The Country Life Diary of a Gangster's Secretary - c91

 

“Why don’t you have a drink too, CEO?”

 

One of the executives of Taesung Corporation tried to pour alcohol into Ihyeok’s glass.

 

“I won’t be drinking today.”

 

Ihyeok waved his hand and slightly pushed the glass back. At that, the people around him, including Seongjin, all looked at him with surprised rabbit eyes. They knew that Ihyeok wasn’t one to enjoy drinking alcohol, but it was rare for him not to have a single drink at such an important gathering.

 

“I’ve been cutting down on alcohol these days.”

 

At his words, Seongjin twisted his face as if he had heard something he shouldn’t have.

 

“Wow, even someone as healthy as our CEO is managing his health.”

 

Choi Sung-chan, one of Taesung’s key executives, laughed pleasantly and sensibly poured water into Ihyeok’s glass.

 

“I’m getting old, so I should take care of myself a bit.”

 

With that one remark, Sung-chan went on to lighten the mood by saying that no one manages their health as thoroughly as the CEO, and that it’s a remark that puts all Korean men to shame.

 

In fact, these days, Ihyeok was not only refraining from alcohol but also from cigarettes. The reason was nothing special. It was for Hyeseong. He didn’t want to do things that the kid disliked as much as possible. As for alcohol, he wasn’t the type to drink excessively even on a regular basis, so that was one thing, but cigarettes were a bit different.

 

He had quit for a while, but he started smoking again when he suspected that Hyeseong might have a partner. However, now the misunderstanding about Hyeseong’s non-existent lover had been cleared up, and above all, he suddenly thought that if he smelled like cigarettes, Hyeseong wouldn’t let him stay close.

 

“By the way, CEO, how is the new secretary?”

 

Choi Sung-chan asked about Yoo Tae-seo.

 

“He’s good. He works well, has a good sense, and I heard the HR department put a lot of effort into hiring him, which seems to be true.”

 

“Still, since it’s a position to assist the CEO, it would have been nice if we had brought in someone carefully selected from our side.”

 

When Ihyeok said he would fill the vacant secretarial team leader position after Hyeseong left, the executives tried to recommend good talent by utilizing their respective connections.

 

Among them, Choi Sung-chan said he would scout and bring in a suitable person from his side, but it fell through when Ihyeok refused. It was also the reason why he had issued an official recruitment notice and hired Secretary Yoo through interviews.

 

“Interviews are enough to filter out people. He’s doing a great job.”

 

“That’s a relief then. We were really worried when Secretary Cheon suddenly quit his job.”

 

Naturally, the conversation began to flow about Hyeseong.

 

“By the way, what is Secretary Cheon doing?”

 

One of the executives asked. Currently, only Seongjin and Ihyeok knew that Hyeseong was enjoying a rural life.

 

“Who knows? I don’t know. I thought he might have been scouted by a competitor, so I had it investigated, but it doesn’t seem to be the case.”

 

“Anyway, this is why young people lack persistence. Suddenly quitting such a stable job.”

 

It was clearly evident how Cheon Hyeseong was perceived by them through this conversation. They also knew that Hyeseong had been with Taesung since its early days, so they seemed to view his sudden resignation negatively.

 

“Let’s not talk about someone who’s not here.”

 

Seongjin tried to change the subject, glancing at Ihyeok, but it was insufficient.

 

“We praised the young guy for being smart and capable, but he doesn’t know how much we’ve taken care of him. Tsk tsk.”

 

People are naturally more in sync when gossiping about someone than when praising them. Except for Seongjin, Ihyeok, and Director Choi, the others were busy criticizing Hyeseong, even spitting.

 

Bang.

 

Then, Ihyeok, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, slammed the water glass down hard. Instantly, silence flowed inside. Seongjin sighed deeply and shook his head.

 

“Did Secretary Cheon cause any harm to you when he resigned?”

 

The corners of Ihyeok’s lips curved up smoothly. The executives who had been talking freely finally began to exchange glances.

 

“As far as I know, he didn’t neglect his work until he submitted his resignation and left the company, and he even made an excellent handover document before leaving. And Director Kim.”

 

“…Yes?”

 

“Did you investigate Secretary Cheon’s background?”

 

Director Kim gulped. Just a moment ago, he was the one who said he had looked into whether Hyeseong had been scouted and moved to another company.

 

“Ah, no… It wasn’t really an investigation, but… I was just worried that something might happen that would harm Taesung…”

 

“Secretary Cheon has never done anything that harmed Taesung. And that will continue to be the case in the future.”

 

Ihyeok tightly gripped the water glass. He knew very well what Hyeseong had given up for Taesung, what choices he had made, and how much effort he had put in by his side.

 

So, he wasn’t someone who should be carelessly talked about by those people who were anxious to fill their own stomachs. No one in Taesung had the right to judge and criticize Cheon Hyeseong so recklessly.

 

“So, what I’m saying is…”

 

Everyone’s gaze turned to Ihyeok. Ihyeok’s eyes were shining brightly. A silence of a different dimension from before heavily pressed down on the room. Even though the door was fully closed, it felt as if a chilly air was brushing past the back of their necks.

 

And everyone vaguely felt it. The energy swirling in Kwon Ihyeok’s eyes resembled a murderous emotion. So, they couldn’t say a word. They thought they might really die if they spoke carelessly here. It was a kind of survival instinct.

 

“Don’t carelessly talk about Cheon Hyeseong.”

 

Seongjin, who had been watching Ihyeok from the side, let out a short sigh. It seemed that this dinner was completely ruined. The way Ihyeok was putting force into his eyes to somehow suppress his anger was exactly like that.

 

The Ihyeok he had seen was always like that. He would usually live with a carefree and bored expression as if he had no interest in anything, but occasionally, he would fiercely raise his eyes like a beast that had spotted its prey.

 

Even during his gang days, when he was devouring the enemies in front of him on a bloody battlefield, he was like that, and after becoming the head of a company, he was like that when he was determined to win a business or contract.

 

And one more thing. He showed such a reaction to matters related to Hyeseong as well. Seongjin still remembered. When he had asked one of his former subordinates, Baek-do, to take responsibility for the incident where Hyeseong almost got seriously injured and beat him to a pulp.

 

When Seongjin rushed to the office after receiving a call that something big had happened to Hyeseong, he saw it. Ihyeok had transformed into a murderous demon, moving his hands as if he was going to kill his own subordinate. Even Seongjin thought for the first time that day that the guy was scary.

 

“Now, now, so what did I say? Why are we talking about someone who’s not here?”

 

So, what he could do now was to quickly wrap up this situation before that bastard really caused trouble. Seongjin diligently filled the glasses of the people sitting around him.

 

“Let’s all have a toast.”

 

It was when everyone was awkwardly raising their hands at Seongjin’s words. Ihyeok slowly stood up from his seat.

 

“Since it seems like everyone will be uncomfortable if I stay here, I’ll take my leave. Please continue to enjoy the dinner.”

 

Leaving behind Seongjin’s chatter trying to turn the heavy atmosphere around, Ihyeok headed outside.

 

* * *

 

Before completely leaving the restaurant, Ihyeok received a shopping bag that he had asked the staff to pack in advance. It was sushi for Hyeseong.

 

Although it was a bit past dinner time, he thought he would put it in the refrigerator and tell him to eat it tomorrow.

 

Ihyeok got into the car nervously and carefully placed the shopping bag on the passenger seat. For a moment, he craved a cigarette because of those guys who had been criticizing Hyeseong, but Ihyeok managed to hold back. When he turned on his phone, there was still no reply from Hyeseong.

 

Ihyeok called without hesitation. The long ringing tone was cut off, and Hyeseong answered the phone.

 

“Hyeseong.”

 

“…Yes. Ahjussi.”

 

The voice he wanted to hear slowly came through the phone. With Hyeseong’s quiet words, it felt as if all the unpleasant feelings he had experienced inside had disappeared.

 

“I sent you a text, but there was no reply.”

 

“I was a bit… busy. Doing this and that.”

 

“Yeah? What are you doing now?”

 

“…Haa.”

 

Hyeseong’s short sigh came through.

 

“Hyeseong?”

 

“Ah, well… I’m just lying down now. I’m a bit tired from working a lot today.”

 

“Really? Did you have dinner? I’m bringing packed sushi, so I’ll just give it to you and leave.”

 

“Ah, no!”

 

Hyeseong raised his voice, which was unlike him. Come to think of it, his voice was also different from usual. It was a bit subdued and sounded strained.

 

“I’m tired, so I’m going to sleep early.”

 

“Okay, I understand.”

 

How much did he overwork himself to be like that? Ihyeok wanted to ask, but he didn’t want to hold back the kid who said he was tired. He was about to tell him to lock the door properly and sleep, but Hyeseong abruptly hung up first.

 

“He must be very tired.”

 

Ihyeok started the car, swallowing his disappointment. Even while driving on the road, only Hyeseong’s face kept coming to his mind. It was a thirst that couldn’t be quenched with a phone call that lasted about a minute. Once he realized his feelings, a huge emotion was flowing and even pouring out.

 

Ihyeok, who arrived home, got out of the car with the shopping bag that couldn’t be delivered to its owner. When he turned his head, Hyeseong’s house was completely dark. It seemed he had really fallen asleep already.

 

“Should I just leave it?”

 

Ihyeok muttered softly, looking at the shopping bag with the logo of the high-end Japanese restaurant. Well, since he bought it, he might as well put it in the refrigerator. And while he’s at it, he could take a peek at the sleeping Hyeseong. Ihyeok headed towards Hyeseong’s house with light steps.

 

Last time, Hyeseong had told him the passcode to his house, so there was no great difficulty in entering. When Ihyeok entered through the front door and carefully took off his shoes, looking around the dark house…

 

Suddenly, all his senses began to open up sharply. Ihyeok, who had entered the house, froze on the spot.

 

“…”

 

Something was strange. The shopping bag fell from Ihyeok’s hand with a thud. What was spread throughout the entire house right now was none other than the soft, soapy scent of an omega’s pheromones.