Secretary Gwanggong's Survival Diary-Chapter 89

“Stop? Stop what?”

Yoon Taeo couldn’t believe his ears. His keen hearing, far superior to ordinary people’s, couldn’t be wrong, and yet the words he heard were astonishing. Such negative talk was absolutely something Yoon Taeo should never have heard.

“I said I’m done.”

Baek Sieon finally burst into tears. Even with his voice thick with emotion, he repeated his intent. Taeo was the one who got hit by nonsense, yet he couldn’t understand why the hitter wore the more pained expression. Hearing the same words twice in a row sparked Taeo’s anger, which flared as he grabbed the wrist of Baek Sieon, who was about to run away.

“No? No way. I don’t know what you mean by ‘done,’ but whatever it is, it’s not happening.”

Yoon Taeo himself thought he gripped the wrist too tightly. Any more force and it might really break. Still, he couldn’t let go. Baek Sieon looked so fragile Taeo reasonably suspected he’d disappear the moment he was released. Above all, Taeo wouldn’t tolerate that kind of attitude. How dare you, to me.

“Stay quietly at home. Oh, wait, no need for that.”

There are limits even to insubordination. A secretary like that must never behave this way. And of all people, Baek Sieon must not act like this toward Yoon Taeo. Taeo pulled out his phone and called the head of security.

“Have you called, sir?”

“Take him home and don’t let him step outside.”

“Chief Baek... to his home?”

“Is it that house, no way?”

“Ah, yes! Understood...”

Taeo couldn’t take his eyes off Baek Sieon, who hadn’t even wiped away his tears properly. With his head bowed deeply as if aware of his guilt, Baek Sieon was half-led out by Kang Seokho. They seemed fairly close by now, but Taeo trusted that the head of security would listen. Though he wanted to take him home himself, the situation ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ didn’t allow it. He had to return to his place, suppressing his feelings as best he could. A task he loathed.

“Did something happen inside, sir?”

Damn it. The Beta who was essentially the root cause of all this. Or maybe just a pawn of the chief secretary, but for now, there was no difference between the chief secretary and this Beta in front of Taeo. It was because of the mess they caused that things turned out like this. Taeo even regretted not cutting off their heads sooner despite the risk.

“...Nothing much. Secretary Baek’s just a bit annoying.”

Still, Taeo had to act natural as possible. Alone, it wouldn’t matter, but now, one wrong step could cost a life. The chief secretary wasn’t here, but there must be others acting as his eyes.

“You should have tolerated it a bit... Secretary Baek helps a lot, you know. Even followed me when buying clothes to help. Sure, Secretary Baek has his flaws, but he’s diligent. Um... seems like a good guy.”

Look at that clever phrasing. With a voice full of pity, it might seem like he was defending Baek Sieon, but ultimately agreed that Baek Sieon was annoying.

“What parts are so annoying about Secretary Baek?”

“Huh, what...?”

“It’s ridiculous for anyone else to say, but isn’t it a bit funny for you to evaluate Secretary Baek that way?”

Today felt like a bad day. Baek Sieon cried without explanation, and Taeo lost patience over something he could’ve endured just a bit more. The Beta in front twisted his face, quickly tearing up too.

“Haah... damn it.”

If Taeo could just get angry properly and make the other cry, that’d be understandable. But what was this—bursting into tears before even saying a word?

“S-sorry... hic...”

Taeo wondered if he was the problem, having made two people cry in less than an hour. Their behavior was incomprehensible, but why was it always him who got annoyed?

“From now on, don’t judge my employees. They’re paid by me and work at my need... Haah, damn it... I’m not here to please your feelings.”

The man wiping tears with a napkin looked so empty-eyed, it seemed he forgot even to cry aloud. Forgetting that he hadn’t even learned Taeo’s name yet, Taeo’s voice sounded harsh.

His life was properly described as exhausting; his face was the only consolation, and tears his weapon to save him in moments of crisis. Not smart enough to abuse it for convenience, but it was the first time it backfired so badly, leaving Choi Hyunjin bewildered.

“Stop waking up.”

Feeling his patience running out fast, Taeo stood first. Even knowing the other hadn’t stopped crying, he didn’t wait. Staying any longer seemed like it would ruin the carefully prepared scene.

“Won’t you sleep here tonight?”

As they rode the elevator down to the lobby, the Beta blurted out, and Taeo thought, ‘Ah, better to be crying than saying nonsense.’ That loud noise was at least preferable to senseless words. At least no need to reply.

“Even though we shared a bed during the rut, I’m not that reckless.”

A lie. Just the first thing that popped into Taeo’s head.

“But... yesterday, you said the rut side effects lingered, so I slept alone in the living room...”

He had used the excuse of non-existent side effects. The chief secretary guarding outside had left him no choice. But Taeo was also surprised. He’d never seen a Beta express his feelings so openly before. That confidence was oddly uncomfortable. The same kind of confidence, but utterly different from others in his head.

“Haah... if needed, I’ll even put another man in the room.”

Today, Taeo didn’t want to soften the Beta’s mood with words. And in the current situation, he judged that walking out angry wasn’t a bad idea. The chief secretary would certainly ask the Beta about today, and hearing the situation, would understand Taeo’s actions.

In fact, after hearing this, the chief secretary thought highly of Taeo for not doing worse to Choi Hyunjin.

“Sir...! That’s not what I meant, wait!”

Ignoring the voice calling from behind, Taeo quickened his pace. He was anxious. He needed to hear an apology from that rude secretary as soon as possible.

❖ ❖ ❖

“Is he home?”

“Yes... he’s inside.”

A group of Alphas in dark suits surrounded the house. Not enough, Kang Seokho guarded the entrance inside. It was certain that neither Baek Sieon nor most others could break through this security. As expected, he was a guy who followed orders well.

“Why is it so quiet?”

“Probably in the room. Came inside and went straight to his room, hasn’t stepped out.” 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

The house felt unusually silent. Normally, voices would greet him with fuss about being late or tired. Realizing the emptiness irritated Taeo. Why was he hiding in his room like that?

“Sir.”

Just as he was about to step toward Baek Sieon’s room, a large figure blocked the way. Though not as big as Taeo, it was nearly as large. With irritation mounting and an outsider interfering, his patience quickly ran dry.

“What are you doing?”

“Sorry, but maybe you should leave him be today?”

At that moment, a dull thud echoed as Kang Seokho was pushed back two steps.

“If you know you’re sorry, why cross the line?”

Kang Seokho suddenly realized his mistake. He forgot what kind of person his boss was. Though his actions were out of concern for Baek Sieon, he had crossed the line.

“This is the only time I’ll forgive. You and Baek Sieon both.”

Taeo’s irritation boiled over. He couldn’t understand why everyone kept testing his patience today. Choi Hyunjin, Kang Seokho, Baek Sieon — nobody seemed to go his way.

Without hesitation, Taeo stepped aside past Kang Seokho, who moved aside without blocking. Was the room tucked away in this remote corner? After a long walk, he finally reached Baek Sieon’s room.

“Si-Sir...! How did you come here yourself...!”

“If you’d called, I would’ve come...”

“I’m really sorry for before...”

Before Taeo even opened the door, he could clearly predict Baek Sieon’s reply. Enough time had passed since earlier events for him to have reflected. Still, Taeo shouldn’t forgive too quickly. These days were unusually hard, and he wanted to hear the secretary’s nagging to relieve stress. He could slowly ask what he meant by ‘stop’ later.

Thinking so, Taeo opened the door and entered.

“...Secretary Baek...?”

But the scene inside was not what he expected.