Monday morning arrived with a mix of anticipation and nerves for Valentina. She stood outside Yoongi’s office, her hand gripping the signed contract inside her bag. The weekend had been spent in deep contemplation, weighing every word she had read, every scenario Yoongi had proposed, and her own feelings about the arrangement.

After hours of deliberation, she had made her decision.

The air in the office felt different today, as if it hummed with the weight of what was about to happen. Valentina straightened her blazer, hoping to steady her nerves as she knocked on the large oak door to Yoongi’s office. His deep voice called out for her to enter, sending a ripple of electricity down her spine.

She stepped in, closing the door behind her and taking in the sight of Yoongi seated at his desk, his sharp eyes already assessing her. He wore a crisp black suit today, the stark contrast of his white shirt making his presence even more commanding.

"Valentina," he greeted her, his voice low and steady. "You’re early."

"I like to be prepared," she replied, offering him a small smile. Her fingers brushed against the contract in her bag, reminding her of why she was there. She took a deep breath and approached his desk, pulling the folder out and placing it in front of him. "I’ve made my decision."

Yoongi’s eyebrows lifted slightly in interest. His fingers brushed the edges of the folder as he flipped it open. His expression was unreadable as he scanned the document, taking in the neatly signed page with her signature at the bottom.

For a moment, the room was silent, the only sound the quiet rustle of papers as Yoongi read through the contract. Valentina stood in front of his desk, trying to keep her composure despite the storm of nerves swirling inside her.

After a few minutes, Yoongi closed the folder, leaning back in his chair. His eyes flicked up to meet hers, his gaze intense.

"You’ve signed it," he said, more of a statement than a question.

Valentina nodded, her throat dry. "I did. I’ve thought about it carefully, and I’m comfortable moving forward with this."

Yoongi tapped his fingers against the desk, a small smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "I appreciate your thoroughness. Most people don’t take the time to read every detail."

"Considering what’s at stake," Valentina replied, her voice steadier now, "I think it’s important to be thorough."

Yoongi’s smirk deepened as he opened the folder once more, flipping to the page where she had listed her limits. "Let’s go over this, then."

Valentina’s heart raced as Yoongi’s eyes skimmed the page. His voice was calm, almost detached, as he began to read aloud.

"Open to most forms of submission… willing to explore sensory play, bondage, light discipline, and control," he paused, glancing up at her. "But you’ve drawn the line at pain."

Valentina nodded. "I’m not comfortable with pain for pleasure."

Yoongi set the paper down and regarded her thoughtfully. "Neither am I."

Her eyebrows lifted in surprise at his admission. "Really?"

He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. "It’s not my style. Control is important to me, but I’m not interested in inflicting pain. Pleasure should be just that—pleasure."

Valentina felt a weight lift off her chest. She had been worried about that particular aspect, unsure if it would be a dealbreaker for him. But hearing Yoongi confirm that it wasn’t something he was comfortable with either reassured her in ways she hadn’t expected.

"I’m glad to hear that," she said softly. "It was the one thing I wasn’t sure how to approach."

Yoongi’s gaze softened just a fraction. "You’re not the only one with limits, Valentina. This arrangement is about trust, mutual respect. I wouldn’t ask you to do anything that I wouldn’t do myself."

His words carried a weight that settled deep within her. Trust. That was the core of this agreement, wasn’t it? Despite Yoongi’s commanding presence and the intimidating reputation he had in the business world, he was offering her a relationship built on consent and boundaries.

"Thank you," she replied quietly. "I appreciate that."

Yoongi stood up from his chair, walking around the desk to stand in front of her. He was close now, close enough that she could feel the subtle heat radiating from his body. His gaze was steady, unflinching, as he studied her face.

"Do you understand what this means, Valentina?" he asked, his voice low. "This is more than just a job. You’ll have to trust me, and I’ll have to trust you. We both need to be clear about what we want."

Valentina swallowed, her heart pounding in her chest. "I understand."

He reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. His touch was surprisingly gentle, almost tender. It sent a shiver down her spine, but not from fear—this was something different, something electric.

"Good," he said, his voice soft. "Because once we start this, there’s no turning back."

She met his gaze, feeling the intensity behind his words. There was a finality to this moment, a sense that once she stepped into this world, everything would change. But she had already made her decision. She was ready.

"I’m not turning back," she replied, her voice strong.

A small, approving smile tugged at Yoongi’s lips. He stepped back slightly, giving her space to breathe, but the air between them was still thick with tension.

"Tomorrow," he said, returning to his more business-like tone, "we’ll begin. For now, focus on your work as my secretary. I’ll let you know when we’re ready to move forward with the rest."

Valentina nodded, feeling a mix of relief and anticipation settle in her chest. She had crossed the first threshold, but there were many more steps to take. Yoongi wasn’t rushing her, and that gave her comfort. She would have time to adjust, to ease into the new dynamic they were creating.

As she turned to leave, Yoongi’s voice stopped her.

"Valentina."

She turned back, meeting his eyes once more.

"You made the right choice," he said, his tone firm but gentle. "I won’t let you down."

She gave him a small smile, feeling a warmth spread through her at his words. "I trust you."

With that, Valentina left his office, the signed contract resting on Yoongi’s desk. The weight of their agreement lingered in the air, but so did the promise of what was to come.

Tomorrow, everything would change. And Valentina was ready to face it head-on.