* * *
“The CEO kept giving work instructions even on-site. While you postponed some of his schedule, it was mostly urgent meetings and conferences, wasn’t it? But after about two days in Canada… he resumed handling in-house meetings according to the original plan. He used video calls, processed approvals he needed to review, as usual. And… he’s officially on leave now.”
“…….”
“A real vacation. He announced yesterday he’d take exactly one week off. He handled work without even clocking out until yesterday morning after he returned. Most of it is done, and the remaining paperwork will be handled by the secretary’s office. After today, we’ll all be fine for a while.”
So he’s spending that vacation at JS Hotel.
I smiled lightly, pulling a blood-red credit card from my wallet inside my jacket and handed it to her.
“Today, you didn’t say anything work-related to me, and instead of bringing back gifts from my trip, I’ll treat the staff at the secretary’s office to coffee. No, actually, why don’t you all have a meal together after work? And if possible, please bring along Cho from the TF team. Ah, and feel free to order the most expensive drink for yourself, Sanghye. You like mint chocolate frappuccinos, right? Go for it. With extra whipped cream. And could you drop my luggage off at the secretary’s office? Sorry, I’m in a bit of a rush.”
I closed my eyes for a moment, watching Yoon bow in thanks.
Taking a breath, I got up, my heart pounding anxiously.
I had to ask him—had to find out what on earth he was thinking doing something like this.
I dashed out of Reed Construction and hailed a taxi, my destination all too clear: JS Hotel.
Ha Eunjoo’s hotel was also five-star, but this one wasn’t any less impressive.
Noticing how many five-star hotels were scattered across Seoul, I walked, determined, crossing JS Hotel’s lobby with a battle-ready stride toward the front desk.
The word I’d managed to glean from connections was that Han Doha was staying on the hotel’s top floor.
Though I wanted more details, none of my contacts had direct ties to JS Hotel.
The only person who might was Ha Eunjoo, but I preferred to keep her as my last resort.
“Hello, I’m Seonyul, personal secretary to CEO Han Doha of Reed Construction Engineering. I’m here because I was informed that the CEO is staying at this hotel. May I escort him out?”
I handed my business card, ID, and employee badge to the staff, who told me to wait while they checked.
After repeatedly pressing the intercom button, the staff member put down the receiver, eyeing me doubtfully.
“I apologize, but as per our policy, only registered guests are permitted to access the guest room floors. We also weren’t able to reach the guest by intercom, so they may be out. If you have a personal number, would you like to try contacting them directly?”
“Just a minute—I’ll wait here, or perhaps even accompany you up.”
“I apologize, but per our security policy, unauthorized visitors cannot access guest floors. If you’d like, there is a 24-hour bar down the hall to the left of the lobby. You could wait there, and we’ll inform you if we manage to reach the guest.”
Their policy was unyielding, and no matter how I tried, the answer stayed the same.
It was infuriating.
Han Doha, that bastard, was right upstairs, and I couldn’t reach him.
Looking around, I leaned toward the front desk and asked tentatively, “Then, is CEO Hong Yookyung of JS Hotel currently available?”
“For security reasons, we cannot provide that information. I apologize, sir.”
The employee’s expression practically screamed, “Now, get lost.”
I laughed awkwardly, realizing that if I pushed further, I’d likely end up escorted out by the guards.
Heading to the 24-hour bar, I decided I’d have to turn to the last person I wanted to ask.
Ha Eunjoo.
The worst option seemed unavoidable once again.
Raising a slightly trembling hand, I glanced at the number “22” on my phone and called him.
“Hello, Ha Eunjoo. This is Seonyul.”
—Well, well, Seonyul! What a surprise! To what do I owe the honor? Don’t tell me you finally got curious about that thing I mentioned last time? I’m genuinely touched! So, what’s got you calling?
He sounded thrilled, probably thinking I was calling out of curiosity.
Urging me to get to the point, he seemed to be outside, based on the background noise.
“My apologies, but it’s not about that. I have a favor to ask.”
—You know, Seonyul, my services don’t come cheap. Better think carefully before you ask.
The background noise suddenly faded.
Left in silence, he issued a gentle warning, making it clear he expected compensation.
—Nothing in this world is free, right? We should all live by the give-and-take rule. Even Doha never got anything free, so it wouldn’t be fair if you did, would it? But, don’t worry, I’ll offer a discount. That way, I’ll score some points for the day you decide to be mine.
“Can I get the contact for CEO Hong Yookyung at JS Hotel? Or at least the secretary, whichever is accessible now.”
A small chuckle escaped him.
—You do have someone else to ask, don’t you? Why ask me instead of Doha?
Because he won’t pick up.
I wanted to rant about this hellish situation but held back.
Silence was my response, and, fortunately, he continued speaking.
—Alright. No harm in sharing if you’re curious. I’m not exactly close to them, though, so…
“I’ll keep quiet. Just please, tell me.”
He laughed softly, clearly pleased, and soon a text arrived with names, ages, and numbers.
One was for Hong Yookyung, the other for her secretary.
I thanked him repeatedly and promised to reach out again soon.
Hoping the price he’d ask later wouldn’t be too steep, I dialed Hong Yookyung’s secretary first.
The phone barely rang before it was answered.
“Hello, Reed Construction Engineering…”
—The CEO will be coming down shortly. Where are you?
Though I hadn’t introduced myself, it was clear they were expecting me.
The secretary instructed me to wait at the bar if I was in the hotel, then promptly hung up.
After all the tension, it was anticlimactically simple.
“So you’re Han Doha’s secretary? Nice to meet you, I’m Hong Yookyung.”
The woman greeted me with a bright smile, finding me effortlessly in the bar’s secluded corner.
Behind her stood a burly man who looked every bit the bodyguard.
She waved him away, then took a seat beside me.
“I heard that the CEO checked in here yesterday, so I came to bring him back. May I escort him?”
“Does your CEO really discuss such trivial things like match-making arrangements with his subordinates?”
The fact that she said “also” meant that she, too, was open with her secretary.
Not that matchmaking was a trivial topic; it was a costly transaction of utmost importance, connecting two companies by blood.
Of course, a secretary would need to know.
“I’m his personal secretary. I serve him closely. Here’s my business card…”
“There’s no need. I don’t see why I’d need your card. Besides, I believe the matchmaking talks wrapped up as of yesterday. And as for Han Doha…”
Hong Yookyung’s gaze drifted down toward my hands, which were nervously clasped together.
She rested her arms on the bar, propped her chin on her hand, and flashed a sultry smile, calling over the bartender with practiced ease.
“Sweet, or something stronger?”
“I’m on duty. Sorry, but I’ll have to pass on the drink this time.”
“If you don’t drink, there might not be a next time. You’re not curious about where Han Doha is, are you? Should I go on about the night I spent with him yesterday, right here in public?”
Damn these high-society types.
Resigned, I picked something on the sweet side, thinking it would go down easier than hard liquor.
Without even looking at the bartender, she spoke up.
“Kahlua, Midori, and Baileys—three of each.”
The order was oddly specific, but I waited quietly.
Soon, small glasses appeared, and the bartender placed down some pretty, green cocktails.
Hong Yookyung pushed all three toward me with a gesture to drink.
I hesitantly took one, downing it in one go, and she slyly sidled closer.
Coming near enough to shield me with her body, she urged me to drink the remaining glasses, her tone bordering on a threat.
Reluctantly, I downed the second and third.
Though sweet, the alcohol packed a punch.
Holding an empty glass, I exhaled shakily as she leaned in even closer, making my body tense up.
She gently took the glass from my hand, her knee brushing against mine.
Feeling uncomfortable, I tried to pull back, but she leaned in even further.
* * *
Good
wow
thanks
Sus
What the hell