Reigning innocence

Chapter One: We live to please.

"We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same." 

 ~Anne Frank

No one said that my life was going to change the moment I decided to dwell my time on such a task. Normally I am a rule follower - but the day I committed myself to this job - something inside of me was awoken and I can't seem to shake it.

"Edwin, darling?" I yawn as I come into the conference room half-awake. My makeup was from the day before: smudged underneath the eye, flaking mascara, and fading lipstick around the lips. My hair had flyaways at every angle as I pushed it back into a bun. 

Gazing up from his seat with his dazzling blue eyes and mumbles something under his breath. Edwin is more like that annoying older brother who silently judges you yet at the same time; wants what is best for you. "Eleanor? You look absolutely stunning."

Rolling my eyes, I plop down in my seat and place my elbows on the table and lean in. "Your sarcasm is unwarranted, Edwin. It is too early to be a fool and quite frankly, I don't know why you bother."

He shakes his head and hands me a cup of coffee. "If I were to be considered sarcastic... there would have been more wit with that statement. Today marks five years in the business, Elle. Oh and you look like you got drunk and fell asleep in the lounge area."

Everyone begins piling into the conference room and the constant chatter arises. Immigration laws? Okay not my cup of tea. What is going on with Bonnie's hair? Wait, what in bloody hell is going on with my hair? I look terrible. Maybe I can leave before she arrives? Too late.

Queen Victoria walks in with her royal guards and stands at the front of the table; and clears her throat. "I'm so happy that everyone has made it on this stupendous day. As for you, Miss Whittmore - a little decency is much appreciated and I expected more from you. Bonnie Atwood, please present me with the latest news on Health and Human Services."

Bonnie rises from her seat and slides the sliver of her blonde behind her ear. "Your majesty, there has been over 100 documented cases of pregnancies that have occurred; in which the infants are born with birth defects. Some reports are claiming that it has to do with the Zika virus. We should do more research and find out if these reports are true and then make a counter statement for the public."

The Queen fixes her attire and shuffles her papers. "I will look into it. Eleanor, do you have any information on Intelligence or any interesting activity going on in cyberspace?"

Patting my hair down and adjusting my dress, I stand before everyone and project, "I have a lead. There's been peculiar activity happening and we should really look into it."

"The same thing goes for that. Get me more information and facts and I will further look into it. Okay, Miss Whittmore?"

I nod and she glances down at the clock and dismisses us.

  ꬸ₩ꬸ ꬸ₩ꬸ ꬸ₩ꬸ  

(November 15th, 2016)

I'm happy right? Five years in your dream job will do that for you or so I was led to believe. Being part of the Queen's Secret Council was always a dream; and five years ago I made a choice and never looked back. 

"Ellie?" questioned Edwin as I blanked off into space contemplating on my life's happiness. He stares at me with his ice blue eyes and jerking my head towards him; I open my mouth to say something.

"Uh what? Did you say something?"

"For the past five minutes. The meeting is starting soon and you were going to brief her about your findings prior to the meeting. Don't you remember?" says Edwin as he fixes his collar and brushes the lint off of his armani jacket.