Searching for love

17

I sighed deeply as I plopped face-first onto my bed. I was looking at job postings near the Fort Meade area that would interest me and there weren't any that really suited me. I did get my BA in Management with a minor in law at NYU but there really wasn't anything I could do with that degree here. Fort Meade was a place where the DOD, NSA operated and was a base of federal and military operations. I did have two years of experience as an agent in the NSA and had great defensive skills. My shooting was the best in my graduating training class at the NSA, surely that would help me get a position I wanted. I know that I want a job where I use my defense, observation skills more, and don't have to deal with many meetings or reports and such. It would be cool if they had an opening in the DOD for something like that. But before that, I would have to quit my job at the NSA. I banged my head against my pillow. Jeez, this was frustrating. A knock interrupted my breakdown. My father entered the room with two steaming cups of what I presumed to be tea. "Hey sweetheart", he said softly. I put my head back down on my pillow and beat my legs against the bed in frustration. My father amusedly handed me a cup of tea as I reluctantly sat up straight. "I don't know what to do! I know I have to hand in my resignation letter but shouldn't I have an idea of what I want to do before that? I mean I do have an idea but I don't know if it'll work out. I want to join the DOD and work on something related to and using my fighting skills like maybe you know a bodyguard! One of my colleagues is the head bodyguard of the CIA director and it sounds really cool! There's nothing else here that I could do, and I want to stay here with you! But I didn't even ask you if I could stay here...."

"Calm down. Take a deep breath. I suggest you head in the resignation letter today itself. As for staying here, I'm honestly offended you thought you aren't welcome. You are my daughter and I want you living here for as long as you wish. I want you to be happy and not to worry. As for working in the DOD, you should go for it. I actually think working more with security is your thing. It's better suited for you. My friend is actually the DOD security head and I could always ask him if he has any openings. You don't have to get to work immediately either. Rest and relax a bit if you want. I'm here to support you, okay", my father said calmly. I smiled and hugged him. "Thanks, dad! I was losing my mind there! I would really appreciate it if you got in touch with him. I looked for any openings on the net and there aren't any posted", I said in a rush. He laughed and said, "silly of course it's not posted on the net. Security violations. The DOD is super secretive as well".

I brushed through my freshly straightened hair one last time and looked at the mirror. I was dressed up like this probably for the first time ever. I had a thin layer of foundation, some concealer, blush, eyeshadow, and lipstick on. My hair was pin-straight and I wore a black knee-length halter dress with a low back and some tall stilettos. "You look beautiful!", Rose screeched when she saw me. I smiled and said, "So do you! You look absolutely gorgeous!", and she did. Her black hair was curled and she wore red lipstick and her lashes were long. Her skin shone with glitter and her red dress was killer. Serena exited her bathroom with her lightly waved brown hair cascading down her back. She wore a short, silver dress and white heels. She too looked breathtaking. "I'm so proud of my work!", Serena said as he twirled me in her room as I laughed. "You did a good job! Not that Layla was ever ugly but the makeup you did just radiates her beauty!", I blushed at her words. We were going to a club, my first time. We were celebrating my 28th birthday and it was going to be a girl's night. Dad had been understandably upset at not being able to celebrate my birthday with him but I promised him dinner on Saturday. It had been a week since I quit and I was living my best life. Dad had spoken to the DOD security head about getting me a job there. They were actually looking for a security agent for one of the researchers and I had gotten through my first two rounds of the interview. The last round was going to be on Monday and it was the final interview with the DOD security head. I was fairly confident that I would get the job because I performed really well on the physical and written tests. So far I was happy.

As I drank shot after shot with my friends we giggled, laughed, and danced. To say it was the best birthday ever would be an understatement. It was 1:30 a.m. and we decided to head home. "Thanks, guys! This was the best!", I said as I burst into another fit of giggles. They joined in and ROse burped loudly and we burst into another fit of giggles, "Happy birthday LayLay", they screamed. I made shushing motions, embraced by how loud we were. "I'm heading home. I'll see you later, okay", I said they nodded and kissed me on the cheeks and we all went our way. We had originally decided to have a sleepover but Rose had guests coming over in the morning and Serena had to catch a flight in the morning. Both of them had busy days coming up but still decided to get drunk, that was stupid of them I thought as I got off the taxi, my footsteps unsteady. I tripped on the front stairs and knew I was going down.

Bracing for the impact I closed my eyes but to my surprise a pair of steady hands caught me. I inhaled the rich, musky scent. Whoever this person was smelled good. "Lay!", my father's voice grated against my ear. I looked up thinking it was my father who caught me but to my surprise, I met a pair of intelligent, cold eyes covered with glasses. He straightened me and Released his hold on me. My father was standing next to him and had his coat in his hand and a briefcase. "Jeez, are you drunk?", he asked, stepping forward, observing me. I laughed and said my words unsteady, "NO! Why would you think that?", I giggled. He sighed and looked towards Eren, "Sorry to ask this of you, but can you put her to bed and make sure she's okay? I really have to be going...", my father said. Eren looked uncomfortable and sighed and nodded. My father thanked him and jogged toward his car. I slumped onto Eren and shivered. It was so cold, Eren was warm though. He smelled good too.

Eren pulled me up and held me as we walked up the stairs and towards my room. I looked down at his hands and noticed the silver, simple ring glistening on his hand. "Sooooo who's the lucky girl? Or guy? No judgment here...You've had this promise ring on for a while. In fact! I've never seen you without it!", I said my words rushed and slurred. I smiled at him, my eyes fluttering in an effort to keep them open. Eren didn't say anything as he dragged me up the stairs. His movements had gotten a little rough though after my questioning. I giggled at his stormy face and muttered, "Maybe she's not that lucky after all". I suddenly stopped moving up the stairs and Eren stopped and looked at me and said to me coldly, "Now what?", I sighed and held him more tightly as I felt bile rising up my throat and without any warning threw up on what looked like really expensive loafers. He stepped back immediately relieving himself from my hold. "Oops, I'm sorry", I managed to say as I continued to puke my guts out on the staircase.