“Team Leader, the CEO is calling.”
Ah, shit... I’m busy... I didn’t like getting a call right when I was swamped, but I composed myself and tried to sound as professional as possible.
“Yes, CEO. Did you enjoy lunch? It’s a bit colder today, so make sure to dress warmly...”
You’re really starting to pick a fight with , aren’t you?
“No? That can’t be.”
I signed the card receipt while talking to Yoon Taeo.
895,000 won.
“Ah... did you see that? Why...?”
That’s the amount I just paid. By the way, it’s for a single T-shirt. After the previous card theft incident, every ti I used Taeo’s card, the secretary team would be notified. It’s probably been reported in real-ti while I was making the purchase.
Seems like our Secretary Kim is more of a character than I thought. Didn’t know that.
“So, I asked you twice this morning if you were really okay...”
It’s all your fault, you bastard. Why the hell did you burn all my clothes and shoes? I had a bad feeling, but Kang Seokho really burned everything in the house, they say.
Yoon Taeo had done this to his Beta before. He said, "If there’s nowhere to go back «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» to, you won’t even want to go." At that ti, the Beta cried and blad Taeo, but honestly, I didn’t care. Actually... I was even a little grateful.
There wasn’t anything valuable in the house, and other than the fact that it was rented, there wasn’t a single good thing about it. I’d rather stay in a hotel. Besides, now that I’m freely swiping Taeo’s card, what do I have to complain about?
I’m fine, but I’m not sure if Secretary Kim is fine.
What...? ...? Didn’t you say I could spend as much as I want?
“CEO, I can clearly account for the expenses... CEO, CEO?”
With a click, the phone call was abruptly cut off. I hadn’t even begun my explanation yet.
“Ha... thank you.”
I handed the phone back to the security team staff and thought for a mont. Should I stop shopping now, or should I just finish what I started? Would stopping now make Taeo’s punishnt lighter? Based on his usual behavior, it probably won’t make much difference. But it’s not like there’s no way out. I’m not sure, but there may be a way to save my life.
I’ll shop a little more.
❖ ❖ ❖
“Oh, you’re here.”
“Were you sleeping?”
I was. And deeply. I realized today that shopping is more tiring than I thought. And after shopping so comfortably, I was even more confused. Why is it that Taeo’s Betas couldn’t even buy a 1,000-won cup of instant noodles when he gave them his card?
After being confined for two days, I’ve found my calling. I should be a rich, unemployed person instead of a secretary. Or, I wouldn’t mind being confined like this for life. I don’t have to clean, do laundry, or cook. All I have to do is enjoy the food others make. If I get bored, I can go out and shop to my heart’s content.
“If you shopped that much, you must be tired.”
“...Not necessarily. ...Shall we eat? Aren’t you hungry?”
I didn’t shop mindlessly. I had prepared the al with so care, just in case Taeo’s mood had soured again.
“You made this yourself? You didn’t have to.”
“It’s a bit boring staying at ho. I don’t even have my phone.”
Taeo was right. I don’t know where he brought them from, but a chef had co to the house both yesterday and today. Considering how Taeo usually hates outsiders coming into his house, this was a rare occurrence.
It was comfortable, but strangely enough, I was more accustod to cooking myself since I hadn’t used to it. And... there was sothing I needed to say to Taeo today, so I thought it would be better to cook and score so points. Well... I don’t know if he’ll care, but still.
“Go wash up.”
While Taeo changed and washed, I prepared the al. I had already cooked it before I slept, so fortunately, I didn’t have to make him wait long after I set the table. Just as the delicious sll started to stimulate my senses, Taeo returned to the kitchen.
“I cooked so venison today.”
“Long ti no see, this one.”
It was one of those dishes that took a lot of effort. You have to eliminate the unique fishy sll, and maintain the right level of cooking to keep the texture tender instead of tough. If cooked well, it can have a texture even more tender than beef.
“Is it okay? I put a lot of effort into it...”
“Well, it’s passable.”
That was the highest praise I could get from him. To get a complint like that from him, I’d have to be a Michelin-star chef. It wasn’t just a throwaway comnt either, since Taeo’s knife and fork moved diligently.
“Why are you eating so little today?”
That was embarrassing. My portion looked like a servant’s al, while his was barely enough to feed a bird, which made self-conscious.
“I’m not really the type to eat a lot, you know.”
“I see. For lunch today, I heard you ate three servings by yourself. If you’re a person, you wouldn’t eat that much for dinner.”
“...Who reported that?”
I don’t know who the bastard is, but that’s an invasion of my privacy. Why would soone report how much I eat...? Just because it’s getting cold and I’ve gained a little appetite...
“I don’t need to know that. I’ll have so ran later.”
“...Would you like so with ?”
To be honest, I’m not a fan of venison. I prefer sothing more stimulating and chewy. But that doesn’t an it tastes bad. I just don’t prefer it as much.
“Forget that. I think you have sothing to say.”
...What a keen bastard. Or maybe I just gave myself away with how familiar I acted. I quickly wrapped up the al and steadied my breath.
“When will I be staying here until...?”
“You said you weren’t uncomfortable.”
“That’s true, but I can’t just not work...”
Having had both my phone and work tablet confiscated, I didn’t know the exact situation, but it didn’t feel good. If it’s really going to be permanent, then I wouldn’t care, but it would be better to get back to work as soon as possible before I get stuck with the bomb. Even if it’s just a short vacation, I’m satisfied.
“I actually checked today to confirm if you were really trying to run away.”
“So...?”
After Taeo finished his al, he set his knife and fork down and looked at . The bastard... He must’ve eaten well, but there was no satisfaction visible on his face or in his mannerisms. He seed like he ate alone.
“Let believe for once that Secretary Baek wasn’t trying to escape.”
“Ah... Yes. Thank you.”
He really made it difficult to say. Why couldn’t he just say he misunderstood? Why did he have to say it so generously? But since it’s what I wanted, I obediently listened.
“Just don’t get the wrong idea.”
“Right? No matter how I look at it, I didn’t earn your trust... so I guess you’ll need to lock up sotis...”
“You’re scheming again. But, are you sure you’re fine with this?”
“Yes...?”
“You’ll regret it. There won’t be another ti like this.”
A certain image flashed through my mind. , bound and confined in a dark, moldy basent, with the concrete sinking into the ocean with a single word from Taeo...
I guess when he talks about next ti, that’s the scenario. By the way, a Beta actually ended up like that.
“It was just a joke! Oh, you’re taking it so seriously.”
How can he not let joke around? Taeo would definitely keep his word, even if it ant keeping in check.
“That’s right. That kind of thing shouldn’t happen.”
Well, at least the situation seems to have been resolved. I was about to ask him to release from my confinent, but since his words seed to be along the sa lines, maybe I was just too tense.
“I bought sothing for you... CEO.”
And as a way to make up for the excessive spending today, I handed him what I had prepared.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a tie pin. I carefully selected it considering your tastes. Please open it.”
Without ntioning the price, it’s quite obvious it’s a cheap product. But even with luxury items, the person wearing it matters. A no-na brand could look like a luxury item when worn by the right person. I’m sure the sa would apply with Taeo.
“It’s not bad.”
Taeo seed to like it as he opened the case. Let’s pretend I didn’t hear his follow-up comnt about it being cheap. Even if there’s one cheap item among a hundred expensive ones, it won’t be noticeable.
“Your face is so luxurious, no matter what you wear, it’ll always look good...”
“I don’t think you’re just giving this to .”
“...I know I did so excessive shopping today, but it wasn’t all for ...”
“Keep going.”
It seed like Taeo was willing to hear out this ti. I adjusted my posture and began to explain.
“I’m a secretary, but if I look odd standing next to you, it would be embarrassing for you...”
“Oh, so you bought this for ?”
“Right!”
“Seems like Baek Sieon now thinks of Taeo as easy.”
“...Taeo...?”
“You really talk a lot of nonsense.”
Taeo was fiddling with the tie pin I gave him. Then, our eyes t for a mont. I realized. If it were Taeo, he could kill soone with that tie pin. He could find the carotid artery and stab it with that blunt pin...
“...I’m sorry... I got carried away and couldn’t stop...”
I guess I should just tell the truth. At least he’ll show so consideration and kill quickly with a single blow.
“Well, I wasn’t going to talk about a few bucks.”
“A few bucks...”
As expected... he’s a big spender. I tried to max out the card limit, but ran into physical limitations. Still, I spent quite a hefty amount, and he doesn’t seem bothered at all.
“Here.”
“What’s this...?”
Taeo handed a shopping bag. Inside was my phone.
“You said you were feeling suffocated without it.”
To be exact, you destroyed it, you bastard.
“Then, can I start working tomorrow...?”
“I’ll take off the surveillance.”
Two days. Honestly, I would love to spend a few more days acting like a fool and enjoying my vacation, but there’s a reason I can’t.
“Right, I’ll have to go handle your rut starting tomorrow.”
If I want to take care of his rut cycle, I have to be there in person. It’s too risky to leave it to the idiots who can’t even get the dates right. It’d be better for to be a little tired than to relax and do nothing.
“I said I’ll take off the surveillance, but that doesn’t an you can go back to work.”
“...Yes...?”
I thought it was an approval, but Taeo’s words were strange.
“Stay ho until my rut ends. Think of it as the vacation you love so much.”
...Why?
It was an incomprehensible order. The surveillance is removed, and I got a new phone. But he still told not to return to work.
“It’s your rut tomorrow...”
“Ruts aren’t anything new, so why are you making a big deal about it?”
It is a big deal. The stronger and superior the traits, the more explosive the rut cycle becos. If you don’t properly release the excitent while taking the right dication, it could turn dangerous. Moreover, Taeo has a strong aversion to Ogas, so he usually spends his cycles with Betas, which makes the situation even worse.
“Still, it could be dangerous, so I need to keep watch.”
The playful tone of our conversation died down. Sorry, but this is sothing I can’t let slide either.
“Do you think our company only has Secretary Baek?”
“Even so, I’m fine...”
“Ha, you’re making repeat myself.”
It wasn’t just whose emotions were off; Taeo’s voice soon beca sharp. But now, I didn’t want to back down from his incomprehensible orders. But Taeo put an end to it.
“You don’t need to.”
With a single word, he threw my thoughts away.
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