* * *
As Jo Yeonjae absentmindedly stared, he briefly thought, ‘I never knew Seonyul had such a body.’
Then, CEO Han’s gaze met his through the slight gap between Seonyul’s shoulder and head.
Those hazel eyes, which had been focused on Seonyul’s lips a moment ago, now slowly shifted to Jo Yeonjae’s direction.
The movement was so sluggish it seemed almost deliberate, making Jo question if it was real.
It felt like standing before a predator, as if Han was tightening an invisible noose around his neck.
Jo Yeonjae held his breath in panic.
Just then, Seonyul spoke.
“CEO.”
Han Doha’s attention returned to Seonyul, and Jo felt the tension in his body slowly release.
Silently, he repeated a mental prayer of thanks to Seonyul as he began to inch away from the door.
“After three years, shouldn’t you be taking care of your own lips by now? And my clothes are soaked, but you didn’t even give me time to change.”
“You’re here for that, aren’t you? Shouldn’t I keep doting on you?”
“I’d prefer cash. Also, you completely ignored the second part. I was being serious.”
Recalling the cold, predatory gaze of the CEO from earlier, Jo Yeonjae instinctively turned away, his face heating up.
Han Doha’s large hand slid up Seonyul’s waist, lightly covering the drenched fabric of his shirt.
With one swift glance at Jo Yeonjae, the CEO said without blinking an eye,
“I am. I’m doing my best to include it in your pay.”
“Well, you’ll need to try harder. Since things are like this, how about pulling an all-nighter tonight? Oh wait, you’re already doing that.”
“Are you proposing to me? You’ll be marrying overtime next.”
Seonyul paused for a moment, his fingers halting.
“Marrying overtime? That almost sounds like you’re talking about dating.”
“Are you saying I can’t?”
“Your 22 lovers claim you don’t… seem to be up to it.”
“Have you ever seen it yourself?”
“….”
“They probably said that because I’ve never ‘tried’ standing it up.”
‘Is this conversation normal?’ Even married couples of eight years don’t sound this natural, thought Jo Yeonjae, blinking slowly at the exchange.
“I believe I mentioned once that I’ll devour everything.”
“Leaving just skin and bones? Guess I’ll have a gravestone ready. Thanks for that, CEO.”
“You seem pretty confident in a peaceful ending. If that happens, there won’t even be bones left, Seonyul.”
“Well, at least leave my name. It’s only two characters long.”
“Too long. Cutting out the middle would fit perfectly. ‘Yul-ah’.”
Though the words sounded sweet, like they were coated in sugar, the CEO’s eyes were practically screaming at Jo Yeonjae to get out.
Jo Yeonjae saw the CEO’s large hand covering his waist, Secretary Seonyul’s exasperated scoff, and the slightly flushed ears, before quietly retreating.
His heart pounded. Sprinting as if fleeing, he bolted to the secretary’s office and stood in front of a table piled with documents, covering his face with both hands.
‘Are those two really just CEO and his secretary?’
Even if Secretary Seonyul was a given, the way the CEO looked at him resembled a bored predator claiming ownership.
At the same time, he seemed poised to drive out any intruders who dared encroach on his territory…
“…Ah.”
As that thought dawned on Jo Yeonjae, he finally understood why he had been suddenly reassigned to the TF team.
It was because of that one time he got a drink from Secretary Seonyul and that recent company dinner.
Those were the problems.
His lips moved unconsciously as he muttered to himself.
“Should I say something?”
Mumbling under his breath, Jo Yeonjae clamped his mouth shut.
All this happened over a Coco Palm drink, and now he’d been kicked out of the secretary’s office.
Who knew what disaster would strike next?
“Ah, this is insane…”
It was then that he realized the old rumor surrounding Daewon Group was true.
The rumor was about the second son of Daewon Group, who had beaten a secretary to a pulp just for touching him.
Hardly anyone remembered it now, and seeing the man today, it seemed like an unbelievable rumor, too.
“…CEO, how am I supposed to interpret this situation?”
“First, the watch is wet. Second, your clothes are wet too.”
“Isn’t that the wrong order?”
As I mentioned that my clothes were wet from the tea and that my lips felt chapped, the CEO carefully applied lip balm to them.
His hand lingered on my wrist for a long time, as if reluctant to let go.
Then, without warning, he swiftly unfastened the watch strap and dunked it into a glass of water.
‘Oops, I messed up again.’
While I fumbled for a response to this obviously intentional act, the CEO casually picked me up and tossed me into the makeshift bedroom, throwing my clothes and watch after me, telling me to change.
It all happened in an instant.
Stunned, I stood there looking at the neatly pressed suit and the pristine watch he had thrown at me.
My eyes narrowed.
No wonder the watch looked familiar—it was the same one the CEO had.
A Patek Philippe, Calatrava, white gold.
I pushed open the door and approached him with the watch, respectfully holding it out with both hands.
He was sitting on the sofa, legs crossed, idly tapping his foot.
“Please explain the watch.”
“I broke it, so I should replace it.”
“That was just a 30,000 won watch from the market. It was only for telling time; there was no need to spend a fortune. If you’re compensating me, I’ll just take the 30,000 won.”
Suppressing the rising irritation, I replied calmly.
The CEO lightly exhaled before speaking again.
“How long are you going to keep wearing that cheap thing by my side? Did I pay you too little for you to be trembling over a mere 30,000 won, Seonyul?”
He was right.
Every word hit the mark. I stared down at the burdensome watch.
Though the CEO was correct, that didn’t justify me accepting this. It was far too extravagant.
“So, are you saying I should exchange 30,000 won for 40 million won now? CEO, that’s inappropriate.”
“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not giving it to you. I’m just lending it, so you’ll wear it.”
“But even so, this is too expensive.”
“I’m giving it to you to wear. If you don’t, I’ll deduct it from your salary.”
My eyes widened.
Isn’t this something a gangster would do?
I felt a sense of injustice, realizing my boss was wielding power more ruthlessly than any thug.
He looked away from me and turned another page in the document he was reading, adding:
“If you break it, I’ll deduct it from your salary too.”
“CEO…”
“Think of it as your employee ID.”
“I always wear my employee ID around my neck.”
“Exactly, so wear this too. Take care of it. Don’t let it break or go missing. It would be sad to see your salary reduced by 40 million won.”
I glared at the watch with distaste, but this wasn’t something I could protest.
A sudden urge to throw it away welled up inside me.
Maybe I should just return it?
But no, that wouldn’t work. If word got out that I returned a Patek Philippe, it would damage the CEO’s reputation.
The suit had no brand tags either, as if I was trapped in a well-sealed prison.
A sigh escaped me.
“There won’t be a second time.”
Deciding that it was best to just let it go, I returned to the room.
I changed into the suit and reluctantly strapped the nauseatingly expensive watch onto my wrist.
I had a small apartment’s rent hanging from my wrist.
If only I could just pay off half a year’s interest with this, but alas, that wasn’t an option.
Adjusting my clothes, I walked out with my wet shirt garters in hand.
“Thank you for the clothes. They fit well.”
“Is there anything about you I don’t know?”
I half-listened to him as I clutched my wet clothes and glanced at the CEO, who was sitting on the sofa reviewing documents.
I cautiously asked:
“How are things with your partner lately?”
“Why do you ask?”
He responded as if I had no right to ask. After a moment of hesitation, I replied slowly.
“I thought it would be better for you to focus on that rather than spending your time on me like this. I’m your executive secretary… managing your lovers is part of my job. Besides, it feels like you’re giving me something that should’ve gone to them… Please don’t do that again. It makes both me and them feel…”
“Shut your mouth.”
The CEO cut me off mid-sentence, running his fingers irritably through his hair.
“I already spend plenty of time with them. I can barely get through the day. Keeping someone that attractive next to me and staying abstinent is something only a eunuch could do.”
“….”
“I’m no eunuch. I’ve got both the mind and the body for it. I’m not stupid enough to stay quiet around someone that beautiful. Sometimes I wonder what they’re thinking. Their little schemes seem cute to me.”
“….”
“Their waistline is beautiful. Even when half their face is hidden, their jawline, lips, even their fingers—all of them are so pretty, I wonder if I should just devour them. If I carry them around in my mouth, maybe I won’t be distracted.”
He had elegantly wrapped up a threat to devour someone whole.
I debated whether I should stop him from becoming a murderer or let it slide since I was the intended victim.
“How long do you plan on keeping it hidden? I’m curious.”
With that, the CEO handed me a document.
As I reached out to take it, I was suddenly pulled forward, stumbling against him.
His hand wrapped around my waist, and the papers slipped from my grasp.
I barely caught myself, one hand on his shoulder, the other on the sofa behind him.
I felt his warm hand brush the nape of my neck.
He slid his fingers upward, making my skin crawl as I held my breath.
I wanted to pull away, but his hand lightly held the back of my neck, preventing me from moving.
* * *
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Oh myyyy
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