Falling for Her Boss Again

18. Bear hug

Gemma

When morning comes, I call Dr. Sheridan's office asking for a last-minute appointment. I didn't want to call her private number, since it's not an emergency. I'd like to see her today if it's possible, but I can wait. I'm home, I'm in my familiar surroundings, and I'm confident that I can take the day here rather than staying in a lavish suite in Hong Kong while not feeling sure about what to do with my day.

I'm already thinking of other things I can do if Dr. Sheridan can't see me today. But turns out I don't have to think of other things since she's able to see me at ten. It's the perfect time. I can continue with lunch and then buy groceries before weighing my options if should I go back to the office tomorrow and end my vacation short.

"Gemma, how are you? Today you requested an additional session." Dr. Sheridan points out the obvious when I step into her office.

"It's Larry. He took me on a business trip to Hong Kong. Maybe it was the foreign country, or the language, or my anxiety just decided to act up, but I went back home early. Because I am seeing the signs," I blurt out, explaining in short why I needed to see her. There was no need for small talk regarding my trip to Dr. Sheridan. It's one of the things that I like about her. Then, knowing that it's inevitable, she asks me the most important question following my explanation.

"Why don't you tell me from the start what made you decide to go back earlier than scheduled? And explain to me how do you truly feel about it.

The talk continued for another hour. Then before I leave she makes another appointment for me next week, and I feel slightly better but at the same time ashamed for giving in and knowingly skipping meals.

When I arrive back in my apartment I decide to check in with my work emails from my phone. Since I already composed an out of the office automatic reply I don't have to reply to any of the emails.

One email stands out, the one from Schultz. I can see it already, I can feel it in my bones that it's going to be a bad one. And when I dare myself to click it I know he's a jackass for even relaying the gossip to me.

In the email, he said that a little birdie from Hong Kong told him that I was extending pleasure beyond the business relationship with one of the bosses of the Richardson Worldwide.

Fuck...and here I thought I was going to the office tomorrow just to keep myself busy. Now I really don't want to face Schultz, but then maybe I should go to the office and he'll know that I'm there while Larry is still in Hong Kong. The hell with the gossip, I am not going to confirm or deny it. I will ignore it and carry on with my days. Yes. That's what I'm going to do.

His email looming over my head twenty minutes later and when my phone buzzed with an incoming call I sigh seeing that it's Dad. As if I need more drama in my life, my parents' divorce is just one more thing that makes my gut churn.

"Dad, is everything okay?"

"Does anything need to not be okay for me to call my one and only daughter?"

"Dad, I'm your only child. What's up?"

"Well, I don't want to disturb your working day. But you know how I always forget stuff 'cause I decide to do them later."

"I know Dad, and I'm not working today. I just got back from Dr. Sheridan's office."

"Oh..."

Yeah, now I'm making my Dad worry and I do not doubt that the next call he's making is to Mom and now he's going to forget the reason why he's calling me. So, I need to nip it in the bud and ask him to spill.

"Don't get sidetracked Dad, I'll tell you about my visit later."

"Oh, okay...right. where was I?"

I chuckle and shake my head, knowing he couldn't see me doing so.