I wondered if I’d misheard something due to being too nervous—his statement was so absurd that I wasn’t even angry. I was just curious about the intention behind such a rude remark asking me to bear a child when this was our first meeting.
“…Your grandchild’s baby? I mean, so it’s not like ‘meet each other’ or ‘get married’ or anything like that…. Of course, that’s just an example, but anyway, you’re asking me to bear a child? Why are you looking to me for your grandchild’s baby…”
As I was doubting whether I’d understood correctly, the Chairman looked at my face, let out a big sigh, and covered his face with his hand.
“I know saying something like this out of the blue must be truly absurd, but I haven’t gone senile. It’s definitely not sexual harassment either. I’m in a very desperate situation right now, so I can’t think straight.”
Seeing him say that, it seems he does know how absurd this must sound to the listener. Suddenly calling someone he’s never even met before and asking them to bear his grandchild’s baby. How many people would think this is something a sane person would say?
“You won’t believe it, but I’m being sincere. What I want is… have you ever heard of surrogacy? Surrogate mother, surrogate parent. I don’t think you wouldn’t know. It’s been legalized in our country for quite some time.”
“…Surrogacy?”
I frowned as I asked the Chairman. Surrogacy. Of course I know about it. It would be stranger if I didn’t.
“Yes.”
“Of course I know. But why are you suddenly talking about surrogacy?”
I asked out of curiosity, but I felt something was off. He suddenly asked me to bear his grandchild’s child and now he’s bringing up surrogacy—I think I know a bit about why. At that ridiculous guess, I actually laughed in this situation.
“I need that surrogate. My grandchild, for personal reasons, won’t date, let alone get married. A perfectly healthy 32-year-old dominant alpha acting like that—I’m really going crazy.”
“Isn’t 32 still an age when someone might not want to get married yet?”
I lightly chided the Chairman, thinking he might be interfering too much in his grandchild’s affairs and causing unnecessary trouble.
“…No, it’s not like that.”
“In any case, for some reason, what you’ve thought of is surrogacy, right?”
When I said surrogacy directly without beating around the bush, the Chairman quickly nodded.
“Usually, you take the genes of both spouses and ask a healthy omega or woman, but that’s not our case. The surrogacy I’m asking for is…”
…Huh?
“Wait a minute! Chairman, do you want to use my genes for that grandchild’s baby? So you want me to… bear a baby that’s mine? Is that what you meant when you asked me to have a baby?”
As I raised my voice somewhat excitedly, the Chairman didn’t avoid it and obediently nodded. He admitted it so coolly that I didn’t even feel like getting angry.
It’s generally true that surrogates don’t use the volunteer’s genes. Of course, that method isn’t completely unused. It’s being used in unavoidable special situations and it’s not illegal either, but I know people don’t deliberately choose it because the procedures and process are complicated. No wonder he was going on about dominant omegas.
“It’s shameless, but yes. I can’t create any issues that people around me can grab onto. Because there’s always that ‘what if.’ It’s safer if the identity of the person who gave birth matches the genes.”
How meticulous. The surrogacy the Chairman is proposing was legalized when I was around elementary school age. At that time, the phenomenon of avoiding childbirth had reached its peak, whether you were a regular beta woman or omega. The population refusing childbirth due to career interruption and physical changes from marriage and childbirth kept increasing.
The government presented various plans to overcome this, and among them, the surrogacy bill passed. They allowed surrogacy for all omegas and regular women regardless of gender. This caused quite a lot of controversy and protests at the time, but because the declining birth rate was so serious, the government pushed it through.
It was already a law being implemented in many countries, and in our country, which came in as a latecomer, both satisfaction and birth rates increased. However, this can only be applied for through quite complicated procedures. Nevertheless, many couples and lovers choose surrogacy.
And there were more omegas doing surrogacy than expected. There were various reasons, but the biggest merit was that their identity wouldn’t be revealed. Also, many who found social life difficult due to pheromone issues and had trouble making a living voluntarily applied.
The compensation was solid given the high risk, and post-birth care was thorough, so many people are still using it. But being offered to be a surrogate when I’ve only heard about it is a bit absurd. Does he think carrying someone else’s baby is easy?
“It won’t be an easy decision as an omega, but please at least consider the proposal.”
“Getting pregnant and giving birth isn’t easy, but honestly, having a stranger’s baby is scary. Plus there’s the rejection reaction.”
“Of course. I understand all of that. That’s why it’s a difficult request.”
“Even so, asking me to have a baby with someone whose face I don’t even know out of the blue…”
“Face? Ah, that kid is coming back from the American branch and will start coming to the company next week, so you might see him occasionally. Want to see him once before choosing? I’m confident in my grandchild’s face.”
“…No, that’s not what I meant… Chairman, you’re not telling me to spend a rut together with your grandchild, are you?”
As my thoughts reached that point, I widened my eyes and shouted. Then the Chairman waved his hands and firmly denied it.
“I’m not shameless enough to make you do such a thing. We’ll inject what’s stored at the hospital.”
After getting badly burned by someone in the past, I currently have no desire to have a baby or get married. But since you never know what will happen in life, I didn’t want to do something I’d feel sorry about to my potential future spouse.
“Isn’t it too reckless to do this just because I’m dominant when you don’t know much about me?”
Even at my impertinent words, the Chairman didn’t look offended. After looking at me for a moment, unexpected information started flowing from his mouth.
“Baek Eunwoo. 23 years old. Transferred from Cheonghwa Arts High School to a regular high school while attending. On leave from Korea University, majoring in English Literature. When you were in high school, your house caught fire—your father passed away and your mother was in critical condition. Life became difficult from then on. You stayed at a friend’s house, then moved out and into a goshiwon. When your mother’s condition worsened, you took a leave of absence and started this job. You’ve had a hard time at such a young age.”
How absurd. So he did know something?
“…Did you investigate my background?”
“I needed to know to some extent. I’m sorry if it was unpleasant.”
It was a simple and brief explanation, but accurate information about me. Everything was correct, from staying at Gyuho’s house after Dad passed away, then going to a goshiwon, to currently being on leave. How fast he acts to have investigated my background like this.
“I only looked into it briefly so I don’t know the deep circumstances, but I know your mother’s health is still poor. That’s why you’re doing other work on weekends too. If you accept the proposal, I’ll solve all of that at once.”
“What do you mean you’ll solve everything at once?”
“I mean I’ll solve what Eunwoo needs most. I’ll support everything that goes into your mother’s treatment, and upon contract, I’ll provide an apartment, a building, and a substantial contract fee. Additional amounts will be paid later depending on the child’s trait. Most importantly, your health. I won’t be negligent in managing your recovery to your original state. Post-birth body care is basic, and I’ll support all the medical procedures you want.”
He’ll go that far? This isn’t just honest—it’s a very radical proposal. There’s a legally set appropriate amount paid to surrogates. This far exceeded that, and the Chairman’s expression didn’t seem to contain any lies.
However, I’m not naive enough to not know there’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. A stranger’s kindness is poison. The reason for making such a generous offer must be because he wants childbirth using my genes as a dominant omega.
“Chairman, but I heard chaebols have arranged marriages among themselves—why are you doing this to me when you have all those good options available?”
Of course, the person involved would know best, and there must be a reason for making this choice. But having heard this, I’m really curious. He said he’s perfectly healthy, but could there be some serious defect? To me, not withdrawing my suspicious gaze, the Chairman shook his head and answered.
“You think I don’t know that? I’ve tried countless times, countless! But they all fell through. My grandchild is a bit peculiar. No, should I say unique beyond peculiar?”
“Unique?”
“…He finds people dirty.”
“Pardon?”
He what with people? As I blinked with a dumbfounded expression, the Chairman sighed.
***
The executive director, who was definitely supposed to come in starting next week, suddenly raided the office unannounced. At his raid, the secretaries hurriedly put on masks and adjusted their clothes. However, they couldn’t hide the anxiety on their faces.
Everyone held their breath while watching the executive director touch the display case with his finger. After running his finger along the display case, he confirmed there was no dust on his finger and showed satisfaction, allowing everyone to breathe a sigh of relief.
Juheon, who would be working here starting next week, thoroughly examined the office again and again. Then he looked at the line drawn on the floor a few steps away from the desk and slightly raised the corners of his mouth. After checking the line, Juheon went to the desk, sat in the chair, then went back in front of the line to check if the distance between the two was appropriate.
“I like it. There won’t be any spit flying. I won’t be able to see facial pores either.”
While looking around the office, there was a knock and a secretary entered. The neatly dressed secretary, wearing a mask on his face and even gloves on his hands, greeted his superior while maintaining distance.
“Ah, Secretary Lee. I’ve troubled you, haven’t I? I came because of grandfather’s summons and stopped by for a moment.”
“Not at all, Executive Director. Do you like the office?”
“Yes. But please also place hand sanitizer here and there.”
Pointing at the table in front of the sofa and the bookshelf while giving instructions, he turned to look at the secretary.
“And the rules that must be followed to work as my secretary—did you inform everyone? If it’s uncomfortable, you can request a department transfer. That’s fine. Otherwise, I’ll assume everyone has agreed.”
“Yes, Executive Director. Perfume is okay but not too strong, but strong perfume scent is better than body odor smell. Always maintain cleanliness, and cigarette smell is absolutely forbidden. Only washing bangs is also forbidden. Dental care and hand and skin care are essential. Masks and sanitary gloves are mandatory when meeting the Executive Director directly. All notices have been sent out. Ah, snack consumption must be in the break room—I know that too.”
“Please also mention that separate secretary hygiene management fees are provided.”
After finishing his words, Juheon showed a satisfied smile and turned his head toward the window.
