Private Secretary – Chapter 6
Lee Seol tried her best not to listen, but once she realized that Chairman Kang was referring to her, it was difficult to ignore the conversation.
Even while ironing, she pricked up her ears.
“It’s fine. At least for now.”
“I caught a glimpse of her in the lobby earlier. She seemed sensible and quite personable.”
The moment Lee Seol heard that Taesan had described her as “fine,” her heart began to pound.
Without realizing it, she set down the iron and held her breath as she listened.
“She’s better than the secretaries at the company.”
“Hearing you say that, it sounds like she must be exceptionally good at her job.”
“She’s not that good.”
“Oh, come on. Even I, your father, sometimes find you picky and exhausting. What must it be like for a secretary who’s practically a stranger? Don’t treat her carelessly and end up losing good talent. It’s hard to find someone who meets your standards.”
“I’m trying.”
“Huh. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard you say you’re trying. She must really be talented. Well, my old classmate wouldn’t have recommended her for nothing. I should meet her sometime and at least buy her a meal.”
Having heard praise she hadn’t expected, Lee Seol covered her mouth to keep from making a sound as she laughed.
Taesan was not someone who handed out compliments easily, so she had never imagined he would evaluate her so positively.
After working with him for several days, Lee Seol knew very well that what he had just said was the highest praise he could give.
Maybe that was why the corners of her lips kept twitching upward. She felt just as happy as when she had come in to work on a weekend and received an incentive bonus.
To be honest, Taesan’s first impression had been rather unfavorable, but as they continued working together, those feelings had gradually softened.
It hadn’t quite turned into fondness, but she didn’t dislike him nearly as much as she had when they first met.
After all, Taesan seemed like someone born to work, pouring almost all of his time into company affairs.
To Lee Seol, that looked extremely professional.
For someone like her, who valued fulfilling her responsibilities above all else, it was impossible not to acknowledge how impressive that was.
Moreover, it was rare for a superior to understand the work of subordinates in such thorough detail.
His evaluations could be rather sharp, but even that could be understood as the fussiness typical of someone who excelled at their job.
Before she knew it, Lee Seol realized she was gradually becoming accustomed to her new boss.
Just as she picked up the iron again with a pleasant smile on her face—
Click.
The lounge door suddenly opened. It was Taesan.
“If you’re here, isn’t it basic manners to make your presence known?”
“I’m sorry. I missed the timing. I’ll be more careful next time.”
“…But you look like you’re in a good mood.”
She thought she had the same expression as usual, but apparently the corners of her lips were still raised.
Lee Seol quickly pressed her lips down with her finger and denied it.
“I wasn’t complimenting you. I was telling you not to be careless.”
“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”
“…Could you move your finger away from your mouth while speaking?”
“I’m sorry. I’m only human.”
Lowering her hand, Lee Seol smiled again.
Taesan frowned as if dumbfounded by the sight.
“Have you gotten that comfortable with me already?”
It wasn’t that she felt comfortable exactly—but she wasn’t nearly as uncomfortable as before.
Instead of answering, Lee Seol handed Taesan the neatly pressed tennis outfit.
“You can change into this and play your game, and afterward you can change into this suit.”
“I doubt I’ll wear the suit.”
“I’ll prepare it anyway, just in case.”
While Lee Seol was putting the iron away, Taesan suddenly handed her a thick stack of fifty-thousand-won bills.
“I feel like this means more than words of praise.”
Lee Seol beamed brighter than she had all week and accepted the money politely with both hands.
“As expected of you, Director.”
“Everyone likes money, but you’re a little too honest about it. Have you ever thought about hiding it a bit?”
“I just really like money.”
In her good mood, Lee Seol let out a small “ho-ho” laugh as she tucked the bills into her pocket.
Taesan stared at her in disbelief for a moment, then let out a quiet chuckle.
It was the first time she had seen him show a genuine smile instead of that usual ambiguous expression.
The sight left Lee Seol staring at him in a daze.
“What?”
“…You can smile?”
“What do you take me for?”
Of course, at first she had definitely admired his handsome face.
But as time passed, his difficult personality and sharp tone had gradually dulled that impression.
Yet seeing him smile so softly now, she was suddenly reminded of just how striking his appearance really was.
“So pretty…”
“What?”
Oops.
Lee Seol had blurted out her thoughts as if sneezing.
Startled, she quickly turned her gaze away.
Just then, she noticed a beautiful painting hanging on the wall behind Taesan.
“No—I just suddenly thought that painting looked really beautiful.”
She gestured toward the framed painting, trying to act natural.
Taesan glanced back at it, then shook his head as if she were hopeless.
“You can leave for the day.”
“Yes, understood.”
“You don’t need to stay on standby.”
“Then may I get some proper rest?”
“Go ahead.”
“Thank you.”
Since the work had finished earlier than usual, Lee Seol felt twice as happy.
Seeing her bright smile, Taesan once again curved his lips slightly.
Caught off guard by that smile, Lee Seol paused for a moment.
He really is handsome… though at the end of the day, he’s just my boss.
With her bag over her shoulder, she hurried out of the office while muttering to herself.
Time at the new company passed incredibly quickly.
At her previous workplace, the tasks had become so familiar that they sometimes felt dull. But this job was different.
Thanks to her demanding boss, she had no chance to relax, and that tension actually served as just the right kind of stimulation for her.
“Oh, Ms. Lee Seol.”
“Hello, Team Leader.”
It was the team leader she had met during her job interview, and it had been a while since they last saw each other. Watching Lee Seol hurry about, he smiled warmly.
“Are you adjusting well?”
“More or less. I’m still a bit overwhelmed. I think it’ll take about three months before I really get the hang of things.”
After confirming that no one was nearby, the team leader quietly stepped closer.
“Honestly, I think it’s impressive enough that you’re holding out so well under Director Kang Taesan.”
“It’s more manageable than I expected. Just like you said, the compensation is very clear.”
“Are the incentives you receive pretty substantial?”
“Oh—should I report those to the company separately?”
“Since he gives them to you personally, you can just accept them comfortably. Anyway, keep up the good work today. Let’s work together for a long time.”
“Yes, Team Leader. Have a good day.”
Lee Seol parted ways with him with a bright smile and headed to her destination—Taesan’s office.
As a ‘private’ secretary, she didn’t come to the company very often, but whenever she did, she had to handle all the accumulated work at once, which kept her extremely busy.
Taesan, who had been in a meeting, had already returned to his office.
Not realizing that, Lee Seol opened the door without knocking and immediately froze, bowing her head in apology.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were here.”
Taesan glanced at her indifferently and resumed what he had been doing.
Trying not to disturb his concentration, Lee Seol lowered her footsteps and headed toward the lounge inside.
Just then, Taesan spoke casually as she passed.
“Get plenty of rest this weekend. I probably won’t have any reason to contact you.”
“Yes, understood.”
What better news could there be? She wouldn’t have to worry about her phone this weekend.
When Lee Seol smiled happily, Taesan let out a low scoff.
“You’re showing how happy you are a bit too openly.”
“Have a wonderful weekend, Director.”
“The workday isn’t over yet.”
“I’m just saying it in advance. I’ll say it again later.”
The psychological distance between Lee Seol and Taesan had grown closer than before, and even when he made snide remarks, she refused to shrink back, responding instead with even brighter cheerfulness.
Taesan’s reaction to her behavior tended to be one of two things.
Sometimes he laughed in disbelief.
Other times he looked at her sideways with an expression of faint exasperation.
Still, he hadn’t warned her to stop yet, so Lee Seol had every intention of continuing to work with the same bright smile on her face.
