Secretary Gwanggong's Survival Diary-Chapter 83

“Looks like something’s up, Team Leader Baek.”

“Hello.”

Greeting him properly was harder than it sounded. Looking at the unusually radiant face of the Chief Secretary, I couldn’t even force a fake smile. Or maybe it was just because I hadn’t slept a wink last night.

“So, what brings you here? Your work location is the residence, and the CEO hasn’t come in yet.”

“...I came to deliver the CEO’s clothes.”

“Oh, please give them to me.”

...I deliberately arrived slightly past work time. The clothes were just an excuse. An excuse to see Yoon Taeo’s face once. But even that failed when the Chief Secretary snatched the suitcase with the clothes.

“Team Leader Baek, if you have no tasks today, look for a place to stay.”

“A place?”

Putting aside the tone that implied I’d have no tasks, what did he mean by ‘place’?

“Yes. Hyunjin can’t keep staying at a hotel. The CEO will probably visit often, so find a place that suits his tastes. Closer to the company would be better, right? Pay attention to security as well.”

I thought it was nonsense, lost in delusion, even as the Chief Secretary patted my shoulder and walked into Taeo’s office. I even felt a little rebellious — was I supposed to find a house for Hyunjin on the Chief Secretary’s orders, not Taeo’s? And Hyunjin hasn’t even been fully recognized as Taeo’s Beta yet.

Maybe because I hadn’t slept well, everything felt unbearably unpleasant. I decided to sleep in since I had nothing to do at home today. As I was about to get on the elevator, someone exited first.

“Hello... Secretary...”

Hyunjin unusually avoided my gaze.

“Why is Secretary Baek here?”

And there was Yoon Taeo, with an extremely displeased expression.

“I had some business at the company... yeah.”

Looking at that face, it was oddly scary to say I came to deliver your clothes. Taeo looked angry even though I hadn’t said a word.

“Go in, to the house.”

Taeo left the elevator with only a command to me. Hyunjin stuck like fish poop followed.

“Um, sir.”

Why are you angry...? I called Taeo, whose back radiated dissatisfaction. He stopped and answered by simply standing still. Maybe because I’d watched him too long, I could read his emotions from his back. A strange phenomenon — his back, which always seemed broad, felt chilling.

“I got orders to find a place for Hyunjin to stay.”

“......”

“Shall I... look?”

Maybe it was just me, but Taeo’s answer seemed unusually slow. My mouth felt dry as if severely dehydrated, sweat formed inside my clenched fists, and I felt tension in my toes inside my shoes.

“That’s obvious. Such a trivial matter can be discussed with the Chief Secretary.”

Leaving only those words, Taeo disappeared down the corridor. I had to stand there until his back was out of sight.

Because I was confused. Because anxiety bloomed.

I couldn’t see his face, but Taeo was never one to hide his feelings well. Sometimes, I could read his emotions from his voice alone. But now, I could discern nothing from his words. It was different from when he told me to go home or when he threatened me about the rut incident on the snowy day.

That difference threw a stone in my heart — a massive, heavy stone like Mount Tai.

❖ ❖ ❖

VIP and Beta lunch meeting. (Casino investor meeting postponed)

Orders to strengthen Beta security. (Except Security Team 3)

Beta, Beta, Beta. The live-updated work schedule was full of Hyunjin’s affairs. Familiar situation. Whenever Taeo fell for a Beta, it showed clearly. He neglected company schedules and acted impulsively. Just like now.

“Hey, even if he’s the CEO’s Beta, isn’t this house too much?”

“Well, it’s not my money anyway.”

I somehow ended up with Kang Seokho. Both of us, disliked by the Chief Secretary, weren’t assigned much work and were looking for a place for Hyunjin to stay. Kang Seokho thought the house I picked was overkill, but it wasn’t. Originally, in the source story, Taeo had gotten furious when the Beta was given a ‘decent’ house. When dealing with Taeo’s Beta, it’s better to overdo than underdo.

“When will they finish the interior?”

“Our team members are good at that. You know.”

“We’ll help.”

“...No, really, it’s fine.”

The Security Team 3 members’ situation wasn’t much different from his. Huge guys like mountain piles followed him around. Even just looking at houses made me anxious as if something would happen. Plus, they’d previously helped clean the house with a towel elephant and candles that made Taeo’s eyes go wild.

“This stuff can be done in two days... no, one day.”

They were secretaries I’d trained myself. Pitiful employees demoted to Secretary Team 1 because of the Chief Secretary, but their skills were certain.

“If I pick and stock electronics and clothes, that should be enough.”

“Do you really have to do all that...?”

“He’s a Beta, Beta. It’s what we usually do.”

It wasn’t new. Taeo’s answer confirmed Hyunjin’s status. Whether it was Taeo’s true feelings or not, treating him like Taeo’s Beta was natural.

“...Are you a saint? You’re pretty shameless.”

I don’t know if I’m okay inside. I don’t know anything anymore.

“I’ll make a list, so buy the electronics. The exact brand and model.”

“What? What are you up to? I’d be bored without you.”

My mood, already bad, worsened when I saw my pheromone control pills running low. Can the Omega trait be this disgusting? Before coming to this world, I had no real problem with being an Omega. But I think all the bad things that have happened to me are because of this damn trait.

“I’m going to buy Beta clothes and visit the hospital.”

“...Fine, send me the list.”

I sighed, wondering how to get rid of Kang Seokho, but he obediently left with his men. Strange. He’s usually not so docile.

❖ ❖ ❖

This must be why casting matters. No matter how terrible the chemistry in a failed drama was, objectively Taeo and Hyunjin were a good match. Taeo, a standout Alpha with a striking physique and appearance, and Hyunjin, a dominant Omega who’d nod without protest if introduced as such. Seeing the two sit across from each other at a meal brought that thought to me.

“Team Leader, all Beta debts have been cleared. He’s young, but the amount is considerable.”

“Good job. I’ll report it, so go home already.”

Even from afar, they stood out. Well... they were the only ones eating in the restaurant anyway. Hyunjin kept talking without pause while Taeo sat expressionless across. Seeing Taeo’s stiffened face, an uncomfortable feeling blossomed in my chest.

After confirming the meal was over, I approached the table.

“Sir.” 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

And now, seeing the face directed at me made the bad feeling grow. His expression was clearly different from before. I didn’t know if it was irritation or embarrassment, but his furrowed brow showed it was negative.

“I thought I told you to go home.”

“I was told to find a place.”

“Hah.”

I wasn’t feeling good either. I knew I could just say, “I’m sorry, there was something that had to be done,” but I replied stiffly. I thought it might be okay to reveal a small piece of the uncomfortable feeling I’d had since yesterday. So this wasn’t backtalk — it was an explanation. But when Taeo’s gaze sharpened as if slicing through me, regret came quickly.

“...I found a place for Hyunjin to stay. Also handled the other orders you gave...”

Before I could finish, Taeo stood.

“Let’s talk for a moment, Secretary Baek.”

He grabbed my wrist hard and started walking, like he was going to break it. Because of the physical difference and his fast pace, I had to be half-dragged along. The more Taeo’s grip ached, the more discomfort grew in my chest.

Only after entering a quiet, empty room and slamming the door did he release me.

“What are you doing? I told you to go home and stay there. Why aren’t you listening?”

Yeah, that’s Taeo. The guy who doesn’t hide his irritation or anger.

“Should I lock you up at home again?”

So... the Taeo from a moment ago and the one now were different people. I couldn’t be sure, but it seemed like it. Sometimes he acted strangely as if possessed by something — usually at important moments, following the “Madman” main story.

“Why are you silent? Do you know you did wrong?”

I knew. Those actions weren’t Taeo’s will. The man who said he didn’t need me, the man who took blame for Hyunjin, were just forced by the original story’s flow. Maybe that force wouldn’t matter. But now?

He didn’t even know what kind of face I was making and was with Hyunjin. I could tell he wasn’t a man in love, but that was all. Taeo would inevitably go to his destined mate no matter what I did — because that’s the natural order of this world.

“Haah... I wasn’t angry. Go home and talk. Go in first with the head of Security Team 3.”

Thank goodness. I realized this in time. What if I’d confessed everything to him last night? What if I’d revealed even part of the emotions that occupied me so heavily? How ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ much would I have regretted it? Taeo’s choice was already decided. He could never break the absoluteness of this world.

Would I be okay? Even as a forced partner, doing the behind-the-scenes work and lingering around them — could I handle it all if I knew it wasn’t real?

“...I’ll go first.”

“Secretary Baek!”

Are they happy? Will Taeo’s heart eventually go to Hyunjin? Even if forcibly obtained, would the two being together be a perfect ending? Or, as Hyunjin said, do two people who get close in the eyes eventually reach each other’s hearts? Many questions swirled in my mind.

As I was about to leave the room, a warm hand firmly pulled me back.

Ah, why?

Why give me such warm comfort now? Why urgently call me back like that? And why... can’t I shake off this hand?

“Answer me. That you’ll go home and stay there.”

I placed my hand over the one that wrapped around my waist and side. The hand was so big it barely fit in mine, but I held on tightly. I closed my eyes tightly and thought:

What the hell am I doing in this world? Can I do anything from now on?

The answer came quicker than expected.

Nothing.

In the predetermined flow of this world, I had done nothing and could do nothing. Then, then... I am...

“Baek Sieon.”

“Sir.”

I gently freed Taeo’s hand. It would have been impossible by force, but he obeyed my will. Taeo’s face, so close yet unfamiliar, waited for me to continue. Looking straight into his eyes that flickered between mine, I said:

“I’m done.”

I, who can do nothing, said goodbye.