TSG 120

As Se-hyun’s competitive spirit subsided, the atmosphere between the two completely changed. They ordered a coffee and an ade, never taking their eyes off each other.

When their ordered snacks arrived, Shin Tae-oh stood up to get them while Se-hyun tidied the table without any sign of discomfort. As they shared the various snacks, both couldn’t hide their constant smiles.

To anyone watching, their relationship was obvious! So, while people’s gazes continued to follow Shin Tae-oh and Se-hyun, something inevitable happened.

When sugar powder got on Shin Tae-oh’s lips, Se-hyun tapped his own lips to show him, and then even took a napkin to wipe it off for him.

A secretary doesn’t wipe their boss’s lips. Well, it does happen, but only in relationships that are a bit more intimate than just boss and secretary.

Now everyone had to believe that the rumors of their romance were true. No, not rumors – they were actually dating.

All the construction company employees became aware of the boss’s love affair.

People started to look away after seeing Se-hyun brush Shin Tae-oh’s hair and Shin Tae-oh interlacing fingers with Se-hyun.

Office romance, got it. It’s so sweet that just watching makes one feel queasy.

“Do you know why this event is called ‘IC’?” asked Assistant Lee from the secretarial office to his nearby coworkers taking a break. Responding to the sudden quiz, Lee Jin-ho raised his hand first.

“In-company. We decided to proceed with it as an internal company event, right?”

This was practically answering with prior knowledge. The other secretarial staff booed, saying it was cheating for the office manager to already know. What a dull way to end the quiz…

“Bzzt. Wrong,” Assistant Lee replied with an unexpected answer. Even Lee Jin-ho hadn’t anticipated this, furrowing his brow and muttering,

“I’m sure I saw it in the report.”

How could it be wrong? Did another report come in later that he missed?

“That was just a cover. It actually means ‘IN COUPLE’. The ‘C’ stands for couple, not company,” Assistant Lee explained.

The secretarial staff, who already knew about the boss and secretary’s relationship, clicked their tongues. Assistant Lee added fuel to the fire:

“All expenses for this event are on the CEO’s personal card.”

“Personal?”

“That’s crazy.”

The scale was so large that even the secretarial staff couldn’t remain calm. Assistant Lee calmly explained the situation as if he’d expected this reaction.

“Who knows if this will become a regular thing? So he said he’d definitely cover the first one out of his own pocket. Oh, while the expenses are on the CEO’s personal card, we did receive support for the venue and some equipment.”

With each word from Assistant Lee, people’s ears perked up more. Now even other teams pretending not to listen were paying attention.

“The Chairman,” Assistant Lee added in a low voice. People couldn’t hide their surprise at the source of support he mentioned.

“She said it looked fun and offered to help. The CEO said his own money was enough, but thanks to that, we were able to have such an abundant event.”

Assistant Lee gestured around. Despite all the construction company employees participating, it didn’t feel cramped or overcrowded. Assistant Lee held his chin high as if he’d spent his own money to prepare on such a grand scale.

Honestly, after working hard to organize the event, this much boasting was fine.

Feeling relieved to finally be able to talk about it, Assistant Lee sipped his coffee while everyone naturally turned their heads toward Shin Tae-oh and Se-hyun.

They were lovers with honey dripping from their eyes. Moreover, this had an even greater impact than getting up on a podium and announcing they were dating.

“It’s fun for us, but I’m afraid the CEO’s love might grow even stronger.”

Who knows what might happen next.

“Whatever happens, it’s good for us,” said Chief Secretary Lee Jin-ho, leaning his tired body back in his chair.

“It’s entertaining, isn’t it?”

No one disagreed with that statement.

“Turns out the boss’s office romance was a good thing,” someone muttered.

***

The grand finale of the romance was decorated by Yoo Jin-ha. Before distributing prizes through a draw after the mission ended, Yoo Jin-ha took the microphone to emcee.

“I think we need to address this first.”

With an unexpected remark that wasn’t part of the script, he captured everyone’s attention, directing their focus squarely on Shin Tae-oh.

Standing on the stage, Yoo Jin-ha looked down at Shin Tae-oh from his relatively higher position.

“CEO Shin Tae-oh, are you dating someone?”

Faced with Jin-ha’s determined expression suggesting no prize recommendations without an answer, Shin Tae-oh nodded with a subtle smile.

“He confirms it!” Jin-ha shouted into the microphone, eliciting loud cheers from the construction company employees. A commotion broke out around Shin Tae-oh and Se-hyun, with people offering their congratulations before the atmosphere gradually calmed down.

“Since you’ve been so open about it, I can’t just stand by. Please accept this,” Jin-ha said, extending a box. Shin Tae-oh hesitated to reach for it.

“It’s a personal gift from me.”

For the first time, Yoo Jin-ha brought up their personal connection. He mentioned how they had been childhood neighbors and close friends, giving the gesture deeper meaning. It also dispelled any confusion about past gifts Shin Tae-oh might have given Yoo Jin-ha in return.

Smiling, Shin Tae-oh accepted the box and looked inside. Two matching tie pins – Jin-ha’s thoughtful congratulatory gift for the couple.

“It’s a shame you’re not wearing a suit today.”

When Shin Tae-oh didn’t move, Se-hyun took out the pins, attaching one to Shin Tae-oh’s collar and one to his own before giving Yoo Jin-ha a grateful look.

Receiving their thanks, Yoo Jin-ha picked up the microphone again.

“Now, let’s begin the prize drawing!”

***

“Feeling relieved now?”

Lee Jin-ho approached Shin Tae-oh while Se-hyun was off greeting others after the event ended. Noticing Lee Jin-ho was addressing him as a junior rather than as the CEO, Shin Tae-oh tilted his head comfortably to watch Se-hyun’s retreating figure.

“Am I relieved?”

Despite not being particularly talkative, Se-hyun was popular, with many people seeking him out.

Now that they’d publicly announced their relationship, Shin Tae-oh thought no one would openly confess to Se-hyun anymore, yet he still looked somewhat uneasy.

“Everyone in the company knows now. Isn’t that enough?”

Lee Jin-ho asked, studying Shin Tae-oh’s eyes. Shin Tae-oh turned from watching Se-hyun to face Lee Jin-ho.

“Are you dissatisfied that only the people at work know?”

Does it feel too insufficient? At Shin Tae-oh’s mutter, Lee Jin-ho frowned.

“What, do you want the whole world to know?”

“Not necessarily, but…” Shin Tae-oh’s head suddenly snapped up as he realized what he’d been missing.

“The parents should know.”

“Parents?”

“What’s the point of revealing an office romance? We need to tell the most important people.”

Shin Tae-oh’s face cleared up as if finding the answer had lifted a weight.

“I’m the most important person to Se-hyun, and his parents are next. Of course, we should have greeted them.”

“Are you planning to ask for permission to marry him?”

Whatever made it so solemn, just saying they were dating seemed insufficient. Lee Jin-ho had spoken his thoughts upon seeing Shin Tae-oh’s face, unaware that it would change the flow of the conversation.

“You’re right… We should get permission too.”

“Woah, Tae-oh, don’t get carried away… Are you saying you’re really going to meet Secretary Ahn’s parents? Want me to drive you there?”

Lee Jin-ho offered to drive as he had done when Se-hyun’s father was hospitalized before, but Shin Tae-oh seemed not to hear anything.

“I need to arrange a meeting.”

“What kind of meeting…”

Realizing the situation was spiraling out of control, Lee Jin-ho tried to intervene, but to no avail.

“We’ll create a natural opportunity. A place where Se-hyun’s parents and my parents can meet.”

“How can you be planning another event when the last one just ended?”

Lee Jin-ho sighed, muttering under his breath. As Shin Tae-oh’s subordinate, it wasn’t just idle chatter—managing his boss’s schedule meant more work lay ahead.