You spent exactly forty-three seconds pretending to think carefully before saying:

Y/n:- “…Can I read the contract first?”

Secretary Kang looked relieved.

One executive muttered
“Finally.” 

Taehyung looked mildly amused.

The folder in your hands felt heavier than it should’ve.

You flipped the first page slowly.

ARTICLE 1: 
*Public Relationship Agreement*

Duration:
Six months. 

Role:
Public fiancée of Kim Taehyung. 

Restrictions:
Confidentiality mandatory. 

Penalty for breach:
You stopped reading immediately. 

Y/n:- “Why are there so many zeros in this fine amount?”
Secretary Kang:- “That is motivation.” 

You looked at Taehyung in disbelief.

Y/n:- “You people are terrifying.”

He didn’t deny it.
Instead, he leaned slightly forward.

Taehyung:- “You can refuse.”
The strange thing was—
he sounded genuine.
No pressure.
No manipulation.
Which somehow made this harder.
You kept reading.

RULES:

* No discussing contract details publicly.
* Attend scheduled events together.
* Avoid public scandals.
* Maintain believable relationship conduct.
Then—
* Public affection permitted when necessary.
Your eyes widened slightly.
Y/n:- “Necessary?”
One executive answered immediately.
Executive:- “Hand-holding. Light physical affection. Couple behavior.”
You looked horrified.
Y/n:- “Do billionaires always describe romance like hostage negotiations?”
Taehyung covered his mouth briefly.
Like he was hiding a laugh.

You noticed.
And unfortunately—
that tiny reaction was unfairly attractive.
You cleared your throat aggressively and continued reading.
ADDITIONAL CLAUSE:
Temporary residence arrangement may be required for media consistency.
You looked up instantly.
Y/n:- “No.”
Secretary Kang:- “Excuse me?”
Y/n:- “I am not moving into some rich-people mansion where I’ll get emotionally bullied by chandeliers.”
For the first time, Taehyung actually laughed.

Quiet.
Deep.
Unexpected.

The sound stunned the room.
Even the executives looked confused.
Like they hadn’t heard it often either.
Your heart skipped traitorously.
Taehyung:- “You wouldn’t stay in my house immediately.”

Immediately?
That wording felt dangerous.
You ignored it.
Y/n:- “I still think this is insane.”
Taehyung:- “It is.”
That answer caught you off guard.
No denial.
No fake professionalism.

Just honesty.
And somehow that made him easier to talk to.
Secretary Kang checked her tablet.
Secretary Kang:- “We’ll need an answer today. Media speculation is increasing rapidly.”
As if summoned by evil itself—
your phone buzzed.
Mina:
>ARE YOU ALIVE???

Another message immediately followed.
Mina:
>CNN IS TALKING ABOUT YOU

You nearly dropped your phone.
Y/n:- “What happens if I say no?”

The room fell silent.
One executive answered carefully.
Executive:- “The company will release a formal denial.”
Y/n:- “And me?”

A pause.
Executive:- “…The public reaction may become unpleasant.”
Your stomach tightened.
Of course it would.

People online already thought you were:
*manipulative
*fame-hungry
*secretly married
*a spy somehow

The internet was terrifying.
Taehyung watched your expression carefully.
Then finally said:
Taehyung:-“You’d receive protection.”

You looked at him.

Y/n:- “What?”

Taehyung:- “Security. Legal assistance. Privacy management.”
His voice stayed calm.
Taehyung:- “No one would be allowed to harass you.”
Something about the way he said it felt personal.
Protective.
Like the idea genuinely bothered him.
You looked down at the contract again.
Six months.
Fake engagement.
Public appearances.
Pretending to love a man you barely knew.

This was the worst idea of your life.
Probably.
Definitely.
…Maybe.
Y/n:- “Can I ask something?”
Taehyung nodded once.
Y/n:- “Why me?”
One executive opened his mouth immediately—
but Taehyung answered first.
Taehyung:- “Because you looked scared after posting the picture.”

The room went still.
You blinked slowly.
Y/n:- “…What?”
Taehyung:- “I watched the video.”
Y/n:- “What video?”
Taehyung:- “The one from outside your apartment.”
Your soul exited your body.
Y/n:- “There was a VIDEO?”
Secretary Kang looked uncomfortable.

Taehyung:- “Unfortunately, reporters reached your building very quickly.”
You wanted to evaporate.
Immediately.
Taehyung continued softly.
Taehyung:- “You looked overwhelmed.”

Not annoyed.
Not greedy.
Not excited.
Just Overwhelmed.

And somehow—
he’d noticed.
Your chest tightened unexpectedly.
Taehyung:-“You don’t belong in this kind of attention.”
The strange thing was—
he said it like he understood exactly how that felt.
Silence settled over the room again.
Then your phone buzzed once more.
This time—
it was Kang sun.

Kang Sun:
Can we talk??
You stared at the screen.
Then slowly locked your phone without replying.
Taehyung noticed.
His gaze lowered briefly to your hand.
Then away again.
Like he was deliberately pretending not to care.
Secretary Kang:- “We’d need your answer now.”

You inhaled deeply.
This was reckless.
Complicated.
Potentially life-ruining.

But somewhere beneath the panic—
there was curiosity too.
About him.
About the quiet sadness in his eyes.
About why a man with everything looked so lonely.
You looked at the pen.
Then at Taehyung.
He met your gaze steadily.
No pressure.
No arrogance.
Just waiting.
And for some reason—
that made you trust him a little.
Y/n:- “…Six months.”
Secretary Kang straightened immediately.

Taehyung:- "yeah. Six months.”
You picked up the pen.

Your signature looked shakier than your mental stability.
The second you finished signing—
one executive exhaled like world peace had finally been restored.
Secretary Kang smiled professionally.
Secretary Kang:- “Congratulations.”
Y/n:- “For ruining my life?”
Secretary Kang:- “For your engagement.”
Right.
That.
Before you could process anything further—
Taehyung stood.
The room instantly shifted around him.
Powerful.
Composed.
Untouchable.
Then he walked toward you.
Your heartbeat became deeply embarrassing.
He stopped beside your chair and held out his hand politely.
Taehyung:- “Partner?”
You looked at his hand carefully.
Long fingers.
Warm skin.
Ridiculously elegant watch.
Everything about him felt dangerous in a very expensive way.
Slowly—
you placed your hand in his.
His grip was gentle.
Steady.
And for the briefest second—

his thumb brushed lightly against your knuckles.
Accidental.
Probably.
But the tiny touch sent warmth all the way up your spine.
Then he released you calmly like nothing happened.
Meanwhile your brain was already planning its funeral.
Secretary Kang:- “We’ll begin couple training tomorrow morning.”

You frowned.
Y/n:- “…Couple training?”
Taehyung sighed softly.
And somehow—
he looked almost sorry for you.
I appreciate your time and support - thank you for being part of this journey...
Stay tuned till next chapter.....💟