Secretary Kool

Chapter Two

Something Is Wrong

I couldn't concentrate for the rest of the afternoon.

My boyfriend's phone call kept replaying in my head.

Can we talk tonight?

There was something in his voice.

Something I couldn't explain.

I glanced at the clock.

4:37 p.m.

Almost time to leave.

I was organizing the last set of documents when my phone vibrated again.

I looked at the screen.

Him.

I stared at the name for a few seconds before answering.

“Hello?”

“Are you still at work?”

“Yes.”

“When will you be home?”

“Probably around six.”

“Okay.”

I frowned.

“Why?”

“I'll see you then.”

The call ended.

I lowered my phone slowly.

What was going on with him?

Before I could think about it any further, the door to Tae-hyun's office opened.

“Kool.”

I immediately straightened.

“Yes, sir?”

“Come in.”

I followed him into his office.

He was standing beside his desk, looking through a document.

“Tomorrow's meeting has been moved to eight.”

“Eight in the morning?”

“Yes.”

I quickly entered it into my tablet.

“Anything else?”

He looked at me.

“You seem distracted.”

I blinked.

“I'm fine.”

“Are you?”

“Yes.”

He studied my face for a moment.

Then he looked away.

“Make sure the documents for tomorrow are ready before you leave.”

“Yes, sir.”

I turned to leave.

“Kool.”

I stopped.

“Yes?”

“Don't take your personal problems into the office.”

My eyes widened slightly.

“I don't have personal problems.”

He raised an eyebrow.

I immediately looked away.

“I'm sorry.”

“You don't have to apologize.”

He returned his attention to his computer.

“Just focus.”

I nodded and left.

How did he always notice everything?

I returned to my desk and finished my work.

At exactly 6:02 p.m., I packed my bag.

As I walked out of the building, I noticed Tae-hyun standing near the entrance.

He was talking to one of the directors.

Our eyes met briefly.

I gave him a small bow.

He nodded.

Then I continued walking.

I didn't know why, but something about that brief moment stayed in my mind.

Maybe because, after four years, I was used to seeing him as nothing more than my boss.

Yet lately, I had started noticing things I normally ignored.

His expressions.

His silence.

The way he watched people.

I shook my head.

“No, Kool.”

I laughed quietly at myself.

“He's your boss.”

I reached home and changed quickly.

My boyfriend was already waiting outside.

The moment I saw him, I knew something was wrong.

He looked nervous.

“What's going on?”

He didn't answer immediately.

“Kool, we need to talk.”

My heart sank.

“About what?”

He looked away.

“I don't think this relationship is working anymore.”

I stared at him.

For a moment, I couldn't speak.

“What?”

“I've been thinking about it for a while.”

“Thinking about what?”

“Us.”

I felt my chest tighten.

“You could have told me.”

“I know.”

“So why didn't you?”

He remained silent.

I looked at him carefully.

“Is there someone else?”

He didn't answer.

That silence was enough.

My eyes filled with tears.

“You're seeing someone else?”

“It's complicated.”

I laughed bitterly.

“It's not complicated.”

“Kool—”

“No.”

I stepped back.

“Four years.”

He looked at me.

“Four years, and you couldn't even be honest with me?”

He lowered his head.

“I’m sorry.”

I wiped my tears quickly.

“Don't.”

I didn't want him to see me cry.

Not after everything.

I turned around and walked inside.

That night, I barely slept.

My relationship had ended.

Four years of memories had suddenly become something I couldn't understand.

I stared at the ceiling until morning.

When my alarm rang, I didn't want to get up.

But I had work.

And somehow, work felt easier than facing my broken heart.

I arrived at the office earlier than usual.

I thought I would be able to hide everything.

I was wrong.

The moment I placed my bag on my desk, Tae-hyun's voice came from behind me.

“Kool.”

I turned.

He was standing there with a cup of coffee in his hand.

“You're early.”

“Yes.”

His eyes rested on my face.

“You didn't sleep.”

I froze.

“How do you know?”

“Your eyes.”

I looked away.

“I'm fine.”

He didn't respond.

Instead, he placed the coffee on my desk.

“Drink it.”

I stared at the cup.

“Sir?”

“You'll need it.”

Then he walked away.

I watched him disappear into his office.

For the first time in four years, I wondered if Kang Tae-hyun was really as cold as everyone believed.

And for the first time, I wondered if he had noticed more about me than I had ever realized.