Searching for love

22

The rest of the team had left a while back and it was just me and Ellie in the lab now. It was an extremely high tech and huge lab that was filled with things I didn't even know or possibly could ever understand. At this moment I felt the stupidest I could ever feel. I was busy analyzing and running data collection on Ellie's home and linking her security system to my phone for easy access. I shed as I waited for the download. It was almost 7 p.m. meaning time for Ellie to go home. I moved slowly towards the direction of the noise and found Ellie hard at work making notes while analyzing something under the microscope. I watched her silently waiting for her to finish whatever she was doing so I wouldn't disturb her. She turned around and yelped when she saw my hand at her heart. "Sorry, you scared me", she said breathlessly. I smiled and said, "Oops, it was my bad. I didn't want to disturb you. I was just wondering that after this if you wanted to come over to my place and have dinner? Or if you have other plans that's fine too". Ellie immediately perked up at my suggestion and said, "I would love to! I mean that' if you don't mind...", she trailed off. I smiled and said, "Of course I don't mind! I was the one who invited you! I'll wrap up and wait for you". With that said I moved to my desk and finished loading her security system onto my phone. Ellie kinda reminded me of the old me. I highly doubted she had any friends and ever did anything apart from work. She was a scientist though, so it was more normal but still she was young and should go out and have more fun. She was putting everything at stake for her work including her life and this made me feel really uncomfortable. I wanted her to experience more and wanted her to be happy. I smiled sadly as I straightened my suit and picked up my keys. My thoughts were interrupted by my phone, it was dad, "Hey dad! What's up?", I said happily. "Just checking in. I'll probably be home around eight today, so wait up if you can and we can talk about your first day". I smiled at his excitement and said, "Sure, although I have a guest over, is that cool?"Dad assured me that it was fine to bring any guest over anytime and I disconnected the call to see Ellie patiently waiting by my desk. "Ah, sorry about that it was my dad. He'll probably be joining us for dinner at eight. So, let's hurry up and get that food ready. He can be pretty cranky when he's hungry", and with a wink in her direction I headed out of the office.

Ellie sat in my mercedes with wide eyes. She looked a bit nervous and I turned on my ration and rove silently. "So, what do you want for dinner? I was thinking lasagna. DOes that sound good?", she nodded at me and I smiled, "You don't have to worry or feel uncomfortable. I'm here to protect you and keep you safe and I would love to make a friend while doing my job as well". With a little bit of effort I got her talking about her favourite foods, taste in music, and more about her hobbies and dislikes. By the time we reached my house she had opened up to me quite a bit which was a big relief. "Wow this is a really nice house", She commented as we got out of my car. I laughed and said, "I know, when I first saw it I was so shocked. It's a really pretty house, I live here with my dad though. It's his family home".

I was jamming out to some one direction while setting up the table while Ellie giggled silently. I was unsure whether to set up four plates or three, was Eren gonna show? I decided to set up four just in case. I was still in my suit from the morning, except for the fact that I had removed my coat. Deciding to change into something comfier I was gonna head upstairs when I heard my father and Eren's car. "Ah, looks like they're here and Ellie please don't look so terrified they're nice people, I promise". I said looking at Ellie's terrified face.

My father and Eren entered the dining room. "Hey dad! Eren! How are you guys? I made lasagna today, oh by the way this is Ellie". I said excitedly in a rush and motioned behind me to a hidden Ellie who timidly stepped forward. I was just about to make introductions when Ellie bounded forward onto the arms of Eren leaving me stunned and shocked.

"Els...", whispered Eren as he held her tenderly. I felt my stomach twist unpleasantly at his soft tone and emotions on his face. His eyes didn't glitter with the usual coldness or harshness when he gazed on her but held something else...something I couldn't put mmt finger on but they were so tender and it broke my heart. Was Ellie the girl Eren loved? My father watched from the sidelines his eyes held sorrow? Who was this girl?

Ellie finally pulled away and wiped the tears on her face. "I- Eren. I missed you so much! I'm so sorry for everything...", she said as she cried. Eren sighed deeply and wiped her tears and said, "I'm sorry too. We were both hurting and needed time...who would have thought after all this time". My father pulled me away gently and took me to his study. As he sat down he said, "Let's give them some time and privacy". His tone was somber and I watched him light a cigarette. "Who is she?"I asked, my voice cold. Surprised at my tone my father looked up at me, staring into my eyes for a second, "She is Eren's dead girlfriend's younger sister. The girlfriend that he feels responsible for killing".

In my father's words I felt the very air leave my body. Without a word I opened the door and left toward the dining room seeing them both sitting at the table, talking slowly. At my entrance ELlie turned to face and got up and said, "Sorry about earlier! I just can't believe that I found Even after all this time! We...", I cut her off and slowly said my voice flat, "Don't worry about it. Sorry I couldn't let you catch up in more privacy. I have a job to do, so, please don't mind me and continue your conversation". I hated myself at this moment. WHat was spring with me? I knew I was being awfully rude and jealous but I had no right over Eren and I was the one who brought Ellie back into his life. Ellie simply smiled timidly and said, "No, no! I was being awfully rude. Eren and I are both guests here. Let's all have dinner together. We can always talk later". I nodded and called out to my dad to join us for dinner.

As I set up dinner my father, Eren and Ellie all chatted about the past and good old days. Apparently even my father knew Ellie and her sister. They lived in Eren's community and were all super rich and close family friends. "I didn't have a daughter Aiden", Ellie asked as I sat down throwing a confused look at my father and I. "I lived with mom until recently", I rsponsed flatly. Ellie simply nodded and sweetly said, "I wish I met you earlier, we could have been such great fiends!"Jeez this girl was dense! Did she not get how much I didn't want to associate with her right now! I hated her and myself. Luckily for me my phone rang at that moment and I rushed to pick up and yes! It was Axel! The one person I could rely on. It seemed like even dad had joined the Ellie fan club.

"Axel!"I greeted enthusiastically as I got up from the dinner table with my food and moved towards the living room. "Oh sorry, am I interrupting you during dinner?", he said I simply shook my head and said, "I was just thinking about you actually. I miss you!", I declared loudly. I heard dad choke loud at my declaration but I decided to ignore him as I moved further away from the dinner table. At the moment I wanted to not think or be around Ellie. I was still laughing and talking with Axel when they finished dinner and it looked like Eren was ready to head out. "Umm Layla", Ellie's sweet voice interrupted me. I looked up from my phone at Ellie and raised my eyebrow in question. "I actually wanted to hang out with Eren. It's almost nine". I sighed and got up and said, "I'll talk to you later Axel, love you". And disconnected the call and said, "I'll drop you over there and be with you till Kate and Javier get there". She nodded and hesitantly said, "But I;m with Eren. Is it possible that I could be alone with him for a bit?", she asked. I grabbed my coat and my keys and said flatly, "No can do. Eren's not the one armed". I followed Eren out and said to him, "I don't know your address, so I'll follow you. I'll be outside keeping watch till javier ir kate gets there. They'll probably want some inside. I'll need to do a sweep inside too". He nodded and said, "You can stay too, if you want". I shook my head and coldly replied, "I'm only heading over for work. Don't want to be there longer than I need to". I was being so extremely petty and jealous I wanted to kill myself. With those thoughts I followed Eren to his house with Ellie in tow.

To no one's surprise Eren lived in a big mansion as well. How did these people afford these houses? I mean the pay wasn't even that good. I made more money as a secretary than I do now. Luckily I had large savings and my mom's money. Plus I didn't have to pay any rent or anything. Ew, I was mooching off my dad. I needed to discuss splitting some costs. I should at least pay the utilities or something. The drive had been silent and awkward and I made no attempt to make any conversation. I didn't want to erupt in anger, so I just kept my mouth shit. I kinda felt bad later because Ellie looked like she wanted to try and say something. She was very much like the old me, weak, cowardly and too attached to specific people. In her case Eren and in mine mom. I did a quick sweep of Eren's house noticing how modern and out of a magazine spread it looked like. There were no personal photographs or touches at all, it was honestly kinda depressing. O gave the okay for them to go in and stood by my car observing my surroundings. I was still working so I had to remain vigilant and careful and not let my emotions get the best of me. I had texted Kate the address so she knew where to come and she was on her way, so in five minutes I would be free!