Chapter 5: Bound by Agreement
1098 Words
Bianca’s POV
Monday morning felt different.
Heavier.
I walked across the campus with my bag heavier than usual—not because of books, but because of that single decision I’d made in the library.
“Yes.”
Such a small word. Such a huge consequence.
By the time I reached the Student Council office, my palms were clammy, my heart drumming so fast it almost hurt.
Inside, everyone was already gathered. Papers shuffled, laughter echoed, familiar faces turned toward me. The air seemed to pause.
Kim was the first to speak. “So… she’s official?”
I froze at the doorway, unsure if she was asking me or Yhannie.
“Yes,” Yhannie answered smoothly, standing from her seat. “Bianca Cruz, our new secretary.”
The words hit me like a gavel striking down a verdict. No turning back.
Polite applause followed, though I caught a few skeptical glances. Some smiled, some didn’t bother. I wanted the floor to swallow me whole.
“Sit here,” Yhannie said, pulling out the chair beside her.
I obeyed, my throat dry, my body stiff.
The meeting began, and my first task was simple—take notes. My pen trembled against the paper, my handwriting uneven. But every time I faltered, Yhannie’s voice cut through the room, steady and firm, like a guidepost pulling me back to focus.
And every so often, she’d lean close, whispering clarifications only I could hear. Her breath brushed my ear, making me shiver.
“Write this down,” she murmured. “Budget for the outreach program—note it separately.”
I nodded quickly, eyes on the page, pretending I wasn’t burning under her nearness.
By the end of the hour, my notes were messy but complete.
“You did well,” she said softly as everyone dispersed.
I blinked at her. “Really?”
“Better than expected.” A faint smile tugged at her lips. “See? You’re made for this.”
I didn’t know if it was true, but hearing her say it sent a strange warmth through me.
---
Yhannie’s POV
She sat stiffly beside me, but I could feel her thawing, little by little. The way her shoulders loosened when I praised her. The way her eyes lingered on me for a second longer each time I leaned close.
She didn’t realize it yet, but she was adapting to my presence. To my control.
Kim watched us carefully, suspicion written all over her face. She’d ask questions later, no doubt. But I wasn’t concerned.
What mattered was Bianca.
And she was already where I wanted her—by my side.
---
Bianca’s POV
The whispers didn’t stop.
By lunchtime, rumors had already spread. “Bianca’s the new secretary.” “She got in without interviews.” “Guess being close to the president pays off.”
I overheard it all. Each word dug under my skin.
At one point, two girls giggled as I walked past. “Secretary, huh? Must be nice having connections.”
I clenched my fists, forcing myself not to snap back.
But then a calm voice cut in.
“Problem?”
I turned. Yhannie stood there, gaze sharp, her presence immediately silencing the hallway. The two girls mumbled excuses and slipped away.
I blinked at her. “You didn’t have to—”
“Yes, I did,” she said simply. “You’re under my wing now. Anyone who has a problem with you… has a problem with me.”
My chest tightened. Protection shouldn’t feel this heavy. And yet, when she said it, I almost believed I was safe.
---
That evening, I stayed late in the office, typing up the minutes from the meeting. My fingers stumbled over the keyboard, but I pushed through, determined not to disappoint.
“You’re still here?” her voice came from behind me.
I turned. She leaned casually against the wall, her jacket draped over one arm.
“Yes. I just… wanted to finish this.”
She stepped closer, glancing at my screen. “Not bad. A few things to fix, but you’ll learn fast.”
I nodded, unsure what to say.
“Bianca,” she said suddenly, her tone lower.
I looked up.
“You don’t need to prove yourself to anyone else. You’re here because I chose you. Remember that.”
Her words lodged deep inside me, impossible to ignore.
I swallowed. “But… what if I fail?”
She leaned down, her face inches from mine, eyes unwavering.
“Then I’ll catch you.”
My breath hitched. For a second, the room felt too small, the air too thick.
I looked away quickly, pretending to check my document. “I… I should finish this.”
She straightened, a small smile playing on her lips. “Alright. Don’t stay too late.”
As she left, I realized my hands were shaking.
From fear. From pressure.
Or maybe… from something else.
---
Yhannie’s POV
Every hesitation, every blush, every nervous glance—I memorized them all.
Bianca was a puzzle, fragile but fascinating. And now, she was tethered to me.
The council, the work, the whispers—they were all threads binding her tighter.
And soon, she’d stop struggling. She’d realize she belonged nowhere else but here. With me.
---
Bianca’s POV
By the end of the week, exhaustion hit me.
Between classes, council work, and the constant eyes on me, I barely had time to breathe.
Yet every time I thought of quitting, her voice echoed in my mind.
“You’re here because I chose you.”
And somehow, that was enough to keep me going.
Friday evening, I found myself walking past the office again. The lights were still on. Curiosity tugged at me.
Inside, Yhannie sat alone, head bent over paperwork, her face softened by the glow of the desk lamp.
For a moment, I just watched. She looked… human. Not the untouchable president everyone else saw, but someone quietly carrying weight no one else could imagine.
She noticed me at the door, her eyes lifting to meet mine.
“Still here?” she asked, her voice gentler than usual.
I hesitated, then stepped inside. “I… just wanted to check if you needed help.”
Her lips curved into the faintest smile. “Always.”
And just like that, I knew I was in deeper than I’d ever intended.
---
Yhannie’s POV
She didn’t even realize it—how naturally she came back.
How easily she was learning to stay.
And I would make sure she never left.
Not now. Not ever.
- Writer
