Chapter 2.1

TN: These chapters are really long, I may have to break them up.

Lee Seop’s business trip took longer than he planned. He added to his schedule, and even with an extended schedule, there was no chance to meet with Choi Ha-young in Germany and finally meet in person. He only wanted to try to please his grandfather anyway.

The day after Lee Seop returned from the long trip, he slept late into the morning. He was only awakened by the sound of his phone vibrating. 

Groggy, he answered. “Managing Director? It’s Driver Kim.” the other end of the line started.

“Hmmm… okay.”

— Uh… Sir, I’m sorry…

“Okay…” Lee Seop had answered his cell phone without a thought while still lying in bed. Shit. Opening his eyes, he naturally squinted in response to the sunlight leaking through the cracks in the curtains. He raised his arm to shade his eyes and took a long breath. He had thought he had hung up, but he heard Driver Kim’s voice coming from the phone.

— Can… Can I come in for a moment?

“What do you need?”

Kim hesitated and swallowed hard before answering

— We need to tell you your schedule and help you get ready for work…”

“I know my schedule. I’ll go to work in the afternoon.” There was no reason for him to be awake.

— Well, before that…

“Tell them to start without me. The meeting that was scheduled for the morning is a joke. I already informed you I wouldn’t be attending.”

— Well, I have another thing to tell you…

“What?” Lee Seop sighed.

The driver had been mumbling but stopped talking. Kim had the advantage of recognizing when to stop talking just from hearing Lee Seop’s sigh. Thanks to this, he had stuck around for the longest time and even came to Lee Seop’s place, which was usually an off-limits personal space.

Lee Seop’s officetel accommodation, which wasn’t his home, changed periodically, and none of his assistants would know the exact addresses. Likewise, no assistant really knew how gloomy he was and his true self. Even if someone saw Tae Yi-seop’s true self beyond the mask he would wear at the right time, they would be assigned to a different position.

— Hey, Sir… just a moment… sorry. Your assistant said she’s going to come in.

“Assistant? Who are you talking about?

— Ah, Deputy Director Kang Min-kyung.

‘Who? Kang Min-kyung, why and where is she?’ Thoughts raced through his head as Lee Seop shot straight up. As if he had been doused in cold water. “What?” 

— I…

“What bullshit are you saying? About Kang Min-kyung?”

— Hello, this is Kang Min-kyung. Managing Director Tae Yi-seop, no, sorry, soon you will be Executive Director.

Through the phone, Kang Min-kyung, not Driver Kim, answered in a clear voice. But this was becoming more and more unclear.

“Assistant? What? No, everything was finished, why are you here?” Lee Seop was so shocked that he felt like he couldn’t breathe. Gasping a little, he managed to ask again, “Deputy Director Kang Min-kyung, right? Uh… Kang Min-kyung, my classmate who joined the company with me… Why are you, Deputy Kang, who is always so busy, coming to my door at this hour?”

— Sorry, but I will come in first. Open the door, Assistant Manager Kim.

“Deputy Director Kang, please put Driver Kim back on. What are you opening? Uh? Don’t open it.” 

— Sorry, they are waiting for you at Songbaekjae. I was instructed. Open it, Assistant Manager Kim.

“Hey!..” Lee Seop pulled up his blanket and ran out the room. Even after tripping on his blanket on the floor and falling, he got back up to run as fast as he could, limping on his sore knees. However, even hesitating, Driver Kim pressed the passcode faster than Lee Seop could reach the door to lock it. The door opened wide before Lee Seop, stopping in his tracks. There he saw Kang Min-kyung. Straight cut, straight hair, boring glasses, tailored jacket with a white shirt. This was her uniform. Black suit and white shirt. It’s actually amazing really, that she wore this fashion for 11 years.

'Ah! SHIT.'

Lee Seop realized he was wearing only his lounge shorts that were cut very high above his knee. The waist was stretched out and too large, he grabbed the waist quickly. Normally they barely hung over his pelvis, but had dropped quite a bit lower due to his falling. Reflexively yanking them up to cover himself, he pulled them up too high. 'F*ck'. Embarrassed after exposing the hair high up on his thigh near his hips, he awkwardly lowered and adjusted the shorts again. 

But the woman standing before him didn’t even bat an eye looking at him. She just looked down calmly at her tablet in her hand and checked the time on the schedule on the screen. “You have 15 minutes to spare. Are you ready?”

“What?! Do you think I am?”

“Ah.” Min-kyung glanced up at Lee Seop. Her gaze went from head to toe than upward again, lingering on his hips for a moment, then making a slight tsking sound as she continued up to his bedhead hair. “I will get out an outfit for you while you shower. I will explain the situation in the car on the way to Songbaekjae. We have sandwiches and coffee for you, so you have a quick breakfast as we drive.”

“I don’t eat sandwiches…”

“One is ham and cheese, and the other is an egg sandwich.” Lee Seop looked at Min-kyung frowning at her response. “When I joined the company and went to training camp, I was in the same group as you. Even when I was a new employee, we were in the same department, so we often had lunch and company dinners together. I remember the Director’s eating habits well because they were so unique.”

“Okay, you explained the sandwiches Deputy Director Kang, now explain why you are here.”

“What is it, Managing Director?” Min-kyung checked her watch and added sarcastically, chiming, “1 minute… First I apologize for the late greeting. Manager congratulations on your promotion.”

Min-kyung said congratulations, holding the tablet under her elbow and even clapped. Still, Lee Seop did not miss the corners of her mouth quivering as she forced a smile. Well, she probably didn’t like this either. My Assistant? Anyway, promotion, what? “Promotion? Is there something I don’t know about?” Lee Seop ruffled his tangled hair in confusion with his free hand.

“While the Executive Director was on a long, longer, and longer-than-scheduled business trip in Europe, there was an organizational reorganization and personnel changes. I have also been appointed the Executive Director’s personal secretary and business assistant.”

“How does that make sense? Head of recruitment, head of training, head of evaluation, head of anything… how does Deputy Director Kang, the brilliant talent of TK, get called to be an executive director’s personal secretary?”

“Because you’re not just any executive director, you are Executive Director Tae Yi-seop.” Min-kyung gritted her teeth so hard that the last words were heard as ‘Zecutiv-rector Tae-seup’

“So… if Deputy Kang works hard as my secretary for a few months, will she be made head of a department and move departments by next year?”

Instead of saying yes, Min-kyung responded with an unusually soft smile, “As you know, about two months I had been urgently assigned to the Electric Power Headquarters due to a manpower gap. During this time, I served as the assistant and secretary to Yang Ji-yeol, CEO of C&T, who then resigned. I think this is probably why I’ve been entrusted with this position.”

“This is absurd.” So ridiculous he almost turned around, after all, this is Kang Min-kyung.

“12 minutes left.” Min-kyung said with a smile. “Director, you have no time to shower, just go wash your face.” she spoke as if she was pushing Lee Seop along. “Oh I think you must’ve fallen, your knees are red and swollen, I will also prepare an ointment.” She pointed to his bottom half.

“What. ah. Really?” Confused, Lee Seop thought, ‘does she often see men’s bodies like this?’, “Deputy Director Kang, if you are my secretary, will you often barge in and try to make accommodations like this?”

“Yes, I have been specifically asked to do so. For the time being, I will take you to work and take you home after.”

“Who?”

Min-kyung gritted her teeth again and laughed through them, “The Chairman of course.”

Lee Seop patted his abs as he said, “When I am here, I just relax and want to be left alone. I hang around half dressed… like now. I’m great and don't need help or you coming here.”

Min-kyung chuckled at his statement. He felt as if she was laughing while judging his body, which hurt his pride. Well, hurting Lee Seop’s self-esteem was Min-kyung’s specialty.

Min-kyung asked with a smile and a smooth tone, “Director… are you uncomfortable because I’m a woman?”

“No way,” Lee Seop swallowed his voice and then sarcastically finished, “Ew. Are you crazy?”

“I heard that both the Chairman and your mother were quite happy with me in this position… with regard to your comfort.” She finished in response to Lee Seop.

“Hahaha,” Lee Seop burst out laughing with her acknowledgement of it all. It was only two months ago that Jun-seop fell so madly in love with an employee he worked with, then chose her and turned the family upside down. And even with that, they sent me a woman to be his assistant with complete peace of mind. Even the family thinks they know Lee Seop’s type, and that clearly he wouldn’t have any Interest In her because it’s Kang Min-kyung… 'This Is ridiculous.'

Once he started laughing, he couldn’t stop, and sent Lee Seop to double over holding his stomach as he laughed hardily. After a time he looked up to Min-kyung, wiping the tears from his eyes. He thought maybe he had laughed too hard at the thought of Min-kyung appealing to him and that his family had no worries about a woman as his assistant, but when looking at her he saw she just smiled sweetly.

“I also feel the same type of comfort, just like you, Director. When I see you smile, my nerves and outside thoughts are completely Inactive…” She smiled as she spoke then looked at her watch, “10 minutes. If you don’t have time to wash your face, do you need me to prepare a hot towel for you?”

“Wait. I’ll wash up and be ready in 5 minutes.” He declared, giving her a salute, “You’ll see.”

“Ah…” Min-kyung for a moment looked embarrassed. Her expression was so refreshing and uncomfortable looking to him that Lee Seop tilted his head back and laughed.

*  *  *

“Five minutes.. Right?” Lee Seop said proudly while he smoothed his hair. It had actually been over 8 minutes, who could get ready in 5 minutes? “I took 4 minutes to wash up, 1 and a half minutes to dry off and put on underwear, then 2 minutes to put on a shirt and pants.”

“Oh, yes”

“I did my best?”

Min-kyung’s mouth curled up in the corners and praised, “Yes you are great, Director.” 

Lee Seop’s eyes were overflowing with pride as he adjusted his shirt in the mirror. Not at all surprising. TK Prince Tae Yi-seop had always been consistent in his attitude even as a new trainee. He never overlooked anything trivial or insignificant, and needed that nobleness and superiority praised occasionally.

-- 

During their new recruit training, Min-kyung immediately noticed this characteristic while working together on group assignments. She couldn’t help but notice. During discussions, she would naturally take on the role of collecting and coordinating everyone’s opinions and draw a conclusion. Whenever Lee Seop’s ideas were mentioned then quickly moved on from, he would always bring the idea up one more time.

“So, what is the opinion of the smart Min-kyung’s?” At first, she thought the request was just out of respect, when he would ask her that.

“Okay, I don’t think my idea was good enough, there’s an aspect that I overlooked.” She thought his comments were just being open minded to ideas, but Min-kyung quickly saw the patterns in the conversations. 

No matter how the conversation progressed, it always ended with her acknowledging and praising Lee Seop. “Yes, I had the same thought; it was a good idea”, she would say.

“Oh no, thank you for the compliment.”

She realized the underlying meaning, ‘TK’s Prince’s tireless desire for recognition.’

He wasn’t like that to everyone, throughout the training period his need for recognition was always directed towards Min-kyung. She had no idea why he was obsessed with her praise, but it was clear that Lee Seop would be persistent and serious every time he worked alongside her. By the end of training whenever Lee Seop would look at Min-kyung with confidence and a proud look in his eyes, she would automatically say, “Tae Yi-seop, that is smart. You are great.”

--

So Min-kyung appeased Lee Seop and praised him, for finishing readying in 8 minutes and 30 seconds, by giving him that familiar compliment then got straight to the point. “I heard that while the managing director was on his business trip, he was given a real time email report on pending issues in the company. I’m sure you’re familiar with all this, but should I give you a quick briefing to refresh your memory?”

The hair dryer blasted loudly while Lee Seop was fixing his hair, and he didn’t seem to be listening to Min-kyung’s question.

“First, let’s talk about the personnel changes at Mulsan…”

“Oh that’s hot…” it seemed that he turned the heat on too high, Lee Seop made a short cry and bit his lip. Lee Seop’s sensitive and nervous nature was revealed clearly in his pouting eyes reflected in the mirror he faced. If someone removed the pretentiousness that he usually displays, he looked like a different person, someone who was soft and caring.

Min-kyung examined Lee Seop more, when he showed a more emotional expressions, he looked attractive. He is one who always has a polite and stoic image, but seemed to also have a human and sexy charm which no one can see.

“What are you looking at? Are you looking at me?... Are you judging me?” Lee Seop narrowed his eyes as if he expected her to say that. 

Lee Seop bit his lip as he glared up at Min-kyung, a look which exuded a more sensual vibe today. She felt her throat go dry and she swallowed. At least Lee Seop was entirely her type in terms of appearance. She would add that to her list as one advantage she gained becoming his assistant. Professional as always, Min-kyung started the briefing in a robotic fashion, and kept the evaluation of his appearance to herself. She then glanced one more time at his face again in the mirror. It seemed his appearance hasn’t changed in the last 11 years, and unfortunately neither had his personality. Repeating the words on her tablet, her mind wandered.

--

After joining the company and before officially starting work, there was a training camp to introduce the new employees. Although there was no confirmation, on the first day of training, there was a rumor that the eldest grandson of Chairman Tae Si-hwan was among the cohort. Who was it? With eyes sparkling with anticipation and curiosity quickly spread from person to person.

“Is it him?” “Is it you?” “Could it be that person?”

Every eye was asking that question. Everyone’s gazes moving around the room and excited whispers were loud and clear. It was as if the air was noisy. When Min-kyung started to feel dizzy at all the emotion, she looked towards the door to escape. At the end of her gaze, in that moment, a man entered. She was sure without even having to look at the name tag around his neck. That man is Chairman Tae Si-hwan’s grandson. It was obvious that he resembled the Chairman, even with his tall gait and pale skin. It made his appearance stand out in the crowd. All the whispers and gazes landed on him, and unable to hide their curiosity, the group surrounded the man and he started showing a sense of discomfort.

He was a superior creature from a different dimension, standing in the same space. Suddenly, Tae Yi-seop smiled at the gazes pouring on him. It was a natural smile, neither arrogant or shy. His smile grew, spreading his red lips, and it seemed as if fairy lights sparkled around his face.

‘Do all the children of chaebol families sparkle like that?’ Min-kyung thought as her heart trembled slightly in the moment. 11 years ago, the first time she saw Lee Seop. "Beautiful..." she whispered

“...Deputy Director Kang, could you repeat that?”

“Huh? Yes?”

The dryer was still humming, blowing on his hair that was thick and looked soft to the touch. It was perfect for styling and always looked like he had just come out of a beauty salon with a few fans from a hairdryer. Lee Seop laughed as he looked up at Min-kyung as his long fingers combed through his bangs. “What did you just say?”

“I heard that while you were on your business trip, all pending issues related to the department were promptly reported to you via email.”

“I said I hadn’t checked anything. Cellphone, email, social media… I deleted everything. That’s why you came all the way here at this early hour.

“Personnel transfers and restructuring C&T…”

“No, not that.” Lee Seop gave his instructions as he knotted his tie. “I didn't hear you fully. After that all could you repeat what you said?”

Although it rarely happened, Min-kyung was speechless. 

In the mirror, Lee Seop looked straight at her and asked, “What it’s not ture? You didn’t say anything? You thought I didn’t hear you when you said b…” The end of his sentence was softly blurred, and the smile on his lips was soft. He definitely had a request.

Still Min-kyung couldn’t find the answer as she watched Lee Seop turn around, putting on his suit jacket. “You did say It… about watching the time?”

“Ah, great…”

“Not.” 

Could he be that childish? She thought as she made eye contact with him. But Min-kyung’s mouth, which was accustomed to the company’s hierarchy and what her mother taught her, was faster than her thoughts. “Thank you.”

In a friendly tone, he responded, “Huh?” Lee Seop tilted his head as they made eye contact, with a smile on his lips. “I'm running behind all because of Deputy Director Kang, this all would have never happened if Driver Kim came for me. Even if lightning struck I'd get there. But you didn't trust anyone to get me to Song Baekjae on time? So you had to come here yourself.”

“Yes.”

“And you’re gratified, and I’m annoyed. Are you going to continue to do all this in the future?”

“Sorry, Sir.”

“I’m put together and everything Is organized, as demonstrated in that schedule on your tablet. But if you stay as my secretary, I think I'll only experience unpleasant Interactions like this all.” Min-kyung lowered her gaze to her tablet, pretending she didn’t hear what he just said. “I’ve never had a proper personal assistant. Only contract secretaries from service companies that would only last 4 months.”

“Yes, but now you have been promoted to Executive Director…”

Lee Seop cut off Min-kyung mid sentence, “But why you, Deputy Director Kang?”

“I told you…”

“Deputy Director Kang is one of the best in terms of TK talent. Your work ethic is the uncompared”

“Thank you.”

Lee Seop did not smile at her thank you or laugh. The corners of his mouth were wide and slanted, his lips looked long and sharp when his mouth became longer. “No. I hate personal assistants. But what I hate even more… is Deputy Director Kang.”

Were his eyes always that color? She thought they were black, but his eyes catching the yellow light of the room looked closer to dark gray with a blue tint. ‘The atmosphere feels strange’ was all she could think about while looking at his face as he approached her. 

Lee Seop’s eyes darkened slightly, and his red, pretty lips parted. “So, Kang Min-kyung, I hate you. From the moment we met in our group on the first day of training, I hated you.” he said with slow, clear pronunciation.

Min-kyung took a deep breath and swallowed her emotions and reason. And she left her trained reaction to respond, “I’ll try my best. I hope you like it.”

Lee Seop narrowed his eyes and looked at her, “I’m good at keeping up pretenses. I’m good at dealing with people I don’t like, but now I can’t do that. You, Deputy Director Kang, fall outside of this category. So give up on the bait that Song Baek-jae dangling infront of you and quit.”

It was a simple expression of opinion which removed his soft smile and cynical mask. He was so cold that it chilled the back of her neck.

After a few seconds of silence, Min-kyung smiled shamelessly and obliviously, saying, “Your outfit today suits you well. And, although there’s been a little delay, if we hurry now, you will not be late to Sonbaekjae.”

In shock, Lee Seop shook his head mouth open, “Okay, let’s go today.”

“Yes, Sir.”

From head to toe Lee Seop looked perfectly prepared. When she said that the outfit looked good on him, she was so sincere that she could have sworn to the heavens. The plain suit that she chose was perfect fit for his thin figure, and the tie’s regimental pattern went well with his gorgeous face. The discomfort he gave her with what he said was more than offset by the pleasure he gave with his appearance.

“How many minutes are left of the 12 minutes?” he asked as he passed by Min-kyung.

She answered, following behind the slender Lee Seop, “7 Minutes.”

“So, I won’t be late for the chairman.”

“Yes, as long as driver Kim displays his unparalleled driving skills, it will be fine.” Min-kyung moved quickly in front of him to the entrance and opened the door first, and then pressed the elevator button before he could.” I will share with you today’s schedule.”

Lee Seop didn’t answer, but Min-kyung recited the schedule in the elevator, just the two of them riding it.

“After the Chairman’s private meeting at Sonbaekjae, there will be a business report at headquarters. Lee Jong-wok, CEO of C&T, will also be attending. Oh, as you have noticed, the you have been promoted from Managing Director of C&T Planning Team to the Executive Director and will also be servicing as the Chief Operating Officer.”

“Okay?”

“Yes.”

“Haha.” Lee Seop laughed aloud, “I worked hard to get promoted quickly thinking if I played more my career would die. But maybe I should go on more business trips instead?”

“A business trip… Ah, haha” Min-kyung passed over his words with an awkward smile and quickly reported. “Although it will take time to liquidate shares in the Electronics group, the internal reorganization of C&T has proceeded as planned. The work reports then will be released sequentially for the trade, construction, resort, and fashion sectors.”

“Fashion is the last one. You pushed the hardest group to the back?”

It was true that the fashion group was a problem. After three consecutive years of sluggish performance, it has been struggling more for three consecutive quarters. Rumors of a sale had been discussed several times, but it was unlikely as long as the Chairman was alive. In any case, its performance needs to be improved, but due to the combination of various issues, it was unclear whether it could improve in a short period of time. 

“Yes, it is, because the report will take the longest.” Min-kyung opened the door of the car, waiting for them in the parking lot. Before entering the car, she felt Lee Seop take a deep breath. Inside the car, the scent of coffee that Min-kyung had bought faintly lingered. “The coffee shop on the ground floor had Kenya AA beans, so I got that.”

While Min-kyung closed the door and sat in the passenger seat, Lee Seop picked up an egg sandwich and sipped coffee from a tumbler. “Sandwiches aside, how does Deputy Kang know my taste in coffee?”

“Ah, yes. You hate acidity. I was also a member of the C&T Management Planning Team, I remember at least that much.”

“I recognize your ability. If you had listened in the public relations office, it would’ve been smooth sailing. How did that fall apart and ended up like this?”

“I consider it an honor to serve you, Executive Director.”

“Deputy Kang.” Lee Seop waved his hand to beckon her.

Min-kyung lifter her head and craned her neck into the backseat and looked around.

“Look at your lips…”

“Yes?”

Driver Kim, holding the steering wheel, shook his shoulders adjusting sitting. Lee Seop’s gaze was on Min-kyung’s lips, which were frozen and half-open with embarrassment.

“They’re so dry. You didn’t even apply any balm, uh? Why did you come looking like that this morning? Don’t do that from now on?”

She was still speechless and nodded while Lee Seop took a big bite of a sandwich. He had already eaten one and took a second. “Delicious, thank you.” he said, holding the sandwich at her.

A smile appeared in the corner of Lee Seop’s lips as she looked in the rearview mirror. It was a good thing she asked for extra strawberry jam. She had observed that Lee Seop was a picky eater, and rather than complaining about food that didn’t suit his taste, he would tend to eat it quietly. If he didn’t have anything, he would become prickly. She thought about this and typed on the tablet ‘Let’s give the elementary student something delicious before they need to study.’ That was her small revenge.

Now that the pretty little elementary school boy was full… she opened her tablet and began explaining preliminary materials for the business report meeting.