KBC | Chapter 1.2

As he approached the restroom, he heard the voice of the buzz-cut driver who had walked away with a sly grin.

“Damn, did you come to work horny in the morning?”

“Ugh, no, sob, uh….”

“What do you mean no?”

The new hire, caught by something, let out a shrill scream, eventually releasing a heated moan.

“Ah, ah… feels good….”

Ah yes, you’re enjoying it. Have a great time.

Suhyun shook his head and turned back to the CEO’s car, where the final commotion was still loud. Today was another day filled with endless work and lustful men, just like yesterday.

Suhyun hadn’t always been like this. That is, he hadn’t always been so indifferent to others’ romantic affairs. Looking back, there were plenty of guys clinging to each other in school and the military, but Suhyun had safely escaped that seductive party of lust.

Maybe it was because his decent looks were hidden behind glasses with a prescription so high they needed to be compressed three times, or maybe it was because he wasn’t a soft beauty like Do Eunsu or the unnamed new hire.

If anything, I should be the one doing the catching.

Suhyun looked at his own sturdy, straight fingers and chuckled. He had no intention of switching to that role.

Around the time he was discharged from the military, he had hurriedly gotten a girlfriend, fearing he might get caught up in this everybody-gay world. He didn’t date her for long, as he wasn’t very good to her.

Even after that, he had a couple of light relationships before getting a job, but those ended once he became a working adult. Work was terribly busy. Busy and annoying.

Suhyun’s first job was at a financial company. Though in a different industry, it was similar to Geumpyeong Construction, a company founded by a gangster bigwig. It seemed like every CEO in this country had a grandfather or great-grandfather who was a gang leader.

Suhyun, meticulous by nature and satisfied only when assembling work like a puzzle, was well-suited for a secretary role. His lack of interest in others’ personal affairs and dislike for gossiping also fit well.

It was as if he was born to be a protocol secretary.

At his first job, Suhyun suffered from the absurd task of uncovering the birth secret of a boy the CEO was obsessed with. When it was revealed that the boy and the CEO were half-brothers, and the boy insisted on living with the CEO, they eloped overseas, finally freeing Suhyun.

It was quite a hard course from the start.

After that, he changed jobs three times, but somehow, even when he applied for other office jobs, he ended up as a secretary. He had to endure supporting beast-like CEOs with thick eyebrows, large builds, and stamina, along with their forget-me-not-like lovers.

After his third involuntary resignation (since the CEOs would smash his head if he submitted a resignation letter, he never voluntarily expressed his intention to quit), a proper question sprouted in Suhyun’s mind for the first time.

Why do I have to do this?

At first, he didn’t even have such resentment. He just worked hard because it was his job. If he was told to tail someone, he’d hire a private investigator and pay them to follow the target. If asked to retrieve a USB containing crucial data, he’d find a contact for a fixer from a mysterious handover document and hire an infiltrator. He could get the job done somehow.

However, as mentioned, Suhyun, who wasn’t very interested in others’ personal affairs, felt most uncomfortable when placed in the midst of the most private matters. Like earlier, when he was forced to watch Do Eunsu and Geum Taemu’s affair in a cramped car.

Each time, something stirred in Suhyun’s mind, which had been working calmly like an android. Feelings like bewilderment or discomfort.

To manage that dissatisfaction, Suhyun developed a habit of talking to himself.

Thoughts like, “They’re really going at it, that seat’s smell won’t come out easily, where should I get it cleaned?”

As the self-talk repeated, a sense of self grew within Suhyun. Finding a proper self untouched by the sticky fluids of the world, he realized how absurd it was to have endured such tasks until now.

If he could, he wanted to run away too.

Even if he went to the U.S., he had an annoyingly clear premonition that he’d end up as the secretary to some love-crazed blond, blue-eyed CEO in an office building in New York.

“Uh, Secretary Seo….”

Suhyun snapped back to reality at the pitiful voice, relaxing his expression. He loosened his face, which had been frowning while recalling his miserable work life, but he didn’t smile.

Do Eunsu, sitting awkwardly on the king-size bed in the empty room, watched Suhyun’s expression with a tense look. Eunsu’s body, still not fully dressed, was covered in red marks left by Geum Taemu.

Poor thing.

Suhyun sighed deeply, looking at the bruises on Eunsu’s freshly matured skin. Feeling sorry didn’t mean he could be overly kind. That would be a rookie mistake for a secretary in this world. If Suhyun showed unnecessary kindness, Geum Taemu would find out somehow—either through CCTV or Eunsu’s confession—and would surely torment the poor body twice as much, accusing him of flirting with another man.

“If you need anything, let me know.”

Suhyun offered the care Geum Taemu allowed in a calm tone.

Eunsu, with his swollen red lips, tilted his head like a puppy and spoke.

“I, um… want to go to the convenience store….”

“You can’t go out.”

“Can’t you come with me? And, he said… to eat a lot and gain weight….”

Ah, I heard that too. Specifically, to fatten up the butt and thighs for better… you know.

Suhyun sighed and turned his head.

Eunsu, hesitating, started to sniffle. Well, where could he go without clothes? Not that he had any to wear if they were to go out.

“If you can get dressed, we can go for a bit.”

Recalling the convenience store on the first floor of the officetel, Suhyun replied stiffly.

Eunsu’s face brightened, but he hesitated, looking at the only clothes hanging in the bedroom. Suhyun didn’t rush him.

“Okay.”

Eunsu nodded and got up. Suhyun left the room and waited by the entrance until Eunsu came out.

They’ll think I dressed him like that.

Suhyun frowned at Eunsu, who came out of the living room hesitantly. Eunsu was wearing a frilly nightgown that Geum Taemu had brought. His pale, hairless calves and bare toes wiggled beneath. Embarrassed, he wore Geum Taemu’s jacket over the nightgown, which made it look like he had a doting papa.

“Let’s go.”

Suhyun stepped aside by the entrance, letting Eunsu go first.

Eunsu, in slippers, walked slowly ahead of Suhyun, occasionally stopping to lean against the hallway wall and tremble. Suhyun chose not to speculate on the reason.

“Are you done choosing?”

“Yes….”

Eunsu nodded, his arms full of snacks and juices. Although the fridge in the officetel was packed per Geum Taemu’s orders, there were no snacks. Being young, he probably craved such things.

Suhyun looked down at Eunsu, who poured the snacks onto the counter, with a sympathetic heart.

“This is a buy-one-get-one-free.”

“Oh, sorry. Just a moment.”

Eunsu hurriedly ran to the display. As soon as he brought back one item, the convenience store clerk pointed out another.

“This one too.”

“Sorry, are there any more?”

Suhyun asked on behalf of Eunsu. When six items were pointed out, Eunsu’s face crumpled.

“S-sorry, Secretary Seo….”

“Wait here.”

Like someone trained in protocol, Suhyun memorized the needed items and walked to the snack corner, making sure Eunsu was bagging the already purchased items.

“Where’s the chocolate?”

While searching for the last item, the bell at the convenience store entrance jingled. Suhyun paused, hearing a group of elementary students enter noisily, then closed his ears again.

“Ah, here it is.”

Finding the last chocolate, Suhyun briskly returned to the counter. His face hardened.

“What?”

“Excuse me?”

The sudden informal speech made the store clerk respond curtly. Suhyun’s face turned pale.

“Where’s Do Eunsu?”

“Your brother just asked me to tell you he went to the restroom.”

The clerk, thinking Suhyun had brought out a slightly slow sibling, pointed outside. Ah. The restroom. Of course. Even while thinking that, Suhyun looked outside with a nervous face. He felt uneasy.

“Where’s the restroom?”

“Go out, it’s on the second floor of the building to the right. The password is—”

As soon as the transaction was complete, Suhyun grabbed the bag and dashed outside.

No way. Cold sweat dripped down. That docile “kid” couldn’t have. Suhyun had brought Eunsu out alone, fearing the subordinates might report to Geum Taemu later. No way. You wouldn’t pull such a stunt on me,

“Damn….”

Standing in front of the restroom door, Suhyun let out a hollow laugh. Losing Eunsu and chuckling at his own situation reminded him of his second boss, who did perverted things with a stoic face, but he had no time to dwell on it.

The slightly open restroom was empty. Eunsu had escaped. From the foolish Secretary Seo. From CEO Geum, who devoured him like a beast. And now, it seemed Suhyun would be the one devoured by CEO Geum.

❤︎ • ❤︎ • ❤︎

Rustle. The plastic crinkled in Suhyun’s hand.

During lunchtime, the park in front of the company was crowded with office workers walking to digest their lunch and get some sunlight. Suhyun sat on the outskirts of the park, where it was shaded and less crowded, munching on a chocolate bar.

Though he wasn’t fond of sweets, he had developed a habit of buying one after that incident. It was like savoring the sweet taste of escape.

Recalling that dreadful day with its unexpected twist, a smile spread across Suhyun’s face.

❤︎ • ❤︎ • ❤︎

The convenience store bag full of snacks was tossed onto the passenger seat with a rustle. Snacks and chocolates spilled onto the seat and floor.