Falling for Her Boss Again

28. Facing truth

Gemma

I see Murray heading my way with a smug look on his face as I am getting ready to sneak out of the office pantry. I really don't want to make a scene. But then he had me caged between him and the small office kitchen where I was mixing my late afternoon coffee.

"Murray, what do you think you're doing?" I ask nervously when his hand reaches out to my shoulder, subtly caressing it before letting me go as if he knows not to go there but just can't resist himself. It's a good thing that it's still working-hour and at any time someone might walk into this little office pantry. But he still gets me nervous.

"You know how long I have had my eyes on you, Gemma?"

"I know, Murray. And I told you I'm not interested." I try to appear unaffected but my insides still fear his closeness when I feel his predatory gaze on me.

"I know...I know, you're all hot for your boss. But Gemma, darling, he's with someone else now." The smile on his face turns vicious as he goes in straight for my heart.

"She's in the meeting?" The question came out, though I try hard not to. It's a mistake and I realize it when I see the satisfied smirk on Murray's face.

"Ah...so, you do know about her."

"I...I should get back to work."

"I saw you kiss your boss this morning. I know you have it in you, baby. So...now that Larry is busy with his betrothed. Why don't we..." He steps closer and puts his hand on my waist.

My head goes straight to imagining Larry and Alix in the meeting room. My heart is breaking, my emotions are screwing up my mind when I don't see it coming. Murray's lips are on mine in seconds and I try to push him away. The man is big and strong and I'm no match for him.

"Murray, what are you doing, don't..." I try to wriggle away, suddenly all thoughts of Larry and Alix vanish as I try to push him when Murray has me pinned and his hand is slipping under my skirt. "No...what are you doing!" I try to struggle, but he keeps on shutting me up with his kiss.

"Give it up, Gemma, you're the office whore. Don't you think people gossip? They know about your little trip with the boss to Hong Kong. And now that he's here with his fiance, you're opening your legs for me. It's natural for office sluts to seek comfort when she needs one." Murray whispers while his hand grips my thigh, and my legs tremble. His words are like tidal waves that keep on drowning my effort to push him away.

"Schultz! What the fuck!" The big man is suddenly gone and I am left exposed, teary eyes looking at Larry's brother's eyes, Tyler.

"Gemma...are you okay? Larry sent me to," There's confusion in his eyes, maybe also pity? But he surely let me go when I passed by him with an apology, though I'm not sure what for. Hell, maybe Murray was right. Maybe he too sees me as the office whore.

I feel so embarrassed that I ran away from him. I quickly gather my stuff and vacate my desk. My hands are trembling when I order a ride to go back to Larry's place and pack my stuff. I go in and out in record time, fearing I might run into him while my mind is a whirlwind of emotions.

Three hours later I am crying my eyes out under the shower, after scrubbing my thighs and neck red, not wanting the memory of Murray's lips and hands all over my body. I still can't remember how I managed to make myself go back to my apartment and drive to my dad's.

Murray's words played on a loop in my head. And as I realized what he was implying, I started to see how my coworker would look at me. The office whore. Not the PA who luckily snagged his boss and will have her fairytale life. I know that now. I know because Larry has his future arranged already and Alix was there in the meeting room for the whole office to gossip.

"Kiddo, you need to get out of the shower...I have your Cocoa ready for you in your room. I'm going to leave it there okay, honey? We'll be downstairs if you need us." Dad's voice snaps me to reality and slowly get up and wash my tears away.

Dressed in my fluffiest pajamas, I go straight to the Cocoa cup. It's already warm, I finished it and then curled under the blankets. My tears wet the pillow and I cried myself to sleep, missing Larry, missing what we could have.

"Hey, kiddo, Larry is here. Would you like to talk to him?" I hear Dad as he opens my door and peeks into my room. He sits patiently on my bed, wiping my tears away.

"No, Dad. I need to let him go. He already has a fiance." There the truth is out, but knowing Dad, he pulls me into his hug and tells me that he's sorry.

"Okay, honey. I'm going to tell him to leave, then make you something easy to eat. Just rest and stay for as long as you like here. We love you, Gemma." He kisses the top of my hair and I grab him for a hug and sob in his arms. It's the first time Dad knew about what's really going on between Larry and me, and I'm glad that he's not pushing for any explanation. I know he'll wait until I'm ready.

My phone was still off and I intend to keep it that way. Tomorrow I will send out my resignation letter to HR via email then I'll call Larry to end things between us. I just hope I have the strength to call him.

An hour later, when Dad puts my dinner in my room, I tell him that I'm going to eat it later. I haven't had anything since morning. I was supposed to have brunch with Larry. Today was supposed to be a great first day back to the office for him. For us.

Now...there's no us. Who am I kidding? Murray was right and I am a fool to think that someone like me can compete with Alix Chong. She's as driven as Larry himself, they're perfect for each other.

Knowing that Dad would check on my dinner, I locked my bedroom door, took the plate, and threw the contents into the toilet bowl in my adjoining bathroom. Feeling satisfied, I drink the glass of water and take the aspirin pill he left for me on the bedside table before unlocking my bedroom door, knowing Dad will most likely check up on me. Sleep doesn't come easy, though eventually I fell asleep.

The sun is shining on my face, looks like Dad made sure that I get my ass up in the morning.

"Morning sleepyhead," Edwin, Dad's fiance greeted me with a cup of coffee. "I know your Dad restricts you to hot Cocoa, but I'm sneaking you in a cup of coffee instead, so be nice to me okay?"

The man knew just how to put a smile on my face. It's weird how easily I feel happy for my parents with their new lovers. They've waited decades and they are finally happy.

Will Larry and I...ugh...I really need to stop thinking about him.

"Thank you. I'll be sure to lie to Dad. So tell me, when is he going to make an honest man out of you?" I sit up on my bed and take the cup, quietly sipping my morning coffee, smiling at the man who makes my dad happy.

"A quick change of the subject, I see Milton had raised a very smart young woman." He chuckles and sits on the edge of my bed. "Well, I believe we're waiting for your mom to marry first. And well, she's taking her time to prepare everything perfectly, because she said this will definitely be her last wedding. And now that she knows you're here, I'm certain she'll be here today to recruit you for her wedding preparation."

He laughs when I roll my eyes. "Hey, this can take your mind off things. Milton told me about what happened with you and Larry and the man didn't deny his family arrangement. I'm so sorry, Gemma, but you're young...don't give up on love. Okay?" He kisses my forehead and wipes my rouge tear away from my cheek.

"Finish your coffee, then get dressed your mom should be here for brunch. And she's bringing in cake samples for the wedding." He put his hand on mine and caressed my knuckles before leaving me to spend my morning in private.

The morning which I'm not sure I'm ready to face.