Falling for Her Boss Again

11. Boss's Irritation

Gemma

Larry has a busy schedule. I perfectly know it. I am the one who schedules his meetings. Secretly, I am glad for his dedication to work, which means less time to date.

It should be an annoying thing for some people, but for me, I cherish the time when I don't have to think about food. I like my very socially sparse schedule. Whenever I'm alone I don't have to pretend to enjoy my food. Since I don't. I hate the fact that I always think about what I eat. I plan ahead and sometimes worry that I need to starve myself the next day because I overeat the day before.

Thinking back, I know I am much better than where I was years ago. Even when Mom and Dad knew what happened to me in high school, college life was brutal for my eating habits. My cousin Ella helped, but there was too much alone time for me to ponder about my body image. I was not obese, I just felt like I'd always been fat all my life. When in reality I was a couple of pounds over the healthy body weight for my body mass index. But back then, I was struggling to take down my food and obsessed with my weight.

I struggled with Anorexia for four years to the point that I was hospitalized because I fainted while waiting for the bus. I was admitted to the psychiatric ward and since then have been seeing my psychiatrist religiously every month even after I am better. Yes, better. I still have urges, remembering back now I understand why Mom and Dad were being secretive about their relationships. It ruined them when they found out about my eating disorder. They blamed themselves because they're just such good parents.

I am still lost in my thoughts when I notice the time. I need to go get ready for my dinner date with Larry. My feet get a bit wobbly when I remember that I haven't eaten since this morning. I really need to reschedule my appointment with Dr. Sheridan. Preferably sometime this week, because getting back to struggling with my disorder is not an option.

"Gemma, you look beautiful." Larry greets me at his front door after one of the company's drivers dropped me off at his apartment building.

"Thank you for inviting me for dinner, tell me are you ashamed to date me in public now? Or are you hogging me to yourself?" I hand him my overnight bag when he holds out his hand for it.

"The latter, of course. I'm surprised you only just realized it now. I'm a selfish terrible boyfriend. But also! I have a surprise for you." He pauses, resting my bag on the sofa before resting his hand on the small of my back.

"Come sit, I had dinner from your favorite bistro, Barney's, and their infamous whiskey cake." He ushers me to his dining area which has been set up gorgeously. I had no doubt he asked for Barney's to cater our dinner cause I had arranged some for him and his former dates.

Oh God...now I'm glad that I skipped two meals. My eyes widen seeing all the delicious goodies on the table. But then I gaze at the envelope in front of the chair that Larry pulled for me to sit on.

"Oh boss, what's this? do I finally get my raise? Has HR decided that I deserve the thirty percent bump?"

He chuckles as he helps me with my chair. "Wow, that's a lot...but, um... we'll talk about the salary adjustment later. Now, I want you to open the envelope."

I raise an eyebrow at my boss-boyfriend and slowly take the envelope. I decide to annoy him and prolong opening it, just because it always feels good teasing him. He can be so impatient at times, making his scowl look cute on him.

I pick up the envelope and put it against the little chandelier's light above the dining table. I'm holding it as if I want to see if I can guess what's in it.

"Just open it, Gemma." He mutters and I giggle and finally open the envelope in my hands.

"Okay...okay, jeez...no wonder Murray told everyone that you need to chill." I tease and I swear that I can almost see a vein in his forehead when the man looks like he's ready to tear the envelope from my hand and open it himself.