"Sorry for calling everyone together so early in the morning."
Once again, I had gathered the secretary team for an ergency eting.
This ti, it was my idea.
After tossing and turning all night, I had co up with a plan to save our skins.
Not all of us would survive — that much was clear — but at least half...
I had to save at least half.
"What’s going on, Team Leader...?"
"Yesterday, the VIP made contact with a new Beta."
It was like a death sentence had been announced.
Every single secretary’s face turned ashen on the spot.
"Let’s not deny it — a lot of past incidents happened because we responded too slowly.
This ti, we need to manage it perfectly right from the start."
"How... exactly?"
"I’ll personally mark the Beta.
anwhile, the rest of you will start by running a full background check.
From the mont he was born to now — where he lived, who he knows, what he eats, what he wears, what he buys.
Everything.
We need to know it all."
"But Secretary Baek... isn’t that a bit much?
Honestly, he’ll probably just get bored again soon, right?"
Why the hell was he even here?
Security Team 3 Leader, Kang Seokho, was slouched at the end of the table, tossing out that sharp question with an annoyingly casual air.
And for a mont, the room silently leaned toward agreeing with him.
"I’m currently covering the work for both Secretary Teams 1 and 2.
As far as I know, Team Leader Kang, you and Security Teams 1 and 3 are also splitting the duties after Security Team 2 collapsed.
Are you really okay with even more workload on top of that?"
I had prepared this line in advance.
Sure, I knew the real reason — accidents involving Yoon Taeo's Betas always escalated into disasters — but if I told them that, they'd just think I was insane.
And in any company, nobody welcos having extra work dumped on them.
"We can’t afford to suffer avoidable losses.
That’s why I’m volunteering to personally monitor the Beta."
...Maybe that sounded too noble?
In truth, taking charge of a Beta was the last thing anyone wanted.
You never knew when they’d bolt, or when they’d start bawling and stressing everyone out.
And when that happened, whoever was assigned had to take the full brunt of Yoon Taeo’s vicious temper.
Maybe that’s why the way the team was looking at now —
there was an uncomfortable amount of respect in their eyes.
"...Anyway, the background check is top priority.
Please focus on that first."
Before I could even officially dismiss the eting, I got summoned to the CEO’s office.
Since Yoon Taeo was obsessive about appearances — his own and others’ — I paused outside the door to straighten my clothes before going in.
"You called for , sir."
"Did you find Team Leader 2 yet?"
Yoon Taeo was seated at his desk, hands clasped loosely in front of him.
His posture was rigid, upright, and as irritatingly perfect as always.
No matter how often I saw him, it always struck —
this guy was disgustingly good-looking.
"Yes, we found him... but it seems he’s tied to the resort project."
"Resort?"
"There are signs that part of the casino bribery money made its way back into his pocket, sir."
I had to cut this cleanly.
I needed to report everything that had happened before I got involved — and make it very clear that none of it was my fault.
"So that’s why he ran."
"He accepted part of the bribes, but when the license kept getting delayed, he must have panicked."
It’s not like I was immune to the fact that people were getting hurt.
But honestly, better them than .
"Handle him quietly.
No leaks."
"Understood."
"Since the resort ca up — form a task force.
The resort needs to open within three months, no exceptions."
The funny thing was, I already knew.
That resort would never open.
It was a distant event in the future, but the outco was already set.
"Understood."
Because in the end, it would be Yoon Taeo’s idea of love that destroyed it.
"I’ll go out for lunch today."
"I’ll make a reservation."
"Pick sowhere appropriate. Two people."
We had a whole list of restaurants vetted for situations like this — sorted by atmosphere, by the guest, by the nu.
All I had to do was match today’s company with the right setting.
I was just about to leave when his voice stopped .
"You know who I'm eting, right?"
"Yes, sir. I know."
"Good work."
Clearly, the new Beta was working wonders on him.
Look at that mood — practically glowing like a lovesick teenager.
Of course, we all knew it would end in tragedy.
It always did.
❖ ❖ ❖
"You’re Han Yejun, right?"
"...Yeah... that’s ."
He wasn’t particularly young-looking.
Maybe around my age.
But he seed skittish.
When I showed up at his place, he didn’t even fully open the door — just poked his head out warily.
"I’m here on behalf of CEO Yoon Taeo from MK Capital."
"Ah... I told them yesterday, though..."
"Told them what?"
"That... it’s too much for . I’m uncomfortable."
Once again, Yoon Taeo had picked the wrong person.
A Beta whose life was already hard enough without this bullshit.
The kind of guy who thought dating was a luxury he couldn’t afford.
"Let’s just have a simple al.
No expectations.
And honestly... if I don't bring you, I'm the one who gets in trouble."
"...Ah..."
He looked like a genuinely decent guy.
Hearing that I would suffer if he refused made anxiety flood his face.
"Take your ti getting ready."
Eventually, he gave in.
When he finally ca out, though...
I had to stop myself from sighing.
Sure, it was cold, and dressing warmly made sense — but the huge black puffer jacket and the scarf wrapped three tis around his neck completely swallowed his slender fra.
"We’ve got a little ti before the al.
Mind helping out with sothing?"
"With... what?"
"You’ll see."
I drove us to a nearby departnt store.
Even if he wasn’t my date — even if he wasn’t interested in Yoon Taeo yet — there was no way I could let him show up looking like that.
If he did, Yoon Taeo’s displeasure would land squarely on .
"Would you mind trying this on?"
"...?"
"Yeah, just once."
Han Yejun was surprisingly easygoing.
Maybe he was just the type who couldn’t say no to a polite request.
After I picked out a few outfits for him, he obediently went into the fitting room and changed.
"You look great.
Consider it a gift — for helping out today."
And I ant it.
Clothes really do make the man.
A simple switch to a clean turtleneck and a thick cashre coat made him look completely different.
His expression was still stiff, but at least now he looked good enough to stand next to Yoon Taeo without embarrassing anyone.
"I don’t think... I should be accepting sothing like this."
"But you helped out, Yejun.
Let’s just call it even."
I kept my tone light, like it was no big deal — like this was the natural order of things.
"...Um, may I ask your na...?"
"? I’m Baek Sieon."
"Thanks, Sieon-hyung. I’ll wear it well."
Maybe this was why Yoon Taeo had fallen for him.
Watching from the side, Han Yejun had a surprisingly cute side to him.
The innocence, the way he blushed while speaking — all of it.
"You must be hungry. Let’s go."
I lightly guided Han Yejun by the back and drove him to the restaurant.
Since eating unfamiliar food could make him uncomfortable, I had reserved a Japanese restaurant with more accessible dishes.
Before we arrived, I had made sure to ask if he could eat raw fish.
"...Sir, you’re here early?"
There was still ti until lunch, so I thought Yoon Taeo would still be at the office.
But he was already at the restaurant.
He must have been really eager.
The man who hated waiting was here first.
"Secretary Kim. Co here."
As soon as we entered the private room, Yoon Taeo stood up.
He told Han Yejun to sit and wait, then took the lead walking out.
"Please have so tea. I’ll be right back."
"...Okay."
Maybe because of Yoon Taeo’s sharp tone, Han Yejun’s face stiffened.
I smiled at him as if to say it was okay and followed after Yoon Taeo.
He crossed the hall, exited the restaurant building, and pulled out a cigarette at the entrance.
"Explain."
"...Sir?"
With a click, he lit his cigarette and exhaled a long stream of smoke, saying only that °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° one word.
He kept facing forward, showing only his broad back to .
I had to think quickly.
Where had things gone wrong?
"...I’m sorry, sir, but I don’t understand what you an."
"Haaah.
I'm asking why Secretary Kim is here."
"Since I’m now handling Secretary Team 2 as well, and this is secretary work..."
Yoon Taeo, who had been showing his back, turned around.
"Is Secretary Kim the only secretary in this company?
I told you to make a reservation.
Did I tell you to bring him to the restaurant?"
"...I’m sorry, sir."
...Had sothing happened?
Yoon Taeo’s mood was unusually bad.
Even though I had set up a eting with the Beta he had newly taken a liking to, he was acting like this.
Since when did he ever care about who was doing what?
"From now on, only do what you're told.
Let’s go back inside."
"...Yes, sir."
Before I could even finish replying, Yoon Taeo turned and went back into the room.
"What are you doing."
"...Sir?"
"Why aren’t you coming in?"
My hand, which had been about to close the door from the outside, stopped.
What was he saying?
Wasn't I supposed to wait outside until their al was over?
"I’ll wait outside, sir.
Please call if you need anything."
"Get in."
At the more irritated voice, I quickly entered the room and closed the door behind .
"Haaah... Secretary Kim, are you trying to pick a fight with ?"
"...Sir?"
At this point, it felt like I could cry.
I had no idea what he wanted from .
Were they going to whisper love confessions here, kiss, or go even further?
Still, I had co inside.
I didn’t know what else he expected to do, so I looked straight into his eyes, pleading for him to explain properly.
"...Ah."
After glaring at for a long ti, he finally rolled his eyes slightly, signaling to sit down.
I judged that if I added even one more word like "I’m really fine," Yoon Taeo — whose mood was clearly bad — might actually explode.
He hadn't even taken off his jacket; it was obvious.
"Then, excuse ..."
After hesitating about where to sit, I sat next to Yoon Taeo.
"Sir... one mont."
While Yoon Taeo was choosing from the nu, I unfastened his jacket button and helped him take it off.
Each ti he slipped his arms out of the sleeves, I shifted the nu with my other hand, not even breaking his focus.
Maybe because I managed him like a little kid, he no longer snapped at .
"Can you eat sashimi?"
"Yes, sir.
I’m not picky, but if possible, I would love to have golden tilefish..."
"I wasn’t asking you."
"...Sorry, sir."
Embarrassed, I sipped my tea.
Seriously, why was I here with them on their date?
"Did you get ho safely yesterday?"
"...Uh? Ah, yes, sir."
"I see."
...This was the difference.
I knew better than anyone that Yoon Taeo wasn’t talkative.
But seeing him like this, even with soone he supposedly liked, was frustrating.
"Yejun, the clothes you're wearing — CEO Yoon gave them to you.
He wanted you to stay warm."
"When did I..."
Under the table, I tapped Yoon Taeo’s shoe with my foot.
Telling him to shut up.
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