Chapter Text
Under the sleepless moonlight, Changbin stands, staring at the blank sky.
Insomnia may be a frequent visitor, but tonight, it’s a singular thought keeping him company, running over and over in his mind.
He sighs, and muses to himself once more.
“What’s wrong with Secretary Kim?”
It started just like any other day, with a polite knock against his door.
“Come in,” Changbin beckons as he buttons the last half of his shirt.
The click-clack of shoes follows the gentle swing of the door, his mirror revealing the entrance of his maid, Mrs Jung, pushing in a cart and a familiar man of tall stature, before he even turned around.
“Good morning, Vice President Seo,” Seungmin greets. “I’ve prepared a first flush Darjeeling for your breakfast tea.”
Changbin looks over at the tea set delivered onto the table by Mrs Jung, noting the distinct lack of other usual accompaniments with a pause.
“You have a breakfast meeting with a couple of executives from Hyeon Group later,” Seungmin reminds him. “So no food.”
Changbin scrunches his nose, but doesn’t argue, not when he knows it’s futile.
“Thank you.” He turns towards Mrs Jung with a smile. “You may leave.”
Mrs Jung bows before making her exit, at the same time that Seungmin steps forward, presenting a tablet for Changbin to take.
“Your schedule for today, sir.” Seungmin then moves toward the teapot. “Would you like your tea now?”
Changbin nods as he scans through the neatly organised calendar on the tablet, impeccable as always.
He takes a small sip of the tea as soon as it’s ready, humming appreciatively as he looks up at Seungmin.
“It always tastes better when you serve it, Secretary Kim.”
Seungmin smiles in response, the one that says he’s amused but not in the mood to play along. “Save the flattery for your date tomorrow, sir.”
“Alright.” Changbin chuckles to himself, redirecting his attention to his schedule. “I trust you’ll handle the reception at the German Embassy tonight?”
“Of course,” Seungmin answers, even if it already goes without saying.
After all, Changbin knows better than anyone that Secretary Kim isn’t like most people.
“Tell me, Secretary Kim,” Changbin starts as Seungmin begins looping a neat, chequered tie around his neck, “do you know?”
“Know what, sir?” Seungmin asks as he finishes the last loop, smoothing out the Windsor knot against Changbin’s collar.
Then he steps away from Changbin, allowing him to inspect himself in the mirror.
It’s perfect. As always.
“Do you know what is a worse sin than incompetence?” Changbin continues.
When Seungmin returns, it’s with the navy suit jacket to complete the ensemble.
Changbin makes eye contact with him through the mirror, letting the tailored jacket drape over his shoulders perfectly as he puts it on.
“It’s ignorance of one’s own incompetence,” Changbin says, eyes sharp.
Seungmin’s face remains neutral, hands folded over his front. “Is that so?”
Changbin sighs, finally stepping out of the room.
“How could somebody be so incompetent?”
Seungmin trails after him, exactly two steps behind.
“Most people aren’t like you, sir.”
Changbin smirks. “You’re right.”
A phone buzzes.
“Secretary Kim speaking,” he hears Seungmin answer behind him. “I see.”
“What is it?”
Seungmin smiles, covering the receiver with his free hand. “The incompetent sinner. Shall I take care of it?”
“No.” Changbin’s face darkens. “I’ll see to it myself.”
He knows what everyone sees whenever they enter a room.
Seo Changbin, twenty-nine, vice president of Seo Group.
As if being born with a golden spoon wasn’t enough, he’s excelled in everything from academics to athletics, and now, the list includes running his father’s company.
There’s practically no area he falls short in.
(At least not one a couple of insoles can’t fix, shut up.)
But some would say, perhaps more impressive, is the man always by his side.
Kim Seungmin, twenty-seven, head secretary of Seo Group.
Also known as Vice President Seo’s personal assistant, a perfectionist revered as a shining beacon amongst all the secretaries.
The only person in the entire company who has managed to stick by Changbin’s side all these years.
Together they’re an unstoppable force of nature that has overcome countless hurdles and transformed the entire corporation into a dominating entity within the market.
The infamous dynamic duo of Seo Group.
Hence, he also knows exactly what everyone feels whenever they enter a room.
Fear.
“Vice President Seo!” cries the head of marketing, Director Yoon, grovelling at Changbin’s feet. “P—Please hear me out. This is all just a misunderstanding!”
Changbin stares down at him, barely containing his mirth.
“You got caught at the red-light district on company time.” Changbin pockets his fists into his slacks, gaze blazing with fury. “What exactly am I misunderstanding?”
“I am sorry!” Director Yoon bows down on the ground, sobbing. “It will never happen again I promise.”
“Save it.” Changbin exhales sharply, resisting the urge to run his hand through his hair out of frustration. “Secretary Kim.”
Right on cue, Seungmin immediately enters the room, along with Director Yoon’s assistant, Ms Jo.
“Yes?”
“When does the breakfast meeting start?” Changbin asks while pulling out his lighter and cigarette out of habit.
“In twenty minutes. Your car is already waiting downstairs.” Seungmin then plucks the cigarette from his fingers. “You can’t smoke in here. Remember?”
Changbin frowns. “Just this once?”
Seungmin smiles. Number 14. Which means. “Nope.”
“I can't win against you.” Changbin chuckles, dropping his lighter back inside his pocket. “Well then, I’ll head out first. Take care of the rest, please.”
Seungmin nods, watching as Director Yoon scrambles after Changbin.
“Vice President Seo! Please hear me out. Please!”
The door closes behind Changbin with a reverberating slam.
Director Yoon falls to the floor, despair evident all over his face.
Seungmin sighs.
“Director Yoon,” he says, tone gentle. “Why would you go to that kind of place during office hours?”
“Hic… Secretary Kim…” Director Yoon sobs. “I… I didn’t mean to…”
“Vice President Seo had to work very hard to keep the company’s name out of the article,” Seungmin reveals, “and more importantly, think of how your wife and family must feel.”
“I know…” Director Yoon snivels, sniffling and squeezing tears from his eyes. “I must have lost my mind…”
“Vice President Seo thinks highly of you, that’s why he is so disappointed by this incident,” Seungmin says, patting Director Yoon’s shoulder sympathetically. “Mistakes happen. Just think of this as a lesson and work harder from now on.”
“Secretary Kim…” Director Yoon sniffs.
Seungmin smiles. “Why don’t you take the rest of the day off?”
The tears immediately stop. “Can I really?”
“Of course,” Seungmin reassures him.
With Ms Jo’s assistance, they help Director Yoon get up from the floor together.
After the older man departs, she immediately flocks to Seungmin.
“Um. Secretary Kim,” she starts, hesitant, “Director Yoon will be able to continue working at the company, right?”
Seungmin simply smiles in response, cryptically silent as he raises his phone to his ear.
“Hello. Yes, it’s Secretary Kim Seungmin. We’ve wrapped up here. Please vacate Director Yoon’s desk and all of his belongings immediately.”
He ends the call, turning back to Ms Jo whose face is now paler than their pristine paper stock.
“Vice President Seo does not give second chances,” Seungmin says, voice calm but somehow still chill-inducing. “You’d do well to remember that.”
Ms Jo shakily nods.
If there’s one piece of wisdom Changbin has learnt all these years, it is that humans are predictable in their unpredictability.
And yet, he never ceases to be surprised by Seungmin.
“When did you have time to learn German?” He asks once they’re in the car, impressed.
Seungmin turns toward him, round eyes blinking. “What do you mean?”
“I’m referring to the ambassadors that you were talking with,” Changbin recalls, looking out the window with disinterest, “if I wasn’t mistaken, they were trying to flirt with you all night.”
“Oh.” Seungmin laughs into his palm. “I think one of them was French, actually.”
Changbin whips around, confused. “You know French too?”
“You think too highly of me, sir.” Seungmin smiles, pleased. “I’ve only just become professionally proficient in Mandarin after your nagging. When would I have the time to learn German and French?”
Changbin stares at him. “Then how…”
“It’s all about reading the room. I was just guessing what they were saying through observation,” Seungmin says, shrugging. “Body language is just as communicative as verbal.”
A small smile tugs at Changbin’s lips. “I see.”
“I didn’t need to speak anyways. They mostly enjoy talking about themselves,” Seungmin continues, amused. “If they’re gesturing towards me, it’s probably a compliment, so I thank them with a nod and a smile. If they’re pushing their luck, then I’ll switch my glass to my left hand.”
Changbin blinks as Seungmin lifts his hand, presenting a gleaming, silver band around his ring finger.
“Isn’t that the prize you won from our corporate sports day last year?” Changbin recalls.
Seungmin nods. “Quite the useful ward against unwanted suitors, don’t you think?”
Changbin laughs fondly. “Impressive.”
“Oh my,” Seungmin faux-gasps. “Is that an actual compliment for me, Vice President Seo?”
Changbin scrunches his nose, meeting Seungmin’s eyes with an exasperated look. “You make it sound like I don’t compliment you enough, Secretary Kim.”
Seungmin smiles, a hint of teeth, teasing. “You don’t give enough compliments in general, sir.”
“It’s because I’m surrounded by incompetent people,” Changbin counters. “I love giving compliments, actually.”
Seungmin chuckles. “I know.”
Silence then lapses into the space between them.
After a minute, Seungmin suddenly speaks. “Sir.”
“What is it?” Changbin asks, watching as Seungmin stares out into the window.
After a short pause, Seungmin finally looks back at him with a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “You should put up a job posting soon.”
“What?” Changbin raises a brow. “Why?”
Seungmin’s smile drops into a neutral expression.
“Because,” he says, “I’m going to resign.”
Changbin stills.
Huh?