Born to Be a Secretary

From the moment the name Lim Seoran was heard, the secretary office fell into a silence as if time itself had stopped.

As if by unspoken agreement, everyone rose from their seats. All eyes were fixed solely on Secretary Kim. Amid the tension that tightened his throat, Heewon resolutely continued the call.
— You must be busy.
“Since I was away for a long time, there have been many calls looking for me. It’s fine now. Please speak freely.”

— So you’re back for good? No plans to quit?
Mrs. Lim’s tone was monotone, but the weight behind it was impossible to ignore. She possessed an uncanny talent to crush one’s spirit instantly over the phone.
“…Yes, madam. I intend to work diligently from now on.”

— I just heard from the lawyer that you signed a lifetime contract. That’s why I’m calling, Secretary Kim.
Heewon’s mind went blank, unable to read Mrs. Lim’s intentions. His once nimble tongue froze. Just as he was struggling to even swallow, Mrs. Lim got straight to the point.
— I need to see you once. I hear you became an omega.

“......”
— Since you’re busy, Secretary Kim, no need for you to move. I will come to you.
Heewon tightly closed his eyes and held up two fingers to the secretaries watching him. Defcon level 2. The secretaries understood immediately and began clearing the area with ashen faces.

— Don’t tell Youngjae I’m coming. I’m on my way now and should arrive in ten minutes.
“Yes, understood. Please come safely.”
When the call ended, a belated, helpless breath escaped him. Heewon covered his face with his palm and took a moment to steady his breathing.

Get a grip, Kim Heewon. This was bound to happen sooner or later. Better to get it over with quickly. But damn, it’s going to hurt like hell. Jeez.
After pouring out a flood of complaints silently, he stood up. The office was already bustling with preparations for the VIP guest. It was like a full-scale operation.
Click-clack, click-clack—the sound of high heels struck the floor. Mrs. Lim Seoran entered the office alone, without the bodyguards who usually accompanied her like royal guards.

“Welcome, madam.”
All the secretaries came out and greeted her politely. Lim swept them over with her characteristically domineering gaze. Her voluminous, styled hair radiated an intimidating charisma like a lion’s mane. The fierce eyeliner added to the effect.
“No need for the car. Secretary Kim, come speak with me privately.”
The inevitable had arrived. Heewon, carrying the worried glances of the secretaries on his back, took the lead. The inner reception room had already been prepared to welcome her.

They sat facing each other on the sofa, and a long silence followed. An invisible tension filled the air. Heewon sensed faint alpha pheromones in that atmosphere.
Mrs. Lim was also an alpha.
The parents of Executive Director Kwon—both father and mother—had dominant traits. Heewon’s nerves sharpened at the unfamiliar pheromones, which he had never sensed from Mrs. Lim before. Likewise, she must have sensed omega pheromones from him.

“Do you know how shocked I was when I first heard? Think about it. It’s absurd.”
It was obvious what she doubted. Instead of clumsily explaining himself, Heewon bowed his head politely.
“I fully understand that you were very surprised.”

“You know how much I care for Secretary Kim, right? It’s rare for me to like someone.”
“I’m always grateful.”
Lim raised her eyes sharply. Her white sclera flashed like a knife, making Heewon’s spine shudder. It is customary to meet another’s eyes when talking, but he could not bring himself to look into her white glare, so he fixed his gaze somewhere around her philtrum.

Lim clenched her open hand into a fist. The sound of rings rubbing together was violent.
“Youngjae Kwon has suffered from pheromone neurosis for over ten years now. Do you think he and I haven’t tried anything? We’ve invited top psychiatrists, brought renowned counselors from abroad. But he’s built a fortress around himself. He completely gave up on omega pheromones.”
Heewon knew this story well. Wondering what point she was leading to, he listened carefully.

“I was disappointed when I heard Secretary Kim was quitting, but I thought it was inevitable. But you came back? And you say Youngjae brought you back? And signed a lifetime contract.”
Lawyer Park… what a loose mouth.
Heewon clenched his hands on his lap and silently blamed the absent Mr. Park. He worried just how much Mrs. Lim knew, hiding his anxious feelings.

“The Executive Director is aware that his condition will be a major obstacle for his career. Recently, he has wanted to fix it. Since I manifested as an omega, he wanted to work with me and slowly overcome it together.”
Heewon calmly explained the circumstances of his return.
From Mrs. Lim’s perspective, it must be unbelievable. Her son, who never listened, suddenly made an omega his secretary.

Lim gently rubbed the surface of her rings. Her sharp gaze remained fixed on Heewon’s clear face, not blinking, making her even more terrifying.
“Are you two dating?”
Heewon was taken aback by the sudden question.

“Excuse me? No.”
“They say Secretary Kim has been taking care of Youngjae’s rut periods.”
“All I did was administer injections.”

“You’re sure there’s nothing between you?”
“Madam.”
Heewon’s voice was unusually pleading. Still, Mrs. Lim’s misunderstanding did not easily dissolve. She smiled chillingly, lifting one corner of her mouth unsettlingly.

“Nothing between you, yet Youngjae keeps you by his side?”
“I swear, there’s nothing.”
“Even if not now, it might change someday.”

Mrs. Lim seemed firmly convinced of her assumption. Heewon was so troubled he broke into a cold sweat. Wasn’t this something Executive Director Kwon should clarify, not him?
“What about your parents? Are they both betas?”
“…Why do you ask about my parents?”

“Are both your parents alive? Siblings? Ah, that doesn’t really matter.”
Caught off guard by the sudden interrogation, Heewon was speechless. Mrs. Lim picked up her handbag nearby and pulled out a white envelope. Anyone could tell it was a money envelope.
She placed the envelope on the table and slid it toward him.

“I brought this for Secretary Kim. Let me know if it’s not enough.”
Take this money and stay away from my son.
It was like a scene from a morning drama. Heewon picked up the envelope. Judging by its thickness, he could tell it was a significant amount. Of course, as a chaebol wife, she must have packed it well.

Though curious about the exact sum, now was not the time to satisfy it. Heewon set the envelope down and spoke cautiously.
“Madam, I’ve already signed a dependency contract. It cannot be terminated without cause.”
“Who said anything about terminating? I like Secretary Kim.”

“Huh?”
Lim propped her elbow on her crossed leg and rested her chin on her hand. A generous smile accompanied this.
“Allowance. I give it because you’re pretty. I’m so pleased you changed Youngjae’s mind. Please continue to take good care of Executive Director Kwon. If possible, I hope you two do well enough to get married.”

“Excuse me? Married?”
“Ever since Youngjae declared he wouldn’t marry, our family’s been basically devastated… maybe this is our chance? I’ve never seen him like anyone. Secretary Kim was the only one, but he was a beta. Now you’re an omega? And a dominant one at that? Totally grateful.”
Everything spun before Heewon’s eyes. So… Mrs. Lim had just marked him as a potential daughter-in-law?

Heewon, barely able to collect himself, spoke.
“Madam, I believe there is a serious misunderstanding. Executive Director Kwon and I do not have that kind of relationship.”
“You never know about people’s business.”

Heewon thought it would have been better if she was just a mother-in-law trying to control her son. The more confident Mrs. Lim sounded, the deeper Heewon felt trapped.
“No, I assure you, we can never have a personal relationship.”
He denied it twice and thrice with emphasis. Worried that if he missed the chance, he might never clear up Mrs. Lim’s misconception, his heart grew anxious.

“Have you thought differently? If Executive Director Kwon overcomes his aversion to omega pheromones, he might find an even better partner in the future…”
“Youngjae is my child. I know him best. Marriage? Do you think that’s possible for Youngjae? He’s going to live and die a bachelor.”
Mrs. Lim spoke sharply, brutally critical of her own son.

Then she looked at Heewon warmly.
“I have high expectations for Secretary Kim. You really know how to pick people. Keep getting along well with Executive Director Kwon, and if there’s good news, tell me right away, understood?”
It was becoming terrifying. While Heewon was sweating nervously, Mrs. Lim got up. Saying something like “Let’s see each other often,” she left the reception room abruptly.

“Wow… this is driving me crazy.”
Heewon rubbed his face hard. He still couldn’t believe he had been chosen by Mrs. Lim. Shouldn’t she be opposed? Shouldn’t she be pulling his hair, shouting that some nobody like him had no right to even look at their precious dominant alpha?
Like a stunned man, he chuckled and picked up the lone envelope on the table. Holding it, he headed to the office where Executive Director Kwon was.

“Daughter-in-law?”
Youngjae Kwon ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) asked, as if confirming what he had just heard.