Free Web NovelLee Hajin, who had been chattering nonstop while holding onto Kwon Youngjae, suddenly asked a question.
“Busy tomorrow?”
“Why?”
“If you have time, let’s have lunch together.”
Kwon sighed shortly and turned his head away at a slight angle.
“Secretary Kim, do we have a lunch appointment scheduled for tomorrow?”
“...No.”
He quietly stared at the round back of Heewon’s head, then glanced to the side.
“I’ll be there by noon tomorrow.”
“Oh, good.”
“But if you have something to say, hold it until tomorrow. For now, just keep quiet.”
Whether due to the warning or not, Lee Hajin quieted down, but the smile still lingered on his face. Kwon’s cold tone might offend an ordinary person, but Hajin seemed to take it as a sign of goodwill and didn’t mind at all.
After dropping Hajin off at Pyeongchang-dong, the car headed toward Kwon Youngjae’s home in Hannam-dong. It was already well past eleven at night. Heewon adjusted his posture with the driver and accompanied Executive Director Kwon.
“Secretary Kim, you’re staying a bit longer.”
The driver subtly said goodbye and left first. Left alone with Kwon, Heewon nervously clenched his hands tightly. Usually, in such situations, the secretary would spend the night with Kwon.
Kwon stood watching the alley entrance for a moment. Only after the driver disappeared from sight did he turn back to Heewon.
“The chairman just confessed at a press conference.”
Heewon’s eyes widened a little at the unexpected news. He had heard the confession would be announced soon, but he hadn’t expected it to be today.
Quickly pulling out his phone, he opened the social news category. A disgusting face appeared on the main screen. The photo showed Chairman Takano in a wheelchair, sobbing on stage. It seemed universal that those guilty among the privileged would start by using a wheelchair in public.
“He’s also being investigated by the prosecution.”
“Even with a confession, he’ll probably get at least ten years. That’s their problem. For now, the name Novagen will be in the media, so arrange a strategic planning team meeting tomorrow morning to prepare a response.”
“Ah... yes. Understood.”
“That’s all for now.”
Kwon turned away first, as if that was the end of business. Heewon remained rooted in place, feeling somewhat dazed.
He began to feel ashamed of having hoped alone.
Before stepping through the gate, Kwon glanced back at Heewon. A faint smile appeared on his indifferent face.
“Hold on. I’m disappointed too.”
“......”
“I know your body was wrecked because of Notting. People who mess with someone like that are trash.”
“Executive Director.”
“Take care of yourself for a while. See you tomorrow.”
His long legs strode over the gate, and the iron door slammed shut.
Heewon stood motionless, watching Kwon climb the stairs. His heart felt stiff and heavy; he had to pound it with his fist. No matter how many times he vowed not to do this, it was useless.
At the appointed time, Heewon arrived at Kwon’s family home. Today, he would join the meal. Last time, he had only stopped by for tea, and this time they promised to properly host him.
Upon arrival, a guest was already waiting. Lee Hajin was chatting amiably between Mrs. Im and Professor Kwon, almost like a member of the family.
“Why are you so late?”
Lee Hajin complained to Kwon, though the time he entered the front door was exactly midnight.
Ignoring the gazes, Kwon casually rolled up his shirt sleeve and checked his watch, his usual indifferent manner.
“We only have about an hour.”
“Oh, busy huh. Then let’s eat quickly. Secretary Kim, come on over.”
Heewon politely greeted Professor Kwon and then Mrs. Im. His gaze naturally drifted to where Lee Hajin was. When their eyes met, Hajin softly bowed with a gentle glance.
Five adults gathered around the wide dining table, making it quite cozy. Since Lee Hajin was the officially invited guest, it was natural he took center stage. Heewon wisely took the most secluded seat.
“Secretary Kim, make yourself comfortable.”
Mrs. Im hadn’t forgotten to include Heewon. At some point, the way she addressed him had changed back from “our Heewon” to “Secretary Kim.”
But Mrs. Im’s attention was fully on Lee Hajin. She constantly asked questions and smiled warmly whenever Hajin ate. Having watched him since childhood, she treated him like her own child.
The focus on others was actually good for Heewon. With Kwon sitting beside him, he had a shield while eating.
The food was all delicious, but Heewon’s appetite was poor, and the seat uncomfortable. He ate slowly, chewing carefully to avoid indigestion.
“By the way, Secretary, I heard you manifested recently?”
Lee Hajin suddenly asked. It was unwanted attention, but Heewon said nothing and quietly swallowed his plain rice.
“Yes. I manifested earlier this year.”
“That must have been tough. Amazing you endured it. Please tell me your secret.”
“There’s no real secret...”
“I still sometimes lose my mind. It would’ve been easier if I manifested young, but changing in adulthood makes adaptation difficult.”
Hearing this, Mrs. Im frowned sympathetically.
“I didn’t know.”
“My mom keeps pressuring me to meet prospects... sigh, looks like I’m going to have to marry an Alpha.”
“Marriage is a big family matter, so it’s natural parents worry. Youngjae is at marrying age too... sending him off has been my lifelong wish.”
“Wow, auntie, you still haven’t given up on that dream? You still want Youngjae to marry?”
“Isn’t it natural?”
Mrs. Im snapped back sharply, then stared intently at Lee Hajin, fixated on something.
“Hajin, what about Youngjae?”
“I’m good with it. But I don’t think he is. He’s a lifelong bachelor.”
Lee Hajin smiled and glanced at Kwon. No matter what she said, Kwon didn’t even listen. Or rather, he heard but showed no interest.
“Anyway, it’s an arranged marriage, just for show. Is love really necessary? You were like siblings growing up. Marriage changes nothing. Just live like siblings in harmony. These days, many couples don’t even mix blood.”
Mrs. Im spoke freely, forgetting the meal setting. Professor Kwon subtly signaled her, but it was useless. frёewebηovel.cѳm
Lee Hajin smiled gently and looked at Kwon across the table.
“Hyung, what do you think? Will you really marry me?”
Kwon slowly put down his chopsticks. The gaze fixed below resurfaced.
“Why talk nonsense while eating?”
His tone, completely devoid of humor, made it hard to tell if he truly disliked the subject or was simply drawing a line. But it was clear he wasn’t interested.
“Geez, because of auntie I’m getting unnecessary criticism! Don’t set me up anymore!”
Thankfully, Hajin’s whining quickly restored the mood. Laughter and lighthearted talk returned to the table. Heewon remained silent, only eating.
Rumors broke about Kwon Youngjae’s romantic relationship. Photos had surfaced of him leaving the meal with Lee Hajin.
The funny part was that Heewon was also in the photos, though his face was blurred out as if deemed irrelevant.
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The article had a somewhat old-fashioned title. Since Kwon’s popularity had risen lately, even a common meeting became newsworthy. The earlier dating rumors with Sun Woojin were also dragged back into the spotlight.
Heewon returned to the office and discussed the matter with Kwon. There wasn’t much to discuss. It was clearly fake news, so they decided to request a correction.
“I’ll proceed as you instructed.”
He bowed and was about to leave when Kwon called softly.
“Secretary Kim.”
Heewon froze mid-step.
Turning around, he saw Kwon standing relaxed, arms crossed, with a faint smile.
“I’m quite curious why you’ve been keeping your pheromones tightly locked lately.”
“......”
“Still worried about misunderstandings?”
The printed news photo lay on the desk. Heewon stared blankly at his blurred face.
Misunderstandings? Of course, he had been trapped by such worries once. But in reality, he was just a secretary.
The public had little interest in his relationship with Kwon. It would seem laughable even to care. Even Kwon felt that way.
“No, I’m not worried.”
Heewon answered calmly but couldn’t meet Kwon’s gaze for some reason.
“I keep it locked to avoid getting careless. It’s a way to keep myself focused.”
“......”
“Anything else you want to say?”
Maintaining his professional attitude to the end, Heewon quietly looked up at Kwon. Though expressionless, there was something displeasing mixed into Kwon’s face.
Before Kwon could reply, Heewon nodded and left the office.
Returning to his seat, he placed his fingers on the keyboard. Preparing the official statement was the priority. Clearing his mind, he focused solely on the Word document on the screen.
After roughly finishing the draft, he emailed the file to Kwon and took a moment to breathe. While holding his throbbing forehead behind the monitor, his phone vibrated loudly.
“......”
It was an unknown number, but since such calls were frequent, Heewon answered without suspicion.
“Yes, this is Kim Heewon.”
—Secretary, this is Lee Hajin.
