The Country Life Diary of a Gangster's Secretary

"...What was wrong with my voice?"

"It was totally upbeat."

Was it? Hyesung awkwardly scratched his neck, realizing he had probably answered the call from Lee Hyuk a bit too eagerly.

"Tell me. I’m curious."

Do-hyun’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"Aren’t you supposed to be preparing for your interview?"

"I’ll get back to it if you tell me who it was! Come on, Hyesung!"

Like a child throwing a tantrum in a store because they weren’t getting the toy they wanted, Do-hyun showed no signs of backing down. But Hyesung wasn’t stern enough to say, "Fine, stay here, I’m going home," like a strict mother would.

Plus, once Park Do-hyun set his sights on something with those sparkling eyes, he wasn’t easily swayed. Even if Hyesung tried to brush it off now, Do-hyun would probably pester him later with calls or texts.

"I was talking to Ahjussi."

"The CEO?"

"Yeah."

Do-hyun’s expression grew serious as he seemed to ponder something, then he furrowed his brow.

"Hyesung, didn’t you say you were going to give up on your unrequited love? But that call didn’t sound like you were hiding your feelings at all."

"Hmm, Do-hyun, listen carefully and don’t be surprised."

Since things had come to this, Hyesung thought it would be best to be honest with Do-hyun. He would have to tell him eventually.

"I... I’m dating Ahjussi."

"Huh? Well, of course, you’d meet up with him. You live next door, right? Don’t you see him often?"

"No, that’s not what I mean..."

How did this guy graduate from a prestigious university and get a job in finance? Hyesung sighed and chose his words more carefully.

"No, I mean we’re dating..."

"Right, dating... wait, what? What did you just say?"

Do-hyun made him say it twice, making it all the more embarrassing. Hyesung repeated himself with emphasis.

"It’s true?!"

Just as Hyesung expected, it finally dawned on Do-hyun, and he yelled so loudly that the entire café turned to look. Hyesung hurriedly quieted him down.

"Tell me! How did you two start dating?"

If before he’d been like a child begging for a toy, now Do-hyun resembled an excited high school girl eager to hear her friend’s love story.

"Aren’t you going to prepare for your interview?"

"I’ll do it after you tell me this. Come on, tell me."

If anyone knew about Hyesung’s six years of silent suffering while pining for Lee Hyuk, it was Do-hyun. And he was also the one who said he’d support whatever decision Hyesung made.

"It’s a long story."

It was time to tell his friend everything.

Hyesung began to speak calmly. He could have just briefly mentioned that he had a small argument with Lee Hyuk and that it led to their relationship, but instead, Hyesung started from the beginning, explaining how he manifested as an omega.

He then described everything that followed, up to the present day.

"So... Hyesung, you’re an omega now, not a beta?"

If Do-hyun had been shocked to learn that Hyesung was dating Lee Hyuk, he was even more stunned to hear that Hyesung’s secondary gender had changed.

"Yeah. Why? Do you not like me being an omega? You’re not one of those people who discriminate based on secondary genders, are you?"

"Hyesung, what are you talking about? Of course not!"

Hyesung smiled, saying it was just a joke.

"It’s just a change in my secondary gender, nothing more. So don’t make that face."

Do-hyun looked like he was about to cry, his lips tightly pressed together, his face twisted with emotion. His drooping eyebrows made Hyesung think of a sad puppy.

"You should have told me. You must have been so shocked and overwhelmed on your own."

"I’m sorry. I meant to, but at that time, I was really out of it."

Hyesung teased Do-hyun, reminding him that his one-month stay at Hyesung’s place had also added to the chaos. Do-hyun pouted even more.

"But Hyesung, I’m curious about something. Now that you’re dating the CEO, does that mean you’re going back to Taesung?"

"...Huh?"

"I mean, didn’t you say you left your job because you didn’t want anyone to find out you manifested as an omega while you had feelings for the CEO? But now everything’s resolved, right?"

Hyesung replayed Do-hyun’s words in his head, his face blank. Do-hyun’s logic made sense. The whole reason he left Taesung in the first place was because of his unrequited feelings.

But now, those feelings had not only been resolved but had led to the best possible outcome, one he had never even dared to hope for.

So does that mean everything goes back to the way it was?

"I’m... not sure."

Strangely, he couldn’t think clearly about that question. Hyesung stirred his drink absently, the sound of ice clinking against the glass filling his ears.

After finishing his so-called interview prep (which was mostly just chatting) with Do-hyun, Hyesung got on the bus to head to Taesung. Lee Hyuk had called and suggested they have dinner together since Hyesung was in Seoul. Do-hyun had given Hyesung a pitiful look, hoping to join them, so Hyesung had asked Lee Hyuk if it was okay.

"Put Do-hyun on the phone."

But after a brief conversation with Lee Hyuk, Do-hyun suddenly started sweating profusely and quickly excused himself, telling Hyesung to enjoy his dinner before making a hasty exit.

When Hyesung arrived in front of Taesung, he waited outside for Lee Hyuk, just as he had last time. Among the employees leaving right on time, Hyesung recognized a few familiar faces.

As he watched the people pass by, a car pulled up in front of him, and the window rolled down.

"Hyesung."

It was Lee Hyuk. Hyesung quickly got into his car.

"Did you wait long?"

"No, just about 10 minutes."

As Hyesung automatically reached for his seatbelt, Lee Hyuk unexpectedly leaned over and wrapped his arms around him.

"Wh-why all of a sudden?"

"I missed you."

Lee Hyuk buried his face in Hyesung’s neck and took a deep breath.

"You smell good, Hyesung."

"It’s amazing how you can say such embarrassing things so casually."

Lee Hyuk always looked so stoic and serious, but the things he said made Hyesung’s heart race. Just earlier, he’d made a comment about Hyesung’s smile that had left him flustered. Whenever Lee Hyuk said things like that, Hyesung felt like he didn’t know how to react, as if he were malfunctioning.

"I say these things because it’s you."

Lee Hyuk smiled softly, pressing a light kiss to Hyesung’s forehead.

"And I told you, I want to show you what it really means to be loved."

Lee Hyuk’s lips traced a path from Hyesung’s forehead down to his nose and finally to his lips, capturing them in a gentle kiss. After sharing the brief kiss, Lee Hyuk finally started the car.

Over dinner, Hyesung mentioned that he had told Do-hyun about everything that had happened recently. He also asked Lee Hyuk what he had said to Do-hyun on the phone earlier, but Lee Hyuk brushed it off as nothing important.

The conversation soon shifted to different topics. Starting with the shocking news that Sungjin had been going on arranged dates recently, Lee Hyuk naturally began sharing stories about things that had happened at work.

"Mr. Choi’s pride must have taken a real hit. He’s such a stubborn man," Hyesung commented.

"Yeah, but what could I do? I couldn’t just sit back and watch him waste money on hiring celebrities for promotions."

"True. It’s definitely not the best PR strategy."

Listening to the stories about Mr. Choi, Hyesung’s hands suddenly paused.

"Has everything been okay at the company lately?"

"Yeah. Other than Mr. Choi being greedier than usual, everything’s fine."

Hyesung nodded slowly. Lee Hyuk, oblivious to Hyesung’s complicated expression, continued to fuss over him, reminding him to finish his meal.

After dinner, the two got back into the car. It would take about an hour to get home, so they decided to leave right away. After all, Lee Hyuk had to get up early for work the next day, so he needed to get some rest.

But strangely, Lee Hyuk didn’t start driving. He just sat there, tapping the steering wheel lightly, lost in thought.

"Aren’t we going?"

"Oh? Oh... I’m just feeling a bit tired. I guess it’s been a long day."

"Really? Then let me drive. You can sit in the passenger seat."

Hyesung quickly unbuckled his seatbelt, but Lee Hyuk reached over to stop him.

"How can I let you drive for an hour when you’re tired too? Besides, it’s already dark, and the highway at night is dangerous."

Hyesung tilted his head, confused.

"I’m not tired. And I’ve driven at night before, so it’s not a problem."

Hyesung had driven many times while working for Lee Hyuk. He had also gotten his driver’s license in college and occasionally drove his aunt’s car, so he was quite experienced. Lee Hyuk knew this, so why was he acting so strange?

"That’s not it..."

Something seemed off about Lee Hyuk. He scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed.

"Hyesung, I’m too tired to drive right now. But I also can’t make you drive such a long distance."

"So what are you suggesting?"

Was he thinking of taking public transportation?

"...Why don’t you stay over at my place tonight?"