Private Secretary - Chapter 36

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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 36

 

“Yes. I think that would make it easier to predict public reaction too.”

 

“…Right. Thanks for your opinion.”

 

Tae-san, who received the tablet PC back, began writing feedback with the pen, and Lee Seol cautiously observed Tae-san’s expression while feeling slightly nervous.

 

Looking at him now, he seems no different from usual. Would it be okay to bring up the topic?

 

“Do you have something to say?”

 

How did he notice Lee Seol’s state while keeping his eyes fixed only on the tablet? Lee Seol, momentarily startled, reflexively stiffened her body.

 

Tae-san, who finally put down his pen, looked up at Lee Seol and reached out to wrap his hand around her waist, pulling her toward him.

 

“What is it? Tell me. Don’t just keep watching for the right moment.”

 

Lee Seol naturally removed Tae-san’s hand that was wrapped around her waist, hesitated, then opened her mouth.

 

“There’s no official schedule this Saturday at 2 PM, but do you happen to have any personal plans?”

 

“If I had personal plans, I would have written them on my calendar. You’re already sharing and looking at my calendar anyway, so why are you asking? If it’s not there, then there’s nothing.”

 

As a secretary in charge of private matters, Lee Seol had full access to Tae-san’s phone calendar.

 

For official schedules, she could check what Yang Secretary had organized, and for personal schedules, she could check that calendar.

 

“But why?”

 

Tae-san, who got up from his chair, half-sat on the desk and positioned Lee Seol between his legs. It was when he was naturally caressing her shoulders.

 

“Then you’ll need to go on a blind date at 2 PM that day at the Praren Hotel lounge.”

 

Instantly, Tae-san’s hand stopped and his expression hardened.

 

“What?”

 

“This blind date was personally arranged by the Chairman. The other party is the youngest daughter of Chairman Kim Man-jung of Hyeonjoong Chemical, and she apparently came to Korea right after graduating from university in the United States.”

 

“So what? Can’t you see I’m busy?”

 

“There was an order to attend without exception, regardless of any reason.”

 

“So you obediently said okay? Without even trying to say you couldn’t because you were busy?”

 

“I couldn’t dare object to the Chairman’s words. I’m sorry.”

 

Tae-san, who had been looking at Lee Seol coldly, nodded his head a couple times as if he understood.

 

Then he picked up his phone and tried to call someone. It was surely the Chairman. Lee Seol stopped his hand.

 

“If you’re trying to call the Chairman, please don’t.”

 

“Lee Seol.”

 

“You must attend without exception. I told you earlier. The Chairman personally arranged this.”

 

“So what? Do I exist to save the Chairman’s face? Work comes first for me.”

 

“You don’t have any schedule that day anyway.”

 

“My opinion doesn’t matter to you at all, does it?”

 

Lee Seol became troubled due to Tae-san’s obvious display of displeasure.

 

“You clearly agreed to going on blind dates. Of course, you might be displeased that the schedule was suddenly decided, but….”

 

“Do you want me to keep going on blind dates?”

 

Lee Seol couldn’t clearly understand the point of the question Tae-san threw at her. What exactly was the hidden meaning in the question of whether she wanted him to go?

 

“There’s no other meaning, so don’t rack your brain and answer honestly. Would you like me to keep going on blind dates?”

 

“…Following my superior’s orders is my job. I can’t overlay personal feelings onto work.”

 

“It’s just work you were ordered to do?”

 

“Yes. That’s right.”

 

Tae-san’s expression as he looked at Lee Seol couldn’t be defined by any single word.

 

He seemed displeased yet also disappointed. He seemed uncomfortable yet also let down.

 

Lee Seol somehow found it difficult to meet his gaze. As if she had committed some great sin.

 

And along with that feeling came questions.

 

Why was the person who had only taken Kim Se-na’s side until just moments ago suddenly asking for her opinion?

 

Why was he acting as if he wanted her to say she didn’t want him to go on blind dates?

 

Why did he keep confusing people? As if he had some special feelings for her.

 

Tae-san said there was no other meaning to his question, but still Lee Seol wanted to ask again.

 

What was his intention in asking such a question? What kind of answer did he want from her?

 

When Lee Seol was contemplating whether to ask honestly, Tae-san’s face became expressionless again like usual.

 

“Fine. If you’re done with your business, go home now.”

 

“…You’ll attend, right?”

 

In the end, Lee Seol confirmed his intention instead of asking about the meaning behind his question.

 

“Yeah. I can’t ruin your work.”

 

It sounded like Tae-san was being sarcastic toward her, but since work had to proceed flawlessly, she carefully opened her mouth again.

 

“And there’s something the Chairman specifically added. To convey it exactly as he said….”

 

“Tell me on the way there that day.”

 

Tae-san cut her off coldly. Lee Seol, who could no longer speak, quietly stepped back.

 

Whether Lee Seol left the room or not, Tae-san was busy sitting back at his desk and checking documents.

 

Lee Seol bowed to him, who wasn’t looking at her at all, then left the office.

 

“This is really difficult….”

 

She thought work would become easier if she got closer to Tae-san, but it only became more uncomfortable and difficult.

 

After crossing the clearly drawn line, Lee Seol kept developing feelings for him that she shouldn’t have.

 

For instance, things like expectations and disappointment.

 

And it seemed like Tae-san might be the same way.

 

Sometimes he treated her only as a secretary, but in situations like just now, he acted as if he had some feelings for her.

 

“…Don’t waver. You’ll only get hurt if you expect anything from Kang Tae-san, Lee Seol.”

 

As long as Kim Se-na was in his heart, she knew there was no place for her to enter.

 

She had confirmed that fact right before her eyes earlier, so why did she keep harboring false hope?

 

Lee Seol took a deep breath with her eyes closed. She needed to lock away her heart before getting seriously hurt.

 

While preparing to leave work, Lee Seol suddenly looked toward Tae-san, who would be beyond the tightly closed door.

 

The afterimage of Tae-san smiling tenderly toward Kim Se-na still remained vividly before her eyes.

 

That made Lee Seol feel lonely and sad.

 

* * *

 

Four days later, the day of Tae-san’s blind date dawned. Lee Seol, who visited his house as reported the day before, took the wheel of Tae-san’s car.

 

Unlike the last blind date, Tae-san’s atmosphere was cold.

 

Whether it was her imagination or not, Tae-san, who was checking his tablet PC, didn’t give Lee Seol even a glance.

 

No. From when she arrived at his house until now as they moved to the appointment location, he seemed to be subtly treating Lee Seol like she was invisible.

 

Even though Tae-san usually sat in the passenger seat, today he even sat in the back.

 

Lee Seol kept her mouth tightly shut so as not to disturb his mood when he was already busy and frantic.

 

“We’ve arrived.”

 

Lee Seol, who had been driving silently the whole time, stopped the car in front of the hotel. Tae-san got out of the car without even looking at Lee Seol.

 

“Um, the Chairman asked that you please act as kindly and gently as possible in today’s meeting.”

 

Tae-san, who didn’t even answer, followed behind the staff member who was guiding him to the reserved seat. Fortunately, he seemed to have arrived before the other party.

 

Lee Seol took a seat where she could see him well.

 

If this had been a usual blind date, she would have eaten here, but today, even though she came without eating, she wasn’t particularly hungry.

 

Due to Tae-san’s obvious display of displeasure, she was actually just anxious and uneasy.

 

She wasn’t hoping for things to go well with his blind date partner, so she was praying that it would just end smoothly when it happened.

 

From the other end of the passageway, a young woman with a neat yet pure atmosphere approached Tae-san.

 

Lee Seol, who sat behind the blind date partner, couldn’t see the woman’s expression, but she could clearly confirm what Tae-san’s reaction was like.

 

Tae-san wasn’t as affectionate as he was with Kim Se-na, but he treated the other party with a quite kind and gentle attitude. It was definitely a different atmosphere from before.

 

She was the one who wanted Tae-san to act that way, but now that he actually did, her heart felt restless.

 

“Ha, I don’t even know what I’m thinking anymore.”

 

She had ordered a cup of coffee and a slice of cake, but couldn’t touch them. Lee Seol pretended to work while continuously watching Tae-san.

 

However, Tae-san, just like earlier, didn’t look at Lee Seol.

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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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