Born to Be a Secretary

On his way out of the hospital, Heewon’s phone rang. It was Im Jaekyu.
“Hey, long time no talk…”

—Hey, you ungrateful bastard!!
Heewon had to briefly pull the phone away from his ear. Even though it wasn’t on speaker, Im Jaekyu’s loud shout blasted out.
—Isn’t this too much? You’re not even a friend, damn it! What? Omega? An Omega?

“Did you hear the news?”
—Hear the news? I was the last to find out!
Just by hearing his voice, Heewon knew Im Jaekyu was about to have a stroke. Heewon smiled and adjusted the volume. At this rate, his own eardrums might burst.

“Im Jaekyu, you’re really losing your cool. Why’s the Apex insider so slow?”
—…Don’t piss me off. I might just jump straight to Seoul now.
Heewon couldn’t help but laugh aloud. The reason Im Jaekyu was so angry was obvious: he’d learned about Heewon’s Omega manifestation from hearsay, and worst of all, he was the last to know.

Usually, Im Jaekyu knew every rumor, hot topic, and dating news in the company. But since his close friend Kim Heewon’s revelation had slipped past him until now, he couldn’t help but be furious.
It was just bad timing that Heewon resigned during Im Jaekyu’s month-long business trip for labor law training. They hadn’t had a chance to meet, and both were too busy to keep in touch. The last time they spoke was… well, when Heewon told him he’d broken up with the person Im Jaekyu had introduced.
“Sorry, but I had my reasons. I wasn’t trying to hide it from you…”

—Shut up. After this call, I’m deleting your number.
“Are you serious?”
—…That’s how hurt I am.

“Looks like your pride won’t let you talk.”
—Is this all we are? I’m really disappointed.
“I’ll buy you a drink. Chill out.”

He soothed Im Jaekyu’s sulking heart. After chatting with a smile for about five minutes, Im Jaekyu finally replied in a softer tone.
—Clear your schedule the day after tomorrow.
“Yes, I’ll clear my whole day for Team Leader Im Jaekyu.”
—I want to hear everything that happened in detail.

“Will there be any doubt?”
Heewon finished walking and got into his car. He took off his cap and ruffled his flattened hair. He tossed the hospital documents roughly onto the dashboard and continued talking with Im Jaekyu.
The weekday afternoon sun was warm and gentle. Inside, Heewon felt more at ease than worried. Deep down, he truly accepted his life as an Omega.

Meanwhile, Youngjae Kwon attended a business gathering hosted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce.
After a tedious academic event, a luncheon followed. Most attendees were young entrepreneurs in their 30s and 40s, so the atmosphere was livelier than usual, and wine glasses naturally circulated on the tables. As drinks flowed, conversations deepened.
“I heard Executive Director Kwon’s secretary manifested as an Omega?”

“Ah, I heard that too. Is it true? That good-looking guy? Tall and slim?”
“Do you remember his face? I’m a bit fuzzy.”
“He stood out. Good impression, neat appearance…”

Everyone talked only about Kim Heewon. It was strange how the secretary’s personal details became such an amusing topic, with everyone adding pointless comments.
“Still, cutting him off just because he manifested is a bit harsh, isn’t it?”
“Did they fire him? I heard he resigned himself.”

“What’s the truth, Executive Director Kwon?”
Kwon, who had only been sipping water, quietly lifted his gaze. Those who met his sharp eyes stopped questioning and resumed their own conversations.
A heated debate broke out about whether an Omega could serve as a secretary. Most at the round table were Alphas, which made it an even # Nоvеlight # more intriguing topic.

“No way. That’s unrealistic.”
“If they just had self-control, it wouldn’t be a problem. We don’t always get turned on by Omegas’ pheromones, right? As long as they manage their pheromones well, it shouldn’t interfere with work.”
“I’ve seen it. One chairman was famous for only hiring Omegas as secretaries.”

“That was his personal taste. And those weren’t secretaries, but mistresses.”
Opinions diverged. Despite being the topic, Kwon said nothing. He didn’t touch his food and quietly drank water.
“……”

His discomfort didn’t fade easily. Strictly speaking, they were discussing Kim Heewon, not himself. Since that person was already unrelated to him, he could have dismissed the conversation lightly or even added a few words—but he couldn’t even fake a smile. He had mastered controlling his expression; otherwise, he would have stormed out long ago.
As untouched plates were replaced with fresh ones, someone suddenly came up and put an arm around Kwon’s shoulder.
“Hey, Executive Director Kwon, lighten up. You look scary.”

It was Kwon Youngho, who was also attending.
“Oh, Executive Director Kwon Youngho. Glad you’re here.”
“There’s a seat open here. Have a seat.”

“Shall I?”
Kwon Youngho knew people everywhere he went. He quickly claimed the empty seat—right beside Kwon.
He poured wine and lightly clinked his glass against Kwon’s water glass. With a one-sided toast and a satisfied smile, he took a sip and chuckled at Kwon’s stiff face.

“Tough luck, Youngje. The dog you always had by your side is gone, so you’re sulking like this? Must be lonely.”
It was not something to say to a man who maintained a cold face throughout. Moreover, it was a stinging remark. The others pretended not to listen, but Kwon Youngho smiled slyly, awaiting a reaction.
Kwon slowly twisted his upper body and calmly asked,

“Is it fun?”
“Fun? Bro, my heart hurts too much.”
Kwon Youngho exaggeratedly clutched his chest and drooped his mouth, looking like a bad actor playing a part.

“They still haven’t found you a secretary? Want me to hook you up with one?”
“They’re sure below standard, so no need.”
“Well, where else can you find someone like Secretary Kim? That secretary he had before was pretty decent. He stuck with Kwon Youngje for six years. Not an easy job.”

Kwon Youngho spoke lightly to those around him. Though it sounded like praise for the secretary, it was actually a jab at Kwon. People laughed it off as cousinly teasing.
Still not satisfied with the response, Kwon Youngho crossed his legs, propped his chin on his hand, and stared intently at Kwon.
“Not joking, Youngje. I’m serious—did you manifest because of Secretary Kim?”

The meaningful words made everyone perk up their ears. Now only Kwon Youngho and Kwon Youngje spoke at the table. Everyone else silently listened, not wanting to miss a word.
Kwon Youngho slowly shook his crossed legs, smiling broadly.
“They say even Betas can manifest if they get close enough and are influenced by pheromones. When I heard Secretary Kim became an Omega, my head spun. Ah, that explains why Youngje kept clinging to Kim all this time.”

When Kwon Youngho suddenly banged the table in realization, Kwon burst out a small laugh—an annoyed one.
“Such a filthy delusion. That’s a talent.”
“Oh no, that talent’s yours. Turning a Beta into an Omega… You’re truly a dominant Alpha, huh? How much did you fuck to do that? Did you stay late at the office every night just doing that?”

“Bro.”
“Yeah, what?”
Kwon twisted his upper body sharply. His expression, once calm as a still sea before a storm, had turned fierce.

“Shut your mouth and get lost. Even I have limits.”
Finally getting the reaction he wanted, Kwon Youngho laughed loudly until his Adam’s apple bobbed.
Having exposed Kwon’s true self in an official setting, the goal was achieved.

Though nonsense, seeing Kwon this pissed proved Kim Heewon’s absence had shattered his foundation.
“Oh dear, our Executive Director Kwon seems really down. Everyone, please understand.”
Kwon Youngho smirked and got up, brushing off his seat. Before leaving, he grabbed Kwon’s shoulder and whispered in his ear.

“So, how were Secretary Kim’s pheromones? Ah, it’s a shame we couldn’t say goodbye properly.”
“……”
“Maybe I’ll meet him sometime soon. Not really my type, but… you had your fill of Sun Woojin, so I can’t lose either, right? Fair’s fair.”

Kwon Youngho patted Kwon’s broad shoulder as if encouraging him, then ran away like a coward without looking back. Left alone, Kwon clenched his teeth.
He ground down his anger as if chewing it slowly. He couldn’t understand why he was angry at such a ridiculous provocation. More than that, he had no idea where the anger really came from.
If he had kept Kim Heewon, would he still be enduring this humiliation? At least the whispers and rumors wouldn’t trail him like a shadow.

Maybe letting him go was the right choice.
Kwon struggled hard to unravel his tangled emotions. His stiff cheek twitched slightly.