Chapter 12: Her Resolve

Eliza's decision to visit Adrian's office had ended disastrously. Recalling Adrian's harsh tone during that phone call, she shivered. The encounter confirmed her fears about him, pushing her to make a firm decision: she would keep her pregnancy a secret from Adrian.

The next morning, as she was arranging a bouquet in her flower shop, her phone buzzed. Seeing an unfamiliar number on the screen, she assumed it was a customer and answered.

"Hello, this is Eliza's Flowers; how can I help you?" she said brightly.

"Eliza, why did you leave so suddenly yesterday?" Adrian's voice was calm but carried an edge of curiosity.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she nearly dropped her phone. "Adrian? How did you get this number?"

Adrian sighed. "It wasn't easy. I had to make a few calls, but I had to talk to you. Why did you leave so suddenly?"

Eliza took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I was just in the area and thought I'd drop by. But you seemed really busy, and I didn't want to disturb you."

There was a pause. "You came all the way to my office just because you were in the area?"

"Yes," she lied. "I thought it might be nice to see you, but I realized it was a bad time."

Adrian sighed again, sounding frustrated. "I wish you had stayed. I wanted to talk to you."

"What about?" she asked, her voice wavering.

"Just catching up. It's been a while since the cruise. I've been thinking about you."

Eliza's heart ached at his words, but she forced herself to stay firm. "I appreciate that, Adrian, but I think it's better if we keep our distance."

There was a long silence. "If that's what you want, Eliza, but I hope we can talk again sometime."

After hanging up, Eliza felt a mix of relief and sadness. She couldn't afford to get tangled up in Adrian's complicated world. For the sake of her unborn child, she had to stay away.

Days turned into weeks, and Eliza threw herself into her work. Her flower shop was a sanctuary where she could lose herself in the beauty and simplicity of her blooms. Yet the looming reality of her pregnancy was never far from her mind.

One evening, as she closed up the shop, Chloe burst in with a whirlwind of energy and excitement. "Eliza, you won't believe it! I scored tickets to the hottest new club in town. We're going out tonight!"

Eliza laughed, shaking her head. "Chloe, I don't think—"

"No excuses! You need a night out. It'll be good for you." Chloe's eyes sparkled with determination.

Eliza couldn't argue with Chloe's infectious enthusiasm. "Alright, fine. But just for a little while."

The club was packed, the music was pounding, and the lights were flashing. It was a stark contrast to Eliza's quiet, flower-filled world. She felt out of place, but Chloe's exuberance was contagious. They danced and laughed, letting the music wash over them.

During a break, they found a quiet corner to catch their breath. "See? Aren't you glad you came?" Chloe grinned, taking a sip of her drink.

Eliza smiled. "Yeah, it's fun. Thanks for dragging me out."

Chloe leaned in, her expression turning serious. "Eliza, I know you're dealing with a lot right now. But you're strong. Whatever you're going through, you'll get through it."

Eliza blinked back tears. "Thanks, Chloe. I needed to hear that."

Just as she was starting to relax, she noticed a familiar figure across the room. Her heart stopped. It was Adrian. He was surrounded by a group of people laughing and talking, looking every bit like the charismatic CEO. Eliza's stomach churned with a mix of emotions—fear, longing, and an overwhelming urge to flee.

She grabbed Chloe's arm. "We need to leave. Now."

Chloe looked confused. "What? Why? We just got here."

"Adrian's here," Eliza whispered urgently.

Chloe's eyes widened. "Okay, let's go."

They made their way through the crowded club, Eliza's heart pounding with every step. Just as they reached the exit, a voice called out, "Eliza!"

She turned to see Adrian pushing through the crowd towards her. Panic surged through her. "Go, Chloe," she urged. "I'll catch up."

Chloe hesitated, then nodded and slipped out the door.

"Eliza, wait!" Adrian reached her, his expression a mix of confusion and concern. "Why are you leaving?"

"I just need to go," she said, avoiding his eyes.

"Please, just talk to me for a minute," he pleaded.

Eliza glanced around, feeling trapped. "Alright, but just for a minute."

They moved to a quieter corner, and Adrian looked at her intently. "Why are you avoiding me? Did I do something wrong?"

"No, it's not that," Eliza said, her voice trembling. "I just... it's complicated."

Adrian frowned. "It doesn't have to be. Eliza, I care about you. I've been trying to reach out because I miss you."

Eliza's resolve wavered. "Adrian, there's so much you don't know."

"Then tell me. Let me in," he urged, stepping closer.

She felt a tear escape, and she quickly wiped it away. "I can't. It's better this way."

Before Adrian could respond, her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen—it was Chloe, probably checking if she was okay. The distraction gave her the excuse she needed. "I have to go," she said, turning away.

"Eliza, please!" Adrian's voice was filled with desperation, but she forced herself to keep walking.

Outside, Chloe was waiting. "Are you okay?" she asked, concern etched on her face.

Eliza nodded, though her heart felt heavy. "Let's just go home."

The ride back was quiet. Eliza stared out the window, her mind racing. She knew she had made the right decision, but it didn't make it any easier.

Over the next few days, Eliza tried to focus on her shop, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Adrian. She found herself absentmindedly arranging flowers, lost in memories of their time together. It was getting harder to push him out of her mind.

One afternoon, she was sitting at her kitchen table with a stack of magazines in front of her. Each one had articles about Adrian—his business achievements, his family, and the glamorous life he led. 

Eliza stared at the glossy pages, feeling a mix of fascination and dread. This was the man she had fallen for—the father of her child. But could she trust him? The memory of his cold words during that phone call haunted her.

"Not planning to have children anytime soon. If she's pregnant, she better settle it on her own." His voice had been filled with anger and finality.

She couldn't let him into her life, not when there was so much at stake. The safety of her child was her priority. She would raise this baby on her own, without Adrian's influence.

A week passed, and Eliza found herself no closer to a solution. One morning, she woke up feeling nauseous. She ran to the bathroom, her stomach heaving. As she sat on the cool tile floor, a realization hit her. She was truly going to be a mother. The enormity of it all washed over her, bringing tears to her eyes.

Despite her fears, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement. This baby was a part of her, a new life growing inside her. She placed a hand on her still-flat stomach, feeling a surge of protectiveness.

Her phone buzzed, breaking her reverie. It was Chloe, checking in as usual. Eliza took a deep breath and answered.

"Hey, how are you feeling today?" Chloe's voice was cheerful.

"I'm okay," Eliza replied, trying to sound normal.

"Good! I was thinking, how about we grab lunch today? My treat."

Eliza smiled. "That sounds great. I could use a break."

They met at a cozy cafe downtown, the kind of place they had always loved. As they sat down with their meals, Chloe studied Eliza carefully.

"You've been really quiet lately. Is everything alright?"

Eliza took a sip of her water, considering how much to reveal. "I've just had a lot on my mind—running the shop, life in general."

Chloe raised an eyebrow. "Life in general, huh? Does this have anything to do with a certain CEO?"

Eliza laughed, though it sounded hollow even to her. "Maybe a little."

Chloe reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "Whatever it is, you know I'm here for you."

"I know," Eliza said, grateful for her friend's support.

They finished their lunch, chatting about lighter topics, and for awhile, Eliza felt like things were normal again. But as she walked back to her shop, the weight of her decision settled back on her shoulders.

A few days later, a large bouquet of roses was delivered to her shop. There was no note, but she knew who it was from. Her heart ached at the sight of the beautiful flowers, knowing the complicated emotions they represented.

That evening, as she sat in her apartment, she knew she had to make a final decision. She couldn't keep going back and forth. Her baby's future depended on it.

Taking a deep breath, she picked up her phone and called Chloe. "Hey, can you come over? I need to talk."

Within half an hour, Chloe was at her door. "What's going on?" she asked, concern evident in her eyes.

Eliza took a deep breath and began to tell her everything—about the pregnancy, her fears about Adrian, and the decision she had to make.

Chloe listened patiently, then hugged her tightly. "Eliza, whatever you decide, I'll support you. But you need to do what feels right for you and your baby."

Eliza nodded, feeling a bit of the weight lift from her shoulders. "Thanks, Chloe. I think I know what I have to do."

The next morning, Eliza went to her shop early, and Adrian's bouquet was still on the counter. She looked at it for a long moment, then threw it in the trash bin. She had made her decision.

She would raise this child on her own, with or without Adrian's help. It was a daunting prospect, but she knew she was strong enough to handle it. Her baby deserved a safe, loving environment, and she would do everything in her power to provide that.

As she opened the shop for the day, Eliza felt a sense of resolve. It wouldn't be easy, but she was ready to face whatever came her way. For her and her child's sake, she would be brave.