Dear TIA:
Got your explanation. I would like to give you some advice although I don’t think I will be very helpful. But maybe. So, there are professional relationships and there are personal relationships. In both you should respect the other/s and be respected, not abuse or be abused. Other than that, I think, the rules are different. Maybe you can – when you are calm and clear headed- write down those rules for professional relationships, a code of behavio, if you will, so that you are prepared with a PLAN for different situations that you can anticipate. If this happens, then I do this… kind of a thing.
anita