10 rules of a Secretary chapter 68

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“Go ahead, ask.”

Even though he repeated the invitation, I still couldn’t find the words. I needed to ask something, anything, to get out of this situation.

I groped behind me, my fingers brushing against the shredder, finally recalling the trivial reason I’d started tidying up this office.

I blinked lightly and met CEO Han’s hazel eyes with a cautious smile.

“When are you going to start working?”

It was a roundabout way of saying we should stop tidying and get to the task at hand. CEO Han’s face twisted slightly in response.

---

“CEO, here are the additional materials you requested. This is an update on the current trends and collaborations within the fashion industry. Recently, we’re seeing collaborations not only with the food industry but also with independent artists and other fashion companies. Oh, and due to environmental concerns, interest in sustainable fashion has been rising.”

“Vegan fashion?”

“Oh, you’re already aware? If you look here…”

I set the documents down and straightened up.

CEO Han glanced at me briefly before looking away.

As I adjusted my grip on the report, I wondered if my pants had dried yet.

I fiddled with the edge of the document as I continued.

“The trend is gradually shifting toward products made from plant-based materials or synthetic fibers rather than animal-based materials like leather, fur, or wool. These are also part of the sustainable fashion movement. And here…”

I pulled up my pants again. I almost let out a sigh but managed to hold it in.

As I continued my explanation smoothly, standing next to CEO Han and reviewing the materials on the tablet, I caught myself gripping my pants once more.

He glanced at me, as if something had just come to mind, and raised his head.

“Clear your schedule for the next three weeks starting next week. Also, look into two plane tickets for this Saturday.”

“That’s so sudden… Understood.”

A sudden headache hit me.

So, it was going to be another late night. I thought I’d at least be able to go home for dinner, but that had clearly been a naive assumption.

“Well, I guess it’s confirmed. Thank you.”

“This way, you can earn your pay. Better than sneaking off to do something else in secret, right? Besides… You’ll be working hard now, so you’ll have no complaints when the rewards come later.”

I paused for a moment.

I couldn’t help but think that, while true, it didn’t need to be said out loud.

Watching CEO Han as he alternated between the tablet and the documents, I nonchalantly asked,

“Thank you for the update. So, is the ticket for the shoot location? Are you taking your… partner? Since they’re the model for the current ad, I’m just confirming.”

“You’re coming with me.”

“…When you say ‘you,’ you don’t mean… me, do you?”

Please say no.

Suddenly, a memory of an old phone call from CEO Han popped into my head, where he had suggested we go on vacation together.

I had thought it was a joke, but was it serious?

No, please say no.

“It’s a vacation. It’s summer vacation season, after all. Though it’s also for an overseas shoot… it’s a bit of both. We’ll use a regular airline, not the private jet.”

Damn it… My last hope shattered instantly.

“…Thank you for letting me know. Can you tell me the destination?”

“Canada. The TF team will send over the reports soon. Review them.”

So casually, he told me to cross the Pacific.

As I calculated the hours of flight ahead, I snapped back to attention at his next words.

“Just pack a day or two’s worth of clothes. We’ll get through security quickly. Don’t waste time. I’ll have everything else arranged there.”

“…”

“Including your things.”

“Thank you.”

Swallowing my sigh, I mentally counted the remaining suppressants I had.

Would it be enough?

I was going to be busy starting tomorrow.

Did he think rescheduling everything was as easy as waving a magic wand?

I quickly grabbed the tablet and reviewed the schedule for the next month.

So many tasks.

My head hurt.

“How’s your stomach?”

His sudden question made me lift my head slightly.

He still seemed to be reviewing the documents, but his pen hadn’t moved an inch.

Was he waiting for a response?

I replied obediently.

“I’m fine.”

Now that I thought about it, the stomach cramps I’d been having lately were surprisingly calm today.

The cycle had been getting shorter, but today was an exception.

Maybe it was because I had rested

well over the weekend. I glanced at CEO Han’s back for a moment before lowering my head again.

“I didn’t drink this weekend. No need to worry about my stomach.”

After a long pause, the CEO finally responded with a simple, “That’ll do,” and resumed his writing.

The pleasant sound of the pen scratching on paper filled the room with every stroke.

I quietly absorbed the sound while dealing with agreements that could be canceled in writing.

As I fidgeted, adjusting my pants, a slight pinch made me frown. This really wasn’t it.

“May I fix my clothes for a moment?”

“What’s there to fix? You look perfectly fine.”

“I think my shirt garter is twisted.”

“…Your shirt garter?”

“Yes, sir. For a clean shirt fit, most men wear shirt garters. There are sock garters too, by the way. I believe you wear them as well.”

“Well, it’s different when I do it, isn’t it?”

I swallowed back the question of why it would be different.

Bowing slightly, I quietly took my pants from the breakroom hanger and hurried out of the CEO’s office to the bathroom.

Once there, I locked the door and took off my pants.

“Ugh… No wonder it hurts.”

The skin on my thigh was slightly pinched between the belt and the clips.

I tidied up my shirt and put the garter belt back on.

After running my hand over the fabric of my pants, I smiled faintly.

The dry fabric made me silently thank the office air conditioning.

Capitalism really was great, I thought, as I dressed myself again.

When I stepped out of the bathroom, the sun was already setting.

I peeked around the corner to find the lights in the secretary’s office turned off.

Even the desk staff had all left.

Carefully cradling my pants, I opened the door to the CEO’s office.

“I thought I told you not to waste time.”

“Well, I’ve spent the whole day wearing your pants, going up and down multiple floors, unintentionally giving a lot of people something to laugh at.”

“You’re pretty bold, even finding it funny.”

The CEO smiled slightly and checked his phone, which had just vibrated.

Then he waved his hand casually.

“Bring me a cup of tea.”

“I’ll fetch it from the secretary’s office. Just a moment.”

“No, the one from earlier this morning.”

“It must be cold by now… The taste would’ve changed too…”

“Don’t waste resources. Just bring it.”

It was such a strange thing to say.

Coming from the man who wastes the most resources, it was almost laughable.

Still, without argument, I retrieved the now completely cold tea from the breakroom.

If he wanted to drink something tasteless, I had no reason to refuse.

Placing the cup on the CEO’s table, I turned to leave when I felt something cold splashing down my back.

As I touched my soaked jacket and shirt, the dampness spread across my palm.

“Oh, my mistake.”

Turning around, I saw the CEO holding the cup, his face as indifferent as ever.

Seeing my expression, he tugged at the corner of his lips awkwardly.

“Your clothes got wet again, huh?”

This damn kid, really.

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In the summer, it was construction season, so most teams had to work overtime, but apparently not today.

The building was eerily silent as most employees had already gone home, except for the 31st floor where the TF team remained as usual.

It looked like going home wasn’t an option today either, thought Jo Yeonjae as he gloomily typed away.

His head lifted at the sound of someone calling him.

It was Deputy Manager Kim, his eyes blinking tiredly.

“Do you have any energy drinks? Doesn’t the secretary’s office keep those stocked?”

“We’re not allowed to touch the supplies from the secretary’s office… I do have some upstairs on the 32nd floor though. Should I go get it?”

“Please. And do you have an access card? If not, take mine. I don’t think you have 32nd-floor access anymore.”

Without hesitation, Deputy Manager Kim handed over his access card.

Jo Yeonjae didn’t bother asking why the deputy had access to the 32nd floor and he didn’t.

Gloomily, he left the office and sighed when he saw the two doors at the end of the hallway.

It suddenly made sense why there were shower rooms and nap rooms on the 31st floor.

A flashback of posts from office worker communities advising against working at companies with nap rooms crossed his mind.

Taking the stairs up to the 32nd floor, Jo Yeonjae scanned the card to enter the eerily quiet hallway.

It was deserted, as expected. He quickened his pace toward the secretary’s office but stopped when he heard voices coming from an open door.

Almost in a trance, he turned toward the sound.

“I’m going to touch your lips now.”

“Okay.”

Sitting at the guest table was CEO Han Doha, and a man, standing with his back to the door, knees slightly bent. The figure was Seonyul.

He was usually fully dressed in a suit, but today, he wore only a white shirt and vest.

Jo Yeonjae’s eyes flicked to the jacket hanging on the nearby sofa, dripping wet.

As Seonyul moved, the damp shirt clung tightly to his back, revealing the taut line of his waist that was normally hidden under his suit jacket.

Jo Yeonjae’s breath hitched at the sight.

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