Secretary Gwanggong's Survival Diary-Chapter 29

“Move. I’m starting to get irritated.”

I couldn’t even think of brushing Yoon Taeo off me. The arm and hand wrapped tightly around my waist held me securely, and the excessive closeness was just plain overwhelming. But Yoon Taeo’s voice still didn’t sound particularly displeased.

“Um... CEO....”

I heard the Betas who had been picking a fight walk away, and I cautiously opened my mouth.

“CEO? I thought you were calling me Yoon Taeo just a moment ago. So you go around calling your boss by name like he’s some bastard dog when I’m not listening, huh?”

Ah. He heard all of it. At this point, even if Yoon Taeo snapped my waist in two and ripped my body apart, it would probably be legal. You’re not even allowed to curse the president of the country, so...

“That, uh... I was trying to take care of things in advance... There really wasn’t any other intent....”

It felt awkward talking into his chest, so I tried to pull away from him—he let go more easily than I expected. Only then did the position we’d just been in really start to bother me. On top of that, I’d even mentioned a damn pillow lawsuit like we were in some sort of relationship. So I hurriedly ran my mouth, trying to explain.

“Who said anything? That’s normal, isn’t it.”

But Yoon Taeo acted like absolutely nothing had happened. He snatched the champagne glass out of my hand, set it down on the table, and rested his forearm around mine to escort me toward the auction hall. It was the same pose he’d used when we entered, but somehow... it felt different this time. More uncomfortable, maybe.

“Well... I guess so.”

So I had to pretend to be as calm as possible while hiding the pounding of my heart, which I couldn’t even tell if it came from shame or anxiety.

“But Secretary Kim.”

“Baek....”

“Right, Secretary Baek. There was something I asked you to do. I wonder if you got that done.”

Maybe it was because it was Yoon Taeo. Even at this party, where everyone brought their spouses or at least someone they had some romantic feeling for, every time we took a step, eyes followed us. Some of them were curious. Some were full of pity.

“...What did you ask me to do again?”

Maybe that’s why my brain just wasn’t working properly. What had Yoon Taeo told me to do? Usually, I took care of everything he asked as soon as possible, so it was hard to believe I’d missed something. Besides...

“And I didn’t come here today as Secretary Baek, but as Baek Sieon, you know...?”

“Oh, so you’re saying you’re not going to do any work?”

“Well... You were the one who said that, CEO.”

“True, I did. That’s fair.”

Just before we entered the auction hall, Yoon Taeo came to a stop. Then he let go of my hand, grabbed my shoulders, and turned me to face him. I started to get nervous, wondering if this bastard was pissed at me again over some dumb quip. Even though he said he brought me today not as his secretary but as his partner, I started regretting whether I’d gone and needlessly challenged his authority.

“Wh-What is it...?”

Still, I thought, no way would he hit me here with this many people around...

“Sieon-ah.”

...Yoon Taeo called me something strange.

“Didn’t I tell you? To think carefully about what might be your first.”

My brain short-circuited. I heard everything he said—but none of it made sense. Did that crazy bastard just call himself hyung, and me Sieon...?

“C-CEO, m-mis—!”

“I’m not CEO right now. Didn’t you say you’re not a secretary today? Then I’m not a CEO either.”

This bastard must’ve finally lost it. The shit coming out of his mouth was so absurd I couldn’t even make real words come out of mine. I couldn’t believe this crap was coming from Yoon Taeo of all people.

“...Hyung, the auction’s starting...?”

I couldn’t think of a proper response, so I just threw out nonsense and quickly walked into the auction hall. Of course, just because the words that came out of my mouth sounded calm didn’t mean I actually felt that way. It felt like I’d just played a losing hand of bravado, and I kept worrying some hand from behind would suddenly come out and smash my skull in.

“You never fail to disappoint.”

Even as we took our seats, that playful tone hadn’t left Yoon Taeo’s voice. Of course, he was probably the only one who thought this situation was funny. That bastard doesn’t forget a single word I say—he’s the type to wait and take revenge later.

“Sieon, huh... Baek Sieon.”

Even after sitting next to me, he kept muttering my name under his breath. Like he couldn’t decide whether to strangle Baek Sieon or wear him down to death. I want to change my name. That name coming from Yoon Taeo’s mouth sounds like a death sentence. Whether he says it wrong or says it right, it’s all bad. I wish he’d just stop saying my name altogether.

“Think carefully about what I said earlier. If you pretend you don’t get it, I think I’ll be very upset, so don’t play dumb.”

Honestly, for a moment there, I wondered what kind of bullshit he was spouting again. But maybe because there was a pause, I managed ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) to remember what he was referring to.

“...Riiight....”

That thing he said the day I collapsed with a fever—about “the first.” I assumed it was just a joke and never really gave it any serious thought. Now that I’m trying to recall what happened that day, I can’t remember clearly. I wasn’t feeling well either, so my memory of it is spotty at best.

“Looks like it’s starting.”

And so... Yoon Taeo alone enjoyed the beginning of what he called an interesting auction. Meanwhile, I felt like my head was about to explode.

❖ ❖ ❖

“Louis Ocleang’s wedding ring—sold!”

A ring that looked completely unimpressive just went for a jaw-dropping price.

“Wow... Someone actually paid that much for that...?”

“Having fun?”

“No... Fun? Come on.”

I’d been watching the auction pretty intently, but snapped back to reality at Yoon Taeo’s question. At first, I was too overwhelmed to pay much attention, but as I kept watching, it turned out to be kind of entertaining. I didn’t know what kind of value these items held for the people here, but rare objects kept being brought out one after another.

“For someone saying that, you sure look like you’re watching a movie at home.”

“...Me?”

Now what kind of bullshit nitpicking is this?

“Look closely. Is anyone here eating?”

“Oh...”

On either side of the couple’s seating, there were tables with some simple finger foods. But they were more like props—no one had touched them. Except for our table, which was empty. Naturally, all the missing items were inside my stomach. The food looked good and tasted just as good, so I couldn’t help myself.

“...I didn’t have dinner... Drinking on an empty stomach makes you nauseous, you know...?”

“Then eat more.”

Yoon Taeo picked up a plate from the table across from us and set it on my lap. Probably just wanted to see how far I’d go stuffing my face, huh...? Maybe it was my imagination, but his eyes seemed filled with amusement as he looked at me. Why does he have to look at people like that? Was he always capable of making that kind of expression? I pretended not to notice his gaze.

While chewing on a freshly refilled biscuit and watching the auction, I finally asked something I’d been wondering.

“Why haven’t you bid on anything even once...?”

Yoon Taeo hadn’t raised his hand a single time. It was as if he wasn’t even participating in the auction. He just gave perfunctory replies to whatever I said.

“Dunno. Nothing interesting today, I guess.”

Well, actually—I do know what item Yoon Taeo came here to buy today. The drama Madman wasn’t even that popular, but it always managed to get dragged into scandals, and among them, there was one especially infamous incident that got them roasted alive.

“And now, our next item could be considered the star of the night!”

It’s one of those inevitable PR stunts modern dramas can’t avoid, but Madman took the brunt of the backlash. And honestly... it was probably deserved. It was over the line.

“This item right here.”

The auctioneer on stage theatrically whipped the cloth away with a flourish. And there it was—an item I knew all too well, spinning slowly under a spotlight inside a glass case.

“A perfectly preserved bottle of Cleopatra’s perfume!”

Ah, finally. It’s here. I mean, come on—realistically, if that thing’s over two thousand years old, the scent should’ve evaporated completely or it should reek like rot. It stinks of scam from a mile away.

“This was the scent that supposedly bewitched Antony—it’s so legendary it hardly needs an explanation! Today, we reveal this mythical item for the first time. With musk as the base note, it’s wearable by Alphas, Omegas, and Betas alike. Let’s begin the bidding at 1 billion won.”

None of this is historically accurate. Just a fabricated tale, using the romance of real historical figures to hawk some overpriced luxury brand’s premium perfume.

That cursed thing was hands down the worst PPL product in the entire drama. Madman initially refused any product placements on principle, but after flopping in the ratings and losing ad sponsors left and right, they had no choice but to cram in whatever they could get. And Yoon Taeo...

“Three billion.”

“...Excuse me?”

From the get-go, he shouted a number several times the minimum bid. Well... it’s not like I didn’t see it coming. In real life, outside of the drama, Yoon Taeo was actually a model for that exact luxury brand’s perfume. And in the show, after a back-and-forth bidding war, he ends up winning it. Naturally, he gifted it to Han Yejun.

“Three-point-five billion.”

The one challenging him in the auction was the heir to Huyeong Construction. His Beta, the one who locked eyes with me, flashed a meaningful smile. As if to say, See that? This thing’s gonna be mine. ...That smug little shit just poked a sleeping lion.

“Say eight billion, CEO.”

I knew it was trash, but just seeing that cocky face made me not want to sit back and let it happen. I caught Yoon Taeo’s hand just as he was about to bid again and whispered to him. I mean, I did vaguely remember the final price for that perfume.

“...Eight billion.”

Yoon Taeo, though slightly puzzled, went ahead and called out the number I gave him. And just as I expected, that Huyeong heir immediately followed with the minimum raise.

“What’s this asshole’s problem. Should I just call twenty billion and end it?”

Yoon Taeo hated this kind of petty game. The way that guy kept one-upping him with just the bare minimum was clearly starting to piss him off. If I left him like this, he might actually end up buying that garbage for twenty billion.

“Why don’t we just let them have it? I mean, seriously, who wants to actually use a 2,000-year-old perfume...?”

“What? Didn’t you want it? Then what the hell was the point of bidding so hard?”

Yoon Taeo’s brow arched with suspicion. Which was fair, I guess. I was the one who got caught up in the bidding frenzy only to suddenly back out.

“I just... didn’t like the look of those guys and wanted to drive the price up a bit. What would I even do with that thing.”

Even if money was pouring out my ears, I wouldn’t waste it on something that useless. Same goes for Yoon Taeo’s money.

“You should’ve just said that from the start, then. I’m actually pretty good at that kind of play.”

Yoon Taeo’s voice softened with a trace of amusement. But I didn’t have time to dwell on his words. He suddenly threw an arm around my shoulders and pulled me toward him. We stayed like that for a moment.

“Thirteen billion.”

He made the bid while staring directly at the Huyeong Construction heir sitting across the room. I couldn’t see Taeo’s expression, but judging by how that guy’s face flushed bright red, completely ignoring the physical distance, he probably got hit with one of Taeo’s signature smug-ass looks.

“Eighteen billion!”

Yeah, that confirms it. The guy’s voice cracked with frustration as he blurted a full five billion over Taeo’s bid.

“See that?”

I couldn’t even answer. With one small move, Yoon Taeo had completely rattled the other guy and jacked up the bid. It was a textbook manipulation of human emotion. Impressive, honestly. But there’s one thing he didn’t seem to consider—how I felt about being the one touched.

“You gotta push it at least this far.”

Yoon Taeo spoke with smug satisfaction, but unlike him, I wasn’t enjoying this one bit. His hand was only on my shoulder, but it felt like he was squeezing my damn heart. Every breath I took felt tight and forced.