Falling for My Younger Boss

New Beginnings

Amanda sat down in her bed and looked around the room she will live in for the next couple of months, or years, depending on how things will pan out for her here in LA. Her room is small but it was neat and tidy. She has her own bed, a small table and hair beside the bed, and a dresser for her clothes. Inside her bedroom is a small bathroom with a shower. The landlady had put up white curtains already. She feels at peace here. 

Her room is situated near the garden where she saw a hammock and a few wrought iron tables and chairs with cushions. There is a fire pit on the side with make-shift stools made of recycled rubber tires painted in pastel colors. On the other side is a huge tree with a swing made of fabric in bright, vivid colors of reds, yellows, and oranges attached to it. 

There is a pool on the other side of the property for the tenants and pool loungers scattered around it. At the far corner of the property is a huge orange tree and a soft, plush sofa was beneath it. Behind it is a white perimeter fence with Jasmine vine crawling up the wood. The contrast of the citrus scent of the oranges and the Jasmine smells heavenly. 

Inside, there is a common room with a huge sofa, a guitar, and keyboard for the musically gifted, board games, and shelves upon shelves of books that Amanda can't wait to check out. 

There is a huge dining area with small scattered tables that can seat four people and right beside it is the kitchen of her dreams. All stainless counters, two-six burner gas range, a four-door fridge, two-door freezer, and 2 pantries filled to the brim with stocks of different ingredients. Her landlady told her that she can use some of those ingredients because they came with the cost of the rent.  

She wanted to explore the place a little more but was too tired from the long flight so she unpacked what little clothes she brought and slept.

__________

It's been a week since Amanda arrived in LA and she still hasn't been able to contact Robert. She spent her first couple of days exploring her neighborhood. She has been to several museums, walked around parks, took a tour of the art and acting schools nearby, and tasted some of the local delis' offerings. 

Unable to get a hold of Robert, she decided to apply for jobs and was lucky enough to get accepted at a local deli that offers light meals and baked goods. This was familiar territory for her so she was excited to get the job. It pays enough until she figures out what to really do here. 

"What can I get you today, ma'am?" Mandy asked her customer. She still can't get enough of how beautiful people here in LA are like her customer now. She has perfectly coifed blonde hair, big rim sunglasses perched on top of her head, and perfectly done makeup. She was dressed in an all-white ensemble, a white sleeveless blouse, and flared white trousers. 

"I'll have an Avocado, Mushroom, and Swiss Egg White Omelet with a toasted bagel, fruit, and a side of cream cheese. Oh, and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. Oh, and a Morning Pastrami to go." The lady in white said and took out her phone from her bag to make a call.

"I'll have your order in a couple of minutes." With that, Amanda went to the kitchen to give the order. 

"Who is that lady in table fifteen? She looks so elegant." She asked Billy, her coworker at the deli.

"Oh, that's Sandra Potter. She's a big shot agent for a celebrity. She comes in every day and orders the same thing, an omelet for her and a pastrami sandwich to go and that white SUV parked outside is hers." Billy pointed her freshly polished nails at the shiny white Audi SUV parked right in front of the deli. 

Amanda gave a low whistle and said, "Wow." 

Just then, a party of five arrived and Billy left to take their order. Amanda looked at Sandra again and thought of what her life could have been if her dad didn't have an accident if she had graduated from college and eventually pursued her dream of becoming a chef. Would she be as successful as Sandra?

"Order for table fifteen, out!" called out Paul from the kitchen. 

"Here's your Avocado, Mushroom, and Swiss Egg White Omelet with a toasted bagel, fruit, and a side of cream cheese and your Pastrami to go." Amanda placed her order on the table and asked, "Is there anything else I can help you with?"

Sandra didn't look up and just ignored her so Amanda left.

__________

"And, that's a wrap! Nice work as always, Robert." The director approached him and shook his hand. You know, you're a natural. I don't understand why you reject some of the other offers. I know it's not like you need the money, but still."

"Thanks, Catherine but I'm fine with just a few projects. If I take on more, that'll lessen my time to explore." He smiled mischievously at her.

"You should be careful when you go on drives, Robert. You're not just a celebrity but you come from a rich and powerful family too. You might get into trouble if you're not careful." reminded the director. 

"Catherine, I'm always careful, don't worry." 

"Yeah well, I'm just sayin'. You're like the younger brother I never had. I'd hate it if anything happened to you, kid." Catherine punched him in the shoulder and smiled warmly. 

"Aaaaw. Thanks, Catherine. I promise I'll always be careful. I never had this kind of freedom before. Growing up, our parents had always been so overprotective of Mia and me. We never went out without bodyguards and we felt suffocated. Now that I'm older and have my own place, I can do whatever I want." Robert then hugged Catherine and smiled brightly at her.

"Robert, your parents were just trying to protect you and your sister," said Catherine.

Robert made a face upon hearing this. "Yeah well, I have friends who grew up just like other kids. They can do whatever they wanted and go anywhere without the shadow of bodyguards. And they're like us, sons and daughters of corporate bigwigs." 

"Well, maybe your parents love you and your sister more than your friends' parents do. Or maybe there is another reason. Who knows? Each one of us is different anyways. You know, you're lucky because your parents care. Some don't even notice their children." Catherine placed both of her hands on his shoulders and squeezed them to soothe him.

"Fine, if you say so Catherine." Robert smiled timidly.

"Get out of here, I know you're itching to leave." Catherine smiled warmly and pushed him away.

Robert didn't know where he'd be heading this time. He thought of heading back to Harrowpoint again to see Amanda but what if she rejects his offer of help again? He doesn't understand why she didn't want to leave that town. If she accepts his help, she'd be able to help her family more. He'll probably go somewhere else for now. He'll wait for her call and when she does, he'll go to Harrowpoint and pick her up personally.

__________

 "Where on earth are you, Robert? I told you after the shoot, we need to discuss your next projects. I have a few works lined up for you." Sandra was annoyed that Robert had left again in one of his crazy road trips outside of LA. 

She still hasn't forgotten about that one incident wherein she had to go all the way to that remote small town in Arizona just to pick him up and bring him back to LA so he won't miss his commercial shoot. She had to book two flights, one to Tucson and the other to the small airport near that town. Plus, she had to find a decent rental so early in the morning because apparently, all businesses close at exactly 10 PM in that part of Arizona. 

And the family that took him in for the night, you can tell just by looking at the mother that she is a social climber the way she was calling Robert, dear or honey or whatever it was, she forgot. Looking at the house from the outside, you'd think the family that lives there would be average but seeing that father in disheveled clothes made her feel itchy. She had to bring Robert home first so he could take a shower to clean himself up. 

"Sandra, relax. I'm still in California. I haven't gotten out of state, yet." Sandra could hear the smirk in the tone of his voice. 

 "And that is supposed to make it better? Robert, come back to my office this instant!" She is not budging this time. She has been working her ass off to get him good and easy projects to make him even more bankable. 

She has been waiting for someone like Robert to come along, someone who is naturally gifted, with an established background. But it is so difficult to give him a likable personality. Sure, he is a nice person but he is so aloof when it comes to the press or his status. He shies away from interviews and events, it is like he hates being famous. 

If he could just cooperate, she could make it big as well. Well, bigger than she is right now. She can finally put up an agency that'll house several top celebrities and show those others who belittled her before what she is capable of. She has already invested so much in Robert and his attitude is what gives her headaches.

"Oh come on, Sandra! I just picked up a shoot. Surely I deserve a break? I need some time to recharge or do you want me to be cranky at the next project you want me to do? We already discussed this before I even signed an exclusive contract with you. After every project, I get a break and do what the hell I want to do, remember?" Sandra does know this but she can't help it, she has goals to achieve and Robert can be such a pain in the ass sometimes but she knows she'll eventually give in. 

"All right but make sure to be back in my office on Wednesday. You have two days to do whatever you want, deal?" Two days should be more than enough, Sandra thought to herself. "Where are you heading anyway? And don't go off wandering to remote small towns, Robert. You might end up somewhere like that place in Arizona again." She shuddered at the memory of that place.

"Fine, I won't," he said tightly.

"Oh, and I almost forgot to tell you, someone has been calling you again and again while you were doing your shoot. I didn't want to disturb you while you were working." She forgot to tell him but if he checks his phone which she holds on to while he's working and finds out she's been fielding his calls, he might throw a tantrum again.

"Who was it? Did you get their name?" Robert suddenly sounded different, anxious, noticed Sandra.

"Amanda something. Who on earth is that woman, Robert? I know all of your family and friends. I have never heard of an Amanda within your circle." Sandra made sure she knew all his relations and contacts so that there'd be no problems in the future in case he needs to be protected from some money-hungry opportunist who might approach Robert.

"Amanda? Amanda Coyle? Why didn't you tell me right away? How many times had she called already? Since when had she been calling? You know what, never mind, I'll just check my call history. Next time Sandra, just give me my damn phone. The calls are for me anyway, not you." Robert was all worked up and Sandra was wondering who Amanda is.

Irritated, she asked, "Who is Amanda Coyle? What is she to you? Why are her calls so important?"

"I met her on one of my trips. Remember when I got a flat tire in Arizona and someone took me in? That was her, her family owns the house where you picked me up." 

Sandra was in disbelief. What on earth happened in that town? Why is Robert so excited all of a sudden?

"Anyways, thanks for telling me. I'll see you on Wednesday." And with that, Robert hung up the call.

__________

Robert was nervous and he didn't know why. Should he call Amanda? He told himself he'd wait for her call then he'd go to Harrowpoint to pick her up. He didn't know she'd been calling him for a couple of weeks now. Maybe something bad happened and she needed his help? After agonizing over it, he finally decided to call her himself and dialed the number she had used to call him.

"Hi Amanda, it's me, Robert Elliston."