Fic: Happily (n)ever after (1/?)
Chapter 1: Time after time
Miranda’s mouth was still open. She felt helpless, insecure and still not believing her husband, the one who declared divorcing her just a day before was really here in front of her.
She thought it might be a dream or a cruel joke of her mind, a hallucination, but then she heard his voice.
“Will you let me in?” he asked gently and reached for her hand. His brief touch told Miranda that he was really there.
“Yes…. yes of course.” She stuttered than looked at Andrea, who was still in the room.
“How….. How did you….” She didn’t know who of the two she asked the question, but Stephen replied.
“I had a very nice and interesting conversation with your smart assistant over there. She said some very wise words I couldn’t get out of my head. So I came here to talk to you about us and maybe it’s not too late. What do you think?”
Miranda couldn’t think. The only thing she could do was pushing herself forward into her husband for a tight embrace.
“I’m so glad you’re here….” She whispered and Stephen patted her head.
Andy cleared her throat. “I don’t want to disturb you anymore, so I’m going to my room. I think it’s all clear for tomorrow. Call me, if you need anything. Good night Miranda. Mr. Thomlison.” She nodded in his direction.
“Yes, good night, Andy.” He just said.
When Andy walked out of the room, she recognized the look on Miranda’s face over Stephen’s shoulder.
“Thank you.” she mouthed to her, just as she did a few months ago at the benefit ball.
Andy nodded and smiled, then she went out of the suit and closed the door behind her.
She did it again. She astonished Miranda by solving a nearly impossible task.
Andy couldn’t help but feeling mighty proud of what she did.
Although she was still angry about what Miranda had done to Nigel and the things she had said in the car.
Everybody wants to be us
These words were still echoing in her head.
No she thought. I don’t want to be like her.
But why was she still here? Why didn’t she just quit?
Only a few more months in Miranda’s employee and she could work in every magazine she would like. Just a few months.
The look in Miranda’s eyes…. Was she happy?
There was something Andy couldn’t figure out.
Andy was leaning against the door, trying to calm her breath and still racing heart. Everything now was okay, or not?
But if it was….. Why was there a short sharp pain in her chest, like a little needle?
Stress… she thought. It has to be stress. Everything else was just ridiculous.
With that thought on her mind she went to Nigel’s room.
The art director was to Andy’s surprise still sober. She thought he would fill himself up and wrote an angry letter to Miranda including his quit at Runway.
“Why pray tell, should I do that?” He asked with his eyebrow arched up.
Andy shivered. “Because of what she did to you. She betrayed you!”
Nigel sighed. “Mainly it was her, yes. But she…. was not the only one.” He looked at his wallet, took out the Photo of him and James Hold.
“He did not fight for me, Six. I expected this way from Miranda. Don’t look at me like that and don’t be naïve.
The woman didn’t go to the top because of being nice. You’re still young; you will know how this game of life works someday. Yes, I am mad at her, but I still love Runway. It changed my life, Andy.
I would rather cut my right arm than sabotage the magazine. And if I were in Miranda’s position….. I don’t think I would have done it otherwise. I don’t know if she really would pay me back for this. But like I’ve said, I can only hope.”
He looked at her. “And you? Why are you still here? Did you really convince Stephen to come here and talk to her?”
Andy stared on the floor and nodded. “I didn’t know…. If I’d known this yesterday, I wouldn’t have…” She swallowed. “But the look on her face yesterday… I couldn’t resist.”
Nigel touched her face. “I know….. I think you need a drink, don’t you?
The hell for sure I do. Tomorrow’s our day off. Let’s get loaded and forget this ‘unfair’ world for a bit. Reality will hit us soon enough.” He said and already poured two glasses.
Andy wasn’t sure how she managed to get back to her own room, but she felt drunk and exhausted on her bed, still in her cloths.
She didn’t bother to disrobe and prayed that Miranda didn’t call for anything. She proved her cell more than once, but there was no call or voice mail.
Andy couldn’t believe Nigel understands Miranda’s betrayal to him but it was his decision, not hers.
And he was right. Andy herself was still caught in Miranda’s web, even helping her to get her husband back.
She found the last text message on her cell from Nate. He truly wished her a successful time in Paris.
Andy felt tears welling up her eyes, while she thought about him. She took a deep breath and dialled his number.
If Miranda Priestly could get a chance to save her relationship, then there were plenty for Andrea Sachs as well.
TBC.....