Secretary Gwanggong's Survival Diary-Chapter 81

“Prepare for the soft opening without any problems. These aren’t just regular customers; they’re VIPs.”

I guess when a madman gets obsessed with work instead of romance, this is how it goes. While Yoon Taeo stayed on Jeju Island, the TF team members turned half-zombie. Thanks to that, what had been a slow, draggy preparation suddenly wrapped up in no time. The opening, which was thought absolutely impossible, was now right around the corner. And finally, the day came to return to Seoul after an unusually long business trip.

“We’ll prepare without any issues.”

The TF team leader’s voice held strength for the first time in a while. He seemed desperate to get Taeo gone quickly now that he was leaving.

“That’s how it should be. No small mistakes allowed.”

Is this the right time to say “it makes my blood run cold”? Just hearing Taeo’s threats nearby makes my blood run cold. It’s terrifying to the bone.

“Let’s get going, sir.”

Kang Seokho took the wheel, I sat in the passenger seat, and Taeo sat in the back. Maybe because it was such a long trip, I found myself wanting to get home quickly. Not that living in Jeju was uncomfortable, but I missed the home I’d gotten used to — not my own, but Taeo’s.

“Chief of Security.”

“Yes, sir.”

While the car headed straight for the airport, Taeo’s low voice echoed inside.

“Is anyone from the secretarial or security team traveling with us?”

“No. Some returned earlier, and the rest left beforehand to wait at the airport.”

“Is that so? Then what’s that car behind us?”

Maybe because of his job, Taeo had sharp instincts, especially in life-or-death situations. Kang Seokho didn’t ignore his words and kept an eye on the rearview.

“Should we catch them?”

“Whoever they are, we should.”

Convinced it was a suspicious car following them, Kang Seokho told me to hold tight and pressed the accelerator. The car sped forward like a chase, then made a sudden 180-degree turn, ignoring lanes, and charged straight at the trailing car.

“Ti, Chief!”

The speed was terrifying. If this continued, it looked like a head-on collision was inevitable. Was it really worth risking all our lives over a tail? I gripped the seatbelt hard and shut my eyes. With a screech of tires, the car spun sharply and stopped. Carefully opening my eyes, our car was blocking the middle of the road, turned sideways, but it wasn’t the worst-case scenario.

“Are you okay, Secretary Baek?”

“Ah... yes, sir.”

Following Kang Seokho, who got out first, I stepped out too. Though startled, remembering someone had been tailing us quickly made me forget the recent danger. Because our car blocked the road, the black sedan behind had also stopped abruptly. Familiar faces got out of that car, flashing hazard lights.

“I thought there was going to be an accident, sir.”

Despite the voice pretending to be surprised, the Chief Secretary’s relaxed smile and... Choi Hyunjin.

“Thank the head of security. If I’d been driving, we’d have crashed for sure.”

It was supposed to be a joke, but coming from Taeo it felt sincere. Maybe it wasn’t just me — the Chief Secretary’s fake smile briefly vanished.

“But why haven’t you gone up until now?”

“I was hesitant to leave Hyunjin alone.”

“I thought that was settled.”

“But he helped you during the rut, didn’t he?”

“Are you seriously saying I should take responsibility for something as small as sending one rut?”

The Chief Secretary’s intention was obvious. He wanted to set the stage for Hyunjin, who was on my side, to get closer to Taeo. But Taeo’s words stabbed my heart like a thorn. Just one rut, that’s all. Maybe it wasn’t intended, but it sounded like he wanted me to not give that incident any meaning.

“That’s impossible. I’m only bringing him because he’s useful. Don’t misunderstand.”

This was a clear refusal. Taeo, who seemed to sense it somewhat, shifted responsibility to Hyunjin, not the one who actually sent the rut, and ignored orders by bringing him to Seoul anyway.

“Or... is there some special reason not to, sir?”

The Chief Secretary’s gaze scanned me, as if asking if the reason was me.

“...No, whatever you like. Now that I think about it, the Chief Secretary’s right. Anyway, he helped me.”

After a brief silence, Taeo finally gave permission. His voice sounded half annoyed, half amused as I looked at him. For a moment, I wondered if some “force” had made him answer against his will, but this time it was different. Taeo’s eyes held countless emotions — negative and incomprehensible — but I could tell it was by his own will.

“Then I’ll see you at the airport, sir.”

Leaving the bowing Chief Secretary behind, we got into the car first.

“Do you think it’ll be okay?”

“For now, just go along with it.”

I knew Taeo didn’t like the Chief Secretary, but handling him wasn’t easy either. The Chief Secretary had been by Taeo’s side for a long time, building his power. No matter how temperamental Taeo was, he wasn’t someone who could be handled recklessly. Nor was the old man ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) someone who would just take it.

“Baek Sieon.”

“Yes?”

I turned to look at Taeo, surprised by the sudden call. It was the first time he’d called me that way in front of someone — not ‘Secretary Baek’ or ‘Secretary Kim.’

“I’m sorry for not being able to keep my promise.”

What followed was even more confusing.

“I guess this time, it can’t be helped.”

To be honest, I wasn’t unaffected. I secretly hoped Taeo wouldn’t change the order forbidding Hyunjin to come. I even hoped the retraction wasn’t really Taeo’s intention. For a moment, I couldn’t show how disappointed I was. Even knowing Hyunjin hadn’t helped me, I let him come to Seoul.

“...It’s fine, of course.”

But now wasn’t the time. I was actually embarrassed to have thought that way about Taeo, even for a moment. Taeo believed Hyunjin had entered the rut location, despite my denials. I hoped that was true. But if I joined the charade of lies between Hyunjin and the Chief Secretary, there must have been a reason, though my baseless distrust grew.

Looking at Taeo’s faint smile, the most untrustworthy man in the world suddenly seemed more trustworthy. Maybe it was okay after all.

“Haah. I really want to get off...”

...Let’s just pretend Kang Seokho wasn’t here for a moment.

❖ ❖ ❖

“Secretary Team 1 will only handle management of the CEO’s residence.”

“Didn’t dividing the work by team cause problems due to lack of substitutes?”

“That’s a matter of the team leader’s capabilities, Team Leader Baek.”

Only now did regret settle in. As Taeo said, I should have grabbed the Chief Secretary position with all my might. The old man returned and immediately redistributed the secretarial tasks. Employees even slightly friendly with me were completely excluded from company work, assigned only to Taeo’s personal affairs.

“But...”

“What is it?”

The 2nd Secretary Team leader cautiously spoke, watching the tension between me and the Chief Secretary.

“The CEO always asks for Secretary Kim... no, Team Leader Baek. What about that?”

“Haah... well, you’ll get used to it eventually. I’ll take care of it, so Team Leader Baek, focus on managing the residence.”

In a way, this was exactly what I’d wanted. Managing the company and home would be harder than managing just the house. But knowing the Chief Secretary was scheming made everything he did seem suspicious.

“Aren’t you getting up? You need to go clean the house, Team Leader Baek.”

“...I’ll get up first.”

Ignoring the sideways glances like daggers in my back, I left the conference room. Passing the office, I thought about greeting Taeo, but decided against it. Wouldn’t it look like I was complaining about a task assignment he didn’t like? Besides, I could see Taeo at home anyway — no need to talk now.

“Secretary Baek...”

They say clothes make the man. Thanks to the Chief Secretary’s skill or just my own good looks, Choi Hyunjin looked like a complete stranger when we passed in the hallway. Unless it was a minor problem, no one would mistake his flashy shirt and jacket for an office worker.

“How did you get here?”

“The Chief Secretary told me to come to work. But I’m not sure I can do this well...”

Scratching his cheek, those words were probably sincere. But wasn’t it funny? Someone who couldn’t do anything right suddenly acting like they don’t know what they’re talking about.

“Do well.”

I don’t think I’m particularly spiteful, but I can’t forgive Hyunjin. You know how it is — getting stabbed in the back by someone you trusted hurts more than being stabbed by an obvious traitor. That’s exactly how it felt.

“Um, about us...”

I wasn’t in the mood to give him any encouragement and tried to pass by, but he spoke again.

“We could have been friends, right? If you hadn’t misunderstood me and trusted me a little more, we would have. You were like my first real friend...”

“Hah.”

Ridiculous. He might be talking about some scene in Jeju where he thought we were friends, or acting like the twisted relationship was my fault for doubting him. The responsibility lies fully with Hyunjin.

“Hyunjin, was that really my misunderstanding? You know the answer best.”

I turned to face Hyunjin, curious what kind of face he made while saying that.

“Of course... it was a misunderstanding.”

Ah, that face was just his default setting. Hurt expression, eyes full of sorrow. With one expression, he made me the villain and lied without hesitation. Anyone seeing this scene would want to throw stones at me.

“Think whatever you want. I’m leaving.”

Both the Chief Secretary and Hyunjin — I don’t need to be played by their innocent, pitiful faces anymore. Their greed and desire inside are clearly different from their shells.

“Someone once said...?”

I didn’t want to talk long and started to walk away.

“The closer you are in the eyes, the closer you are in the heart.”

“That only works if you can see properly.”

The Chief Secretary was explaining why he brought Hyunjin to the company. He wanted to hang around Taeo and get his attention... something like that. But maybe he doesn’t know? Taeo is terrible at recognizing people.

“What does that even mean... Anyway, I haven’t given up on you, sir.”

I didn’t know why he was saying that to me. Not wanting to respond, I left Hyunjin behind. Let him try.

❖ ❖ ❖

“Team Leader, I finished organizing.”

“Go home already.”

I’d lost my temper at the company earlier for no reason. It felt like a relief that my work was changed to just managing the residence. I’d handled so much work that cleaning one house felt almost embarrassing to call “work.” Plus, there were team members, so I hardly had to move.

By two in the afternoon, I finished and sent the team home before Taeo left. At first, the secretaries who were assigned solely to residence management protested, but the early leave made them happy. As soon as they left, I took off my jacket and collapsed onto the sofa.

“Hyunjin...”

After returning from Jeju, I fell into deep conflict. How should I tell Taeo what he didn’t know? I had a plan.

I would confess that I was the one who entered during the rut. Then I’d gauge the mood and even reveal that I was an Omega. I knew Taeo hated Omegas, but if anything ever developed between us, it would be a secret impossible to hide. Better to confess before getting caught.

But the real worry was whether it was okay to do so. The end of this world was already decided. It had to end with Taeo and Hyunjin’s love. From the moment I opened my eyes here, that was the clear goal: bring the two together and return to the original world. What would happen if I ruined that by coming between them and taking Hyunjin’s place?

“No, that’s not the problem...”

I shook my head hard and stood up. The important thing now wasn’t that distant future. First, I had to check Taeo’s feelings. If he didn’t feel the same, I might get my neck twisted and be forced out before even confessing. For daring to harbor disrespectful feelings toward my boss. Though... I did have some belief he wouldn’t do that.

Vrrrr—

Entering the kitchen to prepare dinner early, my phone vibrated in my pocket. The caller was an unpleasant figure.

“Yes, Chief Secretary.”

If you’ve finished cleaning, come to the company.

“What is it?”

Just come when I say so.

How do I kill this old bastard... The Chief Secretary finished his words and hung up. His rank was like a gangster’s; he seemed to want to unload all the piled-up crap at once now that he was back. I had no choice but to return to the company with a bad mood. Of course, early leave was impossible for me.

❖ ❖ ❖

“Sir, we need to prepare dinner.”

I still hadn’t calmed down facing the Chief Secretary, so I deliberately emphasized “sir.” Meaning Taeo might skip dinner because of you.

“The CEO doesn’t need dinner taken care of. Go to the department store.”

“Department store? All of a sudden?”

“You’re the only one free, Team Leader Baek. Hyunjin, you can go with him.”

Saying we’re free, Hyunjin... I didn’t understand the situation. The Chief Secretary briefly explained: buy Hyunjin some proper clothes.

Why me? I was stunned by the nonsensical order, and the Chief Secretary whispered in my ear.

“He’s a new Beta, so of course we have to take care of him.”

...New Beta? Taeo’s Beta? I had no idea what happened while I was away. Half-pushed, I had to take Hyunjin to a nearby department store. Throughout the trip, distrust and suspicion blossomed inside me.

“How about this, Team Leader Baek? Do you think the CEO will like it?”

Seeing Hyunjin picking clothes made my negative feelings grow. But at the same time... I wondered if I should let such words affect me.

“This looks better. Your face is bright, so bright tones suit you.”

“Really? Then I’ll go with this!”

“I’ll pick out a few more for you, so you have something to wear later.”

“Ah... not too many, that’s a bit much...”

Beta or whatever, that’s just the Chief Secretary and that fox’s opinion — not something Taeo said.

“What does it matter? While you’re at it, buy some for your little brother too. It’s cold, so dress warmly.”

Don’t blow a gasket one by one. Show the composure of the rich, even if you actually have nothing. I gave Hyunjin the same smile I’d often seen on his face.