Falling for My Younger Boss

Reunited

Robert is coming here to the deli? I am finally going to get to see him again? Amanda kept mumbling to herself when she knew there was no one looking. She still can't believe he actually called her. It turns out he really was in the middle of a shoot and his agent was holding onto his personal phone. After so many calls, she finally gave up trying to reach him thinking he was avoiding her.

She was both excited and nervous. Did she look okay? Does she smell? What will he say when he sees her? She had to stop and remind herself that he will only be there to talk about a possible work offer. She still doesn't know what kind of work it'll be or if she'll be able to do the work. 

She went to the employees' locker room to check if she was at least presentable. She can feel her heart thudding in her chest. It was maddening. Why was she acting like a teenager who was finally going to her long-time crush? Robert may have been her first crush, her first love, but that was years ago. Besides, he did mention not too long ago when she asked about his agent if he was dating her that no, he doesn't date older women. 

Billy peeked inside the room and said, "Hey Mandy, someone is looking for you outside. Who is he? Even with the glasses, he looks hot!"

"Did he mention his name?" Amanda asked. 

"Shoot, I forgot to ask. I was so excited to get you. You have to introduce me, okay?" gushed Billy.

"Sure." Amanda closed her locker, looked at herself one last time in the wall mirror, and went out.

Her eyes roamed around the deli until it fell on Robert who was sitting in the bar, hunched over a tall glass of chocolate milkshake. When he saw her, he smiled a slow smile and Amanda's heart skipped a beat. She smiled back at him and walked slowly towards him. 

Amanda's palm was cold and clammy and she was afraid he'd notice if he shook it but thankfully, he didn't. Instead, he gave her a hug which was a little tighter than was necessary. She stiffened and didn't know if she should hug him back or not. Thankfully, it was Robert who pulled away from the hug and ran his right hand through his hair, seemingly embarrassed.

"Hello, Robert," Amanda said shyly. 

"Hey Amanda, it’s been a while," Robert replied with a shy smile.

Just then, Billy started coughing, trying to get Amanda's attention. 

"Oh, Robert, this is Billy, one of my co-workers here at the deli. And Billy, this is Robert--" 

"Oh. My. God! You're Robert Elliston! You look even hotter in person than on TV! I'm a huge fan of yours. I've seen all of your movies, series, bought all the merchandise you promote, well, except for the car because I don't have money for that, yet, but yeah, everything else--"

Robert extended his hand to shake Billy's hand but she leaped forward and hugged him. Amanda couldn't help but smile and be proud of Robert. He has accomplished so much and people love him for it.

Robert was the first one to break the hug. He looked a little abashed but still smiled and said, "Thanks Billy, I appreciate the love."

Billy was still a little star-struck when Amanda pointed out that there are new customers in her area. She looked at Amanda pleadingly but Amanda said, "Don't worry, Robert isn't going to leave right away, right Robert?" 

Robert smiled at Billy and nodded his head. Then he looked at Amanda and said, "Sure, I'll stay for a while. Anyways, we have a lot to discuss, right? I have a lot of time in my hands today." 

Amanda's heart was fluttering but she managed to calm herself and said, "Will you be able to manage by yourself while I wait on tables? My shift doesn't end for another hour and a half."

"I can help out if you want. I've never done this kind of job my whole life. I think it'll be fun." Robert then stood up and waited behind Amanda. "Lead the way," he said. 

"No, sit down, entertain yourself. I'll come by and check on you whenever I'm free." Amanda then pushed him down on a chair and tousled his hair. "I'll be back in a couple of minutes, okay?" 

The rest of Amanda’s shift went by quickly. She’d go back to where Robert was whenever there was a lull in the customers coming into the deli and made small talk.

At first, Billy was a little shy in approaching Robert by herself but as minutes passed by, she got a little braver and would go over to his table and bother him with all sorts of questions. It’s a good thing Robert didn’t ignore her and would indulge her instead.

When Amanda’s shift was over, she quickly went to the locker room and changed to leave. Robert had asked her to grab a quick bite somewhere and talk to which she agreed.

“Will we be seeing you around here often now?” Billy asked.

“Yes, if Amanda decides not to take my offer for work and stay here. I’ll be coming in every chance I can to hound her until she says yes.” Robert grinned at Billy then turned to look at Amanda and winked at her.

Amanda’s heart started to flutter but she scolded it not to get affected.

__________

They were sat at the far end of the patio. It was a beautiful place and Amanda couldn't help but drink in the beauty of it. The Spanish-inspired building with cream walls and vines climbing up the front walls looked dreamy. The inside was also beautiful with hardwood flooring, intimate table settings that sit two, and four large crystal chandeliers strategically placed near the corners of the ceiling. The patio was illuminated with maybe close to a hundred festoon lights. It looked magical and Amanda couldn't help but sigh.

Amanda ordered a seafood salad while Robert ordered two glasses of wine, a cheese and charcuterie board for them, and lambchops for himself.

"Do you come here often? You didn't even look at the menu and just ordered." Amanda asked.

"I've been here a couple of times. It is an iconic place in this side of the town." Robert was staring at Amanda intently and it was making her heart race.

She then changed the subject, "So, what is this proposition you mentioned?" 

Robert went straight to the point. "Be my personal assistant. Work with me, not for me. My life is scattered and I need someone to keep me on track. It's not a hard job too. I'll provide you with food and lodging. My place is big and I only have Grace, my housekeeper, and Walter, my driver when I'm working who stays with me there."

Amanda was surprised to hear about his offer. "But I already have a place in Beverly Grove. It's a small room but I have everything that I need there. And I love my job at the deli. It pays more than what I was earning in Arizona for my two jobs there and that is enough for me."

"Isn't your job now at the deli just about the same as what you were doing in Harrowpoint? I thought the point of leaving Arizona is to find better opportunities? Look, I have a huge kitchen, you can use it whenever you like and perfect your recipes. Once you have enough money, you can open your own shop here in LA. And even if it's not yet enough, I told you, I would be more than happy to invest." Robert reached for her hand on top of the table and held it. He was trying to convince her and he won't give up until she agrees.

Robert's offer was very tempting, He has a point and he is right, the reason she left Harrowpoint was to live differently, to be for once in her life, selfish, and just think about what would make her happy. She promised her dad she'd pursue her dream of becoming a pastry chef. If she'd work with Robert, she'd be able to practice in his kitchen until she saves up enough money to go to culinary school. 

Amanda pulled her hand from his grasp and said, "Robert, it's a very generous offer but what if people would think that I'm just taking advantage of you? I mean, you're a celebrity, not that many people can just approach you, and all of a sudden, a nobody from a small town in Arizona gets a very important job and with all the perks at that?" 

Just then, the waiter arrived with their food and served them interrupting their conversation. 

"Let us eat first and discuss again later." He smiled at her and signaled her to eat her salad. 

Amanda didn't realize she was hungry until she had a bite of the sweet, juicy plump shrimp. "This is delicious!" she exclaimed and continued to dig in. 

"If you don't mind me asking, did anything happen at home? Is your dad okay? I hoped you'd call me but never thought you would because you seemed so firm in staying there. What changed?" Robert tilted his head a little to the side and was waiting for her to answer.

"My dad and I had a serious talk. He wanted to sell the house to free me from my self-imposed responsibility to them. I have never seen him so determined." Amanda started. "He had a minor cardiac arrest and while in the hospital, he decided on it and talked to me about it. He knows I have always been against it."

"What convinced you that time to sell the house?" Robert asked her.

"He broke down. He was unhappy and hurting because he always sees me as unhappy and having a hard time. You know, typical parent thing?" 

Amanda was explaining with her mouth full of food and Robert thought it was endearing. "You should close your mouth when you chew, what are you, a child?" he teased her.

Amanda put her fork down and crossed her arms over her chest. "Well, you're asking too many questions so I'm just answering them. Besides, I'm hungry! Are my table manners going to be a problem with you if I decide to take your offer?" 

"No, it won't. I actually find the way you eat, cute." He reached across the table and placed his thumb beside her lips and wiped something. "You have salad dressing in your face."

Amanda pouted and said, "I'm not a child, you know. And I can take care of myself, thank you very much."

Robert laughed loudly at this. "Well, you are acting and reasoning out like a child. It's cute, really."

"For your information, Mr. Robert Elliston, I am older than you." Amanda quipped back at him.

"How did you know how old I am?" Robert asked.

Amanda slipped and was nervous for a moment but was able to reply, "Duh, you're a celebrity. Of course, everybody knows how old you are. That's public knowledge." She sighed inwardly and continued to eat. He can't know that she knew him from before. If he can't remember Harrowpoint and her, then maybe his time there didn't leave a mark in his life the way it did hers. She'll only look pathetic if he finds out and think she is still pining on him, Amanda thought to herself.

The night wore on like that, them making small talk one moment and bickering the next. They didn't even notice that the people in the restaurant had thinned because it was already late. 

They only realized this when the waiter came to their table and informed them that the bar would be closing soon so they should have their wine glasses refilled now if they want another round. They both had three glasses each already and were ready to call it a night so Robert asked for the check instead.

"You haven't accepted my offer yet." He told Amanda.

"You said we would discuss it again after eating but you completely forget about it." Amanda retorted.

"I suppose you're right. It's just really easy to talk to you. I find myself shedding my inhibitions when I'm with you. And I still have that nagging feeling that we have met before." He reached across the table to hold her hand again and absentmindedly drew circles on it with his thumb which gave Amanda goosebumps. "So, what do you say? You'd accept my offer, right?"

Amanda pulled her hand back and said, "Give me some time to think about it. I've already paid in full for three months' worth of rent, and I just started working at the deli. Besides, didn't you promise Billy you'd drop by often until I finally agree to your offer?" Amanda didn't know why she was hesitant. It's such a generous offer, 

But deep down, Amanda knew exactly why she can't accept his offer. She's afraid to fall in love with Robert again, and now that she knows that he doesn't date older women, she's afraid that her heart will get broken if she does.