Born to Be a Secretary

“Still, it was worth it. I’ve grown in some ways working with you, Executive Director.”

“……”
“I’ll never be anyone else’s secretary, so you can rest easy.”
Heewon spoke jokingly. Though he had never expressed it outright, he knew well that Kwon Youngjae cared deeply for him. How could it be otherwise, when Heewon was the only person Kwon had personally selected?

Trying to lighten the gloomy atmosphere, Heewon softened his eyes and smiled, but Kwon didn’t even lift the corners of his mouth. His face remained stiff as he continued eating.
Uncharacteristically, Kwon scattered the food about. He rummaged through the lunchbox without eating anything, then suddenly bit his lip hard. A suppressed voice slipped out.
“Is there really no way for me to keep you here?”

“…You still haven’t given up?”
“You don’t dislike the executive secretary job, do you? Just one year together. I won’t ask for more.”
Ah, this was unfair. The great Executive Director clinging to him like that made Heewon shudder slightly, rubbing his upper arm. Goosebumps prickled beneath his thin shirt.

“I thought we settled this last time.”
“If you just control your pheromones, there’s no problem working.”
“That’s easier said than done.”

“Then I’ll adapt to you.”
No matter what he said, Heewon fired back objections. He felt a tightness in his throat and hastily drank some water placed nearby. Kwon added firmly,
“Try releasing your pheromones.”

“……”
“I said it’s okay.”
Heewon narrowed his eyes slightly. Truthfully, he was curious. Half doubtful, half intrigued, he released a small amount of pheromones. The invisible scent began to spread slowly.

Meanwhile, Kwon continued eating absentmindedly, quietly chewing a thin strip of yuzu peel clinging to the white kimchi.
“Can you bear it?”
“Yeah, it’s nothing.”
“But your face looks like you want to throw up.”

He put down his chopsticks with a clack, gulped water, and frowned deeply. Just as expected—not okay at all.
Heewon retracted his pheromones completely. He had only ever seen others endure it before; experiencing it himself was far worse. How bad was his neurosis? He reacted almost like someone allergic to omega pheromones, which was troubling.
“See? How can you expect to work with me in this state?”

“You can’t be perfect from the start. It takes time to adjust.”
“No need to force yourself.”
Kwon glared fiercely, and Heewon calmly stated his opinion under that razor-sharp gaze.

“Executive Director, I want to be recognized for my work. I don’t want to work with someone who hates me.”
“You think I hate you, Secretary Kim?”
“I clearly remember that expression just now.”

Kwon pushed aside the half-eaten lunchbox and leaned his head back. Sweeping his messy bangs aside, he [N O V E L I G H T] closed his eyes. His thick brows knitted tightly, as if in pain.
“I’ll try somehow.”
“Yes, there are still three days left.”

Heewon answered nonchalantly.
There was no way he would change. No matter what Kwon resolved or tried, it all felt like nonsense to Heewon.
His appetite already gone, and seeing that Kwon likely wouldn’t touch the food anymore, Heewon tidied the cluttered table. This dinner was one he wished he hadn’t bothered with.

After brushing his teeth, he returned to work. Time passed quickly, and it was already 11 PM. Heewon stretched lightly, saved the file he was working on, and shut down the computer.
Just then, Kwon was turning off the office light as well. Their eyes met once again.
“Still have work?”

“No, it’s done now.”
“Let’s go.”
The casual tone made refusal difficult. Heewon pushed in his chair and stood.

They took the elevator together. Silence filled the cabin as it descended deep. Heewon quietly watched the floor indicator.
Glancing down, he saw Kwon’s reflection on the shiny metal panel, leaning his head back.
His jacket was half-folded over his arm, hands shoved deep in his trouser pockets. The man looked exhausted. The rumpled shirt seemed all the more out of place.

“……”
Heewon looked up again. Don’t dwell on it. Soon they reached basement level three, and a clear chime announced their arrival. Kwon slowly opened his eyes.
The sound of heavy footsteps echoed loudly. Perhaps due to the late hour, most parking spots were empty. Two cars stood alone in the vast space.

Heewon walked over to Kwon’s car.
“Executive Director, please be careful going in.”
Kwon, opening the driver’s door, looked at Heewon quietly.

“Get in. I’ll take you home.”
“No, thank you. I brought my own car.”
He pointed behind himself. A foreign car parked not far away flickered its lights—he had pressed the key earlier.

“……”
Kwon’s cold gaze landed on that direction. His face tightened with discomfort as he climbed in. The door shut with a click, and Heewon bowed his head, then turned lightly.
Once in his own car, a wave of delayed fatigue crashed over him. Maybe it was because he worked after a long break. Leaning against the supple leather seat, he closed his eyes for a moment to rest. Just as he thought he’d rest a little before driving,—

Suddenly, the passenger door slammed open. Surprised, Heewon straightened reflexively. While he was dazed, Kwon got in without hesitation and clicked his seatbelt fastened. It all happened in an instant.
“Executive Director, why...”
“Tired.”

“Huh?”
“Can’t drive.”
He had just said he would give a ride. If he can’t drive, call the driver. What nonsense is this? Countless words boiled in Heewon’s throat, but he held back.

“Drop me off in front of my house. I’ll walk from there.”
“I’ll just drive you home.”
“Fine.”

Kwon crossed his arms and closed his eyes. That was his way of ending the conversation.
His legs looked cramped in the tight space, awkwardly folded. Heewon sighed quietly and rested his hand on the steering wheel.
“Wouldn’t the backseat be more comfortable?”

“Not really.”
He swallowed his urge to say “I’m uncomfortable.” It was frustrating beyond words.
“Pheromones.”

“Huh?”
“Release your pheromones. Let me get used to them.”
Heewon let out a soundless laugh of disbelief. Kwon was truly determined.

He went along with whatever Kwon wanted for now. Whether uncomfortable or not, it was none of his business.
Since it wasn’t rush hour, it didn’t take long to reach Hannam-dong. But the drive back was not smooth. Kwon vomited twice, and Heewon anxiously controlled the pheromones. Then Kwon made a fuss about not locking the pheromones down. What was he supposed to do?
In the end, they drove with the windows wide open, pheromones drifting freely. It felt very unpleasant, as if Heewon had done something terrible to Kwon.

After various ups and downs, they finally arrived and got out of the car simultaneously. Heewon threw a warning at the heavily breathing Kwon.
“Stop this now. I can’t take it anymore.”
Kwon clenched his teeth and wiped his pale face slowly.

“Endure it. I’m suffering too.”
“You won’t change, Executive Director.”
“If I change—”

He stepped forward. His large frame cast a black shadow over Heewon’s face. Even without releasing pheromones, his presence was formidable.
“Do your part, too.”
“What responsibility?”

“We’re still under contract. To me.”
Heewon raised his hands and clenched his scalp tightly. His head felt hot. Such stubbornness! He knew that omega manifestation was grounds for contract termination—why act like this?
“As I said, I agreed to help for just three days.”

“I’m sick of hearing that. Don’t mention it again.”
“No, since you seem to forget, I’ll keep reminding you.”
Fiery gazes clashed fiercely. Kwon’s lips twisted in a long grimace.

“Very stubborn.”
“Not as much as you, though.”
“Soon, you’ll match me.”

“Yes, once I resign, I’ll drop the ‘Executive Director’ title too. Honestly, I can even drop it now.”
Heewon didn’t back down. After all, he was quitting soon—there was nothing to fear.
“Go in, Kwon Youngjae.”

Leaving a short farewell, Heewon turned away, hearing a bitter chuckle behind him. Ignoring it, he got into his car, gripped the wheel, straightened his back, and felt an inexplicable thrill tingling down his spine. Shaking his shoulders, he pressed the accelerator.
He drove past Kwon’s house. Somehow, it felt like a day he’d sleep well.
Day two of the handover.

Heewon was the first to arrive at the office and immediately aired the room. He brewed a cup of coffee and sipped it leisurely. Though reluctant to admit it, the ingrained habit made being at the company more comfortable.
With one hand in his pocket, quietly sipping coffee, he heard a group approaching. The secretaries smiled broadly when they saw Heewon already there.
“You’re early!”

“Good morning.”
“The office with Director Kim is so nice. Why don’t you just keep coming?”
Kwon, the secretaries—always pestering. Used to the constant temptation, Heewon smiled in return.

“I’ll find you a better director.”
Yes, today he was determined to find an executive secretary candidate. Steeling his resolve, he swallowed the now lukewarm coffee.