Chapter 4 The Unexpected Pregnancy

Lizzy views herself from the bathroom mirror. She stared at her own reflection just as if she had become a stranger. Her heart started racing, a symphony of confusion plus anxiety started swelling up in her chest. A new reality evidence of hers was sitting heavily in her hands: the little plastic stick which had caused a whole change to everything. The two pink lines were staring back at her, a quiet declaration of what is to come next. She got washed by a sudden wave of emotions – a mixture of joy, fear plus uncertainty – each struggling to claim dominance.

Just a few weeks had passed since the fateful night she spent with Mike Caldwell, her billionaire CEO, the only man whose presence alone ignited a flicker of flame within her chest. The decision was taken on impulse, propelled by wine mixture, laughter, plus chemistry that can't be denied which built up right from day-one they set eyes on each other. The professional relationship which they commenced with quickly got morphed into something of greater complication. Just a single night the line was crossed by them, with the indulgence of a passionate encounter that she had never really anticipated but yearned for in secrecy.

In the meanwhile, as she stood alone inside her modest apartment, that thrill of the single night had gotten overshadowed by her present dread. In what manner will the news be broken to Mike? Right now, he already lived a life that was chaotic. As far as corporate world was concerned he was considered a great force to reckon with. He was famous for his unbridled drive plus sharp intellect. Would he even show interest in this? Considering that he may distance himself, or in a worst case scenario, show no regards to her feelings, made her really scary.

Lizzy held the sink's edge firmly, her finger dug in as she was trying to get herself steadied. "Babe, this is too hot for you to handle, all alone," she told her reflection in a whisper. Time is due for confiding in someone. She was thirsty for guidance, a reasonable voice that would tear through the fog that beclouded her thoughts.

Once she had decided, she put a call across to her best friend, Vivian. Her call was picked quickly with a small hint of sleep that riddled Vivian's voice. "Lizzy? What's up?"

The dam inside of Lizzy bursted as a result of the urgent concern exhibited by Vivian. "I... I urgently need to talk to you, it's quite vital."

They agreed to talk at their usual cafe, a quaint small place furnished with cozy booths with the usual rich aroma that oozed from coffee and waft through the air. Lizzy arrived meeting Vivian sitting at their popular corner, holding a steaming cup, watching with alertness mixed with concern.

"What's wrong?" Vivian queried as she leaned forward.

Lizzy started by inhaling deeply. Then she detailed the night that caused the total changes - how she got lured, the subsequent laughter, the very moment that both she and Mike finally succumbed to their feelings. While she was speaking, she was keenly observing Vivian's expression, as it shifted from the initial curiosity to total astonishment.

"Oh my gosh, Lizzy!" Vivian cried, her eyes widening. "So now... now you're under pregnancy?"

"Yes, exactly," Lizzy said calmly as she ran a hand across her black curly hair. "What can I do, Vivian? I'm yet to decide whether to let him know or not. Assuming he chooses to freak out? And what if he decides not to have anything to do with me - or even the baby?"

"What next if he decides to pretend that nothing ever happened?" Lizzy's voice wavered.

Vivian received the information gradually, and then she stretched her hand across the table to grab Lizzy's hand. "You really need to inform him. It's his right to know, and you deserve a capable supporter in your present situation."

"Have a complete trust in the exchanges between two of you. It might have commenced with just a night, but it had meaning, didn't it? Both of you need to sit together and talk, that will lead to the clear decision to be taken by each of you. You will eventually become a mother, Lizzy."

Vivian's words sank into Lizzy - an astounding truth in the middle of the whirlwind full of uncertainties. The nail just got hit on the head by Vivian. Being best friends, they've shared something special. Although, she feared the idea of being rejected, she needed to do some good to herself and her future by talking to Mike.

As they progressed with the sipping of their coffee, Lizzy started gaining strength in her resolution. When their discussion was over, she summoned courage to put a call across to Mike. The phone started ringing; each time echoed the fear gripping her heart, till at last, when Mike answered the call. "Lizzy? How are things with you?"

"Em, hi, Mike," she stuttered, the mere mention of his name weighed heavily on her, making her nervous. "I wish to talk to you on something vital. Is tomorrow evening convenient for us to sit and talk?"

"Sure, hope everything is fine. You're sounding somehow anxious."

"You're right, it's just... better we see in person. It's just about us."

"That's good. We can see at seven in the office." Then there was a pause. "You're sounding anxious Lizzy, is there anything that requires my urgent attention?"

"Yes Mike. Expect detailed information when we meet." Lizzy then hung up and stared at the wall while feeling heavily weighed down by the enormity of the coming discussion.

The following day was crawling by, with each hour looking more elongated than the last. Lizzy kept herself busy, but at intervals her heart wandered to her scheduled discussion with Mike. She kept wondering what will be the reaction of Mike. Would he offer her the needed support? Or would he just retreat to hide behind walls which he erected to surround himself?

The hour of seven rolled by; Lizzy felt electrified by every nerve within her body while walking into Mike's office. She was greeted by the scent coming from polished wood plus fresh paper. Upon that, tonight still felt different to her. Tension and anticipation hung precariously in the air.

Mike sat waiting in his office; a silhouette framed resulting from a dim light from the lamp on his desk. He stood up as she entered, with his expression shifting from that of curiosity to concern. He saw the apprehension as written all over Lizzy's face.

"You look quite... serious, Lizzy. What's it?" he inquired, his voice was low but calm.

As Lizzy closed the door behind her, she took a deep breath to summon all her courage. "There's something important I want to let you know, Mike."

Mike gestured her to sit down, with his brow furrowing. "You're getting me scared."

"I..." then she hesitated, staring at his eyes which in the past held sparks of both desire and affection.

"I'm pregnant."

The subsequent silence was suffocating; the air was thick with the emotions yet to be spoken. Gradually, Mike's expression started shifting, a mixture of shock with something deeper - maybe concern. "Pregnant?" echoed Mike, like he was trying to weigh her words.

"Yeah, it came to my awareness a few days ago. I initially thought I could handle it personally, but... later discovered I can't. I feel there's the need for you to know, as from now whatever is going on, I wish to remain honest with you."

Mike took a brief moment; his mind's gears were turning visibly. "Hope you're okay, tell me your feelings about this."

"I feel timid," she confessed, with her trembling voice. "I can't grasp what this stands to mean for me, for us."

Gradually, Mike raked a hand across his hair, a typical indication of stress. "Lizzy, we... we need to discuss on how this will affect our moving forward. In fact, this comes to me as a surprise, yet it is my utmost desire to be here for you. Whatever your decision may turn out to be, I'm ready to support you."

Lizzy could feel a wave of relief washing over her, the weight emanating from uncertainties was gradually easing.

A long road still stretched ahead of them - one that is filled with issues, decisions, and numerous moments filled with joy and at the other times, fear. Her solace is that when such moments arise, she'll never be alone.

They kept conversing into the late night. Their talks centered on parenting, hopes, fears plus what they felt for each other. As the night lingered on, Lizzy nursed the feelings that while the storms of emotions raged, there still laid a flicker of hope. Opportunities still abound to build something wonderful from the chaos.

In the days that followed, Lizzy embraced the changes ahead with Mike by her side. Together, they began to explore the uncharted waters of impending parenthood, slowly transforming from colleagues into partners in every sense of the word. They were two hearts, bound together against the uncertainties of life, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

In the subsequent days, Lizzy acclimatized herself with the emerging changes with Mike providing the necessary supports. As partners they started exploring the yet to be charted waters of parenthood, slowly elevating from mere colleagues into partners in all aspects of the word.

They stood as two separate hearts, joined together against life's uncertainties, prepared to deal with whatever challenges that might lay ahead.