Secretary Gwanggong's Survival Diary-Chapter 12

"Sorry for calling everyone together so early in the morning."

Once again, I had gathered the secretary team for an emergency meeting.

This time, it was my idea.

After tossing and turning all night, I had come up with a plan to save our skins.

Not all of us would survive — that much was clear — but at least half...

I had to save at least half.

"What’s going on, Team Leader...?"

"Yesterday, the VIP made contact with a new Beta."

It was like a death sentence had been announced.

Every single secretary’s face turned ashen on the spot.

"Let’s not deny it — a lot of past incidents happened because we responded too slowly.

This time, we need to manage it perfectly right from the start."

"How... exactly?"

"I’ll personally mark the Beta.

Meanwhile, the rest of you will start by running a full background check.

From the moment he was born to now — where he lived, who he knows, what he eats, what he wears, what he buys.

Everything.

We need to know it all."

"But Secretary Baek... isn’t that a bit much?

Honestly, he’ll probably just get bored again soon, right?"

Why the hell was he even here?

Security Team 3 Leader, Kang Seokho, was slouched at the end of the table, tossing out that sharp question with an annoyingly casual air.

And for a moment, the room silently leaned toward agreeing with him.

"I’m currently covering the work for both Secretary Teams 1 and 2.

As far as I know, Team Leader Kang, you and Security Teams 1 and 3 are also splitting the duties after Security Team 2 collapsed.

Are you really okay with even more workload on top of that?"

I had prepared this line in advance.

Sure, I knew the real reason — accidents involving Yoon Taeo's Betas always escalated into disasters — but if I told them that, they'd just think I was insane.

And in any company, nobody welcomes having extra work dumped on them.

"We can’t afford to suffer avoidable losses.

That’s why I’m volunteering to personally monitor the Beta."

...Maybe that sounded too noble?

In truth, taking charge of a Beta was the last thing anyone wanted.

You never knew when they’d bolt, or when they’d start bawling and stressing everyone out.

And when that happened, whoever was assigned had to take the full brunt of Yoon Taeo’s vicious temper.

Maybe that’s why the way the team was looking at me now —

there was an uncomfortable amount of respect in their eyes.

"...Anyway, the background check is top priority.

Please focus on that first."

Before I could even officially dismiss the meeting, I got summoned to the CEO’s office.

Since Yoon Taeo was obsessive about appearances — his own and others’ — I paused outside the door to straighten my clothes before going in.

"You called for me, sir."

"Did you find Team Leader 2 yet?"

Yoon Taeo was seated at his desk, hands clasped loosely in front of him.

His posture was rigid, upright, and as irritatingly perfect as always.

No matter how often I saw him, it always struck me —

this guy was disgustingly good-looking.

"Yes, we found him... but it seems he’s tied to the resort project."

"Resort?"

"There are signs that part of the casino bribery money made its way back into his pocket, sir."

I had to cut this cleanly.

I needed to report everything that had happened before I got involved — and make it very clear that none of it was my fault.

"So that’s why he ran."

"He accepted part of the bribes, but when the license kept getting delayed, he must have panicked."

It’s not like I was immune to the fact that people were getting hurt.

But honestly, better them than me.

"Handle him quietly.

No leaks."

"Understood."

"Since the resort came up — form a task force.

The resort needs to open within three months, no exceptions."

The funny thing was, I already knew.

That resort would never open.

It was a distant event in the future, but the outcome was already set.

"Understood."

Because in the end, it would be Yoon Taeo’s idea of love that destroyed it.

"I’ll go out for lunch today."

"I’ll make a reservation."

"Pick somewhere appropriate. Two people."

We had a whole list of restaurants vetted for situations like this — sorted by atmosphere, by the guest, by the menu.

All I had to do was match today’s company with the right setting.

I was just about to leave when his voice stopped me.

"You know who I'm meeting, right?"

"Yes, sir. I know."

"Good work."

Clearly, the new Beta was working wonders on him.

Look at that mood — practically glowing like a lovesick teenager.

Of course, we all knew it would end in tragedy.

It always did.

❖ ❖ ❖

"You’re Han Yejun, right?"

"...Yeah... that’s me."

He wasn’t particularly young-looking.

Maybe around my age.

But he seemed skittish.

When I showed up at his place, he didn’t even fully open the door — just poked his head out warily.

"I’m here on behalf of CEO Yoon Taeo from MK Capital."

"Ah... I told them yesterday, though..."

"Told them what?"

"That... it’s too much for me. I’m uncomfortable."

Once again, Yoon Taeo had picked the wrong person.

A Beta whose life was already hard enough without this bullshit.

The kind of guy who thought dating was a luxury he couldn’t afford.

"Let’s just have a simple meal.

No expectations.

And honestly... if I don't bring you, I'm the one who gets in trouble."

"...Ah..."

He looked like a genuinely decent guy.

Hearing that I would suffer if he refused made anxiety flood his face.

"Take your time getting ready."

Eventually, he gave in.

When he finally came out, though...

I had to stop myself from sighing.

Sure, it was cold, and dressing warmly made sense — but the huge black puffer jacket and the scarf wrapped three times around his neck completely swallowed his slender frame.

"We’ve got a little time before the meal.

Mind helping me out with something?"

"With... what?"

"You’ll see."

I drove us to a nearby department store.

Even if he wasn’t my date — even if he wasn’t interested in Yoon Taeo yet — there was no way I could let him show up looking like that.

If he did, Yoon Taeo’s displeasure would land squarely on me.

"Would you mind trying this on?"

"Me...?"

"Yeah, just once."

Han Yejun was surprisingly easygoing.

Maybe he was just the type who couldn’t say no to a polite request.

After I picked out a few outfits for him, he obediently went into the fitting room and changed.

"You look great.

Consider it a gift — for helping me out today."

And I meant it.

Clothes really do make the man.

A simple switch to a clean turtleneck and a thick cashmere coat made him look completely different.

His expression was still stiff, but at least now he looked good enough to stand next to Yoon Taeo without embarrassing anyone.

"I don’t think... I should be accepting something like this."

"But you helped me out, Yejun.

Let’s just call it even."

I kept my tone light, like it was no big deal — like this was the natural order of things.

"...Um, may I ask your name...?"

"Me? I’m Baek Sieon."

"Thanks, Sieon-hyung. I’ll wear it well."

Maybe this was why Yoon Taeo had fallen for him.

Watching from the side, Han Yejun had a surprisingly cute side to him.

The innocence, the way he blushed while speaking — all of it.

"You must be hungry. Let’s go."

I lightly guided Han Yejun by the back and drove him to the restaurant. freewebnσvel.cѳm

Since eating unfamiliar food could make him uncomfortable, I had reserved a Japanese restaurant with more accessible dishes.

Before we arrived, I had made sure to ask if he could eat raw fish.

"...Sir, you’re here early?"

There was still time until lunch, so I thought Yoon Taeo would still be at the office.

But he was already at the restaurant.

He must have been really eager.

The man who hated waiting was here first.

"Secretary Kim. Come here."

As soon as we entered the private room, Yoon Taeo stood up.

He told Han Yejun to sit and wait, then took the lead walking out.

"Please have some tea. I’ll be right back."

"...Okay."

Maybe because of Yoon Taeo’s sharp tone, Han Yejun’s face stiffened.

I smiled at him as if to say it was okay and followed after Yoon Taeo.

He crossed the hall, exited the restaurant building, and pulled out a cigarette at the entrance.

"Explain."

"...Sir?"

With a click, he lit his cigarette and exhaled a long stream of smoke, saying only that °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° one word.

He kept facing forward, showing only his broad back to me.

I had to think quickly.

Where had things gone wrong?

"...I’m sorry, sir, but I don’t understand what you mean."

"Haaah.

I'm asking why Secretary Kim is here."

"Since I’m now handling Secretary Team 2 as well, and this is secretary work..."

Yoon Taeo, who had been showing me his back, turned around.

"Is Secretary Kim the only secretary in this company?

I told you to make a reservation.

Did I tell you to bring him to the restaurant?"

"...I’m sorry, sir."

...Had something happened?

Yoon Taeo’s mood was unusually bad.

Even though I had set up a meeting with the Beta he had newly taken a liking to, he was acting like this.

Since when did he ever care about who was doing what?

"From now on, only do what you're told.

Let’s go back inside."

"...Yes, sir."

Before I could even finish replying, Yoon Taeo turned and went back into the room.

"What are you doing."

"...Sir?"

"Why aren’t you coming in?"

My hand, which had been about to close the door from the outside, stopped.

What was he saying?

Wasn't I supposed to wait outside until their meal was over?

"I’ll wait outside, sir.

Please call me if you need anything."

"Get in."

At the more irritated voice, I quickly entered the room and closed the door behind me.

"Haaah... Secretary Kim, are you trying to pick a fight with me?"

"...Sir?"

At this point, it felt like I could cry.

I had no idea what he wanted from me.

Were they going to whisper love confessions here, kiss, or go even further?

Still, I had come inside.

I didn’t know what else he expected me to do, so I looked straight into his eyes, pleading for him to explain properly.

"...Ah."

After glaring at me for a long time, he finally rolled his eyes slightly, signaling me to sit down.

I judged that if I added even one more word like "I’m really fine," Yoon Taeo — whose mood was clearly bad — might actually explode.

He hadn't even taken off his jacket; it was obvious.

"Then, excuse me..."

After hesitating about where to sit, I sat next to Yoon Taeo.

"Sir... one moment."

While Yoon Taeo was choosing from the menu, I unfastened his jacket button and helped him take it off.

Each time he slipped his arms out of the sleeves, I shifted the menu with my other hand, not even breaking his focus.

Maybe because I managed him like a little kid, he no longer snapped at me.

"Can you eat sashimi?"

"Yes, sir.

I’m not picky, but if possible, I would love to have golden tilefish..."

"I wasn’t asking you."

"...Sorry, sir."

Embarrassed, I sipped my tea.

Seriously, why was I here with them on their date?

"Did you get home safely yesterday?"

"...Uh? Ah, yes, sir."

"I see."

...This was the difference.

I knew better than anyone that Yoon Taeo wasn’t talkative.

But seeing him like this, even with someone he supposedly liked, was frustrating.

"Yejun, the clothes you're wearing — CEO Yoon gave them to you.

He wanted you to stay warm."

"When did I..."

Under the table, I tapped Yoon Taeo’s shoe with my foot.

Telling him to shut up.