CHAPTER 3

Ch. 3: Hopeless Secretary Oh (1)

            "Do you still not understand?"

            Two months ago, after Secretary Hwang gave birth and took paternity leave, the office for Jung-rok's secretary had been empty all the time.

            The absence of Secretary Hwang, who has been working with Always Law Firm since the beginning of its establishment, meant double work for Jung-rok.

            He has to listen to his clients' story, and even when he has to go back and forth to the courthouse, he still has many other chores to do.

            Although he had asked for a secretary to take over as soon as possible, CEO of Always Law Firm Yeon Joon-kyu kept delaying an appointment of Jung-rok's new secretary.

            "Wait for a little bit, just a little bit. You might hear a good news soon."

            "A good news?"

            "There's something like that. There's something so just believe me!"

            Whenever Jung-rok said he needs a secretary, CEO Yeon always just laughed and threw him a delightful smile.

            However, the "little bit" that CEO Yeon referred lasted for one day, two days, one month until two months had passed by. In the end, Jung-rok had made up his mind to firmly ask CEO Yeon for a secretary even if he had to hold CEO Yeon's shirt collar.
            "Lawyer Kwon."
            Today, I will not step back.

            That's what Jung-rok was thinking about when he looked at the opening elevator while clenching his fist. Jung-rok then heard someone calling him after getting off the elevator. As soon as he turned his head, the secretary of Lawyer Choi Yoon-hyuk from the next room, Eunji, who was currently helping Lawyer Choi's work, called him in her typical nonchalant voice. Eunji looked at Jung-rok's eyes and spoke reluctantly.

            "CEO said to ask you to immediately come to his room when you have come to work."
            "Me?"
            "Yes."
            His heart skipped a beat thinking the day he had been waiting for had finally come. Because CEO Yeon before always gave excuses to openly avoided Jung-rok. But today, right here, at this moment CEO Yeon who had been avoiding Jung-rok was now able to finally meet him. Jung-rok smiled thinking he could finally concentrate on his work.

            This made him throw his briefcase carelessly and Jung-rok's footsteps to the CEO's room were getting lighter.

            "What... did you say?"

            But he did not predict this situation that would make him silent right now.

            Jung-rok's face full of anticipation faded when he found CEO Yeon welcoming him who was still hesitating to knock on his room's door. Jung-rok frowned at CEO Yeon's words who was laughing while welcoming him. CEO Yeon then said again while showing off his white teeth.

            "Didn't you hear? Huh. Lawyer Kwon seems to have to go the ENT specialist occasionally."

            He was talking nonsense, yes.

            Jung-rok put on a thin smile with a look as if he wanted to kill CEO Yeon, who was still laughing, and asked again.

            "That's why, I ask once again with an open heart, Mr. CEO. What did you say...? Who will be Secretary Hwang's replacement?"

            Forcibly, one corner of his lips raised slightly. Even though he tried to understand, Jung-rok couldn't believe it at all. Jung-rok doubted his own ears while looking at CEO Yeon.

            CEO Yeon laughed louder more than what Jung-rok knew so far as he mentioned the name clearly.

            "Oh Yoon-seo! Lawyer Kwon, don't you know Oh Yoon-seo?"

            The most beautiful actress in South Korea who made her the number one person with the most attractive face. There are undoubtedly no men who do not know this woman.

            After debuting at the age of 17, Oh Yoon-seo has held the entertainment world in her hands for more than 10 years.

            Although the woman could not act, she is a woman who thanks to her attractive appearance and aura rose to the top star position.

            Even Kwon Jung-rok who is not interested in the entertainment world at all knows that she was a famous actress by just hearing her name once. There was even a saying those who don't know her are only spies.

            'But still...'

            Is this person on his right mind?

            Jungr-ok thought to himself as he looked at CEO Yeon who still laughed like madman even though Jung-rok didn't laugh.

            Whether CEO Yeon understood or didn't know Jung-rok's desperate feelings, he continued his words again.

            "In the future, as I'm looking for an official new secretary for Lawyer Kwon, Ms. Yoon-seo will be your secretary!"

            He spoke with a calm face.

            "So, just work together. Geez, Ms. Yoon-seo is..."

            CEO Yeon spoke at length. He argued before Jung-rok answered him as he feared his law firm was accused of not employing talented workers.

            Even though Jung-rok was silent at CEO Yeon's loud words, in the end there was only one conclusion. Using various kinds of grandiose requests or polishing them would still not change this conclusion.

            Jung-rok listened to excited CEO Yeon's words and replied with only silence. As soon as the CEO finished talking, Jung-rok smiled. He tried to move his lips with all his strength.

            "Mr. CEO, I ask you one thing."

            "Yes, what is that?

            CEO Yeon nodded happily. Jung-rok released very harsh words along with his wide smile.

            "Are you crazy?"

            "Huh...?"

            CEO Yeon is really crazy.

            If not,

            "There's no doubt you have lost your mind due to the recent increase in clients demand."

            "Eh?"

            "I apologize. But it seems like I can't accept it after hearing your story. Excuse me."

            It was indeed a bad morning.

            As fast as lightning Jung-rok turned away.

            I am already very busy as it is, but he called me and what he said was just a silly thing. Even though he tried to think about it again, Jungrok just felt annoyed and frowned.

            "Oi, Kwon Jung-rok! Stop right there!"

            Jung-rok who took big steps to quickly get out already had his big hand on the door knob and if it wasn't for CEO Yeon's shout, maybe his body had come out of the director's room completely.

            "What is it?"

            With half his body in the director's room and half in the corridor, Jung-rok looked at CEO Yeon's.

            CEO Yeon glared at Jung-rok, but soon giggled.

            "Hey, Lawyer Kwon. I still haven't finished talking."

            "But I have."

            "Oi, boy."

            "CEO Yeon, as if this all makes sense!"

            Jung-rok finally spoke to CEO Yeon who wanted to speak in a cold tone or persuade without paying attention to his words.

            Jung-rok yelled while still controlling his expression. CEO Yeon's eyes widened.

            But he needs to say what needs to be said.

            "You remember when Secretary Hwang took maternity leave and you said you would find me a new secretary!? Already two months ago! This morning you finally mentioned the secretary matter and I thought I could finally breath... but what is this? Who are you saying?"

            "Oh Yoon-seo."

            "It's not like I don't know the woman's name!"

            CEO Yeon clicked and pouted his lips because of Jung-rok's reaction.

            With an excited expression, CEO Yeon moved his thick lips. The thing he hasn't done for a long time since the annual salary negotiations two years ago that he unexpectedly hated very much.

            Jung-rok heavily sighed and scratched his non-itchy head.

            "The point is I don't like this. If you want to find me a secretary, please do it right. I am not a new lawyer here and I have worked here for about 5 years. If you find it difficult to find a permanent secretary for me, it's better to give Eun-ji a little of my work. It's not like our firm doesn't have money, but why are you looking for the secretary randomly like this?"

            Oh Yoon-seo ranked as the number one ideal type of men in Korea.

            However, Oh Yoon-seo who was second to none has long been in her doom since her winter at the age of 27. Jung-rok remembers that Oh Yoon-seo has not received a single advertisement offer since last year.

            No. She does not reject the advertisement offers and the woman has resigned, right?

            One year passed after the scandal and a new year shone again. Then suddenly there was news that the woman who had not done anything would go into his law firm as a secretary. Although Jung-rok said it was the most absurd thing he had heard recently, it was actually not something that needed to be exaggerated.

            Jung-rok frowned and was thinking if maybe CEO Yeon ever mentioned there was no money or if he was recently sued by a client.

            "Lawyer Kwon, think carefully."

            Jung-rok who was about to return to his own office after finishing his angry words turned to the words of CEO Yeon who held him back. This time CEO Yeon gave him a very earnest look.

            "This is an opportunity."

            "Opportunity?"

            "It's not just an ordinary opportunity, but an extraordinary opportunity!"

            "..."

            "This is an opportunity that may make us, Always Law Firm, start to grow to be known by the public! You know it yourself. How famous Oh Yoon-seo is! If Oh Yoon-seo is known to be our corporate secretary, maybe all of our clients ... "

            "What opportunity."

            Director Yeon who spoke enthusiastically stared dumbly at Jung-rok who cut off his words.

            Jung-rok snorted.

            "Oh Yoon-seo's popularity has now declined though. Then, do Mr. CEO not see the news?"

            "Ng?"

            "That woman, has resigned!"

            If this is the world of entertainment, Jung-rok, who crackled his teeth, knew very well the steep road Oh Yoon-seo endured that made her say she wanted to take a break.

            CEO Yeon's eyeballs were rounded.

            "Ah. Ri, right. You, you're right......"

            CEO Yeon nodded awkwardly.

            Jung-rok looks at CEO Yeon who was panicking and sighing.

            "I say this once again, I don't like it."

            "......"

            "Please give the position of the 'babysitter' to another lawyer. Because I have not the slightest desire to get involved with people who have no basic knowledge while I still have to do my job. "

            Kwon Jung-rok.

            A person who is called as a perfect man by the people around him, hate people who are insensitive. Furthermore, if people whom he doesn't like are people who do not have the ability to do their jobs.

            And the person he hates the most is an insensitive person, and someone who cannot do their job well.

            The actress named "Oh Yoon-seo" whom he heard rumors of sadly fell in the final dump.

            Therefore Jung-rok did not want to be near or even work with her.

            Jung-rok was already determined.

            Whatever CEO Yeon said, Jung-rok just wanted to get his hands off of this matter and get out of the director's room. Because now if he just moved a little more, he would be really out of the room as his half body which was already in the corridor.

            "Hmm."

            Jung-rok was not sure if what he heard was CEO Yeon groaned in a low voice.

            This time maybe he would persuade Jung-rok with another sweet talk. But Jung-rok won't get entangled easily.

            After strengthening his determination and when Jung-rok moved his eyebrows, CEO Yeon said,

            "If I'm in the position of Lawyer Kwon, of course I will also be like you... So, it can't be helped."

            Jung-rok narrowed his eyes because of CEO Yeon's unexpected answer.

            CEO Yeon lowered his gaze while muttering.

            "Even when Lawyer Kwon was in trouble, I didn't grumble or took it for granted...... Then when Lawyer Kwon had a difficult problem, I also pretended not to know by helping....... So what can I do? "

            Jung-rok snorted but his body that wanted to go back was actually frozen.

            ‘Damn.'

            He didn't expect CEO Yeon to hold him up by discussing a matter from 5 years ago. Jung-rok's stiff face was staring at Director Yeon.

            CEO Yeon let out a long sigh so it was heard by Jung-rok while occasionally glancing at him.

            Jung-rok talks while gritting his teeth.

            "Why does this become a difficult thing?"

            "Ng?"

            Don't pretend to not know, old man.

            "Is there a reason for me to accept this woman?"

            Maybe CEO Yeon was waiting for Jung-rok to ask this question. Somehow, he felt he would be caught in a trap, but Jung-rok asked because he couldn't ignore him wholeheartedly.

            Then CEO Yeon with sparkling eyes and a cheerful face said.

            "Aah. That question, yes, Lawyer Kwon. "

            '..........I'm going crazy.'

            Jung-rok watched CEO Yeon to continue his enthusiastic words. CEO Yeon continued,

            "I don't know whether Lawyer Kwon knows or not ...... But the person who recommended this is my cousin. Do you know why I never said that? That's because he is the CEO of Oh Yoon-seo's agency and also works in the entertainment world. "

            CEO Yeon at a glance remembered the memories of them eating together. One of his cousins is a company director who has representative actors in the entertainment world.

            ‘Then why?'

            "So actually. He asked for help with all his heart. No more and no less, just six months right. He asked me to make Oh Yoon-seo the secretary of our firm for just six months. "

            "........"

            "It seems that he deeply regretted the name of his best actress he had raised has been destroyed and is now no longer active. It seems like the woman can't return to the entertainment world either... So he somehow uses his brain to find a way for her to survive and then comes to me. Well! Lawyer Kwon, you also know Oh Yoon-seo is a graduate of law, right? That's amazing, right? Then if she is a law graduate, isn't she your junior, Lawyer Kwon?"

            Jung-rok frowned as he closed his mouth tightly due to CEO Yeon's words.

            CEO Yeon watched the defiant Jung-rok and cleared his throat pretending to cough.

            "Well, that's what he said, anyway. Even though because of her activities in the entertainment world she had to quit college... The point is, because she is still in the same department, it seems he thinks she wants to be active in this field after quitting the entertainment world. "

            '.......What?'

            Jung-rok moved his face excessively and looked at CEO Yeon with wide eyes.

            CEO Yeon smiled just like a hypocrite.

            Jung-rok opened his mouth with a bad feeling.

            "Mr. CEO, what exactly do you want to say?"

            He felt a bad feeling. And that is very bad.

            CEO Yeon suddenly narrowed his eyes because of Jung-rok's question, who was now frowning. His sudden change of attitude made Jung-rok's body flinch a little.

            "Simply put, Lawyer Kwon. We will hire Oh Yoon-seo for a few months, teach her the law office job, and please be at least a little excited. I know that Lawyer Kwon is busy, but I'm like this because there are no people I trust or I can ask for help besides you. I also have a debt to my cousin so I can't just refuse it."

            ".........."

            "Ah, of course! You only need to work with Oh Yoon-seo for 6 months and I'll give you a present! Really! Lawyer Kwon, your office is narrow, right? I will upgrade it! Of course, as a CEO, I have to give a nice and big office! Ha ha ha ha!"

            Jung-rok deliberately broke his big laugh and looked at CEO Yeon.

            ‘There must be something ......... '

            He was suspicious of something strange from CEO Yeon who for some reason was unnatural from his laughter.

            Jungrok smiled briefly and watched CEO Yeon who suddenly carve a smile on his face.

            CEO Yeon thought ‘Is this truly…… unsuccessful?’ And carefully said he was waiting for Jung-rok's answer.

            "Damn."

            In the end harsh words slid from his mouth. Jung-rok looked at CEO Yeon who flinched at his lashing word and his eyes were not shining anymore.

            "Half year."

            "Eh?"

            "I will let the woman work for half a year."

            "La, Lawyer Kwon!"

            CEO Yeon's dead face twinkled back to life.

            Jung-rok waved his hand as a sign for the CEO to not be that happy.

            "But I also have a condition."

            "Condition? What is that? What?"

            Jung-rok said to CEO Yeon who were smiling happily.

            "For example, during that half year, if she first says she will resign because there is a lot of work while working under me, please don't block her."

            "Eh ......?"

            "Because if the woman becomes my subordinate, I will not make her spend time free. But if you mind..."

            "Of course, it doesn't matter! No problem! Yup, no problem! "

            CEO Yeon nodded enthusiastically. As if he was very confident, until it felt like his chest burst and CEO Yeon smiled broadly.

            Jung-rok who saw it moved his eyebrows then turned around. Jung-rok's footsteps coming out of the director's room and returning to his office felt heavier than when he stepped into that place.

            ‘What have I actually done........'

            "Oi, Lawyer Kwon!"

            CEO Yeon shouted at Jung-rok's back.

            "Good idea! You really think about it well! If you let her be for half a year, I'll make sure your account will be fat! Then that person is Oh Yoon-seo! She must be beautiful! Right? Ha ha ha ha!"

            Several times Jung-rok had to hold back his desire to throw his fist at CEO Yeon's shouting face.

***