Born to Be a Secretary

The sedan came to a smooth stop.
The towering buildings seemed to touch the sky, and the outdoor sign reading “Apex Pharmaceuticals” gleamed brightly, soaking in the light. This was the headquarters building of a genetic-trait specialized pharmaceutical company boasting a high domestic and global market share.

The driver quickly got out and opened the rear door. Meanwhile, Heewon also stepped out from the passenger seat and stood closely behind Executive Director Kwon as he walked toward the company’s main entrance.
Due to the morning rush hour, the lobby was packed with people. To Heewon’s eyes, the crowd parted in two directions like the Red Sea.
When Executive Director Kwon appeared, people lowered their heads as if guilty. It was a common sight, nothing new. More than a high-ranking executive, he was a member of the owner family, which made it even more so.

Kim Heewon followed Executive Director Kwon like a shadow until they reached the elevator lobby, then stepped forward. Only after pressing the executive elevator button could he stand side by side next to Kwon.
After about seven years as an executive secretary, a special skill develops—the ability to sense the current mood just by hearing the boss’s breathing.
This atmosphere, this breath, this posture… Executive Director Kwon is still in a low mood.

Looks like it’s going to be a warlike day.
At that time, another battlefield was happening on the 22nd floor—Executive Director Kwon’s office.
The digital clock on the wall raced seconds ahead. Secretaries were divided into teams, moving efficiently and in unison.

One had placed today’s morning newspaper, the weekly economic journal, and a weekly industry trends report neatly on the desk. They arranged them as if not tolerating a single speck of disorder.
Another was organizing approval documents Executive Director Kwon had to handle in the morning. Behind them, someone was busy closing windows and drawing blinds. Checking temperature and humidity and turning on the pheromone purifier was ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) not forgotten either.
Once all preparations were finished, the elevator bell rang. The secretaries straightened their posture and lined up. Executive Director Kwon soon appeared.

“Good morning, Executive Director.”
Executive Director Kwon nodded in response.
A cheerful “Good morning” or encouragement was not to be expected. He just walked in with his usual cold expression.

Upon entering his office, Kwon took off his jacket, and Heewon received it silently with both hands. Their silent coordination resembled a couple who had lived together for decades.
Heewon hung the jacket carefully in the closet so it wouldn’t wrinkle. Then he moved quietly around the office, meticulously checking for anything that needed attention.
After finishing the routine, he took one last look around the office. There was nothing to fault. Heewon turned with a somewhat relaxed face. At that moment, he caught sight of Executive Director Kwon sitting down in his chair.

Wow, look at those shoulders.
No wonder he’s a dominant alpha; his shoulders were broad and strong like shields.
His physique was like that of a professional volleyball player. Standing 190 centimeters tall with a slim but muscular body and unusually long limbs. He never found ready-made suits that fit, so he always wore tailored ones.
Because muscles built easily with even a little exercise, Kwon had always been meticulous about managing his physique. Being tall and muscular made him intimidating. That wasn’t a good thing for a businessman.

Managing his appearance was an extension of his work.
Truly a work-obsessed maniac. A meritocrat, a severe workaholic, a top 1% dominant alpha—these were the phrases that described Executive Director Kwon.
But… hasn’t he gained more muscle?

Heewon looked at the slightly tight shirt on Kwon’s back today and thought to himself. Some people spend millions on one-on-one personal training, but a dominant alpha has it so easy. A bitter smile touched his lips.
“Executive Director, I will report today’s schedule.”
“Go ahead.”

Fortunately, since arriving at the office, Kwon’s mood had improved noticeably. Same expression, same voice, but if you spend almost every waking moment together, you naturally learn to tell.
Heewon held a tablet pad and began reporting.
“At 10 a.m., there is a weekly report meeting with the clinical research team. At 11:30 a.m., a video meeting with the American company Inno Medix is scheduled. At 3 p.m., there will be a face-to-face report from Kim Hansong, the QA department team leader. After that, at 4:30 p.m., there is an in-house symposium. Please let me know separately whether you will attend the symposium.”

“I’ll tell you after lunch.”
“Understood.”
Kwon was already immersed in work. As he unfolded the pile of approval documents, Heewon bowed politely and turned away.

As soon as Heewon stepped out the door, heads popped up from behind partitions. The secretaries in the office stood like meerkats, staring intently at Heewon.
“Let’s start the meeting too.”
With a light nod, they eagerly rushed out. Since it was Monday, the secretarial office also needed a weekly meeting. They gathered in the conference room clutching their tablets.

The meeting always proceeded in a comfortable atmosphere. Kim Heewon, who held overall responsibility for the secretarial office, was far from an old-fashioned boss. He was generous as long as the work was done well.
The secretary who had worked the longest with Heewon slyly handed him a cup of coffee and asked,
“Director, did you see the post that went up on Behind?”

“I saw it.”
As expected, the community post was the first topic.
“No one commented, right?”

“Of course not. Who’d be crazy enough?”
“Good. Don’t leave traces; just lurk.”
Heewon blew on his hot coffee and replied nonchalantly. Watching someone else’s trouble is fun, though it’s a tragedy if it’s your own.

“Who could it be? The screenshots have already spread widely. Won’t this end up in the news?”
“Ugh... humiliation, humiliation, complete humiliation.”
“Is this common? Have you experienced this, Director?”

Curious eyes gathered. Heewon narrowed his eyes and looked at the secretaries. Would Executive Director Kwon do such a thing? The secret meaning in his gaze made them silently turn their heads.
“Well… our Executive Director doesn’t even take anyone in the passenger seat.”
“His personal life is so clean it borders on obsessive.”

“Alright, enough, let’s start the meeting.”
Heewon tapped the table to lighten the mood, and the secretaries immediately switched to work mode.
“Let’s start with dividing up the tasks.”

Although an executive secretary, Heewon did not follow every single move of Executive Director Kwon. Because he spent twice as many hours at work as others, he preferred to distribute support tasks to the other secretaries while at the office.
There were four secretaries in total including Heewon. All were top talents. Each had one outstanding skill, and Heewon had gathered them all together. Executive Director Kwon had entrusted full authority over the secretarial office to Heewon. A new hire was expected soon.
“Any objections? If anyone wants changes, speak up now.”

“No objections.”
“Good, let’s work hard today.”
The meeting ended in less than thirty minutes. While everyone returned to their seats, Heewon stayed behind and drank more coffee. A morning coffee was a must for any office worker, especially rare and precious for Heewon.

“Ahem, come here!”
In the middle of the morning’s work, someone arrived making a lame joke. The man, acting like a noble, was Park Changwon, recently hired as head of marketing.
Park appeared with his hands behind his back, eyes wide as he surveyed the luxurious office. Though it was Executive Director Kwon’s office, he hadn’t expected it to be this big and spacious.

“This looks like the chairman’s office or something?”
He had never been to the chairman’s office, but he said it anyway. Proud with his new title, Park started looking around as he pleased.
“Wow… One, two, three, four secretaries? Looks like Executive Director Kwon picked them for their looks. They all look sharp.”

“Executive Director Park, what brings you here?”
No matter how rude he was, he was still a company executive. Heewon stood and greeted him as the representative.
“Oh, just wanted to meet the Executive Director.”

“Did you make an appointment?”
“No.”
Despite it being their first meeting, Park spoke informally as if they were familiar. If you got upset at that, you’re a novice. Heewon put on a professional smile.

“To meet Executive Director Kwon, you need to schedule in advance. Please call next time.”
“Well, it’s nothing important. Just wanted to say hello. Won’t even take five minutes. Don’t take up busy people’s time. Pass on my message.”
“……”

“Why are you just standing there? If you’re a secretary, act quickly.”
“If it’s not urgent, please schedule an appointment next time…”
“I’m busy too. Do you think it’s easy to become an executive?”

Park lightly tapped Heewon’s chest with the back of his hand. It was the kind of behavior you’d expect from someone who usually treats secretaries badly. Despite the low-level act, Heewon said nothing. Only the staff looked uneasy in the silence.
“What are you doing? Hurry and report.”
“……”

“Huh? I’m an executive! Executive director!”
Heewon ignored the nagging Park and checked his watch. There was still about an hour until the weekly report meeting. No doubt Executive Director Kwon was busy processing approval documents.
“Are you deaf? Do you usually treat guests like this? Or am I a joke? I’ve never been ignored by a secretary before.”

“……”
“Oh, you don’t even pretend to listen. Don’t you know I’m way higher ranked than you?”
What to do? Send him away? Or not?

“…Please wait a moment.”
The hesitation was brief. Heewon turned and approached the office door, took a short breath, and knocked. A low “Yes” answered, and he turned the knob.
Secretaries swallowed nervous breaths and rolled their eyes. Their director’s action was so unexpected.

Feeling anxious something big would happen, clueless Park was busy humming and fixing his clothes.
A moment later, Heewon came out of the office, holding the door open and nodding at Park.
“Please come in.”

Clearing his throat, Park strode in. He walked like a triumphant general with his shoulders pulled back.
After letting Park in, Heewon closed the door and returned to his seat. A secretary quickly approached.
“…Will it be okay?”

“What could go wrong?”
“The Executive Director said he’ll meet him.”
“Since it’s urgent.”

Heewon shrugged. Not his problem. He crossed his arms and stared at the wall clock. How long would it take? Three minutes for Park?
Soon after, a loud bang sounded from the office, followed by yelling. The door swung open, and Park bowed deeply as he stepped backward.
“I-I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”

It took exactly three minutes to get kicked out. Heewon genuinely admired his own stats. He stood up to tidy things up.
Entering the office, cold eyes met him. Executive Director Kwon leaned back in his chair and pointed at the door.
“You let him in on purpose?”

“No way.”
“You could have fired him at the secretary level.”
“That would have made more noise. This was the best choice.”

Kwon snorted. He clearly knew Heewon had shown Park his place.
“Kim Secretary is getting craftier.”
Heewon clasped his hands behind his back and swallowed. The tapping of his pen on the desk synchronized with his heartbeat.

No matter how close, Heewon was intimidated by Executive Director Kwon’s cold gaze.
Suddenly, he recalled how he became Kwon’s executive secretary.