Rescue cat won't eat unless we watch her eat

This abandoned house when the owner died had the back door open. This cat went inside and got stuck when the wind blew the door close. As I was walking the cat at the window was meowing to the point I knew something was wrong. I told my ex who use to take care of the guy and knew how to get in and he got the cat. It was almost at the point of death. So my ex is keeping it and taking care of it until it's better. But the cat when it wants to eat will meow until we follow her into the kitchen and watch her eat. Why is it doing this? She's very affectionate. My cats growing up never wanted us RIGHT next to it as it eats. Is there a reason and can we fix it?