10 rules of a Secretary chapter 103

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“This bastard really wants to get something for nothing.”

Simple threats were easy to ignore.

The crazed look in his unfocused eyes from before lingered in my mind a bit, but… I walked slowly and texted the lunatic.

[Nope.]

Just two characters. I almost added more but decided against it, blocking his number instead.

Surely, he wouldn’t actually show up with a knife or anything. People who talk big rarely act.

That evening, I had to take our two energetic puppies, Dduki and Ddolboki, for a walk in the park with Doha for over two hours.

As usual, they were full of energy, and I found myself getting dragged along.

Doha would pull the leash now and then, giving me a brief break, but only for a moment.

Eventually, I reached my physical limit and collapsed onto a park bench, begging for a rest. Doha bought me a sweet vanilla ice cream, smiling like a child.

How could he smile when I was dying here?

But, you know, you can’t be mad at a smiling face. So, another day with Doha came to an end.

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I’d gotten used to the morning commute with Doha.

It hadn’t been long, but it already felt normal. Humans are definitely creatures of habit.

The car pulled smoothly into the parking lot.

I hurried out and held the elevator, waiting for him to come.

After parking in his assigned spot, Doha stepped out with a familiar grace.

Lately, he had been driving himself instead of using a chauffeur, but I had no idea why.

His long legs emerged, and his tailored trousers swayed slightly.

He looked flawless in his three-piece suit: the perfectly sized lapels, the shoulder line draping over his broad shoulders, the vest accentuating his physique, and the well-fitted pants.

Even the dim parking lights seemed like spotlights meant just for him.

I found myself staring dumbly at him, wondering if I had always been this susceptible to good looks.

It used to be fine, but recently, I kept catching myself flinching whenever I saw his face.

“If you keep looking at me like that, I won’t be able to hold back.”

A quick peck.

His lips brushed against mine, and his tongue lightly grazed my lower lip.

Panicking, I checked if anyone had seen us, scrambling onto the elevator as soon as it arrived.

“Please restrain yourself at work,” I said through gritted teeth.

Doha looked down at me and smiled gently.

His smile always created an atmosphere like a perfectly painted still life.

How can a person look like that?

“If I hadn’t restrained myself, we’d have already met in court.”

“….”

I bit my tongue and moved around in the confined space, avoiding the hand trying to touch my waist.

“Sir, can I ask something? Out of the twenty-two ex-lovers, not one has seen you act like this. Why do you keep treating me differently? Are you on something?”

Who would’ve thought I’d end up worrying that my boss might be taking medication to boost his libido.

I grabbed Doha’s hand as it reached for my waist and lowered it, stopping his touch.

Despite his hand dropping compliantly, his expression remained grave.

He looked at me intently for a moment before speaking.

“Do you even look at yourself in the mirror?”

“Yes, I check it daily. Eyes, nose, mouth, all in place. What could possibly be different?”

“How could you possibly… Oh, never mind. I think I get it now.”

Doha sighed, shoving both hands into his pockets and pouting.

Standing beside him, I waited quietly for his next words until the elevator reached our destination, but none came.

Seriously, though—why was he so worked up?

I reviewed the day’s schedule, revisited the major meetings, and finalized important appointments. Assistant Manager Lee would handle the minor ones, and I’d cover the rest.

Normally, I took on everything, but perhaps because of my long absence last month and the week-long vacation, our duties had been reassigned.

It was a relief to have some of my workload reduced.

Though I still had to double-check all documents, having fewer off-site commitments gave me more breathing room.

“Secretary Seonyul!.”

A soft voice called out to me, and when I turned my head, Mr. Kang was waving from the pantry.

Curious, I approached, and he whispered conspiratorially.

“Are you and the boss commuting together these days?”

How was I supposed to answer that?

It wasn’t exactly a secret, but it wasn’t something to broadcast either.

Mr. Kang, sensing my hesitation, asked more cautiously.

“It’s just… you two have been coming in and leaving together a lot lately.”

“…I thought your shift started at 8 a.m., Ms. Yeon-gyo?”

“Yeah, but I’ve had to come in early because of some work stuff. Did I ask something inappropriate?”

“No, it’s fine. My old place got torn down. The landlord sold the building, so I’m staying with the boss for a while.”

Kang’s face lit up as if he’d heard the best news ever, clapping his hands lightly.

“It’s finally happening, huh? Oh wow, things are finally settling down. Or maybe it’s more accurate to say the flowers are about to bloom!”

“…Why do you say that?”

I waited for Mr. Kang’s explanation, but my phone started buzzing uncontrollably.

Seeing the caller ID, ‘Number 22,’ I let out a heavy sigh.

“I need to take this call, just a moment.”

Apologizing, I answered.

—Yuuul, dear!

“Yes, what is it?”

—I feel like having something delicious today. And some drinks. And meat.

“Just tell me the place, and I’ll make the reservation.”

—Then I’d love to go to Achasan Hanwoo in Cheongdam.

Achasan Hanwoo.

Of all places, they had to pick that ridiculously expensive Korean beef restaurant.

Clearly, they were planning to clean out my wallet.

The place was so well-known that the joke went, “You’ll cry at the bill,” with Achasan meaning “Oh no, that’s pricey!” Doha had been there several times for personal outings, though I had never tagged along, only seething privately.

The jerk, enjoying all that delicious food on his own.

“…So that’s your final decision?”

—Of course! Why shouldn’t it be? Oh, by the way, Yul, did you check that document I gave you ages ago? You really, really should look at it.

What was so important about that document anyway?

Besides, they hadn’t even given it to me—it was for Doha, so why were they pestering me about it?

“I’m sorry, but wasn’t that meant for the boss?”

—Exactly. If you or Doha saw it, you’d be hounding me, right? But both of you have been so silent. It’s such juicy info, and no one’s even called. Way to kill the vibe.

“The boss will get back to you if he’s reviewed it. I’ll see you later today. Let me know the time, and I’ll make the reservation.”

Fine, I’d pay it back like a grateful magpie.

Running away from my debt would be a scoundrel’s move.

Ha Eunjoo had helped me twice, after all.

I sighed unknowingly as I ended the call.

“Who was that, making you sigh like that?”

“Someone I owe quite a bit to. Today’s the day I finally try Achasan Hanwoo.”

“That’s the super expensive place, right? Like, a plate of Hanwoo there costs a fortune!”

“Want to go someday? If we get a hefty bonus… Actually, no, maybe if our company dinner budget goes up, we can. Yeongyo wants meat, so I’ll do my best.”

Tapping Mr. Kang’s shoulder with a light laugh, he lit up like a puppy, reminding me of Dduki and Ddolboki, our office mascots.

As I instinctively patted his head, I quickly pulled back, realizing my mistake.

“Ah, sorry about that. I didn’t mean to…”

Mr. Kang nervously scratched the back of his neck, glancing around, then said it was okay.

His embarrassed reaction made me laugh as I reassured him.

“I’ll make it up to you. I’ll work hard so we can have Hanwoo. Anyway, what was that about the flowers blooming?”

Mr. Kang blinked at me, holding up his mug before rushing off, muttering something about needing to buy a tumbler to save the environment.

I was left standing there, bemused, before returning to my tasks.

Fortunately, the rest of the day went by smoothly.

No crazy meetings, and everything wrapped up on schedule.

By 5 p.m. sharp, the workday was over, and I was painfully reminded that the watch on my wrist could pay a couple of months’ rent.

But since Doha insisted on me wearing it, saying it doubled as my ID and a loaner, I couldn’t refuse.

And he seemed inexplicably happy whenever I wore it.

“All done for the day, boss.”

“Anything else left? I’m free now.”

“Nope.”

Lying came as second nature now, and guilt didn’t even sting.

My conscience had been worn down to a smooth, rounded thing.

“Head home first, sir. I just need to tidy up a few things.”

“I’ll wait. It won’t take that long, will it?”

“I can’t keep my boss waiting. Please go ahead. I’ll be right behind you.”

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