The lights in Arianne's office were dimmed, the only illumination coming from the lamp on her desk. She lifted her head when she heard Franz's arrival. She glanced at the time at the corner of her laptop, seeing that it was already 8 in the evening.
She pulled away from her desk and watched as Franz took a seat across from her. He looked calmer compared to their earlier meeting.
"Did something happen?" she asked.
"I just have a word with Lucas. I needed to hear his opinion." Franz admitted.
Arianne clasped her hands together and didn't say a word.
"You know what this does to you publicly," Franz said.
"It changes nothing I haven't already faced," she replied.
Franz stared at her. A moment later, his shoulder fell as if the worries that had burdened him earlier dissipated.
"Are you worried that I'll be the target of everyone's scrutiny?" Arianne questioned him this time.
