First let me say that I did not expect 133 subscribers and 11 upvotes when I haven't even started this fic O_O
And for that, THANK YOU! ♥
I really hope I won't disappoint any of you :)

Some people say money can buy you happiness, and other say it can't. However, It's not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness. Choi Siwon is a live example for that.

He has the money, he has the job, and he has everything that leads to a nice and a comfortable life, something that the majority of people wish to have. However, these things aren’t quite enough to make Choi Siwon happy.

The said man is twenty seven years old and he owns a coffee chain called ‘Twosome’, which is very successful not only in Korea but also in some other foreign countries. The main company is located in Seoul, and Choi Siwon is the one personally supervising his business. He’s very serious about what he does, giving it his best and not letting anything stop him for going after what he aims, and that’s how it became very trending.

Having a business like this, Choi Siwon is supposed to be enjoying his life. Unfortunately, when it comes to family, Siwon lost his parents a few years back and since he’s not a people person, it’s only him doing his best to get through life.

Relationships? Well, Choi Siwon is definitely one hell of a handsome man, great body, great looks and an extra of two beautiful hypnotizing dimples, but his dating history is a little off. He did date before, but being the President of his own company doesn’t really give him a lot of time to go out. His last relationship ended two years ago and it took him a while to get over the break up because that girl meant a lot to him.

Maybe that’s why he can’t seem to date again? Maybe he’s still not over her yet? However, what he knows for sure right now is that his life is empty and meaningless and he really needs to do something about that.

Every day he will go back to his spacious house late at night, since he’s always overworking, to find it empty and quite, to a degree that he can hear himself breathing.

What’s the point of all the money he has if he can’t feel happy? If he doesn’t even have a reason to smile or laugh anymore? That’s why, Choi Siwon is determined to change that.

...

Lying on the couch in his living room, Siwon was flipping the pages of a magazine that his assistant urged him to check since there was an article about him in it. Well, not that he really cared about that, but he was curious about what they were saying about him that time.

However, instead of finding the article, he stumbled across an add.

‘Creating Pathways to Parenthood’

You want to begin a family with a Surrogate mother? ‘Sapphire Hope’ can help.

To learn more, visit our website: www.Sapphirehope.net

Or you can stop by our office at any time: 1013 Suju Street, Seoul. S.Korea

Contact Number: 010-1303-0724

Siwon is the kind of a guy that has never been interested in something that’s not related to his work. Ever since he was a child, instead of playing at recess time with the other children, he would be reading some documentary book or just a story that would help him improve his knowledge. It wasn’t like he didn’t want to socialize with the other kids or that he was some kind of a loner, but it’s just that he always has been too mature for his age. He had always being like that ever since he was young, but luckily it never stopped him from getting to where he is today. It might have actually helped him being number one businessman in the coffee chain area.

In the last couple of years however, Siwon’s personality has turned sort of cold. Not only did he care about his work and nothing else, but also he looked like a dead person on the outside. No one dared to mess up with him as they get tricked by his fake appearance.

Now that he was reading this specific article, it seemed like something weird was growing inside his heart, which was a very unusual thing for him.

Did he ever think of starting a family? Yes. Did he ever think of having a baby? Also yes. However, since things didn’t quite work out with his last girlfriend, who was the first one he thought of getting serious with, he never thought of that topic again.

Now that there was a possibility to have his own baby without having to deal with a relationship which he was not too interested about, he couldn't help but seriously consider it.

The article held all the details which got Siwon nodding in amazement. Of course he heard of Surrogacy, but he never actually knew how it worked exactly. Reading all the information, his mind instantly started playing different scenarios in his head of how it would be like if he decided to have a baby.

Nevertheless, his rational strict side won over him as he tossed the magazine on the coffee table with a deep sigh. He took a look around the empty house, and once again his mind started making him wonder what it would be like to have a baby running around the house but he shrugged it off again.

Frustratingly running his hand through his short black hair, he took a deep breath clearing his thoughts before standing up and dragging his feet to his bedroom, to his empty cold bed.

...

The Next Morning

It wasn't a usual sight to see Choi Siwon having a tired face and black circles under his eyes. Sure he only slept for a few hours per night, and sometimes he could even have a sleepless night mostly due to his busy work, but he always exercised and he was a very fit man that he looked after his body and health very well. However, this time it was different.

The night before, Siwon couldn’t sleep. Not because he wasn’t tired or because he has work to do, no. It’s because a certain article kept on popping out in his mind and making him very exhausted from over thinking.

All kinds of scenes rushed through his brain, urging him to consider having a baby. The name ‘Sapphire Hope’ kept ringing in his mind, making him unable to drift to sleep. So when that topic didn’t seem to want to leave his head, he decided to go for a dawn jog instead to clear up his mind.

...

Now he was sitting in his office, again documents that needed to be reviewed and signed were neatly put on his desk, yet he couldn't seem to focus on anything.

His assistant Hyukjae, who was also his friend ever since high school, knew that something must've been up with his boss. He was actually the only one who Siwon could open up to and it was all due to Hyukjae’s personality that always seemed to see past Siwon’s cold appearance. Hyukjae’s outgoing personality made him get closer to Siwon when they first met and even though the latter looked uninterested in his friendship, Hyukjae just knew that they were going to be good friends from day one. He was right, because these two have been close friends for ten years so far.

Stepping inside Siwon’s office, Hyukjae walked to him and sat on the chair in front of him before putting one leg over the other. At first, after Siwon asked him to work with him, the latter acted really differently in the office since he needed to show respect to his boss. However, Siwon scolded him saying it felt weird and he should just act normal around him when they were alone as long as he didn't slack off in his tasks.

“What’s wrong buddy?” Hyukjae asked Siwon while resting his chin on his hand and narrowing his eyes at his friend.

“I couldn’t sleep” was all that Siwon said before running his hands over his tired face.

“Then your mind must be thinking about something”

When Hyukjae said that, Siwon couldn' t help but think about that article again. Being the genius he is, he kind of remembered each word and each information they mentioned about surrogacy.

Lost in his thoughts, he didn't even hear Hyukjae talking to him. The latter then knew that it must've been something serious for his boss to lose focus and space out.

“Siwon!”

Waving his hand in front of Siwon’s face, Hyukjae could finally get his attention back.

“What is it?”

“I said talk to me”

Siwon deeply sighed as he entwined his hands under his chin. He looked at his friend while thinking if he should tell him what’s been running in his mind ever since the night before. As much as he knew it was irrational and knew that Hyukjae would think he was crazy, he kind of needed that comment to make him get his senses back.

“Well, I read this article last night” Siwon started and Hyukjae intently listened to him.

“And?”

“It’s about... Surrogacy” Siwon was focusing on Hyukjae’s face, inspecting the latter’s reaction.

“Like Surrogate mothers? What about it” Hyukjae curiously asked, causing Siwon to rest his hands back on the desk and take a deep breath before telling his friend the important part.

“Well, what if I got one? I mean what if I want a child that way”

There was no expression on Hyukjae’s face for a minute. He tried to process what Siwon just told him and when he finally understood what his friend was referring to, he narrowed his eyes in concentration, then while looking straight into Siwon’s eyes he asked “Just to make sure I got it well. So, you want to have a surrogate mother to carry your baby?”

Siwon nervously nodded as for the first time he couldn't seem to read what Hyukjae had in mind. However, when the latter slowly nodded his head in understanding as if trying to get used to the idea in his head, Siwon was once again back to battling with his mind about the whole matter.

“I think that’s a great idea. I mean you sure don’t seem to find your fated one, or should I say can’t get over your last relationship, so why not?”

Siwon’s jaw fell agape when he heard his friend actually thinking it was a good idea. He was hoping that Hyukjae would knock some sense into him but it seemed like he was agreeing with him.

“So you don’t think it’s crazy?”

Hyukjae chuckled, amused by the surprised yet confused look on Siwon’s face.

“Siwon-ah, you’re twenty seven years old and you’re a very successful man. Why not have a baby? I think it’s a very good idea. I mean I would’ve preferred if you actually get married, but we both know that’s not gonna happen anytime soon, so go make yourself a heir”

Hyukjae stood up, patted his boss's shoulder before excusing himself from the room and leaving Siwon replaying his friend’s words in his head.

Siwon knew that Hyukjae had a point concerning him getting married because his heart was just not ready yet. However, could he take care of a baby on his own? That was the most important question Siwon was asking himself right then.

...

That night, when Siwon stopped at a red light on his way back home, his sight landed on a little family having dinner in a restaurant across the street from where he was standing. A mother, a father and a little kid, nicely laughing while clearly enjoying their night, and that made Siwon wondering what his son would be like and if he would ever have the chance to be seated like that with his own family.

When he got home, he saw the magazine still lying on the coffee table in the living room, and with slow steps he reached for it and once again opened the page with the Surrogacy article. Taking a look around the large house, Siwon finally decided to go with it. He would visit 'Sapphire Hope' the following day and he would get himself a baby.

...

“Siwon-ssi, I’m Kim Heechul. Nice to meet you”

Choi Siwon was in ‘Sapphire Hope’ meeting with the company’s head director. Yes, when he woke up that morning he re-thought about his decision, but his mind was set and he didn’t find any good reason to why he couldn't have a baby.

He called Hyukjae and told him he won’t be stopping by the office until later, filling him in on his plan which made the latter very excited and even encouraged him and assured him that he was doing a good thing.

So after calling for an appointment first thing in the morning, he dressed up nicely in his formal blue suit, his neat white shirt, and his shiny shoes before driving to the company.

“Nice to meet you too, Heechul-ssi”

Heechul, the man with smooth skin and girly face, motioned for Siwon to sit down on the chair next to his desk. He then ordered some drinks for them before he started asking Siwon what he was there for.

“So Siwon-ssi, are you here for our services?”

Siwon was contemplating each word of that question. It still felt weird to ask for a baby just like that and pay for it. It made him feel uncomfortable but still curious to how it would go.

“Yes. I would like to have a child”

Heechul narrowed his eyes, wondering what kind of a man Siwon was under that cold façade. The word child was kind of formal which made him really curious about his new client.

“Ok Siwon-ssi, before we can go to details, do you know how this thing go?”

“I’ve read one of your articles, so I know the basics”

Siwon confidently said and Heechul nodded his head in understanding. He then pulled out a paper form and a pen, ready to write down his client’s information.

“Choi Siwon-ssi, how old are you?”

“Twenty seven”

“Married?”

“No”

“Girlfriend?”

“Does it matter?”

“Of course. We’re a company who cares about their surrogates as much as we care about the clients. We need to ensure them a safe environment”

Siwon stared at Heechul for a minute, not really liking his attitude or the way he spoke to him. However, he knew Heechul was right and so he let him continue the interrogation.

“No. I don’t have a girlfriend”

“Boyfriend?”

Siwon’s eyes slightly popped out at the sudden question. He let out a mocking laugh but soon swallowed it and glaringly looked at Heechul before answering.

“No”

It went on like that for almost an hour, by Heechul asking Siwon about his job, his life, the reason he wanted to have a baby, his personality and everything that will help him know his client. He also asked him for some identification papers for their contract after they agreed on the price which Siwon didn't have a problem with at all.

Once done, Heechul informed him once again on how this surrogacy goes, and finally gave him an album of their surrogate candidates to choose one from. Heechul let him take the album with him and would be waiting for a response by the next twenty four hours.

When Siwon left 'Sapphire Hope', he headed to his office, leaving the album in his car because he needed to focus on his work now. He would have time to choose the person who would carry his baby later that night.

...

“So, how did it go?” Hyukjae stepped into his boss’s office, asking about how the meeting with 'Sapphire Hope' went, and causing Siwon to sigh deeply while throwing the documents back on his desk.

“I really didn’t like the head director. He kept on asking all sorts of personal questions” Siwon complained as he stood up and walked over to his friend with hands in his pockets.

“Well, it’s a baby not merchandise. Of course they have to ask you all of that”

Siwon glared at him upon sensing the mocking in his friend’s tone. He then walked to the window that was overlooking on the parking lot and he couldn't help but think about the album of the candidates sitting there. He couldn't believe that he was one step closer to having a baby.

Realizing that it was so not like him to feel overwhelmed about something that was not related to work, he shook his head before walking back to his desk and shooing Hyukjae away with his hand. The latter just chuckled before leaving his friend alone.

...

If Hyukjae didn’t tell Siwon that it was already past 9pm, the latter wouldn’t have budged from his seat. Like usual, he had a lot of meetings, several documents to sign, a lot of supervision and decisions to make, that he forgot to notice how it was already dark outside.

So finally getting inside his car, his brain once again reminded him of his latest decision that's been hunting his mind all day. Looking to his side, he sighed when his sight landed on the album lying on the passenger seat next to him, waiting to be opened.

Once Siwon was home, he made himself some dinner before walking to his room. He laid down on the bed and reached for the album on his night stand.

He took a deep breath before opening it, reading a little note from the company, like an introduction and a few tips, then he got to the important part.

There were fifty candidates to which each have a picture put nicely there and under it the basic information about the surrogate. However, as strangely as it might sound, Siwon didn't have to go through all of them because as he flipped to the last page, his sight landed on one specific person that didn't allow him to search any further.

The said person had white milky skin with a baby face, almond shaped eyes with chocolate round orbs, a tiny nose, chubby cheeks, and rosy plump lips. The information on the bottom stated that the person was twenty two years old which Siwon thought it was a very appropriate age, and he didn't know what it was but something in his gut told him to choose that one. His eyes were focused on that person, imagining that his child would be like that and it made something in his stomach move.

‘My stomach feels weird. It must be those shrimps. I shouldn’t have eaten that this late at night’

With that, he closed the book after scribing down the said surrogate’s list number, then he walked to the bathroom to take a shower. He would notify Heechul tomorrow, and ask him to set a date with the surrogate, which picture was oddly stuck in his head by now.

...

At Sapphire Hope

Sitting in an excluded office, probably made for meetings, Siwon was yet again wearing another fancy suit, a black one this time, and putting one leg over the other as he waited for his supposed to be surrogate. He couldn't shake off the feeling of something was wrong when he called Heechul that morning to arrange him a meeting with the surrogate he chose...

> Hello? <

“Heechul-ssi, this is Choi Siwon”

> Oh, Siwon-ssi, how are you doing today? Did you make up your mind? <

“Yes I did. I’m actually calling to let you know that I went over the candidates and I think n°50 will be appropriate”

> ... <

“Heechul-ssi?”

> Ah, yes yes. Are you sure about your choice? <

“Yes. Is something wrong with that?”

> No, not at all. Okay then. Can you stop by the company in two hours? I’ll set up your meeting with the surrogate you chose <

“Ok. I'll be there”

‘Something was off with the way he reacted to my choice. Was something wrong with that surrogate? But it seems perfect. Could it be that someone else already chose her?’

His thoughts were interrupted by someone knocking on the door. When Siwon looked up to see who it was, his eyebrows knitted together when a guy stepped in, because he found him familiar.

“Choi Siwon?” The guy asked, leading to more curiosity from the older who was wondering how he knew his name.

“You are?” Siwon stood up in front of the guy, his frown deepening as he tried to recall where he had seen him before.

“Cho Kyuhyun”

Kyuhyun stretched his arm for a hand shake, but Siwon was obviously dazed because that name sounded so familiar to him that he let Kyuhyun’s hand hanging in the air between their bodies.

“Okay” Feeling upset about the disrespect, Kyuhyun withdrew his hand and put it in his pocket along with the other one before he added.

“I’m n°50”

That statement made Siwon’s eyes bulge out as he started examining the guy in front of him from head to toe before letting his eyes rest on the boy's face.

The eyes, the skin, the lips... His face expression showed how he was clearly shocked, yet his lips were pressed into a thin line, trying to process what was happening before he could speak his mind.

“Oh, I see!” Kyuhyun let out a sarcastic laugh, crossing his arms over his chest as he eyed how confusion was written all over Siwon’s face.

“Well, this is a first”

Siwon wanted to say something but he was at loss for words. How would he know that the surrogate he chose was actually a guy? Could guys even get pregnant? How could he be this stupid not to pay attention to his choice?

“You’re a male”

He could finally utter, causing Kyuhyun to tilt his head to one side, and narrow his eyes at the very obvious fact.

“Obviously”

Siwon was back to being mute, hands frozen in his pockets and eyes focused on the guy in front of him as a million questions were running through his head.

Luckily, Kyuhyun, not liking the stupid guessing game so much, deeply sighed before deciding to get Siwon out of his misery.

“I’m an inter” He waited for Siwon’s reaction but the latter’s face expression was still the same.

“As in a man with a womb”

Siwon was way too confused by then. Never in his life did he occur such a situation where he couldn't find proper words to use. Okay, he did hear of inter people and he knew it was a special case of genetic birth, but he never knew an inter male could get pregnant.

“Anyway, looks like this isn’t happening so I’ll talk to Heechul-ssi to find you another surrogate”

Kyuhyun then turned around and walked to the door, but before he left, he e last time, glancing at the still shocked man standing in the middle of the room just staring at him before adding.

“Just make sure to read the gender next time. It’s the first word in the information column”

Then he disappeared out of the room, leaving a dumbfounded Siwon just standing there and wondering what just happened.

Is this a sign that I shouldn’t have a baby?

- Tbc -

I'm so nervous! This is only the start so things will spice up later on :D
PS: I don't know a lot about inter people, but I'll try my best to do some researches ^^