By Zephyria 
A moment later, the phone rang, the call he had been waiting for. He took a long, steadying breath before pressing the call button.
“Yes, this is Kim Hui-won.”
1 PM, two seats, correct?
The other party asked back with a somewhat cold voice. Kim Hui-won’s throat tightened. It was as nerve-wracking as the moment he found out if he passed the university entrance exam.
“That’s right. Is it possible?”
I know Chef Dam-yeon through someone, hold on a moment. I’m contacting him now, but he’s not answering, must be busy? Ah, Chef. Hello!
It seemed Secretary Park was on a conference call with both parties. Hui-won endured the anxious time, eavesdropping on the conversation.
Others might think, ‘Is this really necessary?’ and say, ‘Wouldn’t it be enough to just honestly say the reservation is difficult?’
Of course not. Superiors assume their secretaries will accomplish any instruction, no matter what. Reporting failure is the same as revealing incompetence as a secretary.
An earnest voice repeatedly flowed from beyond the speaker. Secretary Park was helping Kim Hui-won as if it were his own job. Knowing the hardships of an executive secretary, he wanted to secure a spot for him by any means.
And eventually.
1 PM, barely managed to arrange it. Reserved under the name of Executive Director Kwon Young-je. Two seats.
“Haa, thank you so much.”
Forget the thanks, what are you going to do for me?
“Anything you want.”
There was one rule in their group chat: if you receive help, you must repay it. There’s no such thing as a free lunch.
You know that Pheromotion that comes out from Apex? Can you get me three boxes of that?
What Secretary Park was requesting was a recently released hormone stimulant. It was so popular that it was experiencing a shortage.
“You’re not planning on taking it yourself, are you, Secretary Park?”
Listen here, I’m turning forty tomorrow. Do you think I’ll develop anything at this age just by taking medicine? It’s not for me, it’s for my nephew. He’s just at the age of puberty.
“I’ll try to get it. But it might take some time.”
Okay, good luck!
After that, the call ended succinctly. It was typical of secretaries who prioritize efficiency to only convey what was necessary.
Hui-won put down his phone and leaned back comfortably in his chair. A laugh escaped him involuntarily. Only now did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.
* * *
He left the company to make it in time for the lunch reservation.
Under Executive Director Kwon’s instructions, Hui-won was driving. Unlike the commute to work when the music had cut off midway, gentle classical music flowed in the car.
Despite it being Monday, Kwon Young-je looked a little tired. Hui-won glanced at his complexion in the rearview mirror from time to time. When he said it would take about 20 minutes to reach their destination, Executive Director Kwon closed his eyes and took a moment to rest.
Kwon Young-je was a man who used even the act of eating as a business tool. He would discuss contracts with important clients, and like today, he would share unfinished work stories with his employees.
Some might think that he was rapidly rising to success at a young age due to the fact that he was a Dominant Alpha or that he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but in reality, his path to success was filled with grueling effort.
At least Kim Hui-won, who closely assisted him, knew well how busy Kwon Young-je lived and how much he poured in his time and labor.
Despite his polished appearance, he looked somehow pitiful today. Hui-won hoped he could rest even a little more comfortably and focused even more on driving.
He met the chief researcher, who had taken a taxi, at the entrance of the restaurant. Executive Director Kwon, who had accepted his polite greeting, had regained his original composed appearance as if he had never been exhausted. The sight of him stepping up the granite stairs with the researcher was sophisticated and dignified.
Hui-won, who remained until the end to see them off, finally relaxed his upright posture when they disappeared into the restaurant. First, he checked his wristwatch. The meal would be served as a Korean course, so he had at least an hour to spare.
While the superiors enjoyed a meal in a fancy place, what did the executive secretary do?
Most became stone statues. No matter how many restaurants were nearby, they couldn’t go to eat because they didn’t know what might happen. They had to be on standby within a 100m radius.
Hui-won looked at the stylish exterior of Dam-yeon and crunched on an energy bar. Originally, servants couldn’t eat at the same table as their masters. There was no need to feel sad or wronged.
In preparation for times like these, energy bars and sterilized milk were always stocked in the car. It was the least smelly and most filling combination. It had been a long time since he had gotten used to roughly satisfying his hunger in this way.
He finished the energy bar, smaller than the palm of his hand, in three bites and rinsed his mouth with sweet banana milk. The weather was so nice that he leaned against the warm car body and basked in the sun. He wondered if there was anything more to happiness.
He was sucking the last of the milk through the straw when a foreign car began to enter the empty space next to him. A woman in a neat suit got out of the car after smoothly parking. The woman, who was about to put on sunglasses, suddenly exclaimed, “Oh!”
Hui-won’s head also turned to the side. His eyes immediately widened as he recognized the other person.
“Kim Hui-won? Is that Kim Hui-won?”
“Seonbae.”
“Wow, it’s been so long.”
She was Hui-won’s university Seonbae and his first boss at his first job. She had worked as a social affairs reporter before transitioning to an announcer, and now she had established herself as a leading anchor.
It was their first meeting in almost three years. The two, facing each other in front of the bonnet, greeted each other with a friendly handshake.
“How do you run into each other here? Did you come to eat?”
“No. Well…”
“Ah, that’s right. I heard you’re working as an executive secretary? Then… you must be waiting?”
She was a very perceptive person and seemed to have already figured out Hui-won’s situation. She scanned Hui-won up and down and gave a strange smile. He felt embarrassed for no reason and secretly hid the milk carton he was holding.
“You’ve been doing that job for longer than I thought. Does it suit you?”
“Yes. It’s manageable.”
“I still feel upset when I think about you. I feel like I lost a valuable talent.”
Hui-won wrinkled his nose and smiled.
“You haven’t changed, Seonbae. I’m watching your broadcasts well. You’ve become even more amazing.”
“Look at your flattery skills? Is that a skill you acquired while working as a secretary? Hey, stop it. It’s giving me goosebumps.”
They were exchanging pleasantries when a gust of wind blew, and Seonbae frowned for a moment.
“But the person you’re serving, are they an Alpha?”
“Yes.”
“Goodness, what kind of pheromone is this strong? Anyone would mistake you for an Alpha.”
“Is it that strong?”
“Oh, totally.”
Hui-won had nothing to say and just rubbed the back of his neck. Kwon Young-je must have released pheromones in the car again. Perhaps it was because he had received similar misunderstandings so often. He wasn’t even embarrassed anymore.
“Anyway, it was nice meeting you. I’ll contact you soon. Let’s grab a meal sometime.”
“Yes, Seonbae. Go on in.”
Only after she disappeared did Hui-won bury his nose in his jacket and sniff.
“What kind of smell is it that makes people react like that?”
He had no idea. Just in case, he took out the portable deodorant he had brought. The deodorant, sprayed like a mist, soaked his entire body once again.
* * *
After 5 PM, the secretary’s office became noticeably quieter. The phone didn’t ring, and the sound of keyboards tapping decreased.
“Aren’t you going home? It’s five o’clock.”
Hui-won urged them to leave work. Unlike him, who was an executive secretary, the internal secretaries had clear working hours. Just because he couldn’t go home didn’t mean he had to keep the junior staff.
“I’ll go first. Thank you for your hard work.”
“See you tomorrow.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
As soon as the words were spoken, the secretaries abandoned their work and left. Before he knew it, Kim Hui-won was the only one left in the office.
Hui-won looked around the quiet office and turned his gaze toward the office. Kwon Young-je, concentrating, was reflected through the transparent glass.
I wonder when he’ll be done today. His departure was his departure, so he had no choice but to keep his eyes on Kwon Young-je.
Hui-won slumped back into his chair. There was nothing in particular to do, and the indefinite wait had long become a daily routine. He put his hands on his stomach and closed his eyes for a moment.
He must have dozed off while resting. As his head tilted to the side, his closed eyes suddenly opened.
At that moment, what Hui-won saw in front of him was neatly folded shirt sleeves and a firm forearm. Executive Director Kwon was rummaging through his desk right next to him.
“Executive Director!”
He woke up with a start. As he hurriedly straightened his back, the reclined backrest sprang back up as if a spring had popped.
“Are you looking for something?”
“I needed the list of attendees for tomorrow’s breakfast meeting. Ah, here it is.”
Kwon Young-je found the list among the mixed documents. He seemed quite used to rummaging through other people’s desks.
Hui-won awkwardly put the one buttock he had lifted back on the chair. It was a little awkward to lend a hand now.
“You should have woken me up.”
“I did wake you up, twice.”
He replied in a dry tone.
Hui-won, who had even less to say, rubbed his face awkwardly.
Kwon Young-je read down the list on the spot. As it got to be afternoon, even the perfect man showed some slight flaws. The slightly lowered bangs covered his handsome forehead, and the shirt was wrinkled due to frequent movements.
Amidst such disarray, only the tie was firmly fixed with a pin. Maintaining a neat appearance even when leaning forward further enhanced Kwon Young-je’s composure. Although his expression showed some fatigue, even that created a nonchalant and sophisticated charm.
There was nothing particularly wrong with the list. But after checking, Executive Director Kwon didn’t leave and instead sat on the desk. His long legs, touching the floor, were loosely crossed.
He looked down at Hui-won with his arms crossed. As he met his piercing gaze, his mouth naturally dried up. Hui-won straightened his hunched shoulders and tried to look at him confidently.