chapter 12

Se-hyeon believed that there was a delicate boundary between a boss and a secretary. As a secretary, he inevitably had glimpses into his boss's personal life, and there was a certain level of involvement that differed from the typical relationships encountered in the workplace. He thought that it was the role of a secretary to repeatedly blur and redraw that line. Keeping his own emotions in check and not crossing that boundary was of utmost importance, and he had managed to maintain that line so far.

Se-hyeon let his hand drop for a moment before swiftly swinging it forcefully towards Byeon-tae's head.

[TL Note: "Byeon-tae" should be translated as 변태냥이 (Byeon-tae-nyang-i), which means "Perverted Cat". Same as when Se-hyeon calls him Taenyang i.e. cat, but now he is calling his boss Perv Cat lmao]

"Oof."

Tae-oh instinctively dodged the swinging hand aimed at his head. As Se-hyeon's hand ended up swinging in the air, he calmly maintained his posture as if nothing had happened. Tae-oh laughed, as if he knew it wouldn't connect and found it amusing.

"I'll escort you to the main office."

"Is that so?"

Tae-oh nodded and got into the car on his own accord. ... Once again, he took the passenger seat.

Sehyeon thought 'I wish he would go to the back seat this time.'

"Oh, by the way, Secretary Ahn."

Tae-oh rolled down the window and tilted his head slightly.

"What I just said wasn't addressed to Secretary Ahn. It was directed at a man named Ahn Sehyeon. So, make sure to clearly distinguish between work and personal matters."

"But... I am Secretary Ahn, right?"

Can I really ask a man who speaks like that to sit in the back seat ,Now?

***

After entering the main office, Tae-oh headed straight for the elevator without hesitation. There was no one to stop him, and Se-hyeon quietly stood beside him, pressing the button for the top floor before the elevator doors closed.

"I will wait."

"I'll be having coffee in the office you don't have to bring it on."

"Understood."

Although Se-hyeon contemplated waiting nearby since he didn't know when Tae-oh would come out, outwardly he behaved as if following the CEO's instructions.

Just before the elevator doors closed, Tae-oh squinted one eye. It could have been a wink, but since the other eye was obscured by the door, it couldn't be seen.

As the elevator doors closed and Se-hyeon realized he was separated from Tae-oh, the tension in his rigid back was released. From the moment he met Tae-oh today, he couldn't relax for even a single moment.

"Work and personal matters."

Though it seemed like Tae-oh, himself couldn't distinguish between work and personal matters more than anyone else, if you delved into his words, he was someone who skillfully used that line to his

advantage.

Recalling the seen se-hyeon thought about tae-oh's confession at that time

"I think I might have feelings for Mr. Ahn Se-hyeon. What do you think? No, I'm not sure either, but it feels like I'm falling for Secretary Ahn..."

When I try to refuse, he treats me as if it's never happened before.

As Se-hyeon watched Tae-oh board the elevator and ascend, he muttered to himself.

"You're such a troublesome kitty."

***

Tae-oh entered the chairman's office without slowing down his pace. He rushed towards a middle-aged woman standing up from her seat and pulled him into an embrace.

Jeong Mi-jeong, nestled in Tae-oh's arms, lightly tapped his shoulder.

"Now it's difficult for me to receive your embrace, now that you've grown so big."

"Well, with a big size comes big cuteness, right?"

Tae-oh held her tightly and playfully rubbed his face against hers, causing Jeong Mi-jeong to laugh as if she couldn't resist.

"How far is it from here?"

"Should I come here often, then?"

"No."

Tae-oh straightened his posture, showing a hint of disappointment.

"I didn't mean for you to come often, just a greeting. Please, have a seat."

Jeong Mi-jeong gently pushed her son's shoulder, guiding him to sit on the sofa. Tae-oh reluctantly stepped back and took a seat, as if he had no choice.

"My mother is different from others."

"Because she's different from others, she was able to give birth to you. Do you know how proud I am of you?"

Jeong Mi-jeong approached the coffee machine placed on one side. She pressed the buttons to make coffee and brought it over along with some snacks. Placing them in front of her son, Jeong Mi-jeong lifted her own coffee cup.

"Thank you for giving birth."

"Yeah, you really need to be filial. It was challenging to carry and give birth to you, seeing you grow up so well."

"How long are you going to keep doing that?"

"Until you get married."

Tae-oh paused for a moment, about to take a sip of his coffee, as he heard Jeong Mi-jeong's casual remark.

"Wait, you're not seriously suggesting that I should get married, are you? That's so oldfashioned."

"I guess I still dislike being called old-fashioned. Ah, nya."

With Tae-oh putting down his coffee cup, it seemed his expectations were not met.

"Then why did you call me here?"

"I wanted to observe and maybe interfere a bit in your dating life since your marriage is your own choice."

"Aren't dating and marriage similar?"

"I haven't finished my point yet. Don't jump to conclusions and listen to me."

Jeong Mi-jeong lowered her head and said

"There was someone who saw you at the hotel."

"Just went there once, and it's already exposed. Is my presence that noticeable?"

"It's because they had an interest in you, that's why they noticed."

"Who is it?"

"The person who wants to date and marry you. Jinmyeong Group's second daughter."

Jeong Mi-jeong revealed it as if it was no big deal.

"Who is it?"

Tae-oh lifted his coffee cup once again.

"Is my head not working because of the caffeine... I mean, I don't know who it could be."

"Even without caffeine, you wouldn't know. Have you been interested in anyone?"

"But it's strange. If someone saw me at the hotel, shouldn't their interest diminish? I went with someone who seemed nice at the time. If they had heard our conversation up close, they would have known we were not a good match. I mean who wanna marry a person who goes sleeping around the hotel."

"I don't know. I've never seen you with anyone, so maybe it's fortunate."

"Now, about that statement..."

Before Tae-oh could ask how he should interpret it, Jeong Mi-jeong swiftly changed the subject.

"Anyway, that daughter likes you."

"Then, if I were to date that second daughter, would that make you happy, Mother?"

"Now I see, you're old-fashioned. Assuming that talking about someone means wishing you well with that person is a prejudice. Jinmyeong Group is contacting me. They want to meet and explore potential business opportunities beyond a marriage proposal."

Jeong Mi-jeong turned her gaze away, her phone ringing loudly.

"I'm not really into that. If it's love and you want to marry, that's one thing, but a strategic marriage? I don't like the idea because if problems arise later, it'll be a headache, but I don't have a valid reason to refuse."

Jeong Mi-jeong motioned for Tae-oh to look at her phone.

"So, what I'm saying is, date someone."

As Tae-oh stared at the name of Jinmyeong Group on the screen, Jeong Mi-jeong followed up with a statement.

"Right now."

With the phone pressed against her ear, she greeted with a businesslike laugh.

"Long time no see, Chairman Jin. Yes, of course. I hope you've been well. Oh, speaking of which, I just had a conversation with Tae-oh, and it seems he's really in a relationship."

When Jeong Mi-jeong gestured for Tae-oh to leave, he stood up without saying a word. So, this was the purpose of his presence.

As calmly as he entered, Tae-oh left the room and couldn't take his eyes off Se-hyeon standing outside. Whatever he was thinking just a moment ago, nothing seemed to come to mind now.

No, something did come to mind.

"I'm on my way after meeting Mother."

Tae-oh briefly glanced at Se-hyeon's neck.

"My mother told me to date."

The aroma of coffee emanating from him was shaking people's hearts like pheromones.

"Right now."

It's clear that despite having had a lot of conversations with his mother, this is the only thing that comes to Tae-oh's mind at the moment.

Se-hyeon's gaze becomes more serious. It's not that he's startled by my words, but rather, he seems to be examining the situation. Yes, it's hard to follow his calmness.

"I understand. I will contact Yoo Jin-ha."

Right, Yoo Jin-ha. Jin-ha was mentioned. But Tae-oh immediately thought of Se-hyeon himself.

"But before that..."

Tae-oh grabbed Se-hyeon's hand, which was holding the phone as if enclosing it within his own palm and stopping him

"We agreed to explore places where we can go on a date with Jin-ha. Let's go and check it out."

And with that, he pulled Se-hyeon's hand, not letting go.

"Come to think of it, there was a decent barbecue restaurant nearby... The chairs might be a bit uncomfortable, but the slightly charred meat there is unbeatable. How about that place?"

It may not be considered a informal first date, but at least they can be together. As Tae-oh starts asking about the place, se-hyeon's hand slips away from the grip. Tae-oh repeatedly clenches and opens

his hand, feeling the emptiness, and Se-hyeon to speaks up.

"I need to go to the office now, but should we meet again during lunchtime? I'll prepare separate clothes to avoid any lingering smells."se-hyeon replied

"Oh, I see. It's still morning,I was too hasty." Tae-oh mutters dejectedly, turning away.

The first date proposal was rejected.

Disappointed, Tae-oh walks ahead, unable to hide his regret but he softens his expression at the sound of Se-hyeon's footsteps following closely. He wonders why he feels a sense of satisfaction when

Se-hyeon follows him wherever he goes.

"That café where we had coffee earlier was quite nice. Would you like to stop by for a

moment?" Se-hyeon suggested as if he noticed his behaviour form earlier.

A smile forms on Tae-oh's lips as he walks ahead.

'This is not bad at all at least."