Startled only briefly, Heewon bowed politely toward Representative Myung Jinseok with a composed expression.
“Sorry to interrupt your conversation. I ca to deliver sothing, so please excuse for a mont.”
Representative Myung laughed heartily and clapped his hands.
“The famous secretary has arrived. I’ve been wanting to see you anyway. Sit down, sit down. Hey kid, make so room over there.”
Heewon’s plan to just hand over the docunts and leave was dashed by Representative Myung’s invitation. The young lady already sitting beside Kwon Youngjae shifted her hips toward Myung’s side.
Having cleared the seat for him, Heewon dared not spoil the mood. Unsure what to do, he turned his gaze toward Kwon Youngjae. The man calmly watching Heewon gave a subtle nod of approval.
Carefully, Heewon slipped into the empty seat. He secretly handed the docunts to Executive Director Kwon. Swallowing nervously, he straightened his posture and forced a serious expression.
“Since fate has seated us together, have a drink.”
“Thank you, Representative.”
As Myung tilted the whiskey bottle, Heewon stood to receive the drink. How could he refuse? Driving or not, this wasn’t the ti to argue.
He turned his head and downed the shot glass in one gulp. The strong alcohol burned his mouth, but he didn’t even wince.
As he set the glass down, Heewon quickly scanned the table.
The rustic side dishes mismatched with the classy bar were brought from Representative Myung’s favorite local haunt. Five packs of the notoriously hard-to-get Imperial Noir cigarettes were lined up—a prearranged setting by Madam Yoon, who knew her job well.
The ashtray was overflowing with butts, and the whiskey was already running low. Three empty bottles lay on the table. He’d heard Myung wasn’t a heavy drinker but preferred to get others drunk while enjoying the show.
So who drank all this? Only one person ca to mind, but with the current situation, checking on Kwon’s condition was out of reach. All Heewon could do was accept the refills Myung offered and keep his eyes ahead.
“I’ve heard,”
Myung began casually.
“That biting and chewing on a male Oga tastes amazing. The flow’s good, and the strength when biting from behind is no joke, right?”
The room fell silent for a mont. Heewon froze with the glass at his lips. He barely managed to gulp down the uncooperative liquor. His head felt sharp.
As if chilled by cold water, the mood froze. A perceptive server clung to Myung, whining.
“Ah, oppa, I’m better than any Oga.”
“Oh? Want to check later?”
Heewon watched their teasing with dead eyes. Skinship at such events was common; people rolling around in the room was also frequent. This was rather ta.
“So, Executive Director Kwon? Is the rumor true?”
The crude joke shifted direction toward Kwon Youngjae. eting Kwon’s curious gaze, he responded with his signature elegant smile.
“Well, I haven’t tried it myself, so I wouldn’t know.”
“Leaving sothing delicious right beside you all this ti? Seems picky with tastes.”
Heewon discreetly glanced aside. Executive Director Kwon sat casually, legs crossed, perfectly grood as always. It wasn’t an important client gathering but rather a small drink with a familiar acquaintance.
His refusal to bow lightly to others was on full display here as well. Oddly, that deanor was very much Kwon Youngjae, and it brought Heewon so comfort.
Heewon checked the face that didn’t spare him a glance and quickly looked away. Already, Myung was tilting the bottle again. He respectfully held out his glass.
“You drink well for your age, no skips—looks good.”
What a cantankerous personality. Pouring all the drinks to one person repeatedly felt more like a punishnt.
Heewon struggled through his second glass. As soon as he put it down, he noticed three glasses lined up in the middle of the table.
Myung filled the three clear glasses with whiskey. Pointing slyly at the overflowing glasses with a smirk, he said,
“You know this is a place where Executive Director Kwon needs to make a good impression, right? As the secretary, show so loyalty. If you finish it all, I might think positively of you.”
Not shots, but glasses. Heewon’s saliva involuntarily dripped in embarrassnt.
Trying to hide his discomfort, he slowly reached out his fingers. Just as his trembling fingertips were about to touch the first glass, a large hand swooped in and snatched it away.
“Sothing the matter, young man?”
Myung’s brow twitched.
“Isn’t this a waste of good liquor for so secretary to drink?”
Kwon responded nonchalantly, then drained the glass in an instant. Myung clapped and laughed heartily, while Heewon looked on, wide-eyed.
Kwon drank calmly, without ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) pause, all three glasses. It was a binge that made even the observers uncomfortable.
No wonder the accompanying woman looked like her insides were burning; she hurriedly filled an empty glass with ice and cranberry juice. Kwon ignored the gesture, rely wiping his wet lips with his thumb.
“Executive Director Kwon, you’re quite an interesting person—I like that.”
Myung laughed heartily and bowed. A waiting woman took the hint and brought a new bottle.
The sound of pouring whiskey beca annoyingly constant. Myung added liquor to his own glass before clinking his heavy glass with Kwon’s.
“Drinks stronger than I thought. Director Kwon Youngho was seen the other day bringing along the drinking executive.”
“You know I have to drink since the Representative is pouring.”
One drink leads to two in return. Kwon never missed a glass. His flawless pronunciation was remarkable amid the binge.
As if reminding everyone this wasn’t a casual gathering, he steered the conversation toward work with clear authority.
Heewon periodically found water and snacks, placing them before Kwon. Watching Kwon sip water carefully, he scrutinized his complexion. The pale face gave no clue to his current condition, which was troubling.
The cruel drinking session finally ended past 3 a.m. By then, Representative Myung was quite drunk.
“Phew, Executive Director Kwon, I enjoyed today. Hehe, next ti... huh? Let’s have a proper talk.”
Myung got into a car with a slender woman. Kwon bowed politely toward him. As the sedan slowly disappeared from view, his tall fra wavered.
“Executive Director!”
Heewon instinctively supported him. The heavy-slling breath of alcohol emanated strongly from the struggling Kwon.
“Are you alright? Just a mont, uh, try to co to your senses.”
“.......”
How could soone collapse like a power switch was flipped? Kwon, who had been standing fine monts ago, had now completely lost himself as if his duties were finished. His slumped body felt unbearably heavy.
So sturdy gentlen stepped forward to help, but Heewon shook his head and refused their assistance. Since Kwon hated being touched by others, it was better for him to handle it alone.
After barely supporting Kwon into the car, Heewon called a substitute driver. He was told it would take about five minutes to arrive, so they rested a mont.
“Executive Director, Executive Director?”
Heewon stroked Kwon’s cheek, urging him to open his eyes. But the intoxicated man only shook his head, uttering nonsense. Heewon tried to give him a sip of water, but Kwon couldn’t even hold himself upright.
His head lolled onto Heewon’s shoulder. The heavy weight and relaxed body emitted thick waves of pheromones.
Heewon unconsciously took a deep breath, the scent penetrating deep inside his lungs, stirring an unrest in the Oga body without warning.
Is it the alcohol?
No matter how much he pressed his heated cheeks with the back of his hand to cool down, it was useless. Heewon nervously bit his lips and turned his head away. The dazzling city lights seed more chaotic tonight, mirroring the turmoil inside his mind today.
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