Whispers

Dilemma

Eirini spent the next few days in a haze of mixed emotions, the warmth of Cillian's kisses still fresh on her skin, juxtaposed with the lingering weight of his secrets. The sun shone brightly over Nafplio, but her heart felt heavy as she wandered through the familiar streets.

She tried to distract herself by immersing in her daily routines, visiting local shops and cafes, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Cillian and the nagging doubts that had taken root. Why had he left so abruptly? What was this "unfinished business" that required his immediate attention?

On the third day after his departure, she received a message from him. "Hey, just checking in. How's my favorite Greek?"

Eirini's heart leapt at the thought of him, but the doubts clouded her joy. She responded with a simple, "I'm good. Just busy with work. How about you?"

He replied quickly, "Same here. Busy, but thinking of you. Can't wait to be back."

Eirini forced a smile as she read his words, but mistrust lingered. Was he really thinking of her, or was he just trying to ease her worries?

That evening, she decided to go for a walk by the beach to clear her mind. The waves lapped gently against the shore, and the sky was painted in hues of orange and pink. As she walked, she recalled their time together—his laughter, the way he held her hand, the moments they shared. But every memory was tinged with worry.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed again. This time, it was a call from her mother. "Eirini, can you come over? I'd like to talk," her mother said, her tone serious.

Eirini felt a flicker of unease. "Is everything okay?"

"Just come, please," her mother insisted.

Once she arrived at her mother's house, Eirini found her sitting at the kitchen table, a concerned expression on her face. "I've been thinking about you, about him," her mother said, looking up with a mixture of concern and protectiveness.

"Mom, I'm fine. Really," Eirini replied, though her voice wavered slightly.

Her mother shook her head. "I know you're trying to be strong, but I see the way you look at him. You deserve someone who's honest and upfront."

Eirini's chest tightened. "He is honest. I just... I just don't understand everything yet."

Her mother took a deep breath. "You know, after your father was killed, I struggled to trust anyone. I was so afraid of losing again, of opening my heart. I see that fear in you, Eirini. It's okay to be cautious, especially with someone who keeps secrets."

The mention of her father sent a rush of emotions through Eirini. She hadn't fully processed the grief of losing him just a year ago. "I miss him every day, Mom," she said softly, her voice thick with emotion.

Her mother reached out, squeezing Eirini's hand. "I know. He would have wanted you to be happy, but I also know he would have wanted you to be safe. Just promise me you'll be careful with Cillian."

"I will," Eirini whispered, feeling the weight of her mother's worry.

As they talked, Eirini felt the weight of her mother's concern but also the nagging doubt in her own heart. Could she truly trust Cillian?

---

Cillian stepped off the plane in Birmingham, the familiar city engulfing him in a wave of mixed emotions. He had just left Eirini, a whirlwind of feelings still swirling in his chest. But now, he faced the stark reality of Alyssa's message: she claimed to be pregnant, and he needed answers.

As he made his way to his apartment, the streets felt suffocating. He pulled out his phone and reread the text from Alyssa, a sense of dread settling in. He had pushed aside his concerns about their past to focus on Eirini, but now, the reality of Alyssa's claim loomed large.

He sent her a message: *Can we meet today? I need to talk to you.*

Alyssa's response came quickly: *I'm really busy today. Can we do tomorrow?*

Cillian frowned, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. She always seemed too busy when it mattered most. He shot back, *It's important. I need to know what's going on.*

Alyssa replied with yet another excuse: *I have a meeting that just came up. Can we please reschedule?*

Each excuse stung more than the last. Confusion turned to anger. How could she claim to be pregnant and then avoid him? It felt like a game, one he was unwilling to play.

He paced his apartment, frustration mounting as he thought about the implications of her silence. What if she was lying? What if this was just another manipulation? He had fought hard to distance himself from that part of his life, yet here he was, dragged back into the mess.

After a restless hour, he finally texted her again: *Alyssa, this is serious. We need to talk today. I can't wait any longer.*

Her response was delayed, and when it finally came, it was filled with more excuses. *I promise I'll make time tomorrow. I just can't today.*

His phone slipped from his hand, landing on the couch as he raked a hand through his hair. The confusion mixed with anger, leaving him feeling helpless. He had left Eirini, and now he felt the weight of that unsureness bearing down on him from both sides.

As the evening stretched on, Cillian found himself staring out the window, lost in thought. He wanted to reach out to Eirini, to share his frustrations, but he knew that this was a burden he couldn't place on her. She had enough to deal with already.