Born to Be a Secretary

Heewon carefully slid the phone he was holding back into his pants pocket.
After a small cough, he confidently lifted his chin.
“Shall we just go?”

“Do as you please.”
Fortunately, Kwon Youngjae showed little reaction. Turning first, he headed for the elevator, and Heewon shamelessly followed. Even as they got on the elevator together, a flood of worries swept through Heewon’s mind. A premonition that things ahead would not be easy. Something like that.
In front of the villa’s entrance, a familiar car was parked. Heewon instantly recognized it as Kwon Youngjae’s. Driving to a place only five minutes away on foot — truly a young master in his own right.

Since it was the weekend, it seemed Kwon had come without a driver… so would that mean Heewon had to drive?
Just as his secretary instincts started to rise, Kwon climbed into the driver’s seat first. Heewon hid his awkward expression and approached the passenger side.
Thinking about it, this was the first time in six years of secretary life that he had ridden in a car driven by Kwon. Rather than feeling lucky, it was more uncomfortable. Like leather seats had needles stuck in them, he couldn’t comfortably lean back.

In contrast, Kwon started the engine and took the wheel with ease. As the car traced a smooth path out of the villa complex, Kwon fixed his gaze on the windshield and said,
“Be careful not to leak pheromones around me. I hate smelling them.”
“Let’s both be careful then. It’s not something that only I can handle.”

“……”
Though he thought his remark reasonable, the glance shooting from beside him was harsh. Heewon quietly pulled down the cap of his hat. His eyes hidden in the shadow of the brim flickered restlessly.
Mikazuki boasted a refined atmosphere befitting a high-end Japanese restaurant. Normally hard to get a reservation without connections, but Kwon Youngjae was such a special guest that the manager gladly provided the best private room.

They each took a seat in a traditional tatami room. As they wiped their hands with warm towels, the ordered meal quickly arrived.
They began eating silently. Since they often ate together, no awkwardness existed between them. Unless it was a business meal, Kwon rarely spoke while eating, and Heewon was accustomed to that quietness.
Eating something far more delicious than the sushi he had ordered earlier, Heewon’s sour mood melted away like snow. He bit into a slice of snapper sashimi, chewing carefully. The firm flesh released its distinctive umami and sweetness.

Kwon quietly lifted his gaze. The sight of Kim Heewon sitting opposite felt unfamiliar.
Whether early morning, late night, or weekend, he was always seen in neat suits; this was the first time seeing him in casual clothes. His pale face like tofu and sky-blue shirt suited him quite well. He even looked somewhat like a college student.
Regardless of his # Nоvеlight # clothing, the straight posture and polite use of chopsticks were the familiar image of Secretary Kim. It was true that the essence remained unchanged regardless of appearance. Kwon unintentionally raised the corners of his mouth before regaining his composure and taking a small sip of water.
“I’ll be straightforward.”

Since he spoke up during the meal, Heewon put down his chopsticks. He hurriedly swallowed his food and gulped some water.
“How about being the executive secretary again?”
Heewon’s eyes widened, and at the same time, he choked.

Koff! Coughing irregularly, he pounded his chest, while Kwon openly clicked his tongue and picked up some napkins, tossing them in front of Heewon.
Heewon quickly grabbed the napkins and wiped his mouth. Was this what Kwon wanted to say? He caught his breath and asked,
“What do you mean?”

“I just can’t find anyone like Secretary Kim.”
Heewon blinked. The absurdity was so great that he wondered if only he was stunned while Kwon’s face remained utterly composed.
“Have you at least tried?”

Was that a question? Kwon’s handsome brows furrowed deeply. Heewon sighed heavily, breaking his perfect posture to lean on the table with elbows, clutching his throbbing forehead.
“No, Executive Director… am I the only one who doesn’t understand this?”
“What don’t you?”

“Where in the world is there an omega secretary? You know that with that trait, it’s impossible to do the job.”
Heewon tapped the table with his finger and began a passionate speech. No matter how non-discriminatory society claimed to be, omega traits were utterly unsuitable for secretary roles.
The entrenched power elite were mostly alphas, and omegas struggled to survive among them. Moreover, secretaries were in a subordinate position.

People who thrived on showing off their abilities surely reacted to pheromones as well. Everywhere they went, alpha pheromones would surge. On top of that, there would be countless people trying to suppress others with their own pheromones. Though invisible, it was no different from violence. How was one supposed to endure such a situation?
Of course, Kwon was no stranger to this fact. He sugar-coated his unreasonable proposal.
“I don’t think Secretary Kim is such a weak person. I believe his ability to control himself is superior to others.”

“Thank you for thinking well of me, but I can’t even trust my own body.”
“You’re dominant, aren’t you?”
Dominant omegas generally have better pheromone control than typical omegas. They are said to be resistant even to alpha pheromones. Kwon pointed out this fact.

Still, Heewon maintained a negative stance. He openly sighed in front of Kwon.
“It hasn’t even been long since my omega traits manifested. I haven’t faced any sudden situations. It’s obviously dangerous, and I don’t feel the need to do that job.”
“I need you to.”

“You’re selfish.”
“I’ll raise your salary.”
The conversation went in circles. Kim Heewon repeatedly insisted on his objections, and Kwon only persisted with his demands. Would they ever reach a conclusion? The sashimi left moist was drying out untouched.

“Most importantly, Executive Director, you can’t stand omega pheromones! I don’t want to work while being cursed at.”
Heewon had been a firsthand witness to Kwon’s behavior.
Back when he was beta, he could understand why it was so hard, but now the situation had reversed. Honestly, he wasn’t confident in enduring Kwon’s contempt.

Kwon’s gaze sharpened as if he couldn’t understand.
“Why do you think about getting cursed at first? Isn’t it enough if Secretary Kim is careful?”
“I don’t want to live such a tiring life.”

Now a headache was pounding so badly Heewon felt his head might burst. Pressing his temples, he spoke with a complaining tone.
“What if either you or I go into heat?”
“Do you think you and I are capable of causing an accident?”

At this dreadful thought, Kwon frowned deeply. Heewon glanced at him. With a meaningful look, Kwon replied with a simple “Well…”
“…There is a precedent.”
Only then did a look of dismay appear on Kwon’s face. Indeed, there was no denying it—there had been previous incidents.

His dark eyes fixed on Heewon. Although Heewon was a good speaker, today his straightforwardness was unusually irritating.
“So, are you really refusing?”
Instead of answering, Heewon just nodded firmly. His determination left no hesitation.

“I’ll handle the handover before I leave. I felt uneasy leaving things unfinished anyway.”
“……”
“But it will be difficult for me to be your executive secretary like before. My role will be strictly to train the secretarial staff. If that’s acceptable, I’ll leave the company.”

After counting on his fingers, Heewon set the handover period to three days. Truly a clear-cut person.
Kwon was not pleased with this one-sided proposal but had no better option.
Finally, he sighed deeply.

“I’ll help you find an executive secretary. I’m too busy now to pay attention to that.”
“Then I’ll do that.”
“Start from next Monday.”

He also consented. After concluding the agreement, Heewon finally looked relieved and picked up his chopsticks again. He put a piece of sashimi with a slice of ginger into his mouth and chewed. Though slightly dry, the taste still clung smoothly to his palate.
A smile came naturally. He resolved to cut all ties with Kwon Youngjae and to have his resignation accepted this time.