Hollywood: The Greatest Showman

Chapter 155: Contract Love

Seeing Ryan's bewildered expression, Renly stepped forward, patted his shoulder, and said with a smile, "Four o'clock in the afternoon, don't forget the time. If I don't see you on the red carpet, I'll definitely tell the reporters about you and Michelle."

"Buried" wasn't a highly anticipated film. Although Toronto was the first stop for its global premiere, they didn't receive top treatment. An eight o'clock evening premiere was out of the question; instead, the premiere was scheduled for four-thirty in the afternoon, with the red carpet starting at four. After the screening, the reporters would rush to the main venue to attend tonight's North American premiere of "The Town."

Ryan gave Renly the finger without hesitation—he was currently dating Michelle—and gritted his teeth, saying, "You better not get the time wrong, or you can't blame me."

After sending Ryan off, Renly headed to the mini-fridge in the room. After talking all morning, his throat was parched. "Is everything going smoothly with the trip?"

"Smoothly, it's just Toronto." Andy tried to find a spot on the sofa, looked around, and finally picked up a bathrobe to make some space. "Your life in Toronto is really exciting. In just four days, I feel like I'm already falling behind."

"What?" Renly grabbed a bottle of water and took a big gulp. "Oh, you mean Ryan? He's a friend I made by chance. It's a long story. I thought he was a stiff and rigid guy, but after talking, I found out that Canadians are more interesting than I imagined."

"Of course, Ryan is part of it, but not the most important part." Andy recalled the earlier phone call, with a lot of information to process, he organized his thoughts a bit. "Are you sure there's nothing else?"

Renly sat down on the nearby sofa, paused his drinking motion, and showed a puzzled expression. After thinking carefully, he still had no clue. "I've been watching movies for the past few days. Nothing else has happened."

Andy scrutinized Renly's expression and couldn't help but remind him, "Hint: Natalie Portman."

Renly was momentarily stunned, then his expression turned from realization to confusion. "I met her once, but that's it. She doesn't even know my name."

"Is that really all?" Andy smiled meaningfully, clearly not believing Renly.

Renly thought deeply for another moment but still had no idea. "Did she say something?"

When he left, he had casually tricked Natalie, but judging from the past three days' news, it hadn't worked. It seemed the reporters hadn't caught the implication of his words—one reporter had been following him for the past three days. If he didn't know the person was a reporter, he would have thought he had a stalker. So, Renly still couldn't figure out any connection between him and Natalie.

"She did say something, but I'm more curious about what you said to her." Andy genuinely laughed this time but didn't keep him guessing any longer. "Her agent called me and said Natalie wants to date you."

Francis Parker is Natalie Portman's agent.

Such explosive news didn't faze Renly, who acted as if it was about a stranger, which disappointed Andy. He continued, "To be precise, it's a contract relationship." Without waiting for Renly to ask, he explained further.

"In front of the media, you two pretend to be dating. We'll arrange some journalists to take photos of you on dates, set a timeline for holding hands, kissing, sending her home, spending the night, and then breaking up. Behind closed doors, when the journalists can't see, you don't have to act, and you don't really have to sleep together. But in public, it's best to show some chemistry because reporters are hard to fool these days."

Renly frowned slightly. "You're saying she wants to fake a relationship with me to deceive the reporters and the public?"

"Yes," Andy nodded affirmatively. "From September to March next year. That's the initial plan. With both your acting skills, it shouldn't be a problem. But if you end up really dating, just let me know in advance so I don't get caught off guard."

So, living life relies entirely on acting skills, is that it?

"Why me?" Renly wasn't surprised but instead chuckled.

Andy noticed the subtlety in Renly's smile and realized he might know something. "Yeah, why you? I was the most surprised when Francis called."

Typically, for promoting a commercial film, the possibility of the leads signing a contract relationship is higher. From before the film starts shooting to the end of the promotional period, they would strategically arrange for the relationship to "gradually heat up," allowing the media and audience to participate and achieve the best direct promotional effect.

However, in today's internet age, celebrities' lives are truly under a magnifying glass, making contract relationships risky and prone to exposure. Movie companies and PR firms are reluctant to orchestrate them unless the leads genuinely spark, or the film's promotional points are extremely lacking, making this a backup plan.

But now, Natalie and Renly, who had no prior connection, were suddenly put together, and Renly was still a newcomer. In other words, in this contract relationship, Renly would be the "beneficiary," quickly gaining audience recognition, and his fame would rise sharply. Everything seemed strange.

However, Andy wasn't too concerned about this kind of fame. At this stage, Renly was a typical talented actor, and talent was the best way for the audience to know him, not such tabloid news—this kind of romance would easily brand him as a pretty face.

Andy was more curious about Francis's reason for such a proposal—Francis naturally didn't reveal much, only asked if Andy was interested and hinted they could discuss it further after today's "Buried" premiere.

"This isn't something I can answer." Renly found it absurd and couldn't help but laugh. "Natalie is currently dating Benjamin Millepied."

"Benjamin Millepied?" Andy repeated the name, his brain processing it a few times before he exclaimed, "The choreographer of 'Black Swan'?"

"Yes," Renly nodded and briefly recounted their encounter.

Renly didn't mention their small conflict, thinking it was unnecessary to nitpick or that it wasn't directly relevant. But Andy wasn't willing to let it go, probing every detail until he got the full story, then fell into deep thought.

"Give me some time." After thinking it over, Andy took out his phone, plugged it in to charge, and started making calls.

Seeing that it no longer involved him, Renly busied himself with his own affairs, completely indifferent.

Andy made calls for over ninety minutes, the last of which was to Francis, discussing for nearly forty minutes without reaching a consensus, but at least understanding the situation—Francis still didn't fully reveal the truth, but it was enough for Andy.

Standing up, he searched for Renly, finally finding him on the balcony. Renly was sitting there reading a book, looking so at ease that Andy couldn't help but laugh. "Even if you're not interested in Natalie Portman, you should at least start preparing for this afternoon's premiere. It's your first film and your first time in Toronto, isn't it?"

Renly shrugged. "First times are endless. Instead of celebrating every 'first,' it's better to treat every future time as the first and truly enjoy it." He looked up, smiled at Andy, "Besides, there's no way to prepare for a premiere, right? Relaxing is the best preparation."

"I can't argue with that." Andy sat across from Renly. Although he wasn't there at the time to understand the precise situation, he could infer that Natalie's current predicament was largely due to Renly digging a big hole. But now, Renly seemed completely unruffled, obviously not an easy guy to deal with, which Andy found refreshing.

"Natalie and Benjamin's relationship can't be discovered, as it might affect the Oscar campaign for 'Black Swan.' So, they need a cover. Given the current situation, you're the most suitable candidate because just three days ago, you had a 'scandal,' right?" Andy summarized the situation simply, still smiling. "For them, it diverts media attention; for us..."

Andy paused slightly. Unfortunately, he still couldn't bait Renly, so he had to continue, "You gain enough exposure, which benefits 'Buried' and your recognition. So, it's a win-win. Of course, since they need our help, we can negotiate terms and maybe secure some good scripts for you. This is Toronto, a perfect opportunity. If you agree, this afternoon's premiere can be the starting point."

"Are you asking for my opinion?" Renly noted Andy's hesitation. "I thought these decisions were made by agents."

"If I agree, would you cooperate?" Andy didn't answer directly but asked back.

Renly raised an eyebrow, his smile playful, "I don't think so."

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