"Alright, so here are some examples of the content that our team usually creates. The type of content differs for each platform. For Instagram, we usually focus on images, with the explanation directly on the image using 1-5 slides with short captions. Then, For TikTok, the videos we make are like this." Tshabina showed one of the TikTok videos her team had made.
"The voice over uses one of our female team members' voices, and for app X, it usually just serves as a platform for us to share news links or video links. Lastly, for the website, we upload news about the company like this..." As soon as they arrived in the designated meeting room, Tshabina, without further ado, explained the types of content she and her team usually create. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Tshabina, the man in front of her had been staring at her with a flat face, not breaking his gaze even a little.
"No, change it. I don't like the last one." The man in front of her said firmly when Tshabina showed him the company's Instagram content examples.
Tshabina who heard that was naturally became clumsy. Her heart was already pounding, and she was struggling to hide her nervousness. But after he said that, it felt like her heart could no longer pump blood properly, and now she was breaking out in a cold sweat.
"I'm sorry, sir, but I'm just here to show you the content examples. If you have any feedback, you could give it during the next meeting with the rest of the team. If it's just me, I—" Before Tshabina could finish, Zioh interrupted her again.
It's not that she's trying to complain, but she can't handle things on her own like this, it's a huge project. If Mr. Aditya hadn't ordered her to, she wouldn't dare to step in, considering she's just an ordinary employee in one of the divisions. Moreover, it turns out Aditya just unilaterally gave her this role without any prior confirmation. Of course, she's happy to carry out every task entrusted to her, but at least it should be done in a more official manner, especially when they're in meetings with the rest of the team. What will the other team members think? Tshabina is already anxious about any rumors spreading about her, especially if it involves her and Aditya; she really hates that.
"You're the second person in charge, right? Just tell your team. I don't know when I can meet again. The sooner, the better, the press conference is next week," said Zioh with a straight face and a heavy voice.
"Well, if that's the case, Ms. Tshabina, you can just take notes on the feedback from Mr. Zioh first. Later, if he can't make the meeting, I'll represent him and confirm with the other team members," Natasyha, Zioh's manager said while giving Tshabina a warm smile.
"Alright, I understand," Tshabina replied as warmly as possible.
"Now open your iPad and write down my words," Zioh immediately interjected.
"S-sorry, sir?" Tshabina, taken aback and confused by the sudden command, asked with some nervousness.
Zioh immediately lifted his face to look at Tshabina, still with a straight expression. "You heard what I said, ma'am. Don't make me say it twice, I don't have much time for this."
Natasyha, as Zioh's manager little shocked and suprised, it wasn't like Zioh to act a bit rude like this—actually, he never did. Zioh was very particular about maintaining his dignity and authority, especially in front of colleagues and business partners, he was all about building his personal brand. However, Zioh's behavior earlier left Natasyha confused as to why that man was acting this way, especially with someone he had just met, she thought.
"Ahhh....sorry Ms. Tshabina, what he mean is, Mr. Zioh just want to explain the points he wants."
Tshabina nodded and immediately opened her iPad without further ado and tapped on the notebook app there, ready to type whatever the man in front of her had to say.
"First, for the video, I don't like the idea of using a voice over, just show the images and the original sound, no need for a voice over." Zioh then tapped his fingers on the iPad screen. "And for the pictures, while working on this project, I don't want the content template to look like this. Use an earth or warm color, and the last one." Zioh shifted his gaze from the iPad screen to Tshabina's face. "I want every piece of news, every content during this project to be provided in two languages, Indonesian and English." Said Zioh while continuing to stare straight at Tshabina.
"Alright, sir, all noted." Now it was Tshabina's turn to muster the courage to respond while returning Zio's gaze.
"Fine then, enough for today." Zioh exclaimed as he stood up and left, leaving Tshabina to watch him go, her eyes fixed on the broad shoulders of him. What did she expect? Deep down, she had already knew that this time would be no different; Zioh would surely be cold toward her again, which is why she had been forcing herself not to expect too much since yesterday. But still, why? Why does this still hurt, Zioh?
Seeing her boss just leave the place made Natashya flustered. On one hand, she had to chase after him, but on the other hand, she had to stay professional and at least say goodbye to her boss's colleague who was sitting in front of her with an expression that Natashya couldn't read.
"Ah, sorry Ms. Tshabina, we're taking our leave now. I'll send the schedule for the next meeting with the team shortly. Thank you so much for today," Natashya exclaimed as politely as she could while shaking Tshabina's hand and quickly running off to chase her boss, who had already disappeared somewhere.
Tshabina was just about to open the meeting room door when she almost screamed and embarrassed herself. Why? Because her half-crazy friend was standing right behind the door. "WHA-..hhh…Andi... seriously... what's wrong with you?"
"Shit... is that Zioh...?" Andi asked, still frozen and staring ahead. Even though Zioh was no longer there, he just stood there like a statue.
"Did you see him? Besides, Were you really threw a shit or meditating? Took you forever tho, what, did a brick come out of your ass?" Tshabina finally asked lazily, as she walked ahead of her friend, which seemed to get Andi to follow behind her.
"Biba, seriously, what the hell is going on in the UK? Why is your prince charming suddenly so hot now he's back? Even I, I'm a fucking hot guy too but I'am shocked, damn he so handsome ba-..." Seeing her friend brooding, Andi fell silent, seeming to understand that the meeting hadn't gone well, judging by Tshabina's pensive expression.
Finally, Andi put his arm around Tshabina's shoulders. "Don't keep frowning, girl. Let's just eat, wanna go to Lawson? Or how about we going to the mall and watch movie? All on me." Andi said cheerfully.
"Wow, you've got some cash on you." Tshabina looked up at Andi, raising an eyebrow.
"Got an ordered from hotel last night." That answer immediately silenced Tshabina.
"JUST KIDDING! You think I'm broke? What the hell? Doesn't my crazy rich vibe scream at you? Besides, I slept at your place last night, brainless!" Andi went on a rant, putting his arm around Tshabina again.
But the two of them didn't notice that since they walked out the office door and headed towards the main road in front of their office, there was a man staring at them from inside a black Mercedes parked not far from them. The man was watching them intently, his face showing no signs of life, only a straight gaze and a blank expression, unlike the two friends who were laughing freely while nudging each other at the sidewalk, until finally, one of the taxis with a "blue bird" sign picked them up, making them vanish from Zioh's sight.
"Andi....." Zioh whispered.
Hearing her boss's soft murmur, Natashya turned to him. "Sorry, sir?" she asked.
"Not you." Zioh glanced at her. "I'm not talking to you. Take me home, the main house. I need to see that old guy." Zioh instructed in a low voice.
"Yes, sir." Natashya replied while shifting her gaze away from him.
--
"Where the hell have you been?! Why didn't you come straight home? Instead of going home, you stayed at a hotel! And I had to track you down to a penthouse! You think you're so important now?! You think you'd be this successful without my last na-!" Now Zioh was in his main house, more precisely in his father's office, while his oldest brother kept nagging him to go home and greet their father.
"What do you have you say? I'm only here because my brother asked me." Zioh immediately cut his father off.
"Don't ever be disrespectful to me!" His father, Bakti Danudara, was about to slap him. His hand was already raised in the air but suddenly froze when he saw the expression on his second child's face. Zioh didn't even blink when his father was about to hit him; his gaze remained fixed on his father's eyes with his signature expression from the past few years, which was a flat expression, as if there was no sign of life there, and that somehow made his father lower his hand again and take a long breath.
"Hhhhhh...how long are you gonna be like this? You and your brother have really gotten on my nerves! Tell your brother to come back here too! What's he doing there, huh?! keep messing around?!"
Bakti sat down on the sofa, facing his son. His neck was tense again after only a few minutes talking to his second son, whom he hadn't seen for two years since his last visit to the UK.
"What do you want to talk about, Dad?" Zioh asked once more, this time his voice was lower, but there was still no change in expression from him, still with his flat face.
His father finally said as he took a breath, "Be the project manager for our company's project with PT Artamain Persero. Be in charge and take the lead. Your brother is out of the country for two months, so he can't. This is a collaboration with a government company, I can only trust you."
Zioh who heard those words, his expression finally changed. He scoffed cynically at his father's request. "A project manager? First, you want me to be their architect, and now you want me to be a project manager? Dad, you're not even embarrassed to ask an outsider who has nothing to do with the company to take on such a big project."
"Nothing to do? You're my son, and this is my company, the company I built. That's why it's called 'Indonesia Danudara Tv Group' or 'INDTV Group.' Even though you don't have a position in this company, just take on the role as your brother's assistant or whatever." Bakti Danudara looked firmly at his son. "Before you moved, you've learned everything about business and our company from me. You're the only one I can trust. If you won't do this for me, at least do it for your brother; this project is important for him too. You'll put his name on this project, not just mine."
Now Zioh laughed sarcastically. "What a sly dad! Always bringing Zaeem's name into every negotiation we have."
"Because I know that you love your brothers with all your heart, Zioh."
"Of course." Zioh's gaze sharpened. "Because we only have each other, just the three of us now."
Zioh began to get up from the sofa and walked toward the exit. "I'm only doing this for Zaeem, not you." Zioh said as his phone rang, signaling a message from his oldest brother. Zioh stared at his phone for a while to reply to her brother's message before he continued walking out of the room.
Zaeem: I really need your help, help me okay?
Zioh: Fine, but just this once. What's the reason this time?
Zioh: I know it's not just the fucking reason of stupid business trip, you're really being pathetic in front of dad, this project should be for you.
Zaeem: Yeah it's not, that's why this is really important to me
Zioh: Again? Are you serious?
Zioh: The hell Zaeem, whatever, but i only use your name for this project not mine, talk to that old guy
Zaeem: Thanks
Zaeem: Btw, send my greetings to Biba dan Bibu, from now on you guys'll meet often.
Zaeem: Listen, i don't wanna interfere, just take my advice Zi, don't be too hard on them, they're also tortured by what happened that night.
Zaeem: Hey, you know from the bottom of your heart it's not their fault, especially Tshabina.
"Meet Tsabinu for all legal matters and for consultation on this project, and if you need anything else, just ask him, he's a really talented guy." That statement made Zioh, who had already been holding the doorknob, pause for a moment before he finally stepped out, leaving his father alone in the room.
"Tsabinu... bibu..." Zioh murmured softly.