By Zephyria 
Lee Ha-jin, who had been chattering non-stop while holding onto Kwon Young-je, suddenly asked a question.
“Are you busy tomorrow?”
“Why?”
“I was wondering if Hyung could join us for lunch too, if you have time.”
Kwon Young-je sighed briefly and turned his head back from its tilted position.
“Secretary Kim, do we have any lunch appointments scheduled for tomorrow?”
“…No, we don’t.”
He stared intently at Hui-won’s round head before shifting his gaze to the side.
“I’ll be there by 12 tomorrow.”
“Oh, great.”
“But if you have something to say, save it for tomorrow. Let’s just be quiet and go now.”
Perhaps because of the warning, Lee Ha-jin quieted down. But the smile on his face remained unchanged. Kwon Young-je’s cold tone would normally be upsetting to hear, but he didn’t seem to mind at all, as if he welcomed even that.
After dropping him off in Pyeongchang-dong, the car headed towards Kwon Young-je’s residence in Hannam-dong. It was already well past 11 PM. Hui-won, along with the driver, stood at attention and escorted Executive Director Kwon.
“Secretary Kim, stay behind for a moment.”
The driver, understanding the situation, bowed and left first. Left alone, Hui-won felt inexplicably nervous and clenched his hands tightly. Usually, in these cases, he would end up sleeping with Kwon Young-je.
After watching the alleyway for a while, Kwon Young-je turned to Hui-won only after the driver had disappeared from sight.
“The driver just left. Chairman Takano confessed through a press conference.”
Hui-won’s eyes widened slightly at the unexpected news. He had heard that it would be announced soon, but he didn’t know it would be today.
He quickly took out his phone and went to the social news category. A disgusting face was on the main screen. In the photo, Chairman Takano was in a wheelchair, crying on the podium. It seemed to be common practice worldwide for guilty privileged people to use a wheelchair when appearing before the public.
“He’s also being investigated by the prosecution.”
“Even if he confesses, he’ll get at least ten years. But that’s his problem. The name Novagen will be in the news for a while, so schedule a strategic planning team meeting tomorrow morning to prepare for it.”
“Ah… Yes, I understand.”
“Then go in.”
As if that was all he needed to say, Kwon Young-je turned around first. Hui-won remained rooted to the spot, feeling slightly dazed.
He began to feel ashamed of himself for expecting something.
Before he crossed the gate, he looked at Hui-won. A faint smile touched his indifferent face.
“Bear with it. I’m disappointed too.”
“……”
“I know your body is wrecked because of the rut. It would be trashy to touch someone like that.”
“Executive Director.”
“Take care of yourself for now. See you tomorrow.”
His long legs strode across the gate. Then the iron gate slammed shut.
Hui-won stood there blankly, watching Kwon Young-je walk up the stairs. His heart felt tight, and he had to pound his chest with his fist. No matter how many times he resolved not to, it was useless.
He arrived at Kwon Young-je’s main residence at the appointed time. Today, Hui-won was also invited to have a meal. He had only had tea last time, so they said they wanted to properly treat him again.
When they arrived at the main residence, a guest was already there waiting for them. Lee Ha-jin, nestled between Madam Im and Professor Kwon, was chatting amiably and was practically a member of the family.
“Why are you so late?”
Lee Ha-jin complained to Kwon Young-je. Late? He had entered the front door at exactly twelve o’clock.
Kwon Young-je didn’t pay attention to the gazes directed at him and instead slightly lifted his shirt sleeves. The action of checking his watch was indifferent, as usual.
“I only have about an hour.”
“Oh, you’re busy. Then let’s eat quickly. Secretary Kim, come on in.”
Hui-won bowed politely to Professor Kwon, who welcomed him. Then to Madam Im as well. His gaze naturally flowed to where Lee Ha-jin was. When their eyes met, he gently curved his eyes and gave a light nod.
With five adults sitting around the table, the large dining table became quite crowded. Since Lee Ha-jin was the formally invited guest today, it was natural for him to take the center seat. Hui-won discreetly took a seat in the farthest corner.
“Secretary Kim, make yourself comfortable.”
Madam Im didn’t forget to take care of Hui-won. At some point, her way of addressing Hui-won had changed from “Our Hui-won” back to “Secretary Kim.”
Instead, all of Madam Im’s attention was focused on Lee Ha-jin. She constantly asked questions and smiled throughout, as if she was happy just watching Ha-jin eat. She had known him since he was a child, and she really treated him like her own child.
The attention being focused on someone else was actually a good thing for Hui-won. Kwon Young-je was sitting next to him, so he used him as a shield to eat.
The food was all delicious, but he had no appetite and the atmosphere wasn’t very comfortable. He ate so little that he chewed very slowly. He deliberately chewed the food in his mouth more thoroughly, fearing he would get indigestion if he ate too quickly.
“Oh, I heard that Secretary Kim recently presented as well?”
Lee Ha-jin suddenly asked a question. It was unwanted attention, but Hui-won didn’t show it and quietly swallowed his plain rice.
“Yes. I presented at the beginning of this year.”
“It must have been tough. You’re really amazing, how did you endure it? Please tell me your secret.”
“I don’t really have a secret…”
“I still sometimes lose my mind. If I had presented when I was young, it would be different, but it’s not easy to adapt when you change so late in life.”
Oh dear… Madam Im, who was listening from the side, frowned, feeling sorry for him.
“I didn’t even know that.”
“My mom keeps forcing me to go on blind dates… Sigh, I’m going to end up marrying an Alpha.”
“Marriage is a big event for the family, so it’s natural for your parents to be concerned. Our Young-je is also at the age of marriage… My lifelong wish is to send him off.”
“Wow, Auntie, you still haven’t given up on that dream. Do you still want to marry off Young-je Hyung?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
Madam Im retorted sharply and suddenly stared intently at Lee Ha-jin. She had a look of being fixated on something.
“Ha-jin, how about Young-je?”
“I’d be happy to. But I don’t think Hyung would be. Hyung is a non-marriage advocate.”
Lee Ha-jin smiled and looked at Kwon Young-je. Whatever he was talking about with Madam Im, Kwon Young-je wasn’t even listening. No, it would be more accurate to say that he was listening to everything but not paying attention.
“Anyway, arranged marriages are just for show. Is love really necessary? You guys were like brothers when you were young. How would marriage be any different? You can live in harmony like brothers. These days, there are many couples who don’t mix blood.”
Madam Im forgot that it was a meal and expressed her thoughts without reservation. Professor Kwon gave her a subtle look, but it was no use.
In response, Lee Ha-jin looked at Kwon Young-je, who was sitting across from him, with a bright smile.
“Hyung, how about it? Do you really want to marry me?”
Kwon Young-je slowly put down the chopsticks he was holding. His gaze, which had been fixed downwards, rose.
“Why are you talking nonsense while eating?”
It was difficult to tell from his voice alone, which was devoid of any laughter, whether he genuinely disliked it or was just drawing a line. However, it was clear that he had no interest in the topic.
“Oh, I only got scolded because of Auntie! Don’t put ideas in my head anymore!”
Fortunately, the atmosphere quickly recovered thanks to Lee Ha-jin’s grumbling. Laughter-filled conversations resumed on the table. Until then, Hui-won had been eating without saying a word.
Kwon Young-je’s dating rumors broke out. He was photographed coming out with Lee Ha-jin after the meal that day.
The funny thing was that Hui-won was also in the photo. Whether they thought he was irrelevant, only his face was blurred.
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The article had a somewhat old-fashioned title. Because Kwon Young-je’s stock was high these days, even a common meeting became an issue. Along with it, the previous dating rumor with Seon Woo-jin was also brought up and re-examined.
Hui-won went into the office and discussed the matter with Kwon Young-je. There was no need to discuss it for long. It was decided that they would request a correction report because it was a clear misreport.
“Then I will proceed as you instructed.”
As he bowed and was about to leave, Kwon Young-je called out in a low voice, “Secretary Kim.” His steps faltered and stopped.
When he turned around, he was leisurely crossing his arms. A faint smile was on his lips.
“I’m very curious as to why you’re keeping your pheromones locked up these days.”
“……”
“Are you still worried about being misunderstood?”
The printed article photo was still on the desk. Hui-won stared blankly at his face in the photo.
Misunderstood? Of course, he had been preoccupied with such worries at one time. But the reality is that he is just a secretary.
People in the world are not very interested in the relationship between him and Kwon Young-je. Even caring about it would seem ridiculously pathetic. Doesn’t even Kwon Young-je think so?
“No, I’m not worried.”
Hui-won replied calmly. But he couldn’t meet Kwon Young-je’s eyes, as if he was afraid of something.
“I don’t want to become complacent. I’m adjusting it to keep myself on my toes.”
“……”
“Is there anything else you want to say?”
When he maintained a businesslike attitude until the end, Kwon Young-je quietly raised his eyes and stared at Hui-won. His face was endlessly dry, but there was a hint of displeasure mixed in his face.
In the end, Hui-won bowed and left the office before he could reply.
Back at his desk, he immediately placed his fingers on the keyboard. The first thing to do was to prepare an official statement. Hui-won erased the thoughts in his head and began to focus only on the Word window on the screen.
When the draft was roughly completed, he sent the file to Kwon Young-je by email and took a break. While hiding behind the monitor and clutching his throbbing forehead, the phone on his desk vibrated for a long time.
“……”
It was an unknown number. But since this was so common, Hui-won answered the phone without any suspicion.
“Hello, this is Kim Hui-won.”
-Secretary, this is Lee Ha-jin.