression changed again, this time becoming genuinely tense. She looked at the camera, her voice now slightly choked.

“We have just received very urgent information. An anonymous source claims that there are actually hidden financial reasons behind Eyang Subroto’s will, which would result in significant losses for one of the parties if the merger does not occur. The claim states that Mahesa Group is facing a potential major lawsuit related to past tax fraud that could destroy the company, and this merger is the only way to cover it up by using Kencana Mode’s assets as collateral. Is there any truth behind this extremely serious claim?”

The spotlight felt like it was shining directly on Adrian and Elara’s heads. Adrian’s face turned pale, whiter than his shirt. Tax fraud? A major lawsuit? That wasn't part of Eyang’s will. That wasn't part of their problems all this time. This was something entirely new, and if proven true, it would not only destroy Mahesa Group but also drag Kencana Mode into total ruin.

Elara looked at Adrian, her eyes wide with disbelief and fear. Massive losses? Tax fraud? If Adrian had hidden something this monumental, if Eyang Subroto had also hidden it, then the entire basis of the will and this merger was a colossal lie. A betrayal far deeper than anything she had ever imagined.

Adrian was speechless. His mind was blank, overwhelmed by panic. The claim was an atomic bomb. A bomb he had never anticipated, never prepared for. A claim that could destroy everything. He looked at Elara, seeing her expression shift from shocked to hurt, then to burning anger.

The host waited, her gaze urgent. The silence in the studio was deafening. Seconds ticked by, feeling like centuries. Adrian and Elara were silent, frozen by the accusation that had just been hurled at them before millions of eyes. The real show had indeed just begun, and Damar had just launched his most lethal attack. Adrian felt all his strength vanish, leaving him in raw vulnerability under the glare of the lights. Another message arrived on his phone, this time with an attachment of what appeared to be an authentic financial document. The title of the document was clearly displayed: Mahesa Group Internal Audit Report: Indications of Large-Scale Embezzlement.