Sweet Love 2x: Miss Ruthless CEO for our Superstar Uncle-Chapter 45: Mutual Agreement

Arianne listened to Daryll’s briefing on the issues Franz was expected to face upon his return to the showbiz industry. Franz had been away from the public’s view for almost half a year now. It only made sense that Bluegate Entertainment, where he was signed, wanted him to come back from his hiatus. Public absence always created louder speculation than presence ever did.

When Daryll left, it gave her and Franz the perfect time to discuss their current living arrangements.

"I suppose we have to establish some conditions while we are here," Arianne said as she crossed her legs in contemplation.

"I was hoping I could delay my return for another three months. I guess I was hoping too much." Franz stood up, rubbing his nape in frustration.

"Let me get a pen and some paper. I don’t trust myself to remember everything you’ll say," he said, turning on his heel and going up the stairs before disappearing into the western wing.

When he came back, Franz was holding a thick binder notebook and a black pen. He sat across from her and opened the notebook to a blank page.

"I’m thinking of creating a shared calendar," Arianne started. "It should give us a quick overview of our schedules for the month. All travels, shoots, and meetings should be indicated. Of course, I don’t expect you to disclose every action you take or track your location. Private entries would be allowed as long as they are marked ’unavailable.’ No questions asked."

Franz hovered his pen over the blank page, contemplating.

"I would have to ask my PA to update my schedule first. It may take some time, though," he said.

"It’s fine. So long as we are on the right track," Arianne rested her chin on the back of her hand.

"Since we’ve already assigned our designated spaces here, I just want to add some conditions," she continued.

"Like?"

"We are not allowed to enter each other’s study or workspaces unless we knock first and receive permission to enter. You would not enter my study, and I would not step into yours, including your recording studio. Also, no unnecessary disturbances during agreed time blocks."

Franz nodded and scribbled in his notebook. "Understandable."

"Next, we will take turns checking the daily routines of the twins. Unless there’s an emergency, this cannot be ignored or passed to the other party. From now on, I’ll be their primary emergency contact. You’ll be next in line if I’m not available. If neither of us is available, Aunt Estella and Gio will be the backups."

"What about their schedules and medical affairs?" Franz asked.

"That would require our joint agreement. One can’t decide alone when it comes to their health. We can’t travel and be absent at the same time, either. At least one of us should stay with them when the other is gone," she reminded him, watching as he wrote down the conditions they agreed on.

Franz jotted it down in his notebook, thinking it would be challenging for him and Arianne to keep their schedules in sync.

"Now, let’s talk about our work and privacy," Arianne said after a long silence.

Franz lifted his head and looked at her.

"Is there something you want to know?" he asked.

"I want to know how you were able to avoid getting caught for the past twelve years since you joined the entertainment industry."

Franz straightened in his seat.

"When I signed my first contract, I was given housing by the company. I used to live there along with the other talents. Even now, the company provides me with a place to live. Every time I finish work, I stop by that place and wait an hour or two before leaving. The apartment complex’s security is quite strict."

"And you plan on continuing it?" Arianne raised a brow. "What if someone waits for you outside longer than two hours? Wouldn’t that make your efforts futile?"

Franz shrugged.

"I haven’t been caught so far. I used to drive the old sedan my assistant owns. Sometimes, I hitched a ride in her backseat if the cost wasn’t totally clear."

Arianne shook her head. That wasn’t enough for her.

"You are a top actor of Bluegate Entertainment. Don’t they provide you with your own security team?"

"They assigned bodyguards before, but it didn’t last," he recounted. "A few accepted bribes from fans during a hotel stay. Security was breached, and personal items were taken. After that, I stopped relying on company-provided protection."

Arianne tapped her fingers against the armrest of the couch.

"Then let’s use the resources of the Rochefort Group to increase our security," she suggested. "You don’t need a lot of bodyguards, but you’ll need capable ones. I’m sure if we offer generous compensation and benefits, they wouldn’t be easily bribed."

"But—"

"Franz, don’t forget you are also part of the Rochefort Group. It’s only natural for the company to provide you with a security team."

"I’ll leave the arrangement to you then," Franz conceded, realizing Arianne had already made up her mind. "Is there anything else?"

"Yes," Arianne answered immediately. "I will not get involved with your work. I will not intervene in casting, contracts, or any of your endorsements. If Alex could do all of those for you, I can’t."

"I don’t expect you to do it, Aria," Franz replied. "I would rather you not get involved with the rumors and scandals within showbiz."

"We also can’t be seen together in public places, Franz," she continued. "If in the future we are required to appear together, it should be under a controlled environment. You should pretend that I’m just another face in the crowd. If, for some reason, my marriage to Franz Rochefort is leaked, it should never be traced back or lead to Noah Hart."

Franz’s jaw hardened. Some objections were better swallowed than spoken. He wanted to argue, but didn’t know the right words to tell her what he felt. He knew she might have already considered possibilities he hadn’t, but he didn’t want her to bear the retaliation of the public.

"I won’t go to any of your public promotions, award nights, or events, but I also expect you not to attend external meetings related to the Rochefort Group." Arianne didn’t give him a chance to speak. "As for information, I expect you to be transparent if it affects our safety, schedules, or legal exposure."

Franz considered all the terms and conditions they discussed and couldn’t think of anything else to add.

He drew a final line beneath the list and closed the notebook.

"We’ll follow this," he said.

Arianne didn’t nod. She reached for her phone and asked Gio to finalize her schedule for the month.