Questions Series: Third Question
Questions Series.
By Arakan004.
Disclaimer: If only I could…
Warning: Don’t. Just Don’t.
Chapter 3. Third Question: Stephen!? Who is Andy?
For 6th time Andy was dragging out another poor soul that foaming and fainted (for males) and weeping hysterically and try to suicide (for females), out of Dragon’s dent of her boss’s office. The last victim who none other than poor Jocelyn needed to receive a lot of soothing words and for Andy to call securities to seize her from climbing out of window from 20th floor, ready to suicide.
Lately, Andy noticed how Nigel needs to purchase many salt-bottles he put on each corner of Runway, not mentioning how staffs in HR ready to gone from ‘crazy’ to ‘loose all sanity.’ “You know Six,” after helping another poor male with his salt-bottle (Nigel started receiving admiration look as a saint for his readiness to revive people), “we need to know why Miranda turned into 80% to be a full dragon” said Nigel, not surprisingly for Andy, he waved the salt-bottle under his own nose. Nigel maybe not (yet) become Miranda’s victim just like Andy, but he is so close to faint due he need to be a nurse-Nigel, a title he recently got bestowed from poor souls that chewed by certain Dragon Lady… or simply got burn… and Andy didn’t surprise to find Nigel had put a fitting costume of a nurse, which, he currently wore…
“It’s easy, Nigel” sighing Andy gives him a tired look, “it’s Stephen.” As soon as the name escaped her lips, both winches and once again Nigel waving the salt-bottle under his nose, “indeed” he mused.
Stephen Tomlinson, will-be-second-ex-husband for their boss, had acted like toddler throwing temper tantrum yet cunningly appeared like ‘Saint’ on newspapers, especially, Page Six. He opened his big mouth, attacking Miranda from how disaster-wife she is, not caring about her daughter (which huge lies) and the recent article in Page Six that both Andy and Nigel belief throwing fuel to livid Dragon Lady of theirs, calling Miranda as Maniac Queen to her job. Worse, he accusing Miranda with too many lies though in the end, Stephen sued Miranda to give half of her wealth she work so hard to get, to him as payment of their disaster marriage. That is indeed, both friends believed as the last straw.
“By the way” peering into Outer-Office, Nigel’s brows knitting, “where is Barbie?” he asked Andy, the brunette shrugged, “I don’t know where she had gone for last four days, I called her phone its always gone to voicemail, but no worries, Serena is in mission to find her favorite Barbie.”
“No wonder I didn’t see both of them lately,” Nigel pursed his lips, “well then Six, it will be your holy-mission to find a way to help our current situation, A.S.A.P!”
Frowning, Andy asked “Why me?” Nigel give her disbelief look, oh he know Andy is so innocent and even now she still too innocent for her own good, thus it is not surprising for him to find Andy didn’t see all the looks Miranda gave to her direction. “You are her assistant” he told her, “and it’s your job to help her.”
Watching the ‘Nurse Nigel’ leaving her alone, Andy scowled, “damn Sparky, he just didn’t want to get burn.”
~*~
(Miranda’s Townhouse, next day)
As usual Miranda is waiting the Book inside her study, however instead seated at her usual chair, she was pacing, pausing when she heard sound of bike engines, her mood brightening a bit, her Andréa’s radar blaring out and she could sense the brunette approaching the house before the front door got opened.
“Andréa.” She called out, Miranda desperately need something or in this case, someone, who could bring her mood brighter. And who will be better than her hero, ehem, she mean, her beautiful second-assistant? ‘Maybe I could even score a kiss’ at this thought all issues about Stephen flying out of window and Miranda needed to turn around away from the door so her assistant wouldn’t see how her cheeks turn pink.
---
Andy obediently sits on the sofa, watching her boss creating a hole on the Persian carpet-floor while ranting about Stephen. She feels guilty the more she heard about Miranda’s problematic divorcement issue and she blamed herself who following Nigel advice and blurting out “Can you tell me about your divorcement?”
Not surprisingly Miranda’s bright mood (confusing and scaring Andy to no end) when the brunette entering the study turn darker than night sky outside and eventually leading Miranda to snarling and (very near) gnashing her teeth over her second divorcement.
“And he accused me having affairs with those males models!” Miranda tossed her hands to the air, at last, stopping from creating hole on her floor, “he is annoying! If only I could find proofs and evidences that he is the one who cheating! I know he is! But my dumb lawyer has no idea at all to get the proof! Why, I didn’t surprise my own lawyer believing that annoying imbecile’s words!” tired from all of her tirade, Miranda put her hands on her hips, mentally exhausted.
“…Miranda…” Andy softly asked, “…you didn’t love him?” she got a snort as respond, “Love him?” Miranda rolled her eyes, “No Andréa, I do care about him, once” she emphasized her words, “but no, I never love him.”
Pleased that her boss opening up to her, Andy carefully selected her words, “why you marry him then?”
“I don’t know!” Miranda said, frustrated. “It just…” looking to Andy genuine concern eyes, Miranda relented, “…I wanted my girls to have father figure…” at this Andy have understanding look, “I think you should talk with them, Miranda. From what I observed Caroline and Cassidy were quite mature in mind. By birth they born as smart children, I think they would surprise you of what they really wanted,” with knowing smile Andy added: “talk to them.”
Stunned, Miranda quietly said: “They refusing to talk with me, Andréa.”
“So?” Andy smiled warmly, her voice is assuring when she spoke again: “How about we make a deal?
“Deal?” Miranda arched her brow, “What deal?”
“I will find the proofs of everything Stephen did that you could use in your case, in a trade; you talk with your girls and hear what they actually wished to tell you.” Andy watched Miranda pursed her lips not in disapproval but in deep thought. “With what price?”
“I am not sure about that…” Andy drawled.
“When?”
“Let’s see” Andy looked down to her notebook, calculating everything and she looked up to Miranda, “today is Friday, when you will meet your lawyer again?”
“in two weeks, at Wednesday” answer Miranda and without pause she added: “and the court on Thursday, I want the evidences that strong enough for me to shoo Stephen out of my life as soon as possible without following ‘one year rule’ by New York law.”
‘As usual Miranda you really love to make my life harder,’ “Fine” standing up from her spot Andy smirked slightly, “in two conditions.”
“Say it.”
“If I told you that the ‘evidence’ needs to be paid, you will pay.”
“Deal” Miranda nodded her head sharply, obviously wanted nothing but for Stephen to get out of her life, “What’s the second?”
“Don’t ask where I get it, everything is legal I can assure you that,” offering her hand Andy’s eyes gleaming mysteriously, “is it a deal?”
Miranda eyed her intently, she knew the girl is hiding something really big, but for now though… taking Andy’s hand Miranda give firm handshake, “Deal.”
---
(Sunday 02.10 AM: Location, Andy’s Apartment)
The ringing sound of her phone stirred Andy from her sleep, after shuffling around from her sleeping bag the brunette took the phone and pressed it against her ear, “Andy.”
‘Sorry to wake you up kid, but I’m in front of your door so wake up and open it for me.’
Blinking, Andy pulled the phone away to look at the ID that wrote ‘Leo.’ “Sure thing!” scrambling out from sleeping bag and up to her feet, Andy hastily combed her hair with fingers while rushing to the door, unlocking the door she open it wide, beaming brightly to a man in nice grey suit, “Leo!”
“How are you kid!” the man, Leo hugged her, patting her back, “Oh I missed you so much!” pulling away Leo looked at her up and down, “Look at you, you have turned pretty just like your mom!”
“Thanks” smiling genuinely to him, Andy looked passed him, noting two men in black-suits giving a nod to her, before moving to the end of hallway, pleased they left her alone, Andy stepped to the side, “Come in Leo, sorry if my place is, well, like this” she waited for him to step inside and closed the door.
“My god, kiddo” Leo looked around, jaw slackened, “What happen here? there is no item, furniture,” frowning he turned to Andy, “you need to tell me everything, Andy, or I swore to god I will tell this to your aunt and you know what your aunt will do in combo with your uncle no matter they are long-distant relative. And I bet your birthmother doesn’t know anything about this.”
Cringing, Andy sighed in defeated, “Fine, just let me make us coffee okay? It will be a long story after all.”
---
An hour later… after three cups of coffee and exhaustion result of retelling story of her life after she graduated from Northwest University, in Indian-style on the carpet floor, Andy watched warily how Leo, someone she looked up like her own uncle, and confidante of her long-distance relative uncle pacing around angrily. “I can’t belief you never tell us about this, Andy!” Leo snapped, his right hand waving wildly gesturing the empty apartment sans Andy’s sleeping bag and few kitchen utensils. “How could you stay in this kind of place!? And in this kind of dangerous neighborhood! I thought you are joking when you told me your address! And now, this!”
“Leo-” Andy’s words were cut by him, “No, Leo me young lady!” Leo lifted up his right palm and started counting, “you got a looser as boyfriend who left you behind because he can’t understand that to get success in work there always price to be paid! Practically robbing you with his so call friends after placing you in this dangerous area! I don’t need to call your birthmother! Not even your uncle and aunt! Even my staffs will happily concocting plan to hunt and put your so call boyfriend six-feet-under! End of story!”
“That is why I didn’t tell anyone” with tired sigh Andy looked up pleadingly at him, “Please Leo? Don’t tell anyone about this.” melting by her pleading look Leo shook his head, “You know I cannot lie to your uncle in particular. Beside, now he knows you are in this nation, he will do everything to make sure you always protected.”
“I love my current job, Leo.”
He arched his brow, “only job?” at her blush, Leo can’t help but smirking, “you know your uncle and aunt will play as cupid if they got wind of this.”
“Shut up” she glared at him, scoffing as Leo only turned his smirk into cat-eating-canary grin. “Miranda Priestly, huh? You know my four musketeers would fly straight to New York or making hundred calls till you tell them the whole story.” A pause then he snickered, “not mentioning if they heard you work as assistant they will do everything in their powers to bring you to place where you belong though of course, once they heard you have this person you mooned…”
“Leo!”
---
At Monday, in Runway, Andy was eyeing Emily with strange look, she wanted to ask where the Barbie has gone for entire week in M.I.A. but decided to not do that and simply says, “You are slimmer, Emily. Your diet clearly working” and turned to her screen, while Emily winch slightly, “Yes, it is” she replied with her usual snotty tone never wanted to tell someone that because she is in stress got ‘captured’ by NYPD thus she loose weight, drastically.
---
Andy felt it again, how Miranda’s eyes on her, Andy cannot help but give her a sheepish smile and return to her job. Today is Monday, two days before Miranda went to meet her lawyer and in three days, she needs to stand in front of the court.
Andy actually marveling how Miranda didn’t push her, asking her about the proofs and evidence, no, Miranda didn’t bring up the issue at all, but her eyes… those blue eyes that captivating Andy since the day they met, continue shine with hope and trust. Things that Andy held dearly to her heart, Miranda’s trust, trusting her enough to hope Andy could help her out of her situation.
The ring from phone desk startled Andy from her train of thought, but before she could pick it up, Emily already took the call, “Miranda Priestly’s office.” The Brit hearing intently and frowned, “Of course she is here, wait” lowering her phone Emily said, “someone wanted to talk with you.”
Andy blinked few times and took her own phone desk, waiting for Emily to close her phone “Andy Sachs” she greeted the caller.
‘Armani.’
“Excuse me?” Andy blinked again.
‘I wanted new Armani gown, last season and another gown for my girlfriend.’ The caller pause long enough before bursting into laughter, ‘Andy, it’s me, C.J.!’
“C.J!?” Andy squeaked out loud earning stare from Emily and to her horrified, Miranda as well. Laughing sheepishly Andy lowered her head hiding behind the screen of her PC from Miranda’s questioning look and ignored Emily’s curious eyes at her, “Hi” Andy speak softly.
‘Aha’ came the teasing tone, ‘let me guess, your boss you mooned is there?’
Flustered Andy hissed, “C.J.!”
‘Fine, fine, and here I try to tell you that we have been briefed by Leo.’
“We?” Andy’s eyes widening in horror, “…oh no…no, no, no…”
‘Don’t worry about that, the boys are out of hearing range…well, actually I see Josh, Sam and even Toby crouching in front of my door wit ears pressed to the damn wood.’
“Oh my god” palmed face Andy groaned, “…did they know?”
‘They?’
“They” she repeated emphasizing the words.
‘Ah ‘they’ well, not yet~’ C.J. replied in singsong tone.
“So here is the thing” grimacing Andy heaved, “what you wanted then?”
‘If you give me what I requested at beginning of this call and handing it to the messenger I sent there which she would arrive in ten minutes, I promised to calm your aunt and uncle when Leo told them everything.’
“Liars.” Andy accused, “No way Leo didn’t tell them about this.”
‘No, I am not lying, he told them yes but not in great details.’
“Where are they?”
‘Back at New Hampshire, Zoey will attend Georgetown in a month, so they are having some bonding time with family or something, don’t know for sure. They will return in three days.’
“Oh thank god” Andy sigh in relief, she still have time to prepare herself, mentally in particular, to face her aunt and uncle. “Okay, okay, I will do it. When the messenger will arrive?”
‘In ten minutes…wait; I correct that, in seven minutes. Remember, I want blue Armani and my girl is a huge fan of Valentino. The evidences after all could help your boss including jailing someone.’
“Fine, and C.J.?”
‘Yes darling?’
“Thank you.”
‘You are welcome.’
Closing the phone Andy rose up from her chair, ignoring Emily, she entered Miranda’s office, the editor who see her glowing face instantly said, “Close the door.” Closing the door Andy move till she stood in front of the editor’s desk, “I got the evidences” Andy started, pleased to see how her information lit up Miranda’s eyes, “Evidences?”
“Enough to help your case including jailing someone…” Andy baited, mentally amuse of how Miranda look brightened by the extra information. “Then?”
“However there is a price.”
“Money?”
“No,” Andy smiled playfully, “the prices are two gowns, last season of blue Armani and Valentino that should be given to the messenger who will arrive in less than five minutes.”
Miranda went silent, ‘woman? Andréa’s mysterious contact is woman?’ jealousy burning inside her chest, the editor pursed her lips, “Who is this person?” she demanded. Luckily for Andy, she saved herself by saying, “my aunt and uncle’s friends.”
‘Is it this C.J. who just calling her? Probably,’ tapping her fingers against her desk, Miranda give short nod, jealousy aside (for now), she need those evidences. “That’s all.”
---
Rushing out the Closet with two shopping bags where two gowns neatly folded inside it, Andy is back to outer-office to see a female blonde standing patiently in front of her empty desk with leather-case. Emily somehow look uncomfortable near frightened by the female’s presence and Miranda could be seen eyeing the visitor intently from behind her desk.
Clearing her throat Andy stepped into the outer-office, the blonde turned around on the voice, she is beautiful with sharp charcoal eyes “Andy?” the female asked.
“Yes, I’m Andy Sachs,” Andy went to her, “And you…”
“Kate,” Kate offered her hand to her, “Kate Harper.” And in low voice she added: “Leo through C.J. send me here.”
“Ah, the messenger” Andy smiled widely shaking Kate’s hand with delight, “uhm, do you want to sit down firstly?” she swore she saw Miranda’s head perk up slightly.
“No, thank you, I got flight to catch” releasing her hand Kate lifted up the leather-case, “I think you need this” she said with eyes zeroed in to shopping bags at Andy’s hands, “and I think those bags are for me.”
“Yes, well, here you go” Andy handed the bags and took the leather-case, “thank you, Kate.”
“No problem, Andy.”
After the blonde left, Andy turned around to see Miranda tilted her head indicating for her to go into her office, with leather-case in her possession, Andy walked inside and before Miranda say a thing, Andy rounded the editor’s desk and put down the leather-case next to Miranda’s chair. “It’s done.” Andy winked cheekily to Miranda, the editor give her a small yet genuine smile, “thank you” Miranda whispered so softly so Emily wouldn’t hear.
“You are welcome.” With spring on her step Andy exit the office; glad she got no more pressing issue, well, outside of her job as assistant of course.
---
(Wednesday 11.48 PM: Miranda’s Townhouse - Miranda’s Bedroom)
Miranda has decide to bring the evidence straight to the court, her sorry-excuse-lawyer started annoying her and she is angry when he doubting from where the evidence came and repeatedly telling her she can’t get divorcement let alone bending the law without special circumstances, hence Miranda never bring the evidence to him.
But she too cannot help asking herself, from where Andréa got the proof? Miranda stared to the leather-case that she not yet opening it, reaching for the case she placed it on top of her bed while drying her hair after nice long hot shower that relaxing and refreshing. “I wonder where Andréa got this and who is that blonde?” she asked out loud to empty bedroom, reaching for remote-control she switch on the LED TV hung on the wall and sat on the end of the bed, switching and switching TV channels and found nothing caught her eyes she switched it to CNN and placed aside the remote.
“Let’s see what kind of proofs my Andréa brought to me” reaching for nightstand to get her eyeglass, Miranda put it on and opened the case, her eyes landed to ivory folders, picking it up she put it on the bed, close the case and put it on the floor, she picked up the file on very top and flipped it open, Miranda’s eyebrow slowly climbing up near joining her hairline seeing the file have picture over picture… and there was an envelope that have Compact Disc that have lists of tracks…
‘C.J.!’
The name whipped Miranda’s head around and up to her TV that showing reporters inside White House, calling out for the tall brunette female standing behind tall desk, none other than Press Secretary, C.J. Gregg.
‘Folks, please!’ C.J. lifted up her palms to calm down the reporters, snatching the remote, Miranda turned up the volume, hearing the Press Secretary telling the reporters that all details will be explained by NSC Deputy, ‘Commander Harper’ C.J. stated and stepped to the side and in a heartbeat the female blonde Miranda has seen two days ago in Runway come to view, addressing the reporters in her cool tone.
Dropping the remote TV in shock, Miranda turned to the folder in her hand before she looked to another folder that this time have unmistakable emblem of FBI. Shaky hands picking up the folder, flipping it open, Miranda’s eyes turn wider than saucers reading the second file, “Oh my god…” covering her mouth, Miranda stared to the TV where the NSC deputy still talking about situation in Mideast and back to the folder in her hand, “…you cannot run now, Stephen, not with this evidence…” closing the folder, Miranda’s lips curled into predatory smirk, “well, well, well, Andréa…” gazing to the TV the editor chuckle, “It seems not only me who have connections. And your connections certainly… will be useful in future…”
---
Far in Andy’s apartment, the brunette sneeze loudly till she woke up from her sleep, staring sleepily to the clock that stating it just midnight she snorted and fall backward, return to her deep sleep, dreaming about silver-locks and blue eyes.
---
(New York Court House)
With winning smile Miranda flashed to unhealthy pale Stephen Tomlinson, “You tainted my honor and name by insulting me through papers, Stephen, your foolishness however make someone who know your past send these files to me” lifting up two files she have from her Andréa, Miranda chuckled, “not only you got nothing for I have evidences you are cheating on me, divorced, but you too got federal agents standing behind you over the cases you did in few federal states outside of New York. Marrying someone rich and take their moneys by divorcing them, forging false evidences and paying people to tell lies even at court that they were cheating and you are a saint, just like you did to me.” dropping the file to the desk, Miranda smirk, “even it’s quite humiliating, but it give me pleasure that you will living behind the bars for very long time. And don’t worry” donning her sunglass, Miranda tilted up her chin, “I too will sue you.” then she looked to her lawyer who open-mouthed, “and you, you will never be my lawyer again, that’s all.”
Turning around on her heels Miranda smiling coolly as she dialed numbers she memorized by heart and pressed up her phone against her right ear, “I will speak with my babies tonight,” and flipped the phone close swiftly pocketing it while on background the judge after receiving information and been briefed by FBI agents, hit his gavel and announced with special circumstances, Miranda’s divorcement is legalized at this very day with Stephen got nothing and dragged away by FBI agents.
Miranda got her wishes, her freedom, and now, after she talked with her daughters, her mind already scheming to get her heroine, her Andréa, to be hers and only hers. ‘I wonder…what I should do with you, my Andréa?’ the smile on her lips by now already turn predator, Miranda is lucky because she wore her sunglass, hiding her desire darkening her eyes. ‘Time to woo you my mysterious heroine and I know what I just need to do,’ with that been decided Miranda wouldn’t care what the world will think for her to woo the love of her life, if Miranda Priestly had decided something, the rest of the world could choke to death and she didn’t care.
---
(Runway)
With loud sneeze Andy shiver.
“Bless you Six!” Nigel smirked, “flu?”
“No,” hugging her body, Andy sneezed again and sat down on her desk, “methinks it’s too sinister to be called flu.”
The only coherent words escaping Nigel’s lips are “Huh?”