Searching for love

14

"Lay!", my father said while rushing to me with his arms wide open. I blushed as he pulled me into his arms and rotated me in circles. People smiled as they walked past us at the airport, obviously thinking that this was a reunion between a father and daughter who had been apart for a long time. However, that was far from the truth. My father and I had seen each other in New York merely two days ago. "Dad. It's really good to see you too. Could you put me down now?",I asked, embarrassed. My father laughed loudly and ruffled my hair. "Oh, Lay You know I missed you! It's been too long". I rolled my eyes at that but said nothing. Axel was smart enough to remain on the sidelines just watching. He knew better than to interrupt this reunion. My father was extremely overprotective of me and was constantly checking up on me by calling, texting, or even flying in to see him. Everyone at the NSA knew how overprotective my father was and was very surprised wherever they saw me with him. My father was ruthless and cold in his job and never smiled or laughed but after I came into his laugh that changed...well kind of. He only laughed or smiled when he was around me. He was still as harsh and brutal as ever at work. I couldn't have asked for a better father.

"So, Axel. How's everything going with work?", my father asked while driving us to his house. My father was nice enough to Axel, especially because Axel had been the one to save me and kill Keith. He trusted Axel enough to let me live with him but he also trusted my decisions...I think. "Yes sir. Everything is going well. We'll be training here for a week on more of the communication side which I'm looking forward to". My father nodded and said, "Yes, Eren was talking to me about that earlier today. He was supposed to be heading this training but is overworked right now, so one of the training managers is supervising it instead". My stomach dipped upon hearing Eren's name and I tightly clutched my phone harder. I had only seen him a handful of times over the last two years. He was always with my dad at work and occasionally even for dinner. I had talked to him a few times but for some reason, I just couldn't seem to make conversation with him. There was something so unreachable about him. He seemed worlds away and I still had that big crush on him which just wouldn't go. I glanced at Axel from the side of my eye. Jeez, I even had a boyfriend now! I had to let my thoughts on Eren go. Seriously what was I doing?

I got out of the car and stretched my long limbs. Axel came up behind me and grabbed my bag. "I got it", he said and headed to the entrance. I smiled and started following him. "How're things going between you two? He isn't causing too much trouble?" my father asked, scratching his head nervously. I blushed and shook my head fiercely. "No! We're doing really well. He's really good to me", I blurted out quickly. My father's eyebrows rose and he smiled and patted me gently. "Good. Oh yes! Rose and Serena are coming over for dinner too. They miss you", my father said. I smiled and said softly, "I miss them too. They're good friends". I heard voices coming from inside and almost froze. The distinct sounds of Eren's cool voice pierced me. "Um...Er-", I was interrupted by my dad's voice, "Ah! Eren! Did you bring the reports over? We can go over them after dinner. Stay over". My dad rushed to Eren's side to grab the papers in this hand. Axel too was talking to Eren. I froze by the doorstep taking in Eren. Why? Why was he more handsome and radiant than before? Why was my pulse racing? "Babe? Are you okay?", Axel's voice broke me from my state as I looked up at his brown eyes. Sadly they were not the eyes I wanted to gaze upon. I took a deep breath and smiled tightly and said my voice shaky, "I'm fine. It's just been a while since I've been home".

I angrily scrubbed myself in the shower. Hot steam rose and surrounded the bathroom as I stood under the hot water. I was so disgusted with myself. I was with Axel, I shouldn't be thinking like this. I hated lying to him and after everything he had done and given me...he deserved better than me. "Layla...", Axel's voice called out as he entered the bathroom. "Seriously, what's wrong? Are you okay? You've been in the shower for a ridiculously long time", he called out softly to me as he opened the shower handle. I faced him with tears in my eyes. "Axel...", I whispered. His eyes were wide in shock as he took in what I presumed was my red and blotchy face that was a result of my crying. I never cried. The last time I had cried was the day he rescued me from Keith. I swore to myself I would never let myself get to that weak and low state, but here I was crying my eyes out. Upon seeing Axel my tears intensified and I sank to the shower floor clutching myself. Axel rushed in with his clothes still on and gently held me. My head rested on his shoulder as I clutched him tightly. He didn't say a word, just gently caressed my hair and back and allowed me to cry till I couldn't anymore.

"Axel. Layla. Dinner's ready and everyone's here. Aiden's asking for you guys", Eren's voice and knocks reached the bathroom. Axel gently removed himself from my hold and gently kissed the top of my head before walking out of the bathroom his clothes dripping with water. I heard him open the door and I strained myself to hear his words to Eren. "Tell Aiden-", he stopped when he felt my presence behind him. I was tightly clutching onto my towel, water dripping from my hair and body as I faced Eren who looked shocked at our appearance. "Give us a few minutes. We'll be there", I said slowly avoiding eye contact with him. "Ah what do we have here!", Rose's voice shrieked and to my utter embarrassment, Serena and dad came into view as well. "Om my gosh you guys! Really? Couldn't you have waited until after dinner! You see Axel every day! We only got you back after so many days. Is this our value", Serena complained dramatically while Rose nodded and sadly shook her head, "I guess this is the true value of our friendship". I couldn't say whose face was redder, my father or mine. "Get out everyone!", Axel bellowed and shut the door.

"Jeez. Is there no privacy here?", Axel said out loud. He knew my friends were still listening in. At his words we heard scuffling and quick movements. Once he was sure no one was listening in, he approached me while grabbing a towel and stripping his clothes and drying himself. "Come on you'll get sick. Dry yourself", Axel said. I nodded and dried myself and put on a shirt and shirts in silence. "We will talk about this...after dinner, okay", he said slowly. I nodded and he sighed playing with his lip ring. I stepped closer to him and on my tippy toes kissed him deeply, holding on tightly to him. He held my hair and kissed me back fiercely before pulling back and holding my hand we headed downstairs to the noise and chatter.