Falling for My Younger Boss

After Hours

"I am fine princess, all of us are fine. What I want to know is how you are doing. Have you settled down there already? Tell me all about LA. Where have you gone to? How many celebrities have you seen already? How are the people in your rental? Are they nice to you--" George Coyle was excited to finally hear from his daughter. She had called when she arrived in LA and a handful of times since then but Amanda was always in a hurry. He's afraid that Amanda might be having a hard time there but won't admit it.

Amanda gave a small laugh and said, "Dad, slow down please with all the questions. We have a lot of time to chat because I'm off from work today." She had missed her family so much, especially her dad, and was glad to finally get to sit down and just talk. 

"Anyways, my apartment is beautiful, dad. I would take pictures and send them to you. My landlady said that a celebrity used to own it but eventually sold the property to upgrade. Dad, you should see the communal kitchen, it's massive! I wish you could visit me here so we can cook together. And my neighbors are great. There are some students from nearby art and acting schools, some musicians and writers too! I've already made friends with a few of them."

Amanda paused because she sensed something from the other end of the line. "Dad, are you okay?" Just then, she heard her dad stifle a sob. "What's wrong dad? Why are you crying?"

"Oh honey, I'm just so happy to hear you so animated. Now I know that I made the right decision to sell the house. I should have done it sooner if I'd known it'd make you this happy." Amanda could still hear her dad's soft sobs.

"Oh daddy, please don't cry. Thanks to you, I am happy now." Amanda wanted to fly back home and gave her dad a tight hug. Yes, she feels lighter in LA but she is also afraid of what the future holds for her especially when it came to Robert. 

"Dad, I'll work really hard and save up enough money so we can get you prosthetic legs right away. I miss you, I wish you could visit me here. I'll take you and mom on a tour around the city. I want you to see and experience LA the way I have." Saying this out loud made Amanda realize that she needs to earn more for her family. She's decided now, she'll accept Robert's offer. She'll work with him and save up for her dad's needs and her schooling.

"Thanks, honey but it's fine. Don't overwork yourself. I sent you there so you can find your own happiness. Which reminds me, have you gotten in touch with that young man of yours?" asked her dad.

Amanda laughed heartily and said, "Dad, he is not MY young man, he is just a friend, and yes, we have spoken already. He wants me to work with him as his personal assistant but I haven't accepted the offer yet." Amanda confessed.

"Why not, honey? Is there a problem? Is being a personal assistant hard? If it is, don't accept the offer. I didn't send you there to be at someone's beck and call." Amanda's dad sounded worried.

"No dad, it's not a hard job. His offer is actually very generous. I get to live in his house and use the kitchen as I please. I can practice my baking there. I haven't seen his place but I heard it's big. He has a housekeeper and a driver that lives with him. And my job is just to keep him on schedule with his work, that's it. Pretty easy, huh?" Amanda wasn't sure if that's what her job description is but if not, she had to lie so that her dad won't worry.

 "That sounds like a fantastic offer honey, what's stopping you?" Amanda's dad asked.

I'm afraid I'd fall in love with him and get my heart broken, Amanda thought to herself. Above all else, this is what she is afraid of. She is not afraid of hard work, she is used to it already. But being with Robert day in and out scares her more than anything. She is sure she will fall for him all over again and Amanda knows all too well that the feelings will never be returned. He forgot about his stay in Harrowpoint, he forgot all about her, and what's worse, he doesn't date older women.

"It's just that the offer is way too generous dad. I'm afraid people around him will think I'm some opportunist mooching off a top celebrity. Dad, Robert is a celebrity." This is also true but it isn't what is stopping her from accepting the job. 

"Oh honey, as long as you know the truth, you shouldn't bother yourself with what others would say. He is the one who made the offer. You didn't push yourself to him nor demanded such things." Her dad always knew the right things to say.

"I know dad, and talking to you made me realize this too. It has put things into perspective." As scared as she is, she knows her dad is right. She shouldn't care about what others would say. And as for her fear of falling for Robert, maybe she can just keep her distance to avoid it from happening. The only thing that should matter is the result, saving up for her family's needs and culinary school. 

"So you'll accept the job offer, honey?" asked Amanda's dad.

"Yes dad, I'll accept his offer, but not right away. I haven't been working at the deli that long and it'll be unfair to them if I leave without waiting for them to get a replacement. Also, since the setup will be to live in his house, I need to ask my landlady if I'd still be able to get a refund. I paid in full for three months already." Amanda knows how precious that money she paid for her unit is and she won't just let it go to waste. 

"Amanda honey, you do what you need to do. Remember, I just want you to be happy." reassured her dad.

"I know dad. Thank you for what you did for me, and I love you. I hope I get to see you soon." Amanda is scared but she knows she needs to go as far as she can for her family. She has already taken the first step, leaving Harrowpoint, the next steps should be easy.

__________

"Where are we going, Billy?" Demanded Amanda. After her co-workers at the deli found out she'd be leaving soon, they had been planning a send-off party for her and had been keeping mum about it. They just sprang it on her today, her last day at the deli.

"It's a surprise, Mandy. We just need to stop by somewhere first." Billy looked at her from head to toe, scrutinizing her outfit. "This thing you're wearing right now, it's not working for me. We need to dress you up a little. Don't worry, we still have a lot of time." Billy took another look at her, shook her head, and added, "I take it back, we don't have that much time. We need to work on a lot of things."

__________

Amanda has never in her life worn something like the dress Billy made her wear. It was one shoulder shirred navy dress that went above her knees. Billy said the flared skirt is perfect when she wants to twirl on the dance floor and the one-shoulder style is just enough to show some skin. Billy was insisting on stiletto shoes but Amanda had to put her foot down on that and chose a wedge instead. She's afraid she'd make a fool of herself if she trips in a stiletto.

Billy wore a tight-fitting short skirt and glittery tube top. Her ash blonde hair was pulled up in a tight ponytail and her face was heavily made up. She looks like she's ready to party the whole night.

They were walking out of the salon when a black limousine parked in front of them. and a driver got off and opened the door for them. "Right on time. I'm impressed." Billy said.

"We're riding in this? But this is expensive!" Amanda tried to argue but Billy shushed her and said that she managed to call in a favor with a friend. 

"So, you're still not telling me where we're going? I mean, it looks like we're going to some disco or something but what's with the outfit and this expensive limousine service?" Amanda demanded.

Just then, the car stopped and the door opened again and her other co-workers, Eric, Paul, Allison, and Sarah piled in. 

"Wow Amanda, you clean up really well. You know, that color makes you look sexy." Paul from the kitchen said then winked at her.

"Me and sexy are two words that would never match," Amanda said shyly.

"See? I told you so. Navy is so your color, Mandy." Billy chimed in.

"Amanda, you're beautiful, why do you always think you're not? You just need a little polishing." Sarah added.

"Stop hiding behind baggy, plain clothes, Mandy. Sure, you're a little top-heavy but who cares? This is LA, you know. You can be anyone you want to be. Besides, ever since you arrived, it seems you have lost a lot of weight. Are you on a diet or something?" Allison, the deli's sous chef, added.  

"We're here guys, come on!" Billy shouted excitedly and pulled Amanda along with her outside the limousine.

Amanda looked up at the imposing building in front of her, an iconic 1920s building. They went up to the second floor and were immediately let in. 

"Wow Billy, isn't this a guest-list-only place? How did you manage to get us invites?" Eric asked Billy.

"It wasn't me, a friend of mine got us into the list. He'll be joining us shortly." Billy smiled at Amanda knowingly. 

Amanda was looking around the place. They were standing at what looks like an outdoor patio called "The Courtyard." There was an assortment of vintage oil portraits hung up against cordovan-colored walls. There were light-colored sofas scattered around the space which contrasted with the charcoal-colored flooring. 

Beside this was a tented bar with amber-colored walls with scones and two magnificent-looking chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The bar itself was pretty contemporary looking though.

A little way inside, Amanda saw the lounge bar with tufted banquettes lined up against dimly lighted golden ocher walls. Just then, a man seated on the farthest table stood up and waved at them. Because of the dim lighting, Amanda couldn't see who it was.

Billy saw him and waved back. "And that, my dear friends, is my special friend. Come on."

As they neared the table, Amanda's heart started pounding. She can finally see who was waiting for them, it was Robert. She pulled Billy aside and asked, "You asked for Robert's help?"

Billy looked at her and said, "Actually, no. We have become friends since he started dropping by at the deli and when you finally told us that you took Robert's job offer, I asked him about it. And this party was all him. He said it was both for you and the other staff at the deli. Who am I to say no to such a generous offer?" 

"Hey ladies, is there a problem?" Amanda was surprised to see that Robert had approached them and was standing right beside her.

Billy smiled sweetly at him and said, "No, no problem at all. Right, Mandy?"

Amanda looked at Robert and smiled, "No, there's no problem Robert."

"You look beautiful, Amanda." Robert leaned down and whispered to Amanda.

She looked up at him and said, "You don't look so bad yourself."

They both smiled at each other and Robert offered his arm, "Shall we?"

Amanda took it and said, "We shall." 

__________

Despite herself, Amanda was having a good time. Robert first ordered some light food with cocktails. They chatted about how Robert and Amanda first met then her co-workers started asking him questions about his work and about other celebrities he has worked with. At first, Robert seemed uneasy but as the night wore on, he seemed to ease up a bit. 

They all decided to check out the dance club on the ground floor. The whole place was packed. There was a DJ booth set-up on the full stage upfront and there is a dance floor in front of it. Across from the stage in a mezzanine level, Amanda saw cordoned-off booths where some partygoers who were dressed to the nines sat. 

"Let's dance!" Billy held Amanda's hand and pulled her to the dance floor. 

Amanda loves to dance but shies away from doing it in public because of the way she looks like but Billy wouldn't let go of her hand. They started jumping up to the beat being spun by some famous DJ on stage. Soon, Amanda let go and just enjoyed the night.

"You're a great dancer, why didn't you want to dance earlier?" shouted Robert through the noise of the music and the partygoers.

"I don't dance in public, Robert, that's a sight for sore eyes. I didn't even attend my own prom," shouted Amanda back.

"You should go out more often, Amanda. Really, you're a great dancer. And look around you, does anybody care what you look like? Everybody is doing their own thing and just having fun." shouted Allison. 

"Enough chitchat guys. Let's party!" said Eric.

When they got tired, Robert invited them to an empty table right in front of the dance floor. "You reserved this table too?" Billy asked excitedly.

"Yeah, I thought you guys might want to dance so I prepared everything. Do you want to stay or do you want to go back upstairs? I heard there's a famous DJ who would do the closing set." Robert informed them.

 "Then we're definitely staying, right Mandy?" shouted Sarah.

"Whatever you guys want, I'm just tagging along!" Amanda shouted back and smiled at them. 

__________

At 2 AM, the club downstairs closed and they went back upstairs. Amanda wasn't used to partying and she felt tired already so she told them she'd go ahead. Robert insisted on taking her home and told the rest of her friends that they can order whatever they want and just charge it to his tab. His driver will also be on standby in case they were ready to go home. 

Amanda hugged and thanked them one by one and promised she'll drop by the deli as often as she can. 

"Are you sure you can drive?" asked Amanda worriedly. Robert insisted on driving his own car to take her home.

"I only had a couple of drinks, Amanda. I don't party hard, it has never been my thing." Robert reassured her.

They made small talk on the drive home. Amanda was nervous to be cooped up in a small space with him but she kept reminding herself that starting tomorrow-- later that day, she'd be doing that often so she has to get used to it pretty quickly.

Robert parked in front of the address she gave, got off the car, and went around the car to open Amanda's door for her. "This is where you're staying? Nice." Robert let out a low whistle.

"You should see the inside, it's beautiful. My landlady said this property used to be owned by some celebrity." Amanda said.

"I'll take you up on that offer next time. For now, you should go in and rest." Robert smiled at her and added, "So you'll be staying here for a couple more days until you use up your deposit then you'll be moving to my place, right?" 

"That's right. I already told you, I paid three months' rent in full already. I've used up a month and a half. Since my landlady agreed to return a month's worth,  let me at least use up the rest of my second month's rent." explained Amanda.

"Okay, but I'll see you at my place tomorrow, right? Let me know when you'll be ready. I'll have Walter pick you up." asked Robert who was trying to make sure Amanda doesn't back out of the offer.

"No, please don't send your driver. I already have your address, I can find it myself. Anyways, I have to get used to going around town. LA is a huge place. If I'm going to be your personal assistant and you need me to run errands for you, I need to know my way around to do those things." Amanda didn't want Robert to make a fuss nor do favors for her. She knows he means well but she feels awkward about it.

"All right. Then I'll see you tomorrow when you're ready. Go inside and rest for now." Robert placed his right hand on Amanda's shoulder and gave it a light tap.

"Thanks for the ride. I'll see you later." Amanda then turned around and went inside.