Falling for My Younger Boss

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"I miss you, Shell! It's been ten years since you last came home. Don't you really have any plans of visiting?" Amanda was on the phone with her best friend from high school, Shelley McDermott. After high school, Shelley's family moved all the way to the other side of the country in New York and has only visited Harrowpoint twice since moving away but the two have kept in touch over the years via phone calls.

"New York is home now, Mandy. Besides, you're not in Harrowpoint anymore. Tell me more about LA! I've been there a couple of times but it's way too hot for me so I never thought of staying. And tell me all about this guy who offered you that job there." Shelley asked excitedly. 

Amanda hasn't told Shelley much about Robert. Even before when Robert lived in Harrowpoint, she didn't share much about him with Shelley because she was embarrassed about it. Robert was in middle school then while she was in high school. She won't hear the end of it from Shelley if Amanda tells her about it. It's a good thing that Robert doesn't remember living in Harrowpoint, she didn't need to explain anything to her best friend.

"Well, there really isn't anything much to say about Robert. He was stranded in Harrowpoint because he got a flat tire and we just got to talking about stuff. He got to eat my Pecan Pie at the diner and just like that, offered to help me put up my own store. That's it."  Amanda didn't want to tell her more and she didn't need to know anyway. 

"That's it? So just because he offered help, you left Harrowpoint? He must have been very persuasive. I know you, Mandy, you'd never leave your family just like that." Shelley was in doubt. She knows Amanda too well. 

"It happened months ago, Shell. It was dad who convinced me to leave. He had a minor attack and decided to sell the house. Things happened before that and he saw I was having a hard time already. It just so happens that I got a standing offer from Robert so I just gave it a try when I arrived here and thankfully, he remembers me." Amanda explained.

"So, what is this guy like? What's your job gonna be like? Come on, Mandy! Spill already." Shelley was obviously excited to hear about Amanda's new job and her boss.

Amanda didn't know what to tell Shelley. Should she tell her that he's a celebrity? That he's gorgeous? That he used to live in Harrowpoint? She's sure Shelley doesn't remember him but what if she does? He did "save" Amanda before from her ex, Jason. But this is her best friend. She tells Shelley everything, well, almost everything.

"Robert's a celebrity, Robert Elliston. He's of course, gorgeous but more than that, he seems to be a great guy. I've been to his house already and it's really nice, he has very masculine taste. It's all hardwood, stone, and marble. He has staff that lives with him, a housekeeper, and his driver and he treats them like family. I'll be moving in tomorrow and I am still not sure what exactly my work will be like. He told me I'm supposed to keep him on track, that's it."  Amanda exhaled after finishing. 

"Wow! Robert Elliston? I've seen some of his works and he's gorgeous! You'll be working for him, how? I don't get how "you'll be keeping him on track." Knowing her best friend, Amanda's sure she's mimicking air quotes while speaking.

"To be honest, I have no idea too. His housekeeper said I just need to wake him up so he can follow his schedules, make arrangements for work like when he needs to travel, make sure all his things are in order when he has to travel, stuffs like that I guess." Amanda still wasn't sure what else she needs to do to keep Robert on track but perhaps it's along those lines. 

"Oh, that seems like a lot of work. Are you sure you can do it? I mean, you probably can because you juggle two jobs at a time in Harrowpoint but you've always been very shy around others and if you're working for a celebrity then you'd have to meet a lot of people and perhaps be in the spotlight as well. You okay with that?" Shelley knows Amanda has a problem with being in the spotlight because of her weight. It's fine if it were in front of people she already knows but not with strangers.

"Shell, I'll be fine. I don't have to be in the spotlight. I'm just working for Robert, not with him. Besides, Robert is a good person, I doubt he'd want me to get embarrassed or anything like that." Amanda knows Shelley has a point and she fears the same thing that Shelley has pointed out. The thing though is, there is something that scares her more than getting embarrassed.

"All right, but if he does anything funny or let you get hurt, get out of there, fast. And call me, I'll come to the rescue. You're my best friend, Mandy. I don't want you to get hurt." said Shelley.

This is why Amanda loves Shelley. They have been separated for over a decade but she always keeps in touch and was always there to listen to her. "Thanks, Shelly, I know you do. Anyways, I have to finish packing now. I need to be at his house early tomorrow morning."

"Okay, Mandy. Love you! And I'll try to visit as soon as I can." With that, Amanda hung up the call and pondered upon what Shelley said.

She is sure Robert won't let her get embarrassed or hurt. That is not the Robert in her memories. He had always stood up for injustice and defended those that needed defending. Her incident wasn't the only one she remembers. There were other occasions when she witnessed Robert helping others out. 

Her heart started beating fast as she thought of Robert from before. She had to scold herself to stop. she knows it's impossible for him to like her anyways.

__________ 

"Good morning, Grace! It's Amanda," said Mandy as she spoke to the intercom. She got up early because she knew traffic was always bad on Mondays and Robert's place was a little ways away from the city. She was also asked to come early because Robert has a meeting with his manager and a prospective new client about a new show. She was anxious about it and couldn't sleep last night after she was done packing so she got up early instead. 

"Oh, hey Amanda, come on in. I'm in the kitchen, head on straight here, and have breakfast with me." The security system was disabled and Amanda pushed open the door. 

She was lugging her big suitcase down the driveway when out of the blue she heard a crash from inside the house. She dropped the handle on her suitcase and ran as fast as she could to check if anyone was hurt. The moment she opened the front door, a big brown blur jumped up at her and she fell over backward. The dog started giving her kisses and before she knew it, her entire face was covered in slobber. 

Amanda was giggling when she heard Robert rushing down the stairs and calling out to the dog, "Max, come here, boy!" Robert stopped at the foot of the stairs and smiled at her. 

"Hey Robert, is he yours? Since when? I was here just the other day. Aren't you allergic to dog fur?" Amanda asked.

"How did you know that? Yes, I was allergic when I was a kid but I had gotten desensitized when Mia, my sister, gave me a dog for my 18th birthday." Robert gave her a quizzical look. 

Amanda hadn't realized she made a mistake of telling Robert what she knows about him from his past until he mentioned it but she was quickly able to reason out, "I think I read about it somewhere, Robert. Come on, you're a celebrity and your fans would know these things." 

"Huh. I don't think I mentioned that in any interviews though. I mean, it is embarrassing to admit that I am allergic to something so cute and cuddly." Robert still wasn't convinced and was still oddly looking at Amanda.

"Robert, do you have any idea how popular you are? How many millions of fans do you have? How devoted they are to you? One way or another, your secrets would surface if they know where to look and post that on their fan blogs. And blogs are easily accessible for the whole world to read." Amanda sighed inwardly, hoping that Robert would buy her explanation.

"All right then, if you say so." Robert then shrugged and let go of the conversation.

"So, where to, today?" Amanda quickly changed the topic.

"Well, no one is leaving until you are well fed. I am not sending you to the lion's den on an empty stomach." Grace interrupted and smiled warmly at Amanda. "Come, let's get some breakfast in you. I will just ask Walter to bring your suitcase in. I saw you drop it when you ran in." 

Robert offered a hand to Amanda so she could stand up and Amanda felt an electric current surge through her when their hands touched. She quickly withdrew her hand and stood up on her own. She dusted her clothes but Max's slobber was clearly all over her clothes.

"Let's have breakfast first before you change. Never mess with Grace when it comes to eating. She is always trying to feed me as much as she can." Robert tried to offer his hand again to Amanda but she refused so he just ran his hand through his hair and tucked his hands inside his pockets. 

Resigned, Amanda just went straight to the kitchen to have breakfast. "So what's for breakfast---" Amanda's jaw dropped when she saw the spread Grace prepared for them. "Are we supposed to finish all these, Grace? Do you honestly think we'd be able to eat all this? I mean, I know I am big but have mercy on me please!" 

"Relax, Amanda. Grace takes food that we don't finish to the shelter in the city to share with the people there. We don't have to finish everything." Robert was smiling at her when Amanda looked at him.

"It is your real first day at work, Amanda, I wanted to make sure you are full when you go out there and Robert starts making your life a living hell." Grace was grinning at Amanda when she noticed the shocked look on her face. "I am just joking, Amanda. Robert would take good care of you, I'm sure. I just wanted to do something nice for you after all the help you have been giving me around the house since you first set foot here."

"Thank you Grace, but it wasn't a big deal. I like helping out as much as I can. This is a big house and we all need to pitch in whenever we can." Amanda then looked pointedly at Robert and smirked. "And it'll be nice if everyone can pitch in and not just leave their things lying around for others to pick up." Amanda then raised an eyebrow at Robert.

"Hey! I help around the house whenever I can. And I don't leave my things just lying around!" 

Grace gave a hearty laugh and messed Robert's hair lovingly. "Even at your age, you still act and reason out like a child, Robert." Robert beamed at her.

They discussed what Amanda was supposed to do today over breakfast. She was just going with Robert and be there for him whenever he needed something which he can't personally do. It sounded relatively easy until Grace warned Amanda about Robert's agent, Sandra. 

"She can be a handful at times. I don't even get along with her most of the time." Grace warned. 

"I can handle her, Grace. Don't worry about me." Amanda assured her.

__________

"Aren't you that server at the deli in Beverly Grove?" Sandra looked at Amanda from head to toe before turning her attention to Robert and asked, "What is she doing here, Robert? I didn't know you have been going to that deli where I always pick up your favorite breakfast from. Fraternizing with the help, are we?" 

"She is my friend, Sandra. The one whose calls you were screening when I was doing that movie with Catherine. And, she happens to also be my new personal assistant so be nice, Sandra." Robert said irritatedly while raising an eyebrow at Sandra.

 Sandra raised her arms in mock defeat and said, "Fine, whatever. Let's get the meeting started. Timothy and Martha are inside already."

They all entered but when Amanda tried to follow them inside, Sandra extended her arms barring her from going in. "Where do you think you're going? You are not needed in this meeting."

Amanda looked at Robert as if asking what she would do next. He approached the two, grabbed Sandra's arm, and lowered it. "I gave strict orders to Amanda. She goes wherever I go. That is her job description and she is just following orders so back off, Sandra." Robert a hand to Amanda so they could go inside together. 

Sandra whispered under her breath when Amanda passed by in front of her, "You must be so thrilled Robert has your back. But I am not done with you yet." 

Contrary to what Sandra said, Amanda proved to be very useful during the meeting. Timothy and Martha loved Amanda's inputs on the project. Amanda was hesitant at first to voice out her suggestions but when it seems Robert was gonna back out from the project because he felt like the whole idea of the project had no value, Amanda was the one who convinced him of how he can still show his creativity and craft by making a few changes here and there on some points. 

The meeting ended on a successful note and they all made plans to have dinner later in the evening at a restaurant just off Beverly Hills Boulevard. Amanda tried to escape by saying she still has to unpack but Robert reassured her that Grace had probably already done it for her. 

Amanda felt like she was in her element during dinner. Timothy and Martha adored her quirks and were hooked on almost everything she said. She was honest, sincere, witty, and smart. Robert couldn't be any prouder of her. 

___________

"Wait." Robert grabbed Amanda's arm just as she was about to enter her room to rest. "Thank you for today. I have always known that I made the right decision to offer that job to you but today, you really proved it to me. You didn't just charm Timothy and Martha, the biggest thing you did today was when you encouraged me to take the project. If it weren't for your inputs, I wouldn't have seen the project's potential. Thank you." He squeezed her arm and let go. "Good night Amanda."

Amanda could still feel the tingles in her skin where Robert's hand touched hers and she can't help but wonder if it was just her or did he feel the jolt of electricity every time they touched. She slept that night with a stupid grin on her face. 

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