The Devil Wears Prada: Science of Fashion Part 28
First of all a big THANK YOU to all of you who kept waiting so patiently. Please enjoy reading. There is some action ahead:o)
Title: Science of Fashion (28/?)
Author: vicar_dibley
Fandom: The Devil Wears Prada
Pairing: Andy/Miranda AU
Rating: NC 17
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters from The Devil Wears Prada
Author's note: English isn't my first language, this hasn't been beta'd so forgive me. The mistakes (language wise and otherwise) are all mine. This is my first DWP fan fiction. Hope you like it:) Comments are welcome!
Summary: It’s an alternative universe, Andy is about 35 and Miranda is 50. In my story Andy is not cheery.
Science of Fashion
28
Miranda listened intently to Jack´s explanations and when she got the gist of when, how and supposedly why she thanked the competent young man and with a promise to look into it she accompanied her guests to the door.
“For the time being you should leave everything else up to me, Jack”, Miranda insisted again. “You should keep a low profile.”
“But...”, Jack tried to argue, not wanting to have Miranda take it up all alone. He was stopped by a raised hand from the older woman.
“No, contrary to you, I am fairly safe and have the right connections”, the editor assured him. Just like Roy, Jack was family even if he didn´t know or understand. Roy would make him see reason, Miranda was certain.
“But...”, Jack didn´t want to be a coward.
“Come on, I´ll explain it to you”, Roy urged him with a hand on his lover´s shoulder, knowing full well why his boss was doing this. A fact that planted him even firmer in the white haired woman´s corner.
The two men finally left with a last thank you and good bye. Miranda closed the door with a heavy sigh, feeling another headache stirring in the back of her head. She wondered again why things could never be easy. Now that her private life was all she ever wished for, her professional life was a complete mess. The editor couldn´t wait for Andrea and her girls to return, right now she could use a little family time. But first things first, Miranda went back into her study to go over the files again and find a course of action with as little repercussions for Runway as possible.
Roy was rolling his eyes for the hundredth time since they had left the townhouse. His lover was constantly rambling on about the unfairness of the Ice Queen. Did she not know how useful he could be? Did she not trust him to do his job properly? The woman was unbelievable. Roy had enough when Jack called Miranda a stupid bitch. He stopped the car and waited for his lover to calm down. When Jack finally registered that they had stopped he looked questioningly at Roy.
“Are you quite done?” Roy asked with forced patience.
“What? Don´t tell me you agree with her?”
“Listen”, Roy said gently, “I know you are disappointed but believe me the only reason she asked you to keep a low profile was because she is worried.”
“About her precious reputation”, Jack huffed.
“No, you dork, about you”, Roy snapped at his lover´s denseness.
Before Jack could come up with another insult or objection, Roy covered his mouth with his index finger, looking imploringly at the sandy haired man.
“Let me tell you once and for all how the woman ticks, and I am by no means an expert on this subject, but I know for certain that Miranda Priestly regards you as family and therefore she wants you to be safe. She protects what is hers, fiercely and strong. You do not cross her in this and anybody with half a brain would know that. So just count yourself lucky and be there when she needs your help again, she´ll let you know.”
Looking into his lover´s eyes for any kind of a bad joke but finding none, Jack thought about Roy´s words, feeling suddenly oddly flattered and embarrassed he hung his head in shame.
“Sorry, for being an idiot”, the accountant whispered, having gained a better understanding of Roy´s high opinion of their mutual boss.
“But you are my idiot”, Roy smiled, kissing Jack soundly before he drove on.
How was it that every time when she thought everything in her life was well, something came up to let her know otherwise? Miranda gazed at the papers on her desk and wished for Andrea to be at her side right now. There was no sense in pondering what wasn´t but to think about what was. She had to take care of this mess before she lost everything she had worked for so hard. Miranda put the papers back into the envelope and put it in her bottom drawer. Before she could do anything she had to make sure everything turned out in her favour. It wasn´t just about her, there were many people who depended on her and her ability to weather every storm that hit Runway one way or the other. She, Miranda Priestly, was responsible for them to keep their jobs so they could pay their bills. Keeping the magazine running meant keeping peoples hopes up. She hated the thought that some sleezeball was playing with the livelihood of so many. Miranda may be tough to work for, she demanded the best but she knew why it was so important. Having grown up poor, she had made her way through hard work and a lot of ambition. Contrary to what some people thought she did not make her way up the ladder on her back. So yes, she knew what was at stake for each and everyone of them at Runway and Elias-Clarke at a whole.
With a sigh she went to the kitchen to heat her dinner which Maria had prepared for her yesterday. It tasted delicious although Miranda wasn´t really enjoying it without her girls for company and Andrea to talk to about their day. She finished her meal and put the dishes into the dishwasher before she turned off the lights downstairs. Miranda collected the Book from the side-table in the hall before she ascended the stairs to her bedroom where she would work on the Book for the remainder of the evening.
Although, Monday brought a full schedule and lots of things to be taken care of, Miranda started her day in a rather pleasant way with a call from the twins and Andrea. She tried to sound cheerful despite her worries but she knew Andrea wouldn´t buy it for a minute. After she said her goodbye to the girls she told Andrea everything about Roy´s and Jack´s visit. The brunette offered her to return immediately but Miranda declined, not wanting her girls to miss their opportunity to spend as much time as possible with their nonna and Andy.
“Are you sure, my love?” Andrea wasn´t convinced. She could hear the stress and despair over another catastrophe in her lover´s voice.
“Of course, darling”, Miranda reassured her, touched by Andrea´s concern. “You three go on and enjoy the rest of your holidays. There isn´t much I can do anyway. I have to gather more facts and discreetly make contact to the authorities before I can act.”
“All right then”, Andy finally relented, “we´ll call you this evening.”
“I can´t wait to hear your voice again.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too, my darling. Goodbye.”
“Bye.”
When Roy arrived at the townhouse in the morning he didn´t have to wait long for his boss to walk out the door. He knew better than to ask what Miranda had come up with to solve the problem but he couldn´t help but notice the frown and the heavy silence. Roy had known this woman for years and he knew the difference between anger and worry. This was worry. He cursed himself for being the cause but she had to know. Not telling Miranda would have been even worse. If there was anybody who could do something it was her. Miranda´s soft voice stirred him from his musings.
“Oh for goodness sake, stop worrying”, Miranda rolled her eyes.
Feeling like a little boy who had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar, Roy blushed furiously.
“I am sorry”, he mumbled, “we didn´t mean to cause you any more trouble but we thought you should know.”
“You did the right thing”, the editor nodded slightly. “If anything I am the one who is thankful and I am deeply indebted to you now.”
“Miranda, no, there is no need....”, Roy stuttered, but stopped when she held up her hand, effectively silencing him.
“Yes, it is. I won´t forget it. And rest assured that I will do everything in my power to ascertain that Jack will get safely out of this.”
“Thank you.”
“No. Thank you, both of you. In times of need we realise who our true friends are”, Miranda looked intently at her trusted driver, who was so much more than that.
The editor turned his eyes at the window again, having Roy stunned into silence with her acknowledgement of friendship. Ever since her last divorce and the incident with Nigel she had thought a lot about these things. Roy´s clearing of his throat brought her back to the present. She turned her head and looked expectantly at his eyes in the rear-view mirror, waiting with unknown patience for him to tell her what was on his mind.
“In case you don´t know already I thought you should know that I am truly grateful that you have giving me a chance when I needed it the most.”
“Nonsense”, Miranda waved him off, “you have proven your worth and loyalty over and over. So please don´t get sentimental on me.”
“No, ma´am.”
When they arrived at their destination, Roy opened her door and helped her out of the car with a slight bow.
“Stop that”, Miranda said with a twinkle in her eye. “People might start to think I relish on the servitude of my friends.”
Roy was flabbergasted as he watched her walk away. Miranda Priestly had just officially called him her friend, so what did he care what other people thought. So it was true what he had told his lover, the Dragon Lady did regard them as family. Roy did count himself a very lucky man indeed. He couldn´t help but smirk as he watched her entering the building, every inch the dangerous and shrewd woman that commanded people to scatter with a mere gaze.
At Runway the editor stepped out of the elevator finding an expectant Emily, as usual, waiting for her with her pencil and notepad in hand. As she rattled off her instructions with the redhead hot on her heels, Miranda suddenly stopped, asking Emily if she had done as she had asked at the airport. When Emily confirmed, the editor nodded pleased before delivering coat and bag on the second assistants desk on her way into her office.
The next issue wouldn´t publish itself so Miranda had to get to work which would go rather smoothly in her estimation, since she had brought so many fresh ideas from her unexpected holiday in England. She was working on a draft for the layout when a commotion outside her office was interrupting her concentration. The editor looked over the rims of her reading glasses and found Emily in heated discussion with Nigel. Emily had bravely inserted her body between her doors and the furious man. Miranda had to take actions before something untoward was going to happen.
“Emily”, she called out, “let him in. There is no need in protracting the inevitable.”
Her first assistant stepped aside and let the fuming man pass.
“You bloody bitch”, Nigel spat at the editor, “you can´t be serious. After all I have done for you and this damn magazine.”
Miranda wasn´t in the least bit surprised at his reaction. Emily had followed her instructions diligently, no doubt. Had he really thought he would get away with it? Nobody crosses her, he of all people should know that. What he had done to Andrea was unforgivable. In his need for revenge he had nearly destroyed her chance with the younger woman. This was too personal and hurtful and not at all about business. In no way could it be compared to her move in Paris. Paris was all about business, she thought he knew and understood but she had obviously been wrong. It confirmed her suspicion that his interest in the job hadn´t been about business at all. Well, too bad for Nigel. He still had so much to learn.
“Consider yourself no longer part of this damn magazine”, Miranda answered coldly. “You of all people should have known what business is all about but you decided to make it personal.”
“All this”, Nigel waved his letter of dismissal at her, “for that little disfigured invalid.”
The white haired woman´s nostrils flared at the hurtful words spoken by the man she had considered a good friend. “You started it, Nigel. Count yourself lucky that you can still work in the publishing industry.”
“In Hazelhurst, Mississippi!”
“They are in dire need of an editor for their women´s magazine. Or so I have heard”, Miranda stated nonchalantly.
“You are going to regret this, Miranda”, Nigel tried with his last thread of braveness.
Rounding the corner of her desk, the editor came to stand only inches in front of her former art director. She leaned into his personal space and whispered in his ears, “For your sake and our former friendship I will pretend I have not heard this. Let me make one thing clear, I could have squashed you under my Prada heel like the little insignificant bug that you are. Call yourself fortunate that you still have the opportunity to work for a magazine, even if it is in the middle of nowhere. Should you ever again try to cross my way I will bury you so deep nobody will ever know you existed at all. Now get out of my office.”
Swallowing at the calmly but deadly spoken words, Nigel looked into the woman´s deep blue eyes and he knew without a doubt she meant every word she had said. Maybe Hazelhurst wasn´t such a bad idea after all. Nigel turned on his heels and left the office without a glance back.
Miranda sat in her chair again, she called out for Emily to tell Serena to move into her new office and after she was settled to come here to talk about the new issue.
Miranda Priestly was a woman not to be trifled with. She was in control of this magazine, there was no way in hell she would give up without a fight. Nobody crossed her like Nigel had and she would find a way to take care of one Jefferson Carlyle as well. This man had underestimated her and what she was capable off. Let them think what they wanted, it would hit them even harder when she was ready to strike. With a satisfied smile she returned to her work. The editor would ensure that the magazine runs smoothly after the change before she would take actions on both Carlyle and that pain in the ass Ravitz. But first things first. Serena, she was certain, would do a wonderful job. The woman had potential and a good eye, a much needed sense of what was important and wanted. One part of business was back on track, Miranda was very glad to have solved this before this sore wound would make it even harder to concentrate on what was really important. Her life with Andrea and saving Runway from being destroyed by the greed of a man.
It was shortly after lunch when a nervous Emily entered her office with an insecure expression on her face.
“Is there a reason for your intrusion?” Miranda asked annoyed.
“There is a solicitor outside asking to see you immediately”, the redhead explained breathlessly.
Miranda lifted an eyebrow in surprise. Was this another of Stephen´s sorry attempts to get his hands on her money?
“Send her away! He can contact my lawyer if it is something important”, Miranda dismissed Emily.
The assistant turned and nearly stumbled into the lawyer.
“I am sorry Mrs Priestly, I am Jennifer Prescott from Prescott, Sterling & Hammersmith”, a tall woman in a dark business suit, with black hair, piercing blue eyes and the face of a model introduced herself, “forgive me my intrusion but her Grace phoned me this morning. I am sorry I couldn´t make it earlier.”
The editor gasped at the mentioning of her lover. This was the last thing she had expected.
“Emily leave us alone! I don´t want to be disturbed”, Miranda ordered a bit flustered.
“Yes, Miranda.” The redhead closed the door on her way out, wondering what was going on, hoping that everything was alright with her boss and Andy.
“Well, Ms Prescott take a seat”, Miranda gestured at one of her visitor´s chairs in front of her desk. “Tell me why Andrea thought it necessary to send you here.”
“Thank you”, the tall woman took a seat before she explained Andy´s intention. “Her Grace and her family are our most important clients, Mrs Priestly. Ever since her grandfather expanded the business abroad we are their legal representatives.”
“Call me Miranda. But what does this have to do with me?” The editor asked surprised.
Instead of an answer the lawyer handed her a sheet of paper, a facsimile with today´s date on top of the page. Miranda put on her reading glasses and read it carefully. When she was finished she looked expectantly at the calm woman right in front of her.
“Come to my townhouse tomorrow at eight in the evening. Everything you need is there.”
Jennifer Prescott nodded and stood to leave, at the door she stopped to turn causing Miranda to look up from the paper she couldn´t stop looking at.
“Don´t be mad at Andy, please. She means well, she wants you to have every support you need to succeed.”
“Andy is it now”, Miranda´s lips twitched, so this was another of her Andrea´s dear friends and not merely her lawyer.
Jennifer shrugged sheepishly, “What can I say. It´s hard not to be her friend.”
“That it is”, the editor agreed.
“Until tomorrow then”, with that the tall woman left.
The rest of the day went by in a hurry. Serena turned out to be the perfect choice for the vacant job of art director. Another of Miranda´s genially strikes, although she hadn´t expected anything less from the woman. On her way home Miranda pondered how she could express her gratitude to Andrea. She should have known that the younger woman would do anything to make sure she wouldn´t have to fend alone. Still it amazed her how Andrea´s care for her was offered without asking for anything in return. Miranda simply wasn´t used to this constant caring, she never expected it and it was usually the best way to spare herself the disappointment but with Andrea it was different. The younger woman seemed to constantly take care of her in ways she had never dreamed of. The editor had always thought it might make herself look weak but she realised that it wasn´t a question of being weak or strong, this wasn´t a contest. It simply meant Andrea loved her. Period.
That night on the phone with her beloved it made her feel the longing even stronger. Andrea was anxious, Miranda could hear it in her voice, afraid that she might have overstepped her boundaries by sending her her lawyer. The older woman did her utmost to reassure the brunette that she was touched by her concern and grateful for the help. Throwing caution to the wind Miranda gave in and expressed openly how lonely she felt without the other woman and was relieved when Andrea admitted she felt exactly the same. After talking about the girls and sweet words of love they said their goodbye for the night and Miranda fell asleep, feeling surrounded by Andrea´s love.
TBC
Title: Science of Fashion (28/?)
Author: vicar_dibley
Fandom: The Devil Wears Prada
Pairing: Andy/Miranda AU
Rating: NC 17
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters from The Devil Wears Prada
Author's note: English isn't my first language, this hasn't been beta'd so forgive me. The mistakes (language wise and otherwise) are all mine. This is my first DWP fan fiction. Hope you like it:) Comments are welcome!
Summary: It’s an alternative universe, Andy is about 35 and Miranda is 50. In my story Andy is not cheery.
Science of Fashion
28
Miranda listened intently to Jack´s explanations and when she got the gist of when, how and supposedly why she thanked the competent young man and with a promise to look into it she accompanied her guests to the door.
“For the time being you should leave everything else up to me, Jack”, Miranda insisted again. “You should keep a low profile.”
“But...”, Jack tried to argue, not wanting to have Miranda take it up all alone. He was stopped by a raised hand from the older woman.
“No, contrary to you, I am fairly safe and have the right connections”, the editor assured him. Just like Roy, Jack was family even if he didn´t know or understand. Roy would make him see reason, Miranda was certain.
“But...”, Jack didn´t want to be a coward.
“Come on, I´ll explain it to you”, Roy urged him with a hand on his lover´s shoulder, knowing full well why his boss was doing this. A fact that planted him even firmer in the white haired woman´s corner.
The two men finally left with a last thank you and good bye. Miranda closed the door with a heavy sigh, feeling another headache stirring in the back of her head. She wondered again why things could never be easy. Now that her private life was all she ever wished for, her professional life was a complete mess. The editor couldn´t wait for Andrea and her girls to return, right now she could use a little family time. But first things first, Miranda went back into her study to go over the files again and find a course of action with as little repercussions for Runway as possible.
Roy was rolling his eyes for the hundredth time since they had left the townhouse. His lover was constantly rambling on about the unfairness of the Ice Queen. Did she not know how useful he could be? Did she not trust him to do his job properly? The woman was unbelievable. Roy had enough when Jack called Miranda a stupid bitch. He stopped the car and waited for his lover to calm down. When Jack finally registered that they had stopped he looked questioningly at Roy.
“Are you quite done?” Roy asked with forced patience.
“What? Don´t tell me you agree with her?”
“Listen”, Roy said gently, “I know you are disappointed but believe me the only reason she asked you to keep a low profile was because she is worried.”
“About her precious reputation”, Jack huffed.
“No, you dork, about you”, Roy snapped at his lover´s denseness.
Before Jack could come up with another insult or objection, Roy covered his mouth with his index finger, looking imploringly at the sandy haired man.
“Let me tell you once and for all how the woman ticks, and I am by no means an expert on this subject, but I know for certain that Miranda Priestly regards you as family and therefore she wants you to be safe. She protects what is hers, fiercely and strong. You do not cross her in this and anybody with half a brain would know that. So just count yourself lucky and be there when she needs your help again, she´ll let you know.”
Looking into his lover´s eyes for any kind of a bad joke but finding none, Jack thought about Roy´s words, feeling suddenly oddly flattered and embarrassed he hung his head in shame.
“Sorry, for being an idiot”, the accountant whispered, having gained a better understanding of Roy´s high opinion of their mutual boss.
“But you are my idiot”, Roy smiled, kissing Jack soundly before he drove on.
How was it that every time when she thought everything in her life was well, something came up to let her know otherwise? Miranda gazed at the papers on her desk and wished for Andrea to be at her side right now. There was no sense in pondering what wasn´t but to think about what was. She had to take care of this mess before she lost everything she had worked for so hard. Miranda put the papers back into the envelope and put it in her bottom drawer. Before she could do anything she had to make sure everything turned out in her favour. It wasn´t just about her, there were many people who depended on her and her ability to weather every storm that hit Runway one way or the other. She, Miranda Priestly, was responsible for them to keep their jobs so they could pay their bills. Keeping the magazine running meant keeping peoples hopes up. She hated the thought that some sleezeball was playing with the livelihood of so many. Miranda may be tough to work for, she demanded the best but she knew why it was so important. Having grown up poor, she had made her way through hard work and a lot of ambition. Contrary to what some people thought she did not make her way up the ladder on her back. So yes, she knew what was at stake for each and everyone of them at Runway and Elias-Clarke at a whole.
With a sigh she went to the kitchen to heat her dinner which Maria had prepared for her yesterday. It tasted delicious although Miranda wasn´t really enjoying it without her girls for company and Andrea to talk to about their day. She finished her meal and put the dishes into the dishwasher before she turned off the lights downstairs. Miranda collected the Book from the side-table in the hall before she ascended the stairs to her bedroom where she would work on the Book for the remainder of the evening.
Although, Monday brought a full schedule and lots of things to be taken care of, Miranda started her day in a rather pleasant way with a call from the twins and Andrea. She tried to sound cheerful despite her worries but she knew Andrea wouldn´t buy it for a minute. After she said her goodbye to the girls she told Andrea everything about Roy´s and Jack´s visit. The brunette offered her to return immediately but Miranda declined, not wanting her girls to miss their opportunity to spend as much time as possible with their nonna and Andy.
“Are you sure, my love?” Andrea wasn´t convinced. She could hear the stress and despair over another catastrophe in her lover´s voice.
“Of course, darling”, Miranda reassured her, touched by Andrea´s concern. “You three go on and enjoy the rest of your holidays. There isn´t much I can do anyway. I have to gather more facts and discreetly make contact to the authorities before I can act.”
“All right then”, Andy finally relented, “we´ll call you this evening.”
“I can´t wait to hear your voice again.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too, my darling. Goodbye.”
“Bye.”
When Roy arrived at the townhouse in the morning he didn´t have to wait long for his boss to walk out the door. He knew better than to ask what Miranda had come up with to solve the problem but he couldn´t help but notice the frown and the heavy silence. Roy had known this woman for years and he knew the difference between anger and worry. This was worry. He cursed himself for being the cause but she had to know. Not telling Miranda would have been even worse. If there was anybody who could do something it was her. Miranda´s soft voice stirred him from his musings.
“Oh for goodness sake, stop worrying”, Miranda rolled her eyes.
Feeling like a little boy who had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar, Roy blushed furiously.
“I am sorry”, he mumbled, “we didn´t mean to cause you any more trouble but we thought you should know.”
“You did the right thing”, the editor nodded slightly. “If anything I am the one who is thankful and I am deeply indebted to you now.”
“Miranda, no, there is no need....”, Roy stuttered, but stopped when she held up her hand, effectively silencing him.
“Yes, it is. I won´t forget it. And rest assured that I will do everything in my power to ascertain that Jack will get safely out of this.”
“Thank you.”
“No. Thank you, both of you. In times of need we realise who our true friends are”, Miranda looked intently at her trusted driver, who was so much more than that.
The editor turned his eyes at the window again, having Roy stunned into silence with her acknowledgement of friendship. Ever since her last divorce and the incident with Nigel she had thought a lot about these things. Roy´s clearing of his throat brought her back to the present. She turned her head and looked expectantly at his eyes in the rear-view mirror, waiting with unknown patience for him to tell her what was on his mind.
“In case you don´t know already I thought you should know that I am truly grateful that you have giving me a chance when I needed it the most.”
“Nonsense”, Miranda waved him off, “you have proven your worth and loyalty over and over. So please don´t get sentimental on me.”
“No, ma´am.”
When they arrived at their destination, Roy opened her door and helped her out of the car with a slight bow.
“Stop that”, Miranda said with a twinkle in her eye. “People might start to think I relish on the servitude of my friends.”
Roy was flabbergasted as he watched her walk away. Miranda Priestly had just officially called him her friend, so what did he care what other people thought. So it was true what he had told his lover, the Dragon Lady did regard them as family. Roy did count himself a very lucky man indeed. He couldn´t help but smirk as he watched her entering the building, every inch the dangerous and shrewd woman that commanded people to scatter with a mere gaze.
At Runway the editor stepped out of the elevator finding an expectant Emily, as usual, waiting for her with her pencil and notepad in hand. As she rattled off her instructions with the redhead hot on her heels, Miranda suddenly stopped, asking Emily if she had done as she had asked at the airport. When Emily confirmed, the editor nodded pleased before delivering coat and bag on the second assistants desk on her way into her office.
The next issue wouldn´t publish itself so Miranda had to get to work which would go rather smoothly in her estimation, since she had brought so many fresh ideas from her unexpected holiday in England. She was working on a draft for the layout when a commotion outside her office was interrupting her concentration. The editor looked over the rims of her reading glasses and found Emily in heated discussion with Nigel. Emily had bravely inserted her body between her doors and the furious man. Miranda had to take actions before something untoward was going to happen.
“Emily”, she called out, “let him in. There is no need in protracting the inevitable.”
Her first assistant stepped aside and let the fuming man pass.
“You bloody bitch”, Nigel spat at the editor, “you can´t be serious. After all I have done for you and this damn magazine.”
Miranda wasn´t in the least bit surprised at his reaction. Emily had followed her instructions diligently, no doubt. Had he really thought he would get away with it? Nobody crosses her, he of all people should know that. What he had done to Andrea was unforgivable. In his need for revenge he had nearly destroyed her chance with the younger woman. This was too personal and hurtful and not at all about business. In no way could it be compared to her move in Paris. Paris was all about business, she thought he knew and understood but she had obviously been wrong. It confirmed her suspicion that his interest in the job hadn´t been about business at all. Well, too bad for Nigel. He still had so much to learn.
“Consider yourself no longer part of this damn magazine”, Miranda answered coldly. “You of all people should have known what business is all about but you decided to make it personal.”
“All this”, Nigel waved his letter of dismissal at her, “for that little disfigured invalid.”
The white haired woman´s nostrils flared at the hurtful words spoken by the man she had considered a good friend. “You started it, Nigel. Count yourself lucky that you can still work in the publishing industry.”
“In Hazelhurst, Mississippi!”
“They are in dire need of an editor for their women´s magazine. Or so I have heard”, Miranda stated nonchalantly.
“You are going to regret this, Miranda”, Nigel tried with his last thread of braveness.
Rounding the corner of her desk, the editor came to stand only inches in front of her former art director. She leaned into his personal space and whispered in his ears, “For your sake and our former friendship I will pretend I have not heard this. Let me make one thing clear, I could have squashed you under my Prada heel like the little insignificant bug that you are. Call yourself fortunate that you still have the opportunity to work for a magazine, even if it is in the middle of nowhere. Should you ever again try to cross my way I will bury you so deep nobody will ever know you existed at all. Now get out of my office.”
Swallowing at the calmly but deadly spoken words, Nigel looked into the woman´s deep blue eyes and he knew without a doubt she meant every word she had said. Maybe Hazelhurst wasn´t such a bad idea after all. Nigel turned on his heels and left the office without a glance back.
Miranda sat in her chair again, she called out for Emily to tell Serena to move into her new office and after she was settled to come here to talk about the new issue.
Miranda Priestly was a woman not to be trifled with. She was in control of this magazine, there was no way in hell she would give up without a fight. Nobody crossed her like Nigel had and she would find a way to take care of one Jefferson Carlyle as well. This man had underestimated her and what she was capable off. Let them think what they wanted, it would hit them even harder when she was ready to strike. With a satisfied smile she returned to her work. The editor would ensure that the magazine runs smoothly after the change before she would take actions on both Carlyle and that pain in the ass Ravitz. But first things first. Serena, she was certain, would do a wonderful job. The woman had potential and a good eye, a much needed sense of what was important and wanted. One part of business was back on track, Miranda was very glad to have solved this before this sore wound would make it even harder to concentrate on what was really important. Her life with Andrea and saving Runway from being destroyed by the greed of a man.
It was shortly after lunch when a nervous Emily entered her office with an insecure expression on her face.
“Is there a reason for your intrusion?” Miranda asked annoyed.
“There is a solicitor outside asking to see you immediately”, the redhead explained breathlessly.
Miranda lifted an eyebrow in surprise. Was this another of Stephen´s sorry attempts to get his hands on her money?
“Send her away! He can contact my lawyer if it is something important”, Miranda dismissed Emily.
The assistant turned and nearly stumbled into the lawyer.
“I am sorry Mrs Priestly, I am Jennifer Prescott from Prescott, Sterling & Hammersmith”, a tall woman in a dark business suit, with black hair, piercing blue eyes and the face of a model introduced herself, “forgive me my intrusion but her Grace phoned me this morning. I am sorry I couldn´t make it earlier.”
The editor gasped at the mentioning of her lover. This was the last thing she had expected.
“Emily leave us alone! I don´t want to be disturbed”, Miranda ordered a bit flustered.
“Yes, Miranda.” The redhead closed the door on her way out, wondering what was going on, hoping that everything was alright with her boss and Andy.
“Well, Ms Prescott take a seat”, Miranda gestured at one of her visitor´s chairs in front of her desk. “Tell me why Andrea thought it necessary to send you here.”
“Thank you”, the tall woman took a seat before she explained Andy´s intention. “Her Grace and her family are our most important clients, Mrs Priestly. Ever since her grandfather expanded the business abroad we are their legal representatives.”
“Call me Miranda. But what does this have to do with me?” The editor asked surprised.
Instead of an answer the lawyer handed her a sheet of paper, a facsimile with today´s date on top of the page. Miranda put on her reading glasses and read it carefully. When she was finished she looked expectantly at the calm woman right in front of her.
“Come to my townhouse tomorrow at eight in the evening. Everything you need is there.”
Jennifer Prescott nodded and stood to leave, at the door she stopped to turn causing Miranda to look up from the paper she couldn´t stop looking at.
“Don´t be mad at Andy, please. She means well, she wants you to have every support you need to succeed.”
“Andy is it now”, Miranda´s lips twitched, so this was another of her Andrea´s dear friends and not merely her lawyer.
Jennifer shrugged sheepishly, “What can I say. It´s hard not to be her friend.”
“That it is”, the editor agreed.
“Until tomorrow then”, with that the tall woman left.
The rest of the day went by in a hurry. Serena turned out to be the perfect choice for the vacant job of art director. Another of Miranda´s genially strikes, although she hadn´t expected anything less from the woman. On her way home Miranda pondered how she could express her gratitude to Andrea. She should have known that the younger woman would do anything to make sure she wouldn´t have to fend alone. Still it amazed her how Andrea´s care for her was offered without asking for anything in return. Miranda simply wasn´t used to this constant caring, she never expected it and it was usually the best way to spare herself the disappointment but with Andrea it was different. The younger woman seemed to constantly take care of her in ways she had never dreamed of. The editor had always thought it might make herself look weak but she realised that it wasn´t a question of being weak or strong, this wasn´t a contest. It simply meant Andrea loved her. Period.
That night on the phone with her beloved it made her feel the longing even stronger. Andrea was anxious, Miranda could hear it in her voice, afraid that she might have overstepped her boundaries by sending her her lawyer. The older woman did her utmost to reassure the brunette that she was touched by her concern and grateful for the help. Throwing caution to the wind Miranda gave in and expressed openly how lonely she felt without the other woman and was relieved when Andrea admitted she felt exactly the same. After talking about the girls and sweet words of love they said their goodbye for the night and Miranda fell asleep, feeling surrounded by Andrea´s love.
TBC