Born to Be a Secretary

He worked like crazy, skipping even lunch. He badgered the headhunting agency relentlessly and mobilized all his connections to find suitable candidates. By around quitting time, three resumes finally sat neatly on Heewon’s desk.
“Hmm, this should do.”

There was no flaw to find anywhere. Appearance, experience, age—all perfectly fitting. Heewon was absolutely confident these candidates would meet Youngjae Kwon’s standards.
“If you reject them, you’re not even human.”
If he wrote a report on how much effort he put into gathering these candidates, it would fill at least ten pages of A4. Because of this, his schedule had been packed with meal appointments and drinking meetings for a whole month.

Putting all that background aside, he decided to first report to Executive Director Kwon. Heewon stood, adjusted his clothes, and slid the printed resumes into a file folder.
He knocked lightly on the office door. A low “Yes” answered from inside, and he opened the door and stepped in.
His confident steps halted abruptly as the scent of pheromones scattered through the room reached him. Heewon clenched his teeth tightly and covered his nose with a fist.

Youngjae Kwon, working as usual, noticed and let out a short “Ah.” The pheromones that had been unconsciously emanating stopped abruptly as if a faucet was turned off.
“I forgot.”
“…It’s fine.”

Swallowing the saliva pooling in his mouth, Heewon took a step forward. It was only a brief surprise, nothing unbearable. He composed his expression calmly and approached the desk.
“These are candidates for the executive secretary position. Please review them.”
He placed the file within easy reach. But Youngjae didn’t even glance at the documents—only stared intently at Heewon’s face.

His smooth complexion looked the same as usual. It was hard to tell if his pale complexion was due to sickness or if it was always like that. One thing was certain—these pheromones didn’t affect him at all. Kwon’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. He reached out and opened the black file.
“All three confirmed they can start within a month. If you want, I can arrange interviews soon.”
“……”

“Especially Jeong Jaewon. He’s my recommended candidate. He worked for General Medics in the US, so he understands the industry well. Above all, he’s fluent in foreign languages. I think he’d be perfect assisting you, Executive Director.”
His words were longer than usual, probably because he was impatient. The indifferent expression on Kwon’s face as he read the resumes was too blatant. Heewon, knowing Kwon too well, could clearly read what that expression meant.
Heewon stepped closer and placed his lower abdomen firmly against the thick wooden desk.

“Choi Jinkyung has experience as a legislative aide, so her crisis management skills are excellent, and Kim Ajun worked as a hotel concierge manager, so she’s polite above all others.”
“Do you know these people well?”
“Huh?”
Kwon cut him off sharply. In front of Heewon, he snapped the file shut. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed lazily, tilting the backrest.

“Is this the best you can do?”
“Yes.”
Heewon answered without hesitation. Rather, he looked at his counterpart as if to say, What’s the problem?

Kwon straightened his posture and reopened the file. He flipped the resumes upside down so Heewon could see better, then jabbed a finger at one.
“Jeong Jaewon, your recommended candidate. He was a team leader at General Medics but resigned last year. His salary was cut by half—there must have been some problem with his work.”
“……”

“Choi Jinkyung? I hear she’s obsessed with entering politics. Would she be satisfied just working as a secretary? Kim Ajun—I don’t even want to mention her. She doesn’t make a good impression.”
Kwon was well informed about rumors. His information was vast enough that it was baffling how he knew such details, and even if he only heard a bit in passing, he recalled the specifics clearly.
Heewon clenched his fist tightly. His eyes filled with determination.

“You shouldn’t speak like that.”
“What’s the problem?”
“No one is perfect. You can’t just judge by resumes.”

“I’m choosing my executive secretary. They have to be perfect.”
“Was I flawless?”
Annoyed by Kwon’s difficult personality, Heewon raised his voice. A brief silence followed. Kwon stared at him with his characteristic unwavering gaze and replied quietly.

“Heewon Kim, I liked you from the moment I first saw you.”
“……”
“Get out. The resumes are discarded. That’s that.”

It was a notice implying no further discussion.
Unable to say anything more, Heewon sighed and turned away. His cheek felt slightly warm from excitement. He pressed the cold back of his hand hard against his cheek as he left the office.
Even the second and third rounds of candidates were rejected. Heewon concluded Kwon had no real intention to find an executive secretary and stopped screening candidates, deeming it pointless.

Alone in the empty office after everyone had left, Heewon stared vacantly into space. His mind was tangled with complicated thoughts.
Finishing one’s work should bring relief, but for some reason, he felt uneasy.
Like a mother who leaves her child and runs away.

Though it was a bit much to liken Youngjae Kwon to a child, the way he treated Heewon was like that. Unexpectedly clingy and demanding… Since he was an Omega, Heewon thought Kwon would cut him off without looking back, but it was surprising.
Heewon looked down at the employee ID hanging around his neck. The bold letters “Head Secretary Kim Heewon” gleamed under the light.
“Was this such a heavy crown? I didn’t realize.”

But having done what he could, it was right to shake off the lingering discomfort. He stood up, gathered his jacket and bag, and prepared to leave.
Descending to the underground parking, Heewon stopped in the elevator.
There, standing right in front of him, was Youngjae Kwon. He had an evening appointment but was heard to have left the office for the day.

“Are you going back up to the office?”
“No.”
He rolled up his sleeve and glanced at his watch. Then, in an ordinary tone, he said,

“No appointments afterward, right? Let’s have a drink together.”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Why not?”

Kwon asked, surprised. His expression showed no intention to accept refusal.
“Why would I drink with you, Executive Director...?”
“How about food?”

“I ate something light.”
Kwon’s brows furrowed more and more. He felt uncomfortable as Heewon dodged every suggestion.
He blew a short breath and brushed his tousled bangs back.

“Then going straight home?”
“Yes, I should.”
“……”

Kwon stared into empty space for a moment, then suddenly grabbed Heewon’s wrist. Without a word, he took a long step forward. The chill struck Heewon’s body, and he had no choice but to follow silently.
Kwon opened the passenger door and put him inside as if locking up a criminal. Heewon stood dumbfounded, watching Kwon walk around the hood.
Moments later, Kwon got in the driver’s seat and started the engine skillfully. He glanced at Heewon sitting next to him and clicked his tongue. Heewon never agreed easily. The muttered monologue wasn’t audible to Heewon.

“Executive Director, I brought the car.”
“So what.” Hearing the sharp glare, Heewon turned his head away immediately.
“You are giving me a ride, right?”

“Buckle up.”
Some kind of new harassment? Heewon quietly fastened his seatbelt. Ignoring Kwon, he deliberately looked only out the passenger window.
It took twenty minutes to exit the Namsan Tunnel. The roads were unusually congested today. In the sluggish car, there was barely any conversation.

In the suffocating silence, Heewon’s throat suddenly felt tight, so he rubbed inside his shirt collar. A faintly sweet scent lingered. It reminded him once again that he was an Omega.
“…So what are you really going to do? Are you planning to find an executive secretary or not?”
Taking advantage of a red light, he asked. Kwon gripped the steering wheel with one hand, resting his arm on the window frame, staring straight ahead. After a long pause, he replied.

“I told you, if they’re not someone who satisfies me, no chance.”
“I doubt such a person exists.”
“Somewhere out there. Someone like you.”

Again. At those blunt words, Heewon’s ear itched unbearably. Secretly tugging his earlobe, he asked casually.
“What exactly did you like about me?”
“You expect me to say that out loud?”

A snicker escaped Kwon’s lips. The light turned green, and he smoothly turned the wheel. The car took a wide turn in the line of traffic.
“If you tell me, it’ll help find a similar person.”
“……”

“Secretary’s office staff won’t last long. You’d better find someone before the rest all run away.”
“That sounds like a threat.”
“Honestly concerned advice.”

This time, Kwon sighed deeply. The car stopped softly at a red light.
He turned his gaze to the passenger side. Thanks to the boundary between light and shadow seeping through the window, Kwon’s eyes looked even darker.
“You never annoyed me.”

“……”
“Just being with you calms me.”
What was that? A confession? The atmosphere became awkward.

Heewon rolled his eyes, not knowing what to say. Meanwhile, the gaze pinned to his left cheek felt sharp. Swallowing dry saliva, he asked timidly.
“Executive Director… do you have other feelings for me?”
“Secretary Kim, did you get shot in the head?”

Or maybe not.
Heewon relaxed his back fully. Seeing Kwon so stunned beside him, he felt no need to ask further. To break the awkward mood, he cleared his throat loudly.
“You’re not asking me to release pheromones today?”

“I’m thinking about when to say it.”
“Please hold back. You’re driving.”
Adding quietly that he wanted to get home safely, Kwon chuckled softly beside him.

“You should be used to it by now.”
“…Really?”
“If you’re curious, try releasing them.”

His skill at teasing was amazing. Heewon narrowed his eyes. It was probably a bluff, but he decided to believe him anyway.
Casting a slight pheromone to test Kwon’s reaction, he noted—oh? Not bad? Though his face had paled somewhat, there was no sign of disgust or opening the window.
Heewon smiled slightly, pleased. He relaxed and looked out the window. The city nightscape stretched out like a magnificent panorama.

“Thank you for the ride.”
Heewon got out and bowed politely. Kwon bit his lip, as if wanting to say something. Normally straightforward, he rarely held back.
“Go inside.”

Heewon gave a fake smile and gestured again.
“Go on, please.” Using both hands to push, Kwon glared fiercely but finally gave up and nodded. The car quickly sped away.
Only then could Heewon breathe a sigh of relief. He patted the back of his neck and rolled his stiff head. Suddenly, he remembered he had left the car at the company and would have trouble getting to work tomorrow.

“Damn it, this is definitely harassment.”
Heewon gritted his teeth and steeled himself to accept Kwon’s favor. Only one day remained until they worked together.