She's Gone Chapter 5
Chapter 5
As the car approached the Met Andy’s started to get nervous. The car slowed and her door opened flashbulbs went off instantly reminding her of the times she accompanied Miranda to the galas. Paparazzi had been cruel when Andy left Miranda, they blamed the Ice Queen saying she couldn’t keep anyone. Some speculated that the Devil was intimidated by being with a woman and that Andrea was taking over the spot light. To some degree they were right Andy was moving up in popularity, what they didn’t know is that Miranda encouraged this. She wanted Andrea to succeed and surpass her. Miranda had stated on numerous occasions that she would be who they follow soon. Andy was taken out of her memories by the noise.
Reporters yelled at her to get her attention, there was only one person she would stop and talk to. “Mrs…ah Sachs…how do you feel about being awarded writer of the year?”
“Hi John and it is still Priestly, always a pleasure, this award means that what I am doing is making a difference and people are noticing. I love writing, telling stories of those with no voice. Tell Greg I will always remember where I came from.”
“Will do Andy.”
Andy walked through the doors and was swept away. “Six, it’s about time you got here, Emily has been pacing. She needs to eat some cheese.”
Laughing Andy hugged Nigel. “Good to see you too, I will try and calm her down.”
“Now let me have a look at you, spin.” Andy turned for Nigel as he looked her up and down.
“Chanel suits you, built for women with hips.”
Andy slapped him. “I will have you know I am not a six .”
“Still the sensitive one.”
Andy linked her arm through Nigel’s as they made their way towards the bar. “Two wines please.” Nigel noticed Andy surveying the crowd. “She not here yet.”
“Who?”
“You know who I am talking about.”
“Yeah I do trying not to think about it, I was nervous enough about accepting the award. With Miranda present I think I may be sick.”
“No sweetheart you will stand tall and show everyone you can make it without the Dragon. People have been waiting all year for you to crumble, now is not the time.”
“Okay…jeez Nige can’t blame a girl for being nervous. I haven’t seen my wife in a year.”
“Don’t worry, the Dragon won’t breathe fire tonight, we sponsor this event so she needs to play nice.”
“Just make sure we aren’t left alone.”
“Will try my best, now I need to go mingle before the awards.”
***
The awards were finally done and Andrea could relax, she still hadn’t noticed Miranda. She looked for her while giving her acceptance speech, but those rich blue eyes were hiding. Andy made her way over to Emily and Serena at the bar. “Hi Em. Serena.”
“Hey Andy congratulations.” Serena hugged Andy.
“Well it’s about bloody time you came over to say hi.”
“Missed you too Em.” Andy continued to look around.
“She is here you know.”
“Yeah I figured just haven’t seen her yet.”
“Well Andrea your wait is over.”
Andrea turned around and was mesmerized by the cool blue eyes see saw every night in her dreams. Andy swayed a bit, Miranda reached out and grabbed her forearm. “Darling are you alright?”
“Yea…I mean yes Miranda I am fine.”
“Emily, Serena That’s all! The two women quickly moved away.
The room seemed to stop all eyes were on the pair. Miranda leaned in a gently and brushed her lips to Andrea’s cheek. The sharp intake of breath made Miranda warm. Andrea seemed more confident than she was when they were together. Maybe Andrea leaving was for the best, she looks amazing, holds herself with such confidence. She took my breath away when she walked through the door. I stayed hidden so she could enjoy her night without the paparazzi hounding her. She doesn’t need me, she has made herself a success without me. Maybe I was right when I said she could do better than me. I’m an old women, she is young and vibrant, with her whole life in front of her.
“Miranda it is good to see you.”
“You as well, the girls say you are back for good.”
Andrea face changed to one of worry. “Don’t worry Andrea that is all I know, they have kept your life a mystery.”
“I’m not worried, I do however need to be getting home.”
“Come…Roy will take you home…I will not have you taking a cab in that dress.”
“Miranda it is fine…”
“No I will not have my wife out at this time of night unescorted.”
“Fine let’s go.”
The women grabbed their wraps and made their way to the car. “Good evening Andy it is good to see you.”
“Hi Roy, how is your wife and children?”
“They are well thanks for asking.” Andrea smiled at Roy and he seemed to look ten years younger all of a sudden. I guess the black dragon has been hell on everyone. Andy sat beside Miranda and stared out the window.
“Roy take Andrea home.”
“Yes Miranda.” Miranda raised the privacy screen once the car pulled away. Andrea was having trouble focusing on the scenery, Miranda perfume, her scent, and her close proximity were taking over her senses. If she moved her hand a few inches she could touch Miranda.
Andy missed Miranda with every fiber of her being, she knew they would never move forward with Miranda’s commitment to Runway. Andy wanted her life back but not at the expensive of herself.
“Andrea…I want to say you were right.”
“Miranda I’m sorry but I am tired I have had little sleep lately. I do need to talk to you though, but not tonight. Could you come to dinner tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“What you don’t have to check your schedule, have your assistant call my assistant. Isn’t that how things work to get time with you…will you really be there or are you just saying what I want to hear.” Andrea looked towards the only person she has ever loved to see if her eyes told a different story. All Andy saw was sincerity and warmth.
“I will be there.”
As the car pulled up to Andrea’s she opened the door and got out. Leaning back into the car. “7pm don’t be late.”
As Andrea walked away from the car, Miranda watched her love disappear into the building.
“I will get her back.” Miranda pressed the intercom button. “Home Roy.”
***
The next day was long for Miranda, everything went wrong. Her coffee was cold, the Donna Karen shoot was abysmal, the layout made the models look dead and the lighting was horrendous. “Emily get me Nigel. And find out where that sorry excuse for a second assistant is and tell her not to return. Call Human Resources and have them find a replacement immediately.”
Emily left the office and was so grateful Nigel was already entering the reception area. “She wants to see you now…good luck.”
Nigel entered Miranda’s office she was engrossed in reading an article for the upcoming issue. “Miranda I know the shoot is not what we…”
“Nigel spare me with excuses…just make it work. If I am late for dinner with Andrea I will fire someone from every department that was involved. That’s all!”
Nigel moved from the room quickly. “Did you know she was having dinner with Six?”
“Bloody hell…that tart sure knows how to mess with my week. Tonight we must prepare for tomorrow, who knows what kind of mood she will be in when she arrives.”
“Alright Em calm down everything will be fine.” Nigel was unsure if it would really be okay but if he didn’t try to calm down the brit she would pass out.
“Breathe Emily, Six will fix all our problems.”
“You don’t really believe that do you?”
“No but as Miranda has told me we have to live on hope.”
“Nigel do you not have work to do? Emily coffee! That’s all!” Miranda watched her employees scurry away. She smiled, Miranda enjoyed watching her employees flee to meet her demands. She knew this last year was hard on everyone, she did not intend to become so difficult, but her heart ached more than she ever imagined. The only way she knew how to deal with it was to take it out on her staff. Things at Runway seemed to be running far better than ever before. However she could see the stress her staff was under. Emily and Nigel were running on empty, Emily was thinner than ever and Nigel’s dark circles under his eyes.
Miranda did feel bad on a number of occasions but she couldn’t figure out how to make things better. With Andrea back Miranda felt a sense of relief, just seeing her made yesterday so much better. The fact that she was seeing her again brought joy back into her life.
This last year was eye opening for Miranda, every night she went to bed thinking of those brown eyes that had lost their shine. Now those eyes looked tired. Miranda lost the one person she never thought would leave again. It was her fault, Miranda knew what she needed to do. Miranda just needed the chance to show Andrea.
TBC