By Zephyria 
“Still, it was worth it. I’ve grown while working with Executive Director Kwon.”
“…….”
“I’ll never be anyone else’s secretary, so you don’t have to worry.”
Kim Hui-won said jokingly. He had never expressed it, but he knew that Kwon Young-je cared for him a lot. It was inevitable since Hui-won was the only person Kwon Young-je had personally chosen.
To ease the heavy atmosphere, Hui-won softened his eyes and smiled. But Kwon Young-je didn’t even lift the corners of his lips. He just kept eating with a stiff face.
Uncharacteristically, he scattered the food around. He messed up the lunchbox without putting anything in his mouth, then suddenly bit his lip. A suppressed voice leaked out.
“Is there really no way for me to hold you back?”
“…Haven’t you given up yet?”
“You don’t hate being my personal secretary, do you? Just work with me for a year. I won’t ask for more.”
Ah, this was cheating. That Executive Director Kwon would cling to him. Hui-won rubbed his upper arm, feeling a slight chill. Goosebumps rose under his thin shirt.
“I thought we were done with this conversation last time.”
“As long as you’re careful with your pheromones, it won’t interfere with work at all.”
“It’s not as easy as you think.”
“Or I could get used to you.”
No matter what he said, a rebuttal flew back. Hui-won felt strangely suffocated. He hurriedly gulped down the bottled water next to him, and Kwon Young-je added another word with a determined face.
“Release your pheromones.”
“…….”
“It’s okay, I said.”
Hui-won’s eyes narrowed slightly. To be honest, he was curious. With half doubt and half interest, he released his Omega pheromone slightly. An invisible scent began to spread slowly.
Meanwhile, Kwon Young-je nonchalantly ate with his chopsticks. He picked up a thin strip of citron peel attached to the white kimchi like a thread and chewed it quietly.
“Can you handle it?”
“Yeah, it’s nothing.”
“You look like you’re about to throw up.”
He put down his chopsticks with a clatter. He gulped down water and then frowned, making all sorts of faces. See, what did he mean by ‘it’s okay’?
Hui-won also withdrew his pheromones completely. He had always watched others suffer, but now that he was experiencing it himself, he felt terrible. How severe must his neurosis be to react as if he were allergic to Omega pheromones? He couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.
“See? How can you work with me like this?”
“You can’t be perfect from the start. Adaptation takes time.”
“There’s no need to push yourself.”
Kwon Young-je glared sharply. Hui-won calmly expressed his opinion, enduring the sharp gaze.
“Executive Director Kwon, I want to work while being recognized, not with someone who hates me.”
“I hate Secretary Kim?”
“I clearly remember that expression just now.”
Kwon Young-je pushed the half-eaten lunchbox away and leaned his head back. He swept back his disheveled bangs and closed his eyes. His dark eyebrows were furrowed as if he had a headache.
“I’ll figure something out.”
“Yes, there are still three days left.”
Hui-won replied nonchalantly.
He’ll never fix it, that’s for sure.
With that conviction, whatever Kwon Young-je decided or tried to do was dismissed as nonsense.
Since he had already lost his appetite, and it seemed clear that Kwon Young-je wouldn’t touch it anymore, he cleaned up the messy table. It was a dinner that made him think it would have been better not to eat at all.
He brushed his teeth and returned to work. After concentrating for a while, it was already 11 o’clock. Hui-won lightly stretched his neck, saved the file he was working on, and pressed the power button on the computer.
Just in time, Kwon Young-je was turning off the lights in his office and coming out. As always, their eyes met.
“Do you have more work left?”
“No, I’m done now.”
“Let’s go.”
It was difficult to refuse because his tone was so casual. Hui-won pushed in his chair and started walking.
They got into the elevator together. Silence filled the elevator as it descended deep into the building. Hui-won quietly stared at the floor indicator.
Suddenly, he looked down and saw Kwon Young-je leaning his head back against the shiny metal panel.
The man, with his folded jacket over his arm and his hands in his pants pockets, looked very tired. His crumpled shirt felt strangely out of place.
“…….”
Hui-won looked up again. Don’t mind it. Soon, they reached the third basement floor, and a clear chime rang to announce their arrival. Kwon Young-je also slowly opened his eyes.
The sound of footsteps echoed particularly loudly. Perhaps because it was late, most of the parking spaces were empty. Two cars were standing alone in the desolate space.
Hui-won accompanied him to Kwon Young-je’s car.
“Executive Director Kwon, please drive carefully.”
As he greeted him, Kwon Young-je, who was opening the driver’s seat door, stared at Hui-won.
“Get in. I’ll give you a ride.”
“It’s okay. I brought my car too.”
Hui-won pointed behind him. An imported car parked not far away flashed its lights. It was because he had pressed the car key earlier.
“…….”
Kwon Young-je’s cold gaze reached that side, and then he got into the driver’s seat with an uncomfortable look on his face. At the sound of the door closing, Hui-won lowered his head. Then he turned around with a light heart.
As soon as he got into the car, a wave of belated fatigue washed over him. Perhaps it was because he had been working for a long time, he leaned back against the resilient leather seat and closed his eyes for a moment. Let’s rest for a bit and then leave, he was thinking.
Suddenly, the passenger seat door burst open. Surprised, Hui-won reflexively straightened his back. While he was dazed, Kwon Young-je got into the car without hesitation and even fastened his seat belt. All of this happened in an instant.
“Executive Director Kwon, why…”
“I’m tired.”
“Yes?”
“I can’t drive.”
You just said you’d give me a ride. If you can’t drive, call a driver. Is talking nonsense your hobby? All sorts of words were seething in his throat, but Hui-won held back.
“Drop me off in front of Secretary Kim’s house. I’ll walk from there.”
“I’ll just… take you all the way home.”
“Okay, then.”
Kwon Young-je crossed his arms and closed his eyes. It meant he wouldn’t accept any more conversation.
It looked cramped, but he was sitting there stubbornly with his long legs folded. Hui-won sighed softly.
“Wouldn’t the back seat be more comfortable?”
“Not really.”
I’m uncomfortable. He kept swallowing the words he wanted to say. He felt like he was about to burst with frustration.
“Pheromones.”
“Yes?”
“Release your pheromones and go. So I can get used to it.”
Hui-won let out a soundless laugh, dumbfounded. You’re really determined, Kwon Young-je.
For now, he did as he wanted. He didn’t care whether he was uncomfortable or not.
It wasn’t rush hour, so it was quick to get to Hannam-dong. But the commute wasn’t smooth. Kwon Young-je gagged twice on the way, and Hui-won was surprised and controlled his pheromones. Then he made a fuss about not locking his pheromones. What do you want me to do!
In the end, he drove with the windows wide open and his pheromones wafting around. He felt very uncomfortable. It was as if he had done something terrible to Kwon Young-je.
After going through all sorts of twists and turns, they were finally able to arrive, and the two opened the car doors at the same time. Hui-won took a deep breath and threw a notice at Kwon Young-je.
“Let’s stop doing this now. I can’t do it anymore either.”
Kwon Young-je ground his teeth and wiped his pale face for a long time.
“Endure it, I’m enduring something I don’t like too.”
“You won’t change, Executive Director Kwon.”
“If I change.”
He strode closer. Because of his large build, a dark shadow fell over Hui-won’s face. Even without emitting pheromones, his presence was considerable.
“You have to fulfill your responsibility too.”
“What responsibility are you talking about?”
“You’re still under contract. To me.”
Hui-won raised his hand and squeezed the top of his head tightly. His scalp was hot with anger. There should be a limit to how much you can force things. Why is someone who knows that Omega manifestation is grounds for termination doing this?
“As I said, I agreed to help you for only three days.”
“I’m tired of hearing that. Don’t even say it.”
“No, I’ll keep reminding you because it seems like you can’t remember.”
Burning gazes clashed fiercely. Kwon Young-je’s lips twisted into a long line.
“You’re quite stubborn.”
“Not as much as you, Executive Director Kwon.”
“You’ll be matching me soon.”
“Yes, I’ll drop the title of Executive Director when I quit. Actually, I can drop it now, you know?”
Kim Hui-won didn’t back down at all. He was quitting soon anyway, so what was there to be afraid of?
“Go in, Kwon Young-je.”
After leaving a short greeting and turning around, he heard a dumbfounded laugh behind him. Hui-won got into the car without paying attention. He grabbed the steering wheel and straightened his back. An unknown sense of elation rose up, and his back tingled. After shaking his shoulders, he put his foot on the accelerator.
He drove the car straight past Kwon Young-je’s house. It was a day that made him feel like he would sleep well.
Day 2 of handover.
Hui-won was the first to arrive at work, and as soon as he arrived, he started by ventilating the office. He also made a cup of coffee and drank it leisurely. He didn’t want to admit it, but perhaps because of the ingrained habit, it was definitely more comfortable to be at the company.
He quietly sipped his coffee with one hand in his pants pocket when he heard a group of people entering the office. The secretarial staff saw Hui-won, who was already there, and smiled brightly.
“You came early!”
“Good morning.”
“I love the office when General manager is here. Why don’t you just keep coming?”
Kwon Young-je and the secretaries kept coming at him all the time. Hui-won responded to the now familiar temptation with a smile.
“I’ll find you a better General manager.”
Yes, today I’m determined to find a candidate for personal secretary. He steeled himself and finished the lukewarm coffee.