Just A Professional Relationship
Episode Eighteen
“Hah, silly! What the fuck does this mean?”
Juna had just opened the door of the room when there was a loud scream. He was only a few minutes late, but things seemed out of control.
In one of the meeting— rooms on the television station, several people gathered inside. Almost everything
pissed-faced.
Tyo, Nadin, Ardit, and two other members of the television station were there. Ardit being the one who looked annoyed, he looked at Tyo hatefully. Even he became the only one who could not calm down and continued to stand up. Juna's appearance immediately stole his attention.
“You, try to explain what is it?” ask Ardit. Without explaining anything before, and made Juna a bit confused.
“What is this?”
“Huh, the Athenians suddenly invited a meeting, and said they wanted to cancel the contract for a reality show that was about to start! If it's not crazy, what's it called?”
“Reason?”
“You really broke up with Nadin?”
Juna saw all eyes on him, except for a pair of—. The woman prefers to stare at the surface of the table. “True,” the answer is short. Makes Artit pissed.
Juna walked towards the table. “Then, what's the problem?”
“Hell, Juna! Hell!” as if the world was on the verge of collapse.
Two men from the television station sat quietly, but certainly felt annoyed. Although they were much more self-controlled compared to Ardit.
“We appreciate the desire of the Athenian side that represents, and try to understand from Nadin's side. The thing is, it's not about personal. We all know the contract has been signed and there is no word to back down. The problem is, we only have a few days left. Teasers for the show have been shown since long ago. The advertisement has been spread. And most importantly, all sponsors have signed a contract— with very big expectations for this event. So far, you are optimistic after seeing the response from the audience and netizens,” is clearly a man in his fifty years.
He continued his conversation. “If this event should suddenly be canceled, you know for yourself how much loss there is. The nominal is no longer hundreds of millions. Plus our side also needs to make demands for losses to be obtained.”
“I know Athens is as big as DCM. But are you guys really going to sacrifice all of that just for this unimportant thing?” connect Ardit.
Nadin turned his head towards Tyo beside him. The man seemed to be clenching his hands tightly— while holding back emotions.
“We will accept. All the demands for compensation, we will accept,” replied Tyo firmly. It makes everyone look surprised. Especially Nadin, he was eager to cry hearing Tyo who was willing to defend him desperately.
“Wah, so confident are you. Are you going to replace it with your career?”
“I will do anything to stop this show,” reply Tyo to the ridiculing smiling Ardit.
The man who was a producer spoke up. He took a deep breath. “Alright, if it is like that. But, we will still allow time for Athena to reconsider within you. Contract termination and everything we will send immediately. After reading it carefully and agree, then we assume all finished.”
“We still hope you change your mind and continue this project,” added the other man.
Nadin thought his fight was over. After this he could live freely without any ties. And publicize the relationship to the public.
However, Nadin never thought that the decision was only the beginning of the real torment.
***
Nadin could only be speechless somewhat gawking at the side of the room. Looking at the creepy man who was the head of the Athena Management. A man—yang even though dressed neatly with his suit stelan that looks expensive, but his face is filled with jambang and has ponytail hair. The body is very full, either by muscle or fat. “Have you gone crazy?” hardiknya to Tyo.
“Not so long ago you came to bring me something that makes me happy. But suddenly, you came back with news that made me want to hang you!”
Tyo got up slowly, with flushed cheeks. “Sorry, Sir. But I don't think we should force Nadin to do things that make him uncomfortable.”
“It! that's a mistake you don't realize, Tyo! We're not baby sitters. But the company that prints someone—that can print money!”
“But..”.
“You yourself how, Nadin? Did you ask Tyo to cancel his contract?”
“Not,” says Tyo quickly.
“Shut! I'm talking to Nadin.”
“Em. I understand it is not necessary to mix personal matters with work. But. because this job also entered my personal realm, so I feel I have the right to refuse it. And... I'm really sorry..” said Nadin, bowed.
“Sorry? You think you can replace that with an apology? No, Nadin.it's more than nominal. There's a trust issue and how you destroy the image you've been building so well! You will not only harm yourself, but others as well.”
Nadin's eyes began to glaze over, he could not refute those words.
“You yourself know all will be very detrimental. Especially for your mother. Who will pay for the medical expenses?”
“With my usual payment, without having to take the project, it still doesn't matter, sir.”
“The problem..” The big boss walks towards the wide glass behind his desk. “If you still insist on retreating, then you must withdraw also from this place.”
“Pak! Is that not excessive? Nadin can still look for more profit for this company, aside from that one tv show!” reply Tyo. He still insisted.
“You still have a lot to learn. Where do you think Nadin's charm has come from? Everyone likes to see her affection with her partner. If it goes away, you can imagine for yourself what will happen.”
“But, Pak-”
“Already. Get out of this room!” say the boss firmly. Without giving anyone a chance to argue. Then, he tore a few strands of paper— containing the cancellation of the employment contract. “The bottom line is, I don't approve of any of this. No matter what happens, Nadin has to continue his work. Even if it has to lie to the public even once.”
After a few seconds, the man spoke again. “Dan, one more thing. Don't let anyone know about your relationship with Juna. Make everyone to keep believing that you are still a pair of lovers who usually.”
That was the end of the struggle that Nadin did, or maybe that Tyo did for Nadin. In the end, they had to retreat back to the starting line. Prepare for the next fight.
Nadin gave a bottle of cold tea to Juna who several times held his cheek— which still felt pulsating. “Sorry yes, Brother,” he said. Then sit next to the man.
“Neg. I'm the one who should apologize. What kind of manager can't fight for his artist rights.”
The two were silent for a moment to sigh deeply. “I myself am of no use at all, Brother. Can't fight for yourself.” Nadin looked at both of his palms. Given the horror he felt when he was still in the room. “I can't sacrifice mom for something that happened as a result of me.”
Juna also grasped Nadin's hand while calming. The woman began to shed tears again.
“Don't give up, Nadin. Bad things that happen, don't mean representing the whole of your life in the future. Just the first step you have to skip to get to a better place.”