The Untouched Heart

Chapter 137 - Admit it in an Honorable Way (Hendra)

Papa really hopes that I can replace him because he wants to rest and step back from the great pressure of keeping our family company. He felt that he had already immersed himself enough in work for decades. In the days ahead, Papa wants to go on vacation with Mama enjoying their old age.

I have no plans to go back to living with Za and the kids so soon. But I don't regret it either. Even though our lives went through so much trouble in just under two weeks together, we were happy. That's the most important thing.

“We've arrived, Mr.” Kafin broke my daydream. I looked to my left side and saw we had arrived in front of a restaurant.

“Thank you, Kafin. Don't forget to eat lunch too.” I gave him a piece of money to pay his meal bill. He accepted it with thanks.

A waiter opened the door for me and I mentioned the name of the person who booked the place here. He then called one of his comrades to escort me to the table in question. Of course the woman did not order a table, but a room. What does he want to do in that room with me? I never thought.

When I entered the room, I was surprised to see Mama there too. They both smiled happily to welcome me. This woman misunderstood. I didn't ask her to meet to talk about romance, but business. Did Gista not say that?

“I hope you don't mind me inviting Aunt Naava to come eat with us.” Nora smiled at me sweetly.

“If Mama doesn't mind coming to discuss work, not a problem.”

“I often accompany your father to eat with his business partners. Go ahead. Let's just say I don't exist.” Mama smiled so happily. It was very different from his attitude in front of Za. “We've ordered food, don't worry. I ordered all the food you like.”

“Thank you, Ma,” I said flat. I looked towards Nora. “I just want to know one thing. What do you want by spreading CCTV footage from your hotel to the media?”

He put on a surprised and hurt expression with my question. “What does your question mean, Hendra? I didn't give the tape to anyone. Our public relations department has also explained that we do not know how the recording can leak.”

“Hendra, what do you mean accuse Nora? What's he doing that for? He must have known that spreading the tape was tantamount to humiliating our family. He loves you, son. He won't hurt you.” Mama defended.

“Mama asked me to assume Mama is not here with us. Please, don't interrupt our conversation.” I looked at Mama seriously. He closed his lips. But he no longer protests.

“My company has no cooperative relationship whatsoever with your hotel. So, no one would have any reason to give the tape to the media. You are the only person who will benefit from this incident. You hoped my marriage would be ruined and I ended up turning to you. Yes, ‘kan?”

“I'm not that low, Hendra. I'm pretty confident that I can get to you without using any means that could embarrass you and your own family. Which will be my family as well when we are together later,” he said seriously. But I was not deceived.

“You know that I can easily get proof that will corroborate my words, ‘kan? I gave you the opportunity to become a respectable woman by admitting yourself to your actions,” said I still hold my opinion.

“Please find the evidence. When you wrongly accused me, I hope you will not run away from the responsibility of clearing my name back.”

“The same thing I hope you will do. Don't run away from your responsibility to clear my wife's name and I'm back.” I looked towards Mama. “I pamit.”

They just kept quiet and did not say a word as I stood up and walked out of the room. As soon as I got into the car, I immediately contacted Irwan. He didn't answer, I tried again. This time he responded.

“I don't want to know what happened so they can recover the CCTV footage. I'm not going to blame you or your team. I just want to know who's been in contact with Nora for the last few days before the tape went viral,” I said.

“I knew you'd ask this. We've been investigating it. Dicky Ardiyanto and Nora Camillia met at an event and they talked together for a long time. After the event, Nora did not go straight to her house but stopped by her hotel.

“According to the CCTV footage, he went to the security section and talked something with those in the CCTV control room. A week later, the recording first aired on Dicky's online television and news media,” Irwan reported.

Now everything becomes clear. Dicky and Nora, both of them had good reason to separate me and Za. They took up to a week maybe because they didn't know the exact date Za came there. Once they got it, it was easy to find who the man that came with him was through the guest list.

Zaku. Had I listened to his sister's advice and not let her go, this matter might never have happened. The presence of a third, fourth, fifth, and somehow others who were trying to attract our attention had ruined everything. The secrets we long kept well are now public consumption.

The cafeteria who had just returned from her lunch was shocked to see I had been waiting in the car. I immediately cut off his apology because this was not his fault. I asked him to stop by one of the restaurants that provide fast food so I could buy food through the drive-thru. I need to get to the second appointment.

The building was no bigger than my family's, but the building was more artistic. In accordance with the motto of broadcasting that demands creativity. A woman who introduced herself as Dicky's assistant greeted me and escorted me to her study.

“Sorry, I have to go to the restroom for a while. Can you tell me the direction? I'll be right back here after my business is done.” I haven't had time to clean my hands after eating in the car.

“Of course, Sir. Please take this road, turn right, the toilet for men is on the left,” the woman said politely. After thanking her, I headed down the path she pointed.

I only need a few minutes and I'm ready to meet one of my rivals. I turned left and saw Dicky's door open. He came out while half pulling the arm of a man forcefully. What the hell's going on?

My curiosity won, I saw where he took her. Elevators. I don't have a card to use it. If I follow them through the emergency stairs, I can miss a long way. Who is that guy? We were so far away that I couldn't see his face. Why did he treat her so harshly?

There was nothing I could do, so I headed to his study. His assistant let me wait for his superior inside. He said the man was driving his guest down. The workspace looks neat. No used cups or plates of consumption were served to the guest.

“Sorry, it has kept you waiting, Hendra. I hope you don't mind me calling you that,” Dicky said as he closed the door to his room again. “Ah, my assistant has served you well.” He looked towards the plate and cup that were still filled on the table in front of me. “What interest did I get this visit?”

“What do you want by spreading CCTV footage across your news media?” ask me without further ado. She smiles.

“For what else? Of course to realize our company motto, uncover the truth,” he replied casually. “Public reserves the right to know the reason for your divorce with Za. Incidentally there is a right moment, so important people in your company also need to know what marriage you live. As additional information for you, there are many people who thank me for daring to play the recording.”

“I hope you will also show my findings later when I managed to reveal that you and Nora from Kencana Karya Group are working together to damage my good name.”

“If you want, I will even give you a full hour for your presence in the studio in a special interview.” He smiled against me.

“Thirty minutes is enough.”