By Zephyria 
Well past lunchtime, employees who had leisurely finished their meals gathered and lit cigarettes.
Looking at the clear, sunny sky, the cigarettes tasted particularly good today. The outdoor smoking area quickly turned into a raccoon den with the smoke they puffed out.
“The weather is amazing, I really don’t want to work.”
“Heard any interesting news lately?”
Someone was looking for a dopamine hit. Most of the stories that office workers shared were rumors circulating within the company.
So-and-so from a certain team got promoted before their direct superior, so-and-so’s stock hit the ceiling, or Assistant manager xx from xx team and xx team’s Staff xx are dating. It was a mystery why such useless gossip was so entertaining.
“You know Executive Director Kwon Young-je’s secretary?”
“Ah, Kim Hui-won.”
“There’s a rumor that he turned out to be an Omega? Is that just a rumor or is it true?”
“What ancient history are you talking about? It’s been confirmed for ages.”
Hui-won’s name naturally became the topic of conversation. The Omega trait manifestation incident hadn’t lost its flavor yet. Someone took out their phone from their suit pants pocket. They chewed on their cigarette filter, engrossed in searching.
“Look, there’s an Omega mark right here.”
In the personnel management system, you could view the faces, names, titles, and internal numbers of all apex employees. Below Hui-won’s ID photo, taken a whole seven years ago, was unmistakably the Omega sentient mark.
“Oh, wow.”
“Wow, nothing. His life is screwed.”
“It’s too much to manifest as an Omega, Alpha is fine. If it were me, I’d already be mentally broken.”
“Have you seen him recently? I haven’t had the chance.”
Among them, a man with a mid-level position narrowed his eyes as he exhaled cigarette smoke. He had seen him briefly the other day, passing by on his way to work.
“He’s become a bit… subtle, I guess.”
“What do you mean by subtle?”
“You know, that thing where you keep looking at him. He looks the same, but the vibe is different? Anyway, when I look at him, I feel a certain way. I get horny without even realizing it.”
“That’s an Omega trait. They’re basically programmed to seduce people. It’s because they need to reproduce.”
“He’s managing to stick close to Executive Director Kwon, huh?”
“I heard they’re in that kind of relationship.”
“Crazy, I knew it!”
“There’s a rumor that Executive Director Kwon brought him in. How else could it be?”
“Come on, Executive Director Kwon hates Omega pheromones.”
“He’s been quiet about it lately, though.”
“Hmm, that’s true. Is it real…?”
Three or four voices mixed incoherently. Once started, the rumor grew, and eventually, things that weren’t even said became accepted as fact. That’s how rumors are born.
Before they knew it, Kim Hui-won in the rumor had become Executive Director Kwon’s cherished Omega lover. A second, not even official. People who loved to gossip were busy giggling, indulging in low-class fantasies that a capable secretary who was good at his job would also be amazing in bed.
The cigarette smoke was gradually dying down. People who had to return to work stretched and groaned. Just as they turned around the screen that was much taller than a person and came out of the smoking area, they all stopped abruptly.
On the outside bench, Kim Hui-won, the subject of the rumors, was sitting next to Im Jaegyu. The two of them were staring at them as if they had been waiting for them to come out of the smoking area.
Since it was an open space with no soundproofing, they must have heard everything. The employees’ faces instantly flushed.
“Ah, hello.”
“Oh my, you must be very embarrassed. Looks like you got caught?”
Im Jaegyu leaned back, resting his arm on the back of the bench. He wrinkled his nose as if their situation was quite unfortunate.
“That’s why you should be careful what you say at work, there are ears everywhere.”
“We’re sorry, we’re really sorry.”
Hui-won didn’t look at the bowing heads, he kept his eyes fixed on the ground. His long legs were crossed at the ankles. He remained silent for a long time, with an attitude that suggested he was annoyed by everything.
“Go on. You have work to do.”
Im Jaegyu stepped in to resolve the uncomfortable situation. The employees hurriedly left at his waving hand.
Once they were all gone and only the two of them were left, Im Jaegyu looked at the face next to him as if he was genuinely worried.
“Say something. You’re making even me scared by keeping your mouth shut.”
“F*ck.”
Im Jaegyu burst out laughing at the simple curse. Even as he bent over and laughed, Hui-won didn’t change his expression. His posture remained the same.
After laughing his fill, Im Jaegyu wiped the tears from his eyes and patted Hui-won’s shoulder.
“Accept your fate, my friend.”
“…….”
“What do those guys know? The misery of Secretary Kim getting his ass kicked for six years. Cherished? Bullshit.”
“Ah… I don’t want to get stressed out over this kind of thing.”
Hui-won closed his eyes and tilted his head back. This damn scandal never ends, whether it’s outside or at work. Why does the damn weather have to be so nice? The warm spring sunshine soaked Hui-won’s forehead and hair. Even the breeze blew gently, as if trying to soothe him.
Just then, his phone rang. Hui-won checked the number on the screen, sighed, and got up. The ice rattled in the coffee cup in his hand.
“I’m going. Thanks for the coffee.”
“Yeah, take care.”
Hui-won just tilted his chin at Im Jaegyu and turned away. Before he knew it, all the troubled energy had disappeared from Hui-won’s face. Now that he was in work mode, there was no need to drag his complicated feelings along.
As soon as he entered the office, which was never peaceful, the secretaries who were huddled together called out to Hui-won. Something must have happened. Hui-won strode over.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
Joining the group, Secretary Ji shoved the pad in his hand right in front of Hui-won’s face.
[Imminent Mega-Scandal in the Pharmaceutical Industry]
Shocking news that an executive director of the largest pharmaceutical company in Korea committed a sex crime at an after-party of a major event. He allegedly mixed GHB into the drinks and molested an Omega, but he vehemently denies it, claiming it was consensual.
According to insiders, he is known to carry date r*pe drugs with him at all times. There are said to be more than one or two victims, but in this case, the other party is such a big shot that it will not be easy to get away with it.
Since it is a company that mainly deals with trait pharmaceuticals, its image is likely to suffer fatal damage.
“…Oh my god.”
What was on the screen was the chat room of Secretary Ji’s tabloid group. Only news with a very high probability of being true was dealt with here, so even if it was a rumor, it was quite credible.
Secretary Ji cross-checks the sources obtained here and reports them to Executive Director Kwon every Monday. These rumors may seem trivial, but they were quite a resource for someone in business.
“There are no initials, but there’s already talk of Apex.”
“This is an emergency. Do you know who it is?”
“No, not yet. It hasn’t been up for ten minutes….”
“Have you reported it to the Executive Director?”
“Not yet.”
Hui-won captured the content and sent it to his phone. He immediately forwarded it to Kwon Young-je. The read receipt popped up right away. Hui-won tightened his tie and headed to the office.
He knocked and opened the door at the same time. Kwon Young-je was sitting with his body half-twisted. He kept looking down at his phone even after Hui-won entered.
Hui-won quietly locked the door and approached. With a click, he pressed the switch on the desk, and all the glass windows in the office turned opaque. It was a technology that blocked outside views and provided soundproofing, and was often used when having secret conversations.
“Executive Director, it hasn’t been confirmed yet, but I thought you should know as soon as possible.”
“A pharmaceutical company specializing in trait pharmaceuticals. They’re openly targeting us.”
Kwon Young-je interrupted. He turned the brightly lit phone screen towards Hui-won. As a cold gaze flew towards him as well, Hui-won quietly swallowed.
“Yes, it seems so.”
“He’s an executive director, but if you include outside directors, there would be dozens.”
“If you give me time, I will find out soon.”
“No need. I already know who it is.”
Contrary to his cold expression, Kwon Young-je’s eyes sparkled. He was enjoying himself for once.