Work Text:
“Don’t you think the secretary’s pants look too tight?”
“You know what, I think you’re right.”
Numerous voices hummed appreciatively.
“Secretary Kim must be trying to seduce CEO Yoo.”
“No way!”
“Oh, is that why he has to go to the CEO’s room all the time?”
“Oh my gosh…”
“CEO Yoo is a lucky man…”
Kim Dokja had the unfortunate luck of overhearing his gossiping co-workers in the quality assurance department. He fled to the bathroom and locked the door.
He stared long and hard at the mirror.
Did…did he really gain weight?! Were his coworkers telling the truth?
He patted his backside, pulling on the waistband of his slacks.
Oh no.
Where did the gap go?
He used to have an ample amount of extra space, but there was barely anymore. He tugged and tugged, hoping his eyes were playing a trick on him.
Did that bastard shrink his pants in the dryer? He knew he shouldn’t have relied on others to do his precious laundry.
It was time for the ultimate test. Kim Dokja pinched his waist and whimpered from the slight pain. Ignoring how soft his skin was, Kim Dokja realized he had some excess. It used to be taut and firm. He let out a frustrated groan.
Kim Dokja fled the bathroom and stormed straight to the culprit’s room, opening the doors with such strength that the windows behind the CEO shook.
The CEO, Yoo Joonghyuk, looked up from his paperwork. His eyes softened at the sight of Kim Dokja stomping to his desk.
“Good afternoon Secretary Kim. I was worried that you’d be late for our lunch date.”
“Shut up.”
Yoo Joonghyuk blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Is this all part of your plan?”
“My plan?”
Kim Dokja huffed and sat on the chair across Yoo Joonghyuk’s desk. Crossing his legs and looking as stern as possible, Kim Dokja stared at Yoo Joonghyuk with the most serious look he could muster.
“There are rumors that I’m trying to seduce you.”
Unperturbed, Yoo Joonghyuk raised a fine eyebrow. “Is that so?”
“Yes, apparently I’m trying to seduce you by wearing tight pants. And that our lunch dates are actually secret trysts.”
The usually tight lipped CEO held back a laugh at the offended expression on his secretary’s face. “I see.”
“Well? What do you have to say?”
“Kim Dokja,” Yoo Joonghyuk's mouth formed a grin, “the rumors are obviously false. You don’t have to seduce me; we’re married already.”
“No! Not that part!” stammered Kim Dokja, blushing at the smug look on Yoo Joonghyuk’s face. “You missed the entire point.”
“Hm? What did I miss?” At this point, Yoo Joonghyuk was just entertaining his husband. This was his company, he wouldn’t allow baseless rumors to spread—
“My department noticed I gained weight and it’s all your fault.”
His jaw relaxed. Yoo Joonghyuk exhaled, glad he didn’t have to eliminate half of his workforce. “...Explain.”
Kim Dokja huffed. “It’s because you make all of those delicious, handmade meals. If I didn’t eat so much, maybe I wouldn’t have ended up like this.”
“There’s nothing wrong with you,” Yoo Joonghyuk gave Kim Dokja an appreciative look, “You definitely look healthier than before we started dating.”
“At least people weren’t commenting about my tight pants—”
Yoo Joonghyuk abruptly interrupted his husband. “Speaking of lunch, our meals are ready in the meeting room.”
Kim Dokja’s eyes momentarily lit up but he gasped as he realized something. “Wait, don't distract me with lunch. You’re just furthering your secret plan.”
“It’s time for our break. We can talk about work-related matters afterwards.” Yoo Joonghyuk stood up and walked around his desk, helping Kim Dokja to his feet so he could casually loop an arm around Kim Dokja’s waist. “Let’s go Kim Dokja.”
Kim Dokja blushed as Yoo Joonghyuk’s hand settled on his hip and he was led to the meeting room down the hall. As promised, there were two steaming hot plates waiting for them in the empty room.
“This isn’t over,” Kim Dokja started but paused as his eyes roved around the meticulously placed squid over a bed of rice. He took out his phone to take a picture. “How did you know I was craving squid?”
“Intuition. Now eat.” Using a pair of clean chopsticks, Yoo Joonghyuk picked up a piece of the breaded squid and popped it into Kim Dokja’s open mouth. Kim Dokja hummed in delight as he chewed on the food, cheeks puffed out and shining.
Yoo Joonghyuk’s plan succeeded for now.
For some reason, the entire quality assurance department was rounded up for an emergency meeting. Dozens of workers whispered, worried about the status of their projects and scared about their positions. N’gai Industries was one of the leading companies of the nation, what was there to worry about?
The room went silent as the CEO walked to the podium at the front. He cleared his throat and sent a chilling glare to the now terrified workers.
“Good afternoon. Thank you for being here on such short notice. I will keep this brief.”
One worker went down on their knees as another began to mutter prayers.
“Keep gossip about Secretary Kim Dokja down to a minimum. He’s a very self-conscious individual. Instead, you should compliment him about the new blazer he will be wearing tomorrow.”
The room fell into a different type of silence.
“Any report of slander against Kim Dokja will not be entertained and consequences will occur. You are all dismissed.” With those final words, Yoo Joonghyuk left the podium and exited the room, leaving behind a room of confused, yet terrified employees.
The Next Day…
Today was a strange day for Kim Dokja.
After kissing his husband goodbye and entering the building through the normal employee entrance, he was met with a lot of compliments.
Too many compliments.
“Good morning Secretary Kim! You have a nice blazer on today, where did you get it?”
“Ah my husband bought it for me,” Kim Dokja proudly showed off the form-fitting blazer to his assistant, “He said he saw it in a store window and instantly knew it would look good on me.”
“A-Ah, what an amazing husband!” The assistant nodded a bit too fast, “Please tell him we said it was very nice. Please don’t forget please!” They scurried away after handing Kim Dokja his files for the day.
“That was odd.”
Soon, more people approached Kim Dokja, once again complimenting his blazer. Kim Dokja began to feel overwhelmed as he endured the repetitive compliments and annoying questions.
“Yes it’s soft.”
“Yes, the material is high quality…I think.”
“No, I don’t know where he bought it.”
“How am I supposed to know how much it cost?”
“Yes, the blazer is my favorite color…wait how did you know that?”
He wasn’t able to escape the onslaught until lunch time when he ducked into his CEO’s office, locking the doors for good measure. Yoo Joonghyuk looked up from his documents to see Kim Dokja slightly out of breath.
“Hello Dokja, is there something wrong?”
“I’m fine…I think,” Kim Dokja pulled out a folder from within his blazer and handed it to Yoo Joonghyuk, “Those are the files for this afternoon’s meeting. They might be a bit wrinkled because I was assaulted by everyone today.”
“...Assaulted?” Yoo Joonghyuk stood up straighter, the expression on his face darker than before, “Elaborate.”
“For some reason, everyone in the office has been complimenting me.” Kim Dokja relaxed into the chair in front of Yoo Joonghyuk’s desk and shrugged off the blazer of his suit. “Where did you buy this? I had a dozen people ask about it. Is this from some sort of internet trend?”
Yoo Joonghyuk’s shoulders relaxed and he returned to a calm and composed poise. “I’ll have to search for the name of the store later. Can you explain how you were assaulted?” What Kim Dokja couldn’t see was Yoo Joonghyuk’s clenched fist resting on his thigh, ready to smash whoever touched a hair on Kim Dokja’s precious head.
“Oh, I was just exaggerating. It was because the moment I stepped into the office, I was bombarded by the entire department.” Kim Dokja slouched in his chair as he recalled the details. “I don’t think I knew half of those workers, but they were all weirdly interested in my new blazer.”
Yoo Joonghyuk’s fist relaxed. “It is a very nice blazer. It suits you well.”
Kim Dokja rolled his eyes and groaned. “You’re missing the point, but I’m exhausted from talking so much. Can we just eat lunch? Preferably now?”
“Alright.”
As he ate Yoo Joonghyuk’s cooking, Kim Dokja noticed that Yoo Joonghyuk was deep in thought.
That was a bad sign.
Lunch was awkward and silent. Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t like that. After a quick email, he awaited his QA department in the same meeting room as last time.
The employees in the quality assurance department whispered amongst themselves, trying to guess what sparked today’s bold faced email. Two previously unannounced meetings in the same week? It was unheard of.
CEO Yoo Joonghyuk slowly walked to the podium and tapped the microphone twice, quickly quieting the entire room.
“You are all terrible at directions.”
The lack of greeting made the entire crowd shiver. They were all about to lose their jobs.
“When I told you to compliment his blazer, I didn’t want you to overwhelm him. Secretary Kim is,” Yoo Joonghyuk paused, trying to find the appropriate word, “He is shy.”
Someone in the back snorted and Yoo Joonghyuk instantly zeroed in on them.
“Employee Lee, you have been excused from your position. You have one hour to clean your desk and take your belongings.”
“WHAT?! Please no sir, you can’t do this! It was an honest mistake!” Lee Jinho, an average QA specialist who (formerly as of five seconds ago) worked for N’Gai Industries for three years fell to the floor, mouth agape and distraught.
“Leave the premises immediately.”
Lee Jinho fell to the floor in tears. The workers around him sighed with pity and a few volunteered to help him out of the room and clean his area. The man’s cries echoed through the hallway.
Yoo Joonghyuk cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention back on him. “As I was saying, Kim Dokja is shy. It would be best if everyone didn’t talk to him at once or else he’ll feel overwhelmed and anxious. Do you understand?”
Yoo Joonghyuk’s loyal workforce all let out a mighty “yes sir” and the meeting adjourned.
The Next Day…
Yoo Joonghyuk knew something was wrong the moment his husband walked in with slumped shoulders and a morose expression on his face. The CEO immediately put his paperwork away, giving his husband his full attention.
“Dokja? Is there something wrong?”
Kim Dokja slid into his chair, propping his face up with his hand. He turned to Yoo Joonghyuk, looking lost and confused.
“Everyone seems to be avoiding me today. It’s so strange. No one returned any of my usual greetings.” Kim Dokja let out a deep sigh. “Do you think I did something wrong? Maybe I gave off a rude impression yesterday.”
Yoo Joonghyuk held back the urge to fire his entire QA department for making Kim Dokja sad.
“I’m sure it’s because of the strict deadline I set,” lied Yoo Joonghyuk, “I’ll adjust it so your department won’t be stressed for time.”
Kim Dokja’s eyebrows shot up and he sat up in his chair. “Really? I’m sure that’ll lift everyone’s spirits.”
“I’ll coordinate the new deadline with the managers,” Yoo Joonghyuk said as he rose from his desk, “Now it’s time for our lunch. Why don’t you tell me about the latest web novel chapter from…”
Damn he forgot the title.
“Oh you mean the one I talked about last night?”
He certainly dodged a bullet. Thankfully, Kim Dokja was always eager to talk about novels. “Sure, tell me all about it.”
Kim Dokja checked his watch for the fifth time. Yoo Joonghyuk said he had a quick meeting before their dinner date, but fifteen minutes had already passed since the CEO entered the meeting room.
He impatiently tapped his foot and checked his phone again and again. Not even the latest update of his favorite web novel could distract him. All of his texts went unanswered.
So rude!
Kim Dokja had enough. Their reservation was in thirty minutes and it took Kim Dokja four attempts to book this stupid dumpling house that he knew Yoo Joonghyuk would probably enjoy.
He opened the door of the meeting room.
“Excuse me, I’m looking for CEO Yoo—” Kim Dokja froze in place, “What the hell is going on here?”
Several occupants of the room were sniffling, wiping their tears away with tissues. Another chunk of the room stared at Kim Dokja with fearful eyes while another good portion fainted.
Kim Dokja walked into the room to see Yoo Joonghyuk at the podium, calm on the outside, but Kim Dokja could see the bead of sweat sliding down his chiseled jaw.
“Secretary Kim.”
“CEO Yoo,” Kim Dokja spoke as he walked to the front of the room, “Why is my entire department here?”
“We’re having an impromptu meeting. You can wait for me outside.”
“Why wasn’t I invited?”
Yoo Joonghyuk’s cheeks had a red tint and his mouth almost formed a pout. The employees would’ve cooed in delight if their jobs weren’t on the line.
“It doesn’t concern you.”
Kim Dokja huffed and found the nearest chair. He sat down, keeping his eyes directly on a now noticeably sweaty Yoo Joonghyuk.
“Don’t mind me,” Kim Dokja waved at the CEO dismissively, “Continue the meeting. Pretend I’m not even here.”
Yoo Joonghyuk scowled and his employees pretended not to notice how the wood of the podium cracked under his grip. The CEO stayed silent before letting out a sigh.
“Everyone is dismissed. We will continue our meeting next week.”
“Hey!” Kim Dokja stood up, “Continue the meeting!”
“There is nothing else to discuss.”
The two figureheads of the company were locked in a stalemate that no employee was brave enough to interrupt.
Kim Dokja sat back down on the chair and turned his head away.
“I’m ignoring you until you tell me.”
“Don’t be immature Kim Dokja. Now, let’s go on our outing.” Yoo Joonghyuk stepped down from the stage and walked to where Kim Dokja was seated. He held out his hand expectantly.
Instead of accepting, Kim Dokja took out his phone and began swiping his finger across the screen.
The employees in the room all gulped in terror.
No one but Secretary Kim could ever get away with ignoring the CEO like this.
“Kim Dokja, let’s go.”
Kim Dokja stayed silent, not affected in the slightest.
“Kim Dokja,” Yoo Joonghyuk raised his voice, as if he was a parent scolding their child, “look at me.”
Kim Dokja yawned and glanced at the person that sat next to him.
“Did you hear something?”
Imaginary smoke spewed from Yoo Joonghyuk’s ears. The fearsome CEO wanted to throw a tantrum but he would immediately lose all of his employees’ respect. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
“The meeting was about you, Kim Dokja. I was instructing the employees to not fear you.”
Kim Dokja’s eyebrows scrunched together, forming an ugly wrinkle. “What?”
“You told me that everyone avoided you today, correct?”
Kim Dokja’s cheeks reddened, “Uh yeah I did. You didn’t have to take it so seriously.” He looked around the room. “Wait, you gathered everyone just for that?”
Yoo Joonghyuk’s frown deepened. “It’s important that everyone gets along.” He glared at the other occupants of the room. The employees in the room understood that the message was directed towards them.
“YES SIR!” The employees shouted at their glaring CEO.
Kim Dokja's eyes widened as he shook his head. “If they don’t like me it's okay…they have the right to dislike—”
The room echoed with disagreement.
“We love you Secretary Kim!”
Yoo Joonghyuk coughed into his hand.
“Not as much as CEO Yoo!”
Kim Dokja's department crowded around him, praising the secretary for his hard work and effort. Kim Dokja blushed at the kind words and stammered thank yous for half an hour. Unbeknownst to the secretary, he was the shield that protected the department from the CEO’s wrath.
“Next time,” started Kim Dokja as he watched his husband undress for the day, “you don’t have to hold a secret meeting to bully your employees into treating me better.”
Yoo Joonghyuk tossed his laundry into a basket before slipping on the silk pajamas that Kim Dokja gifted him for his birthday. “I would do anything to ensure your comfort. I would even jeopardize my reputation.”
Kim Dokja rolled his eyes and crawled over to occupy Yoo Joonghyuk’s side of the bed. Yoo Joonghyuk saw his husband’s playfulness and lightly shoved him back, capturing Kim Dokja’s waist in the process. He squeezed his husband tightly, keeping a firm hold even as Kim Dokja wriggled in his grasp.
“Hey don’t forget you owe QA an apology for threatening them.”
“Mmhmm.”
“And you better extend that deadline!”
“I’ll evaluate it later. For now,” Yoo Joonghyuk’s breath ghosted over Kim Dokja’s ear, “I have other work I need to attend to.”
Kim Dokja’s entire body shuddered as he felt teeth nipping at his ear. A hand began to wander along his torso, lifting his shirt to explore the expanse of his body.
It was going to be a long night.
Bonus
By some miracle, Lee Jinho was reinstated to his position. He took the second chance immediately and devoted his entire being to N’gai Industries.
The first thing he sought to improve was interdepartmental relationships. He greeted all of his coworkers happily, even going as far to treat the QA department to coffee.
However, he noticed that Secretary Kim didn’t come down to the break room at all. That wouldn’t do at all!
So Lee Jinho decided to be a good co-worker and bring a cup to Kim Dokja’s desk. It would definitely be appreciated.
“Secretary Kim,” Lee Jinho called out as he knocked on the secretary’s door, “I brought you fresh coffee.”
The door swung open, the force almost slamming Lee Jinho to the ground. Before he could protest, he saw the dark eyes of a certain CEO.
“CEO Yoo?!”
“Secretary Kim is busy and has no time to—”
Yoo Joonghyuk was pushed to the side by none other than Kim Dokja, who was flushed and breathing heavily. Kim Dokja snatched the cup from Lee Jinho’s hand and slammed the door shut.
Lee Jinho stood up, still reeling from the past twenty seconds. He noticed that the secretary’s shirt was unbuttoned and red marks were all over his shoulders—
Lee Jinho shook his head.
He really needed to learn to stay away from Kim Dokja or else the CEO was going to take away this second chance.