Private Secretary - Chapter 19

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Private Secretary Episode 19

Just as I was thinking that living in a house like this would make all my worries disappear, I turned my head to face forward.

Tae-san’s broad back and large frame came into view as he stood in the kitchen with only his coat off and sleeves rolled up.

Come to think of it, when I first met Tae-san, I was surprised by his handsome appearance and physique that exceeded my imagination.

It’s just that spending time together gradually dulled that impression.

But now that I had some leisure time, his back view caught my attention anew.

I was unconsciously admiring him like a model when—

“What did you get from our Chairman?”

“…Excuse me?”

Tae-san, who had put the ramen water on the stove and turned around, approached where Lee Seol was sitting.

“No matter how much I think about it, I can’t understand why you’re being this enthusiastic.”

“…”

“Did he promise to promote you if you help me meet someone and get married?”

“No. What kind of… that’s not it.”

“Then what is it? What promise did you get to be this proactive?”

“As I told you, what’s most important to me is the happiness and joy of the superior I serve, and also…”

“Stop with the nonsense.”

“No, I…”

“Back then, you two were having quite a friendly conversation in front of my office. It’s related to my blind date, isn’t it?”

“Yes. That’s true, but…”

“I won’t scold you, so tell me honestly. What did you get?”

“…I received three million won in gift certificates.”

Lee Seol lowered her head as if ashamed and spoke in a shrinking voice.

Then Tae-san let out a hollow laugh as if dumbfounded.

“You’re working this hard for just three million?”

“…Just three million? It’s three million each time you meet someone, so if you meet twice it’s six million. If you meet three times it’s nine million, and with that money I could even prepare a dowry. It’s a lot of money.”

“You’re good with words even when you’re about to die, aren’t you?”

“But this isn’t just about the money…”

“But a dowry? Do you have someone to marry?”

“Shouldn’t I prepare in advance so I can seize the opportunity when it comes?”

Tae-san looked at Lee Seol and openly sneered.

“Someone who’s never even dated.”

“…What did you just say?”

This time Lee Seol couldn’t stand it and flared up, so Tae-san laughed lightly.

“So if I do get married, how much will he give you? If it’s three million for one blind date, there must be an enormous bonus for marriage.”

“He did show me a check… but there were so many zeros that I couldn’t immediately tell if it was ten million or one hundred million won. It couldn’t be one billion, could it?”

When Lee Seol looked up at him with hopeful eyes, Tae-san flicked her forehead with his twisted index and middle fingers.

Surprisingly, it didn’t feel bad, which was confusing.

“Your dreams are big.”

Tae-san laughed as if absurd and went to put ramen in the boiling water, while Lee Seol rubbed her forehead where his hand had touched.

As the appetizing smell of ramen spread faintly, I suddenly felt very hungry. Lee Seol pressed close to the table, wanting to eat quickly.

“How well-cooked do you like your noodles?”

“I eat everything well. I’ll eat however you serve it, Department Head.”

Should I bring up the third blind date while he’s relaxed like this?

Lee Seol hesitated, then took out the resume file of the blind date candidate from her bag.

“Um, Department Head. What about the third…”

“Wait.”

Just then a phone call came and Tae-san started talking. Lee Seol kept her mouth shut and just waited for the call to end.

Tae-san, who had paused briefly as if it was something serious, gestured toward Lee Seol.

What? Is he telling me to cook and eat the ramen myself before leaving?

Lee Seol was confused about whether she understood correctly.

What’s suddenly happening?

“So where are you now? I’ll come pick you up. I’ll be right there, so wait just a little.”

As soon as Lee Seol heard Tae-san’s words, she immediately sensed who he was talking to.

It had to be Kim Se-na with one hundred percent certainty. If it wasn’t her, there’s no way Kang Tae-san would speak in such an affectionate and intimate tone.

Tae-san hung up the phone and grabbed his coat.

“Eat by yourself and go. You don’t need to do the dishes.”

“…Where are you going now?”

“To Kim Se-na.”

“It’s getting dark soon, why suddenly at this hour? Why?”

“She fought with Ryu Hwa-pyeong. They happened to travel together in his car, so she has no way to get back.”

“If you tell me Kim Se-na’s current location, I’ll call a taxi…”

“Don’t worry about it, just eat your ramen and go.”

Lee Seol, suddenly feeling urgent, blocked his path.

“What are you doing?”

“You can’t go, Department Head. If you do this, you won’t be able to change Kim Se-na’s heart.”

“Move.”

“Wait a moment. Just listen to me once. Why did you go on a blind date today? If you run out just because she calls like this, Kim Se-na will…”

“I never asked for your opinion. Don’t make me say it twice, move.”

As if he had never laughed pleasantly, his face had turned cold again.

Faced with that resolute attitude, Lee Seol had no choice but to hesitate.

That’s why you’ll always be the weaker party in front of Kim Se-na.

The moment that thought crossed her mind, Lee Seol felt emotions welling up inside her without realizing it.

Did Kim Se-na really call Kang Tae-san in the middle of the night just to use him as a driver?

No. She was trying to tame Tae-san right now.

To bend him to her will again as he was gradually breaking away from her.

Even to Lee Seol’s eyes, who didn’t know well what kind of relationship the two had shared in the past, her intention was crystal clear.

But only Kang Tae-san couldn’t see it right now.

So it was frustrating and infuriating.

“Because you obediently go along with her every time like this, Kim Se-na takes you lightly, Department Head.”

In the end, unable to overcome her momentary emotions, she blurted out her true feelings. Lee Seol’s lips trembled.

“What? Say that again.”

Tae-san frowned as if doubting his ears.

I made a mistake. Even knowing I should quickly take back my words, Lee Seol couldn’t stop.

“Can’t you see Kim Se-na’s intention? She’s trying to tame you. She’s calling you out at this hour because she wants to manipulate you according to her will again.”

“The girl is alone in an unfamiliar place she doesn’t know, so should I just leave her there?”

“Since she called you, her phone battery must be working. Then she can find out her current location and call a taxi herself. But why is she looking for you instead?”

“Exactly. Because it’s such a desperate situation. Because that girl needs me enough to look for me, I’m going.”

“If you go now, everything will be ruined. You’ll end up being played by Kim Se-na again. Will you still go?”

“I don’t care.”

The moment Lee Seol saw Tae-san speaking coldly and resolutely with an angry face, her heart ached.

As if she was hurt. Even though she had no reason or right to feel that way.

Lee Seol was confused, not understanding why she was being so emotional.

Whatever Tae-san chose was his freedom, and the consequences would be his responsibility too. Lee Seol just needed to assist him as his secretary.

Yet she couldn’t understand why she felt disappointed that he wouldn’t listen to her, and why she was angry at his resolute attempt to turn away.

It seemed that her wish for him not to go to Kim Se-na wasn’t simply because she was afraid he’d ruin the carefully laid plans.

Though she didn’t want to admit it, she hated seeing him abandon her and rush to Kim Se-na.

It felt like when a friend you’re with suddenly takes a call from their lover and pushes you to the back burner.

‘…’

But apart from these emotions, now was the time to regain composure and fulfill her duties as a secretary.

Because he’s Lee Seol’s boss, not her friend.

Lee Seol took a small deep breath, then tried to persuade him once more, speaking to his back as he brushed past her.

“You know that to gain something bigger, you have to endure for now.”

At her voice, which was more composed and polite than before, Tae-san stopped walking for a moment.

Soon he turned around and stood in front of Lee Seol.

“Fine. Let’s say you’re right that Kim Se-na can handle the situation well enough on her own. But before we talk about strategies and whatnot, she’s also my old friend.”

“….”

“When a friend like that is in trouble, is it right to just stand there calculating in front of her?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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