By Zephyria 
“Is work hard?”
“Pardon?”
“You seem to have lost some weight.”
Hui-won was bewildered by the affectionate question and the not-so-affectionate gaze.
He ran a hand along his jawline. He stared blankly up at Kwon Young-je. Why is he suddenly like this? Did he eat something wrong for lunch?
“No, not particularly….”
Kwon Young-je tilted his head. The man stared for a long time at the desk calendar inside, filled with schedules, before speaking again.
“Secretary Kim’s contract renewal is coming up soon, isn’t it?”
“That’s right.”
“Any special conditions you want?”
Ah, Hui-won found the cause of Executive Director Kwon’s strange behavior. Although it was a permanent position, the executive secretary was a special position that required contract renewal every two years.
He wondered why he was asking about his well-being, unlike usual. It was because the contract renewal period was approaching, and he was pretending to care in his own way. Only then did Hui-won feel relieved and give a weak smile.
He had bought a house and a car after going through three negotiations. Kim Hui-won already received the highest salary in the same profession and had been promoted to General manager. The reward for the tough labor was sufficient. He didn’t need anything more here.
“I’ll think about it.”
“I trust you will renew your contract, of course.”
It sounded as if he wouldn’t let him get away if he ran. Kwon Young-je fixed his gaze on Hui-won’s face and continued to speak.
“I know you’ve worked hard. The only thing I can give you is material things, so I hope Secretary Kim takes good care of his share.”
It was his habit to speak politely only when he felt like it.
Then, Kwon Young-je adjusted his wristwatch and got up from the edge of the desk where he was perched.
“Let’s leave work for today.”
Hui-won’s eyes widened at the word “leave work.” It wasn’t even six o’clock yet? This was more valuable and thrilling than any reward.
“Yes, Executive Director. I’ll prepare right away.”
He quickly got up from his seat, afraid that his mind would change. He pressed the contact number of the driver saved on his phone. Of course, he never showed that he was in a hurry. Hiding his excitement was also a virtue of an executive secretary.
“I’ll come to pick you up at 8 a.m. tomorrow.”
“Okay, good work.”
“Please go in.”
Hui-won greeted him more sincerely than usual.
As he raised his deeply bowed back, he saw Kwon Young-je’s back as he entered the gate without looking back. Hui-won stayed in his place until he entered the house.
The sound of the iron gate closing brought a surge of liberation. His mouth, out of control, curved into a smile. The driver, who was seeing him off next to him, smiled along with Hui-won.
“Secretary Kim, shall I take you home?”
“No. It’s okay. You worked hard today too, driver. Go in.”
It took about the same time whether he went by car or walked. It was only a 5-minute walk from Executive Director Kwon’s house to Hui-won’s house.
As expected of an expensive neighborhood, the streets were quiet, and the surroundings were full of high walls.
His steps on the smoothly paved asphalt road felt like he was flying. The long-awaited early departure made him feel like a child.
If he went a little further out of the residential complex, he would find a luxury villa complex with a sophisticated appearance. The villa, one of the most expensive in Seoul, was where Kim Hui-won lived.
As soon as he got home, he threw off his uncomfortable suit and took a shower. In the meantime, the delivery food he had ordered in advance arrived in good timing. Hui-won set up the dinner table on the living room table and then sat comfortably on the floor.
Even though he was sitting cross-legged, his knees were bouncing with excitement. He was so happy to have a rare moment of leisure. He opened a can of plump cider in front of a properly prepared dinner. Fizz-pop! The cheerful sound was refreshing from the start.
It was a little disappointing that he couldn’t drink alcohol, but this was still great.
Hui-won took a big gulp of cider and immediately picked up his chopsticks. He picked up a handful of braised chicken and glass noodles soaked in salty soy sauce and shoved them into his mouth. Hui-won’s cheeks filled up and his eyes curved roundly. Happiness isn’t a big deal, this is it.
The house was desolate. It was because he lived alone and the space was large. He pressed the remote control to relieve the silence. He chose an entertainment program from the many channels and made it his dinner companion.
“Today’s guest, please welcome Han Jin-seo!”
“Oh, a neighbor.”
Hui-won recognized the actor filling the screen.
He was one of the top stars living in the same villa. He had passed by him a few times, and the way he looked on camera was definitely more handsome and radiant than in person.
The caption “Dominant Alpha” was largely engraved next to the actor’s face. The man standing next to him was also an Alpha, but he was busy envying him, saying that a Dominant Alpha was different.
It was funny. The fact that there was a hierarchy even among Alphas. To Beta, they were just races living in different worlds.
The guest introductions continued. It seemed to be a sentient special, and everyone who came out was Alpha or Omega. Then came the turn of the Omega actor. He was incredibly pretty. Even though he was a male Omega, his appearance itself was different from ordinary men.
Hui-won stared at the screen without thinking as he filled his hunger. Everyone was busy praising the appearance of the sentient, and the subtitles were close to being cheesy.
Recently, the number of sentients has been increasing in the entertainment industry. There have been many Omegas since the past, but recently, Dominant Alphas can also be seen from time to time. As they are frequently exposed in the media, it is natural for everyone to want to become a sentient. It was all in the past that they were denigrated as being closer to beasts than humans. These days, only their external charms were being emphasized.
That’s why hormone stimulants that increase the possibility of expression are gaining popularity. The fact that the drug recently developed by Apex is selling like hotcakes is also a part that proves this desire.
“Ah, stimulants!”
While watching TV, he suddenly remembered something he had been putting off. Hui-won put down his chopsticks and picked up the phone he had thrown on the sofa.
Just because he worked for a pharmaceutical company didn’t mean he could easily get the drug that was experiencing a shortage. It would be easier if he asked Executive Director Kwon, but that was really the last resort, and he had to do the legwork himself first.
“Hmm… who is there?”
He searched through his phone contacts. Hui-won’s phone was filled with saved names. A diverse network was one of the byproducts of living as an executive secretary for six years.
He was skimming through the sales people when the phone screen changed and a thunderous ringtone rang.
“Ah!”
The moment Executive Director Kwon’s name appeared on the screen, he was so surprised that he dropped his phone. He quickly snatched the phone that was about to fall into the braised chicken container. Even in the meantime, the phone kept ringing. He answered the phone without even having time to calm down.
“Yes, Executive Director.”
Secretary Kim, come to my house.
“Ah, yes. I understand.”
The call ended in less than 30 seconds. At the same time as he put down his phone, he heard laughter and voices mocking, “I knew it!” from the TV screen he had turned on.
“…Why again. What’s going on?”
Hui-won drooped his head onto the sofa. How long has it been since he left work? He grumbled, but eventually put his hand on the floor and got up his heavy butt.
What could a servant do? He had to go when his master told him to.
He was now walking the road he had been humming along to earlier with sluggish steps. He felt like he was going to work again when he put on his suit again.
He arrived in front of Executive Director Kwon’s house and pressed the password. He stepped through the creaking gate, passed through the small garden, and headed for the front door.
Instead of ringing the doorbell, Hui-won put his thumb on the door lock. Because he came and went so often, Hui-won’s fingerprint was also registered in this house.
He couldn’t feel any sign of people inside the house. Executive Director Kwon had told him to come, but he was nowhere to be seen.
He looked around the large house. As expected of his neat personality, Executive Director Kwon’s house was so clean that he couldn’t find a speck of dust. Every time he came, he felt that it was not a house where people lived, but rather an exhibition hall or a gallery.
“Executive Director, I’m here.”
Only his voice echoed in the high-ceilinged living room. Hui-won looked around and moved towards the study. He knocked out of courtesy and opened the door, and then he could finally find the person he was looking for.
Executive Director Kwon was behind the desk. He was leaning back in his chair, holding his forehead as if he was not feeling well.
He hurried over. He rushed to his side and checked Executive Director Kwon’s condition.
“Are you okay?”
He arbitrarily touched Executive Director Kwon’s forehead. His skin was hot. His breathing also seemed to be heavier than usual.
“Executive Director, look at me.”
Only then did the other person open his eyes.
Executive Director Kwon’s pupils were wide open.
It was a premonitory symptom of rut.