Chapter Three: The Morning After

Aria's pov

24hrs before

You’d think after willingly submitting to a stranger who tied me up, whispered filthy promises in my ear and left me in a blissful haze of pain and pleasure, I’d wake up questioning every decision I’d ever made.

But I didn’t.

I woke up to the quietness of my penthouse suite, sunlight filtering in through the glass floor to ceiling windows and the taste of last night still warm on my lips.

I smiled.

It was the kind of smile that felt secret. Like I had a power no one knew about.

Because no one did.

To the world I was still their perfect CEO princess.

And today, I had three meetings to attend, two interviews to prep for and a face to mask that told the world I had everything under control.

But for once, I didn’t want to be in control.

I took a slow breath and pulled myself out of bed. My body ached in all the best ways. I could still feel the ghost of his hands, the way he’d looked at me not like I was property, but like I was something pure and untouchable. His. Even for just one night.

No names. No questions.

Except the one I couldn’t stop asking.

Who was he?

After a quick shower, I slid into a white blazer dress, cinched at the waist with gold buttons. Sleek. Powerful. Exactly what people expected me to be. My assistant, June, had already sent my schedule for the day and the car was waiting downstairs. Everything was in place.

Until I reached the front door.

And saw the man standing there.

He was tall. Dressed in all black. And wore gloves.

I blinked. “Can I help you?”

“Miss Valente,” he said smoothly, his voice formal but sharp-edged. “This is for you.”

He extended a black envelope. Thick. Wax-sealed with an intricate symbol I didn’t recognize two overlapping D’s forming a ring.

I hesitated. “Who sent this?”

He said nothing. Just waited.

Against every instinct, I took the envelope.

“Sign here,” he said, holding out a clipboard.

I wrote my name. “Is this some kind of invitation?”

He offered a single nod, then turned and walked away before I could ask more.

I shut the door and stared at the envelope in my hand.

No way.

I moved to the kitchen island and broke the seal. Inside was a set of formal documents in blood-red font.

My name was at the top.

My legal name.

Aria Liana Valente

And beneath it, in calligraphy so elegant it looked engraved:

Dominus.

I sat down, heart pounding.

No surname. No middle name. Just Dominus.

Which was... strangely hotter than it should have been.

The heading read “CONFIDENTIAL SUBMISSION AGREEMENT”

Between:

Dominus (Hereafter referred to as "The Dominant")

and

Aria Liana Valente (Hereafter referred to as "The Submissive")

This agreement is entered into willingly, knowingly, and with full consent by both parties for the sole purpose of engaging in a Dom/Sub dynamic that includes, but is not limited to, physical, psychological, sensual, and emotional submission.

This contract is binding under the rules of confidentiality, discretion and mutual respect.

SECTION I: GENERAL TERMS

1. Duration:

This agreement shall remain in effect for 90 days, commencing upon the signing date. Renewal may be proposed by either party after this period.

2. Confidentiality:

The Submissive shall not disclose any details of this relationship, including identity, activities, or communications, to any third party.

3. Anonymity:

The Dominant reserves the right to withhold personal details. The Submissive shall not seek to uncover the Dominant’s identity unless voluntarily revealed.

4. Termination Clause:

Either party may terminate this agreement at any time with written notice. However, a 24-hour notice period is required unless safety is compromised.

SECTION II: ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Dominant shall:

Have full control in all negotiated scenes or sessions.

Ensure the Submissive’s safety, physical and emotional well-being.

Uphold discretion, honor limits, and enforce care and discipline.

The Submissive shall:

Submit willingly during sessions and scenes.

Obey all commands within the bounds of consent.

Maintain secrecy regarding the Dominant and all sessions.

SECTION III: RULES OF CONDUCT

1. Safe Words:

Apple– Proceed.

Sun – Pause.

Velvet/glass– Stop immediately.

2. Limits:

Hard Limits: Degradation involving family, blood, permanent marks, public exposure without masks.

Soft Limits: Impact play with tools not previously discussed, restraint longer than 1 hour.

This will this be revisited during the next physical meeting.

3. Sessions:

Will occur at locations disclosed by the Dominant at least 12 hours prior.

Submissive must arrive prepared and dressed as instructed.

4. Ownership:

During the contract duration, the Submissive belongs exclusively to the Dominant for all agreed intimate and discipline related activities.

5. Communication:

The Submissive shall check in once daily unless instructed otherwise.

SECTION IV: CONTROL

1. Wardrobe & Appearance:

The Dominant may dictate the Submissive's attire during private sessions.

Personal grooming standards will be set.

2. Behavioral Expectations:

Any disobedience, neglect of rules or failure to comply shall result in discipline as deemed appropriate by the Dominant.

3. Physical Contact Outside Sessions:

Limited or permitted only by the Dominant's initiation.

4. Rewards & Punishments:

Good behavior will be rewarded in forms chosen by the Dominant.

Punishments will be consensual, safe and within boundaries.

SECTION V: ADDITIONAL NOTES

The Submissive is forbidden from investigating or tracking the Dominant’s background. AT ALL COST.

The Dominant may assign tasks or punishments at any time.

No romantic or public-facing relationship is assumed unless stated in a future meeting.

SIGNATURES

By signing below, both parties confirm they have read, understood, and accepted the terms laid out in this agreement willingly, without coercion.

The contract did not miss a single detail. Guidelines, expectations, limits were all carefully worded. Professional. Erotic. Legal.

And binding.

The same rules he'd whispered before he touched me but now on paper. Like he had every intention of keeping me for more than just a night.

And he knew who I was.

“How the hell...?” I whispered.

There was no way he recognized me at Crimson Vault. My face hadn’t been in tabloids for months intentionally. I wore a mask. Used a fake name. Nothing about me screamed "billionaire princess with a bodyguard and a closet of secrets."

So how did he find me?

The thought should have chilled me. But instead...

It thrilled me.

I flipped to the last page.

Signature.

I stared at the line for a long moment. Some part of me knew I should hesitate. Should ask more questions. Should pull back before I go in too deep.

But another part of me, the one still aching from last night knew exactly what I wanted.

I wanted more.

I signed.

My pen barely left the paper before a knock tapped softly against the door again.

It was the same man.

I opened the door and handed him the signed contract.

He accepted it with a nod and slipped a folded piece of paper into my hand before turning to leave once again.

“What’s this?” I called after him but he didn’t respond.

I shut the door and opened the note.

There was no greeting. No signature. Just four simple words in the same elegant handwriting:

“You have a surprise coming.”

My chest tightened.

Surprise?

I read it twice, heart thudding. My phone buzzed in my blazer pocket and I pulled it out, half-expecting some cryptic text from Dominus himself.

But it was worse.

Father: Come home. We need to talk. Urgent.

I stared at the message.

Cold. Curt. No hello. No “how are you.” Typical.

But it was the “urgent” that gave me pause.

My family never labeled things “urgent” unless someone was dead… or something was being decided for me.

I folded the contract and note into my bag and smoothed down my blazer.

I didn’t have time for this. I had work. I had an empire to run.

But something had changed.

First the club. Now the contract. And then this message.

You have a surprise coming.

I had a feeling it was all connected.

And I wasn’t sure I was ready for it.

But I was going home anyway.

Because when the Valentes summoned you, you answered even if it meant being dragged straight into the depths of hell.