THE CEO'S HIDDEN HEIR: A Tale Of Deception And Destiny

Chapter3: Her First Day Of Work

The sun's golden rays illuminated the office windows, casting a warm, inviting glow across the modern workspace. Jihyun's heart pounded as she adjusted the collar of her blouse, anxiety churning beneath the surface. Minjun lay curled on her lap, a small figure of vulnerability amidst the bustle of her first day at work. His feverish forehead pressed against her, a reminder of her conflicting responsibilities.

"Mommy, I'll be okay," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, yet filled with a tender resolve. "You shouldn't be late on your first day."

Jihyun's heart ached at his selflessness. "But sweetie, I can't just leave you all alone when you're not feeling well," she replied softly, brushing a stray hair from his face. She studied his eyes, searching for any sign of discomfort. "How about I take you with me? I promise I'll keep an eye on you."

Minjun nodded slowly, a small smile creeping onto his lips. "Okay, but can I have some juice?"

"Deal. Let's get you some juice and head to the office."

Once they arrived at the office, Jihyun cradled Minjun as they navigated through the bustling lobby. Employees hustled by, engrossed in their tasks, unaware of the tender drama unfolding at the heart of the workspace. She guided Minjun toward the pantry, a bright, airy room filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and pastries.

"Alright, my little trooper," she said, setting him down on a stool. "You stay right here and don't make any noise, okay? I'll be just a few moments."

"I promise," Minjun replied, looking up at her with trustful eyes.

As Jihyun prepared to make her rounds, Jack Martin, the office director, strode in, his demeanour stern and unyielding. Upon spotting them, his expression shifted to disapproval, his head shaking subtly. Jihyun caught his glance and felt a knot tighten in her stomach. She could sense he was not a fan of her presence.

"Hi everyone!" she announced, mustering her courage as she entered the main office area. "I'm Jihyun Shin, the new secretary to the CEO. I bought coffee for everyone."

A chorus of polite welcomes echoed back, but she noticed Martin's disdainful gaze lingering on her. Undeterred, she approached him with a warm smile. "Mr. Martin, here's your coffee. I hope you like it. I'm so sorry for bringing Minjun today; he's sick, and the nursery was closed."

Before she could finish, Martin interrupted her with a thunderous sigh. "Women can be so troublesome," he barked, dismissing her with a wave of his hand. "You could've stayed home and taken care of your child instead of disrupting the workplace."

Jihyun's heart sank, but she refused to let his words defeat her. "But I sent you the files you requested. Just because I brought my child doesn't mean my work will suffer."

Martin scoffed, his voice dripping with condescension. "I'll be the judge of that, not you."

"Sir, I—"

"Don't point your fingers at my secretary," a commanding voice cut through the tension, echoing from the entrance. Jihyun turned, her heart racing as Jong Gu, the CEO, strode into the room, his presence radiating authority and charisma.

Martin's bravado faltered. "I didn't mean it, sir. I was just—"

"Enough," Jong Gu interrupted, his piercing gaze locking onto Martin's. "You should know better than to criticise my staff, especially when they're doing their best to juggle responsibilities."

Jihyun stared at Jong Gu, her breath catching in her throat. “It's him.” She thought. He was even more handsome than she had imagined, with an air of confidence that was both intimidating and strangely comforting.

"I've seen many capable women like her bring their children to work without issue," Jong Gu continued, his tone unwavering. "It's not fair to judge them before they make any mistakes."

Martin's face flushed with indignation, but Jong Gu pressed on, undeterred. "The company must do better to accommodate employees of childbearing age. Geon!" he called out, summoning his assistant.

"Yes, sir?" Geon responded promptly.

"I want an internal nursery established within a month," Jong Gu commanded, then turned on his heel, striding toward his office, leaving a stunned silence in his wake.

Jihyun watched him go, admiration flooding her senses. "He's quite nice," she mused quietly to herself, a flutter of hope igniting within her.

As the office began to buzz again, she felt the weight of Martin's glare still fixed on her. "You think you're special now, don't you?" he muttered, the bitterness lacing his words.

"I'm just trying to do my job," Jihyun replied, her voice steady despite the unease creeping back in. "Being a mother doesn't make me less capable."

"Prove it," he shot back, turning away. "You'll have to earn your place here."

With those words hanging heavily in the air, Jihyun returned to Minjun, who was sipping juice and watching the interactions with wide eyes. "Did you hear that, Minjun? Mommy has to show them what she's made of," she said, forcing a smile.

"Don't worry, Mommy," Minjun chirped, his innocence brightening the moment. "You're super strong! Like a superhero!"

She chuckled, gratitude swelling in her chest. "Thank you, little hero. I'll need all the strength I can get."

Just then, Jong Gu re-emerged from his office, his presence commanding immediate attention. "I expect to see progress, and I won't tolerate any further comments that undermine my staff. Jihyun, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

Jihyun nodded, her heart swelling with appreciation. "Thank you, sir. I'll make sure to deliver."

As Jong Gu returned to his office, Jihyun felt a renewed sense of determination. Maybe this day wouldn't be as daunting as she had feared. With Minjun by her side, she could conquer anything—office politics, judgement, and all. Together, they were a formidable team, ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.

During the last break before dismissal at the office, Jong Gu requested to see Jihyun's son, Minjun. She carried him along to the pantry, where Minjun sat.

Minjun stood up, greeted him, and offered a glass of water. “Mr. Gu, please have some water,” he said innocently. Jong Gu was impressed by the gesture.

“Mr. Gu, is the nursery they're going to build free? My mom doesn't have to pay anything, right?” Minjun asked, curiosity evident in his eyes.

Instead of Jong Gu replying, Jihyun chimed in. “Minjun, with the way my boss looks, he seems like a good man. Why would he charge us?” She smiled at Jong Gu.

He smiled back, though he kept it subtle. Jong Gu rarely had time to joke around with his staff; he had only wanted to meet her son, and now that he had, he said, “Instead of flattering me, you should be preparing for the meeting this afternoon.”

Jihyun nodded respectfully. Just as Jong Gu was about to set down the glass of water Minjun had given him, a staff member—who had just received a lily from her fiancé—walked by with the flowers. Both Jong Gu and Minjun sneezed at the same time.

Jihyun raised an eyebrow. “Are you allergic to lilies like my son?” she asked, surprised. Jong Gu hesitated, momentarily lost for words.

Minjun handed him some paper towels to clean his face, and just then, his assistant Geon appeared, announcing it was time for the meeting. As Jong Gu left, Minjun said, “Mommy, I like him. He feels like my dad that I've never met.”

Jihyun's heart skipped a beat. Suddenly, the air felt cha

rged with unspoken tension, as if a hidden truth hung just beneath the surface.