Something. Chapter 6.
So, here it is, chapter six of my story. I hope you'll enjoy it... :-)
Half an hour before Andy would meet Miranda for lunch, she received a small package. The address written in Mirandas perfectly shaped hand-writing. A small smile of surprise appeared on her face.
Miranda hadn't mentioned that she would send something for her. Curios now, she opened it.
In it were two things. One white envelop with her name written on it, again with Mirandas hand-writing, and a flat bag, that suspiciously looked like a bag for cellphones. She opened the envelop first.
“Darling,
I sent you that, because we'll all need it. It's already turned on, so look at it. It's all the numbers you need, but you of course can add others and use it to stay in contact not only with me and the girls, but with your friends, too. There's already a message on it for you, I guess. So have a look.
I love you,
M”
Andy gently tucked the fine sheet of paper back in its envelop with a sweet smile. Then she looked what was in the small black bag. And indeed, it was a cell phone, well, a Blackberry. As she activated the screen, there was a message.
“Darling, I see you got my letter and the Blackberry. It's a gift, so take it as one and use it. Don't refuse me. I have one, too, and the girls will get one each, too. They are going to be our family phones and we can call and text each other for free. Something else: There's a change in my schedule, but we'll still have lunch, though we won't be alone. I hope you don't mind. It's work related but I want you near me, so you'll eat something, at least. I love you.”
Andy thought about it. Blackberries were not that cheap, but she couldn't refuse Miranda anything. Even though she didn't like the thought that the white haired woman spent so much money on her she appreciated the gesture. A family phone. That was sweet.
A glance on the time said the brunette that she needed to hurry now. She had twenty minutes left until she would need to be at Elias-Clark. She would text Miranda while she would be sitting in the subway.
Hurriedly she packed her thing, grabbed her new phone and placed it gently back in the small bag. Then she ran towards the subway with a wide smile on her features.
***
Miranda had received a message from Andrea, fifteen minutes before they had met. And now the gorgeous young woman entered her towncar through the door Roy held open for her.
Again, the man was surprised to see Andy, but he said nothing, simply smiled at her. And did his job.
“Hi” Andy whispered shyly and smiled.
Miranda smiled back and took the sunglasses from her nose.
“Hello there.” and with that, the editor leaned in and placed a small kiss on the corner of her mouth, just a second before Roy slid into the driver seat.
They shared another loving smile.
“So what kind of work related lunch is it today?” Andy asked.
Miranda shot her an slightly amused glare.
“A promising newcomer designer. But Lagerfeld will join us, as Clarísse is his protégée. I hope you don't mind...” She raised an questioningly eyebrow.
“I don't.” The brunette answered with a small smile.
“Good.” The older woman seemed content now.
“Oh, and thank you, Miranda. I appreciate it.” Miranda nodded and smiled again.
“You are very welcome, dear.”
The rest of the ride was made in silence, but not soon after the ride had started, Miranda had taken Andreas hand into her own, caressing it gently with her thumb.
As they arrived at the restaurant, Andy again followed Miranda closely and Roy was wondering why she was in the picture again and what kind of role Andy played, because they seemed to be close, closer than boss and employee. He shrugged his shoulders. It wasn't his place to ask, but maybe Andy would talk to him, soon.
***
Clarísse was already seated on a table in the far corner of the restaurant. As soon as she saw the significant white hair of Miranda Priestly she stood up and smiled at the editor.
“Miranda! What a pleasure to meet you!” she said and they exchanged air kisses.
“You brought someone” she asked as soon as she spotted Andy.
“Yes, Clarísse, meet Andrea. Andrea, this is Clarísse.”
Andy stuck out her hand and smiled friendly. “Call me Andy.” She said and knew Miranda would roll her eyes at that.
“Hello, Andy.”
While they sat down, Clarísse opposite from Miranda, Andy took the seat beside the editor, the designer excused Lagerfeld for another ten to fifteen minutes. There had been a delay at his atelier, or something. Andy couldn't care less, even Miranda wasn't really interested.
The young journalist began to study the menu card, but it was taken out of her hands by Miranda.
“Don't. I'll order for you.” she said gently. Andy looked surprised, but smiled.
“All right.” she answered.
Miranda and Clarísse began to talk about work, while Andy took in the interior of the restaurant.
It was a nice restaurant, but it looked expensive. She didn't have the chance to have a look at the prices in the menu card, if there even had been some. But she was sure, either way, she wouldn't be able to pay for even a salad in here. Slight anger flared up inside herself. First she got a brandnew Blackberry, with family flat and all. And now that. A very expensive lunch. Well, she would need to talk to Miranda bout that, but not right now. It would have to wait until tonight.
Finally, Karl Lagerfeld arrived. Again, air kisses were exchanged, Andy presented herself and after the order was placed, they began to talk about work again, while Andy jotted down some notes for the article she were currently working on.
A few minutes went by till the waiter came back with two salads. He placed them in front of Andy and Miranda.
The brunette looked at her lover in surprise.
“No steak?” she asked before she could think about the company they were in. She blushed and looked down on her plate.
“Andrea.” Miranda said, surprised that the girl would be ashamed to speak.
As she heard the edge in Mirandas voice she looked up. A hand found her own, it was cool and soft above hers.
A small smile graced the editors face. “I want to encourage you to eat. I'm eating with you. All right?”
Andy nodded and smiled back. “All right.”
Clarísse and Karl watched the scene and the man asked: “Weren't you one of her assistants?”
Andy and Miranda looked at him and then at each other again.
“I was. Three months ago. We actually already met in Paris.”
“We did? Oh I remember, of course. You were the nicer one, my assistant is always complaining now. No offence intended, Miranda.” he said with a slight smile. He knew, even if she never showed it, but Miranda was fond of Emily, the snotty redhead.
“None taken, Karl.” she said and inclined her head, but her lips pursed.
“Now, eat, Andrea.” the white haired woman said, turning to her love. “Please”, was whispered, so only Andrea would hear her.
Andy nodded and took her fork.
But she only picked at it. She wasn't hungry. Not much, at least. And it didn't go unnoticed by Miranda, even though the editor was fully in work mode now. She hadn't finished her salad either, but she ate enough anyway.
Then it came to the moment, Miranda was waiting for all day. Clarísse laid out her folder of sketches and drawings. Her collection.
Expectantly she opened it - and was drawn in by every single sketch and picture. Beautiful. She could already see the dresses on models, knew which scenery she would chose for the photo shoot. Oh yes, Clarísse was a very promising new designer. She gave one nod as she finished the folder, a very good sign.
“Meet Nigel in the closet tomorrow. He'll sort out the Run-through with you.” Miranda stood up, Andy followed her. The brunette could tell her lover was very very pleased.
“It was nice to meet you, Clarísse, Karl, till the next time.” He kissed her hand.
“Nice to meet you two.” Andy said with a wide smile. And then walked beside Miranda out of the restaurant.
“To The Mirror, Roy.” Miranda demanded as soon as they were all seated in the towncar.
“Dinner tonight?” Miranda asked in a low voice.
“Always.”
“Sweettalker. The girls will love to see you again tonight.”
“Just for you. I'm looking forward to see them again, too.”
“Okay. Seven o'clock. Fine with you?”
“Of course. I'll come directly from work, though.”
Miranda smiled. “The sooner, the better.”
“True” the brunette answered with a cheeky grin. They caught each others eyes in an intense gaze.
“You haven't eaten much, Andrea.” Miranda stated silently.
“I know.” was whispered in reply and with a sigh.
“You'll eat more tonight.”
“I will... I'll try.”
Miranda nodded. Then she took hold of the brunettes hand and pulled her closer. One hand laid on her cheek while the other still held the younger woman's hand.
“I'm worried, Andrea.”
“Don't, Miranda. Don't worry. I'm getting back to normal, but I need time for that.”
“I know, and I'll give you all the time you need, but I'm still worried.”
Andy kissed her cheek.
“Thanks...” she whispered. The young woman could see the tears in the editors eyes, but she knew they would never fall here, in the car.
“I...” she began, but then she remembered that they weren't alone, so she stopped and simply formed the words with her lips without voice, not even a whisper. But Miranda knew what she was saying, read it from the lips of the brunette. And then she smiled.