The Most Dangerous Document in the Office

After spending hours typing and surfing through your desktop, all you have left to do right now is to click save.

Click.

“Finallyyy– uoghhh- early? That’s new…” You stretched your arms, throwing them up in the air, your stiff bones cracking. Somehow, you’ve got to finish your work as early as two o’clock in the afternoon.

“Everything’s done… okay!” You looked at your checklist, and everything’s marked up. You’re also done checking her schedules, arranging her appointments for the week, and setting up meetings with the executives.

Today is Monday, the cruelest day of the week for you.

“...”

Now all you had to do was wait for her call and order.

“...”

“Hmm, she looked busy…” You heard her earlier yelling at the accounting director and executives regarding the misuse of their department's budget. You also submitted a formal request to the legal team to investigate that matter earlier that morning.

“Why do they always do bad things?” You shook your head, but this kind of thing isn’t new to you. Just this year, the company has won countless legal battles against internal corruption.

“Should I get her a coffee?” You thought and stood up. “No, let’s… just do what I always do, wait.” You sat back down in your seat.

Silence filled the office.

No phone calls.

No emails.

No executives running for their lives.

“…”

Your gaze slowly drifted toward the drawer. Inside it was the most dangerous paper in the world, the one she gave you the other day, her love letter.

“Should I take a look at it?” You scanned the surroundings first, then heightened your alertness twice as usual, assuring no one would ever see it except you.

After making sure none of the employees were looking your way, you slowly opened the drawer. 

“Aish.” You shut the drawer instantly the moment you got a glimpse of the forbidden letter.

Just seeing those cringy hearts and scarlet kiss marks gave you goosebumps.

“Seriously, what the hell is wrong with her?” Despite her cold exterior, a different level of boldness lies within.

You opened the drawer again, as slowly as you could, bracing for the insane amount of incoming embarrassment and cringeness.

You stared at the letter for a moment. Those heart stickers moved as if they were beating, and you could hear smooches inside your head every time you saw those kiss marks.

“Okay, let’s see what’s inside.” You opened it carefully.

Even if it makes you cringe, you treat it preciously. When was the last time you got a love letter from someone? You got two during your high school days. It’s not like every day you’ll receive something like it, especially coming from your boss.

“Hearts… seriously.” You resisted it- impressive; now you’re looking at it.

“...”

“What’s with this perfect handwriting?” She basically wrote in calligraphy; the beauty of her handwriting matches her so well.

You read it; she used the cheesiest words you could’ve imagined.

To my beloved future husband—

“Sighed. Right at the start, I can do this.” You resumed reading.

Do you know which one of us is the ant?

It’s either you or me,

Both of us are attracted to something sweet,

Just call my name, I’ll be the sweetest for you—

You stop halfway.

“Oouh! H-h-how did she even write this!?” Even though the aircon blew a fair coldness into the air, a violent shiver still racked your body, raising goosebumps along your bare arms.

“Okay, fifty percent more…” You resumed reading, and it got cheesier.

Love isn’t something like business,

But I’m willing to use my own ways to acquire you,

Like I did when I bagged millions,

However, you…

You’re worthless, not in a bad way,

You’re immeasurable.

So, marry me, baby…

You read the last three lines again, that’s twice, then a third time.

Your face was still burning from the first half of the letter.

But somehow, the embarrassment had become harder to distinguish from something else.

"...What kind of confession is this?” You start to regret reading it, “And… baby!?” The last word caught you off-guard, literally.

“How could she casually call me baby in this letter!?” It’s just a letter; now you imagine what more if you agreed to be her partner?

“...”

“It’s… something else– aish!” Right through the end, there’s another kiss mark instead of a signature.

Mwah.

It’s sweet, of course. The content’s considered a love letter based on how it was written, but something's bothering you.

“Her love letter… is a mix of formal and casual… what a combination.” The letter consisted of proper margins, proper sentence construction as if AI made it, and even a formal letterhead. What kind of love letter uses letterhead?

“...’

Without knowing it, you’re already smiling, fingers hovering on the side of the letter. It amazes you how different it is from Lee Jieun, you know.

“How cute…” From cringing at it to playfully re-reading it once more–

Ring! Ring!

The sudden ring of the telephone shook you. You rapidly folded the letter and put it back in your drawer. You looked around before taking the call, making sure that no one still knew about that sacred letter.

You fixed your coat and posture and took the call.

“Yes, Ms. Lee? Yes, I’m coming.” She called you to her office. There it is, the call you were waiting for.

Before entering, you fixed your coat once more. You should conceal every trace of reaction to her letter, or else she would know that she’s getting inside you, and that’s what she likes.

After two light knocks, you stepped inside. She was already in her lounge chair, coffee resting between elegant fingers. Her office shades were off, and the bright afternoon sun lit up her entire office.

You just felt like, ever since that absurd marriage proposal, even her office no longer felt cold. Despite that bad morning, she remained calmer than usual.

“Hmm, sit.” She offered the seat across from her.

“Thank you.” You took her offer and sat across from her. “Why did you call me, Ms Lee?” You added, she called you for a reason.

She placed her coffee down and picked up something that had been sitting beside her.

“Take this.” She placed the gift on the table and pushed it lightly towards you.

Your gaze landed on it. The gift was small, almost like a notebook— no, it’s a notebook. Why did she even bother wrapping it if anyone could clearly see what it was?

“Thank you, Ms Lee.” You chuckled as you took it, tracing the outline of the gift.

“Hmm, what’s funny?” She squinted her eyes, tilted her head, and wondered confusedly why you were laughing.

“Ehem, nothing, ma’am.” A sharp knife almost cut your throat for a second; better stop laughing at her lovely decisions.

“...”

You flipped the gift upwards and sideways as if looking for something, a thing that you want to be aware of if it exists.

“You’re looking for something?” She watched you look at every side of the gift.

“I’m looking for something scary… like some kind of trademark…” You kept looking.

“Trademark?”

“Just making sure no kiss mark on it.” You tried to tease her a little; it’s actually the first time you’ve tried it.

“...”

Her expression dropped; she was not amused.

“J-just kidding.” You pulled your joke in an instant.

“Give it back.” She said flatly.

“S-sorry, Ms Lee.” You shouldn’t have even tried teasing her. You thought you had become close enough, but it turned out to be a lie.

“You shouldn’t be sorry. If you’re looking for a kiss mark, I can simply put one.” Her cold expression turned into something seductive; it seems like there’s a switch within her that can shift her expression in an instant.

“...”

One beat, two beats, three… your heart beats rapidly.

It’s not the same hazard you feel every day whenever you’re sitting in her office.

She’s dangerous… attractive.

He opened his mouth to answer.

Nothing came out.

But why was your heart beating this fast?

“Gulped. Ms. Lee.” You stood up, avoiding eye contact with her at all costs. “Thank you again for t-the gift.” You bowed and excused yourself.

“Huh? I didn’t let you go yet— hey–” You didn’t even turn to her once, even if she’s calling you.

If it’s the old Jieun you knew, you’re already trembling in fear, but…

But you can tell she’s not that mad.

You can hear her giggles behind her words; she’s happy.

Thud.

You collapsed into your chair the moment you exited her office. You took a deep breath before diagnosing yourself on what’s going on.

“W-what’s that? W-why does my heart keep thumping? Hey! Stop! Seriously.” You put your hand on your chest. It’s even harder to breathe.

“I should go see a doctor—” You let your own words process through your brain, “No. I can’t tell my doctor that it starts when she offers to kiss the gift–” There you go, you remembered it once more…

Mwah.

“Aish!” You dropped the gift onto your table when you thought of her kissing it. The vision’s too clear just to be a thought: her expression, her skin, and her scarlet-covered lips.

“But what’s with the gift all of a sudden?” You stared at the gift for a moment. You sat up straight and gently opened it.

“It’s nice. Leather cover, thick sheet, and… a letter?” There was a letter at the back of the notebook.

As you thought it was simply a gift, you hesitated; it might be another formal, margined love letter from her.

Slowly… you take a look at it.

“No hearts… no kiss marks…” You let out a sigh of relief. She surely doesn’t have a plan to give up.” But the main thing that amazes you is how persistent she is.

It’s not another cheesy love letter; it’s a marriage contract.

“What am I gonna do to you? Ms Lee?” Behind those questions, there’s a bit of happiness that you can’t explain, but your smile at that moment knows why.

Sniff. Sniff.

“Hmm?”

Sniff. Sniff.

That familiar scent lingered in the air. You recognized it immediately, followed by the soft clicks of heels across the marble floor.

After a few seconds, she popped up, Baek Ji– hell boy.

“Pfft–” You let out a loud laugh just by seeing the swollen lump caused by the door jamb last Saturday evening. You knew you were partly responsible for that swollen lump, yet you couldn't stop yourself from laughing.

“Don’t laugh.” She gestured that she'd cut your throat if you kept laughing.

“Sorry about that.” You apologized but half-mean it; she looks like half devil, half angel.

“Hey, tell me, what really happened?” She closed in; her perfume hits your senses much stronger than before; it brings back memories.

“Your mouth almost gives us trouble, and that… you got your forehead kissed by the door jamb.” You pushed her forehead with your index, “That’s why you should drink moderately; you always drink wasted.” You scolded the girl who is usually bright but now’s groaning in pain.

“Did you have hangover soup or medicine?” You asked her, and she simply shook her head.

“As usual.” She answered, “As usual…” You agreed.

You rustled something from your bag and pulled out a hangover medicine you got before coming to work.

“Here, I was about to go down to your desk before going home, take it.” You hand over the medicine to her.

“You always do this. Thanks!” She took it and drank it right away.

What she meant is that you always bought her hangover medicine; it’s not because you’re obliged to, but you just care for her. Both of you are willing to listen to each other’s story and drink the night away together with your stressful thoughts.

“Pwahh! Ohh… it hits the spot.” She groaned in relief. “Do you have medicine for the swollen lump as well?” You poked her forehead.

“Pfft–” There it goes again, the unstoppable laugh.

“Stop it.” Her death stare came back as well, which immediately stopped you from bursting out laughing.

“Sorry, just put ice on it.” You told her, obviously the first thing to do.

“I already did! In fact, it’s much smaller this time around.” She knocked at your table for attention.

“Really? I should’ve waited for it to grow so I could have a chance to take a photo of it.” You teased her, but she just laughed at it this time around.

“...”

“Oh right, what brings you here?” You got distracted by her bubble forehead and forgot that she might need something from your boss.

“Oh, yeah… Is Ms Lee in?” You went back to her secretary facade, just like you.

“Yeah, she’s inside; you may come in.” You gestured that she may come in at any moment since Jieun’s available.

“Thanks!” She happily responded and turned her back to you.

“Uhh, Ms Baek.” You called her a few steps after she walked her way to her office. She stopped.

“Hmm?” She lightly turned sideways, enough to face you.

“If she ever asked you what you were supposed to call her, just address her Ms Lee.” You reminded her of the formalities; you just remembered how annoyed Jieun was when Jiheon called her by her first name last time.

She was drunk at that time, sure, but it’s better to be safe.

“Why? It’s pretty obvious, don’t worry.” She nods; she definitely had no idea what she had done.

She disappeared behind your boss’s office.

“Yeah, why would I worry? You’re not drunk right now.” You nod and simply smile.

The next day, inside the boardroom, her voice echoed like thunder. Her wrath was so terrifying that your hands trembled while recording the session, and your handwriting became so messy. You didn’t even dare to raise your head and look at her; you simply focused on typing everything being said.

“Why did the sales drop!? It’s because you’re lacking! Do I really always have to look for solutions!?”

“Where did the funds go!? In your pocket or wastage!? Submit a liquidation report within the day— no, right now!”

“Don’t ever show your face to me again! You, you, and you! Go out and don’t ever think of coming back to work again!”

A pen became a plane, papers transformed into solid balls, and water bottles turned to missiles. And there’s even a flying folder; it’s not magic, it’s sorcery from a witch.

Her hands became the hammer of judgment every time she smashed them on the conference table, judging an executive officer’s fate.

“...”

Everyone’s trembling, the executives trembling in fear while Jieun’s trembling in anger. Those bastards had nothing to do except to annoy her; not just your boss, they're getting into your skin as well.

A few more dragons’ roars, more flying things, and more curses.

“The meeting was adjourned.” She announced while her eyes closed; anger still overflowed.

“Thank you, Ms. Lee!” They bowed to her in perfect unison. Like synchronized swimmers, but after being drowned by her anger, instead, they barely survived.

“...”

The bad guys got out of the boardroom one by one; some talked, and you bet they were talking about her. You wanted to cut their throat at that moment, if you could just do that.

You let the silence be her temporary paradise.

“I’ll get the car ready.” You stood up.

“No, stay for a while.” She rested her whole body in her chair. “Please.” She wanted you to stay; the please is not necessary since you’re willing to do as she says.

“Yes, I will.” You sat back.

She was restless and obviously tired after what just happened. You just observed, thinking about how exhausting the day was for her.

“Do you want some cold water or coffee? I’ll get you some.” You offered her something to help ease her stress.

“No.” She refused, still had her eyes closed.

“How about a snack? Chocolate? Cheese?” You offered something to boost her energy instead. You just wanted to help with anything you could.

“No.” She refused once again.

“Then how about some—”

“You.” Her words stopped you from talking, not just your mouth; your whole world stopped.

“...”

She finally moved, slightly tilted her head towards you, and opened her eyes, still droopy and lacking energy.

“I want you.” She repeated once more, different from earlier, but it had the same meaning. It went straight to your heart and mind.

“Me?” You’re confused by what she meant by it, though you're already well aware of what she really meant.

“Hold my hand.” She reached out her hand, waiting for you to hold it. Her hands were pale and small, in contrast to how big she was when standing against those corrupted executives earlier.

“Ms. Lee.” You hesitated. You’re just a mere secretary; how dare you hold a princess's delicate hand?

“Just hold it; I’m your boss, right?” Her lips lightly curled up; she knew you couldn’t refuse her since what she was asking was just your hand. “I need to recharge; you’re my energizer for now. Hurry, my arm’s getting tired.” She added, wiggling her fingers.

“...”

You lost; you can’t refuse, and for some reason, you don’t want to refuse.

“Seriously.” You smiled and took it. She smiled the moment you grabbed her hand.

She gripped it tighter, its softness serving as a cushion not to hurt you. That's what she was: soft, but she didn’t dare to show it to others; you knew that it was exclusively just for you.

“Five minutes.” She closed her eyes.

She looked peaceful, the most vulnerable version of her you ever saw. You watched her take her much-needed rest.

For consideration, you slid your chair closer, without snapping her hands off yours.

She’s like an angel; you didn’t think she was roaring like crazy earlier.

“...”

“Those scumbags, if I only had some power to teach them a lesson.” You muttered; you’re always mad at them since all they ever do is wrong.

“Hmm, you want to teach them a lesson? Then marry me. We’ll teach them a lesson.” She heard you and spoke without opening her eyes; she even let out a soft giggle.

“Yes… But that can wait.” You gripped her hand tighter. “Rest.” You added.

“Hmm.” She hummed, the sound of approval.

Her five-minute rest turned into a two-hour sleep. 

You didn’t wake her up.

You didn’t move an inch to prevent her from waking up.

You just want her to have her comfort.

Her rest.

To be continued…