Private Secretary - Chapter 6

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

Private Secretary Episode 6

Lee Seol tried her best not to listen, but after realizing that Chairman Kang was talking about her, it became difficult to ignore.

Lee Seol perked up her ears while ironing.

“She’s fine. So far, at least.”

“I caught a glimpse of her in the lobby earlier, and she seemed sensible and sharp.”

As soon as Lee Seol heard Tae-san evaluate her as ‘fine,’ her heart began to pound.

Without realizing it, Lee Seol put down the iron and listened intently while holding her breath.

“She’s better than the secretaries at the company.”

“If you’re saying this, that girl must be exceptionally good at her work.”

“It’s not quite to that extent.”

“Come on now. Even I, your father, sometimes find you picky and tiresome, so how would a complete stranger of a secretary feel? Don’t treat her carelessly and lose a good talent. It’s hard to find someone who meets your standards.”

“I’m making an effort.”

“Well, it’s been quite a while since I heard the word ‘effort’ from your mouth. That girl must be quite talented indeed. Well, my old friend wouldn’t have recommended her for no reason. I should meet her and buy her a meal.”

Lee Seol, having received unexpected praise, covered her mouth and smiled silently.

Who would have thought that Tae-san, who was stingy with compliments, would evaluate her so positively?

From experiencing Tae-san for several days, Lee Seol knew well that what he just said was the highest praise from him.

Perhaps that’s why the corners of her mouth kept twitching. She felt as happy and joyful as when she received incentives for working weekends.

Honestly, Tae-san’s first impression was close to unfavorable, but as they worked together, such feelings gradually softened.

It hadn’t changed to fondness, but it wasn’t as dislikeable as when she first saw him.

That was because Tae-san, like someone born to work, devoted almost all his time to company business.

This appeared very professional in Lee Seol’s eyes.

For Lee Seol, who valued fulfilling one’s responsibilities above all else, it was definitely something she had to acknowledge as impressive.

Moreover, bosses who keep track of their subordinates’ work in such detail are rare.

There was the drawback of his evaluations being somewhat sharp, but even that could be understood as the particular pickiness of someone who works well.

Lee Seol felt that she was gradually becoming accustomed to her new boss.

It was when she picked up the iron again with a pleased smile.

Suddenly, the rest area door clicked open. It was Tae-san.

“If you were here, isn’t it proper manners to make your presence known?”

“I’m sorry. I missed the timing. I’ll be careful from now on.”

“…But you look happy?”

She thought she had made her usual expression, but it seemed the corners of her mouth were still raised.

Lee Seol pressed down her lips with her finger and denied it.

“I wasn’t praising you. So don’t act carelessly.”

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

“…Could you remove your finger from your mouth when speaking?”

“I’m sorry, I’m only human after all.”

Lee Seol lowered her hand and smiled broadly again. Seeing this, Tae-san frowned as if he was dumbfounded.

“Have you become quite comfortable with me now?”

She hadn’t become comfortable, but she wasn’t as uncomfortable as before.

Instead of answering, Lee Seol handed Tae-san the neatly ironed tennis outfit.

“Later, change into this outfit for your game, then change into this suit afterward.”

“Well, I probably won’t wear the suit.”

“Still, I’ll prepare it just in case.”

When Lee Seol was putting away the iron, Tae-san handed her over ten 50,000 won bills.

“I think this is more meaningful than just verbal praise.”

Lee Seol smiled the brightest and most cheerfully she had all week, accepting the money respectfully with both hands.

“As expected of you, Department Head.”

“Everyone likes money, but you’re excessively honest. Don’t you think about hiding it a bit?”

“I really like money quite a lot.”

In her good mood, Lee Seol unconsciously laughed “hoho” while putting the money in her pocket.

Tae-san also looked at Lee Seol with bewilderment and chuckled.

It was the first time he, who always wore an expression where you couldn’t tell if he was smiling or not, showed a proper laugh.

At that sight, Lee Seol couldn’t take her eyes off him, feeling dazed.

“What.”

“…You know how to smile?”

“What do you think I am?”

Of course, at first she had definitely admired his handsome face.

But as time passed, his difficult personality and sharp way of speaking gradually made her feel indifferent.

However, seeing him smile so gently and brightly like this, she could newly realize how striking his appearance was.

“Pretty…”

“What?”

Oh no.

Lee Seol, who had unconsciously blurted out her inner thoughts like a sneeze, quickly turned her gaze away.

Fortunately, there was a pretty painting hanging behind Tae-san.

“No. I suddenly looked at that painting and thought it was really pretty.”

Lee Seol tried to act nonchalant and gestured toward the picture frame.

Tae-san glanced back and shook his head left and right as if he found Lee Seol pathetic.

“Go home now.”

“Yes, understood.”

“You don’t need to wait on standby.”

“Then can I rest comfortably?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you.”

Lee Seol’s joy doubled as work ended earlier than usual.

Seeing her smile brightly, Tae-san smiled again. Lee Seol paused momentarily at that smile she encountered in an unguarded moment.

‘…He really is handsome. Well, he’s still just my boss though.’

Lee Seol muttered to herself as she shouldered her bag and hurriedly left the office.

* * *

Time at the new company passed by like an arrow.

At her previous company, work sometimes felt boring because it was too familiar, but the new workplace was different.

Thanks to her demanding boss, there was no time to let her guard down, and this actually provided Lee Seol with just the right amount of stimulation.

“Oh, Lee Seol.”

“Hello, Team Manager.”

It was the Team Manager she hadn’t seen for a long time since the job interview. He smiled warmly watching Lee Seol busily coming and going.

“Are you adapting well?”

“So-so. I’m still in a daze. I think I’ll need to work here for about three months to get the hang of it.”

The Team Manager checked that no one was around and quietly approached.

“I honestly think it’s amazing that you’re holding up so steadfastly under Department Head Kang Tae-san.”

“It’s more manageable than I thought? As you said, the compensation is definitely solid.”

“The separate incentives you receive must be quite substantial?”

“Oh, do I need to report that to the company separately?”

“Since he’s giving it to you personally, you can just accept it comfortably. Anyway, fighting today too. Let’s work together for a long time.”

“Yes, Team Manager. Please go in.”

Lee Seol parted with the Team Manager with a bright smile. The place Lee Seol arrived at was, as always, Tae-san’s office.

As a ‘private’ secretary, she didn’t come to the company often, but on the days she did come, she was busy handling accumulated work all at once.

Tae-san, who had gone into a meeting, was already back in his office. Not knowing this and opening the door without knocking, Lee Seol flinched and bowed in greeting.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were here.”

Tae-san glanced at Lee Seol as if it was nothing and resumed what he was doing.

Lee Seol headed to the inner rest area, keeping her footsteps as quiet as possible so as not to disturb his concentration.

Then Tae-san spoke to her in passing.

“Rest well over the weekend. I probably won’t need to contact you.”

“Yes. Understood.”

Could there be any more welcome news than this? This weekend she wouldn’t have to worry about her phone.

When Lee Seol grinned broadly, Tae-san let out a low snort.

“You’re being too obvious about how happy you are.”

“Have a pleasant weekend, Department Head.”

“Work hours aren’t over yet.”

“I’m giving my regards in advance. I’ll say it again later.”

Lee Seol, whose psychological distance with Tae-san had grown closer than before, acted more cheerfully and never backed down even when he scolded her.

Tae-san’s attitude toward such Lee Seol was one of two things.

Sometimes he laughed as if bewildered, and sometimes he looked at her sideways with a pathetic expression.

Still, since she hadn’t received a warning to stop doing so yet, Lee Seol planned to continue working with a bright, smiling face.

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