Question Series: Chapter Seventh
Question Series:
Seventh Question. New life, New trouble arise - 1.
***
(Andréa’s Penthouse)
With an “Ungh…” Andy lifted up her hands above her head, stretching high even it popped her back a bit, she felt the sore muscles from having a well-proper sleep on a new large four-poster bed inside her Penthouse where she got dragged there and got long speech from her uncle and aunt (in combo) to never stay in her old apartment no matter the place still allowed her to stay there for next three months, unless she wanted got dozen Secret Services hauling her like some kind of criminal and printed on newspapers… she decided it is wise and extremely good for her health to follow their instructions to be a good girl and living in this very penthouse. “Well, it’s a great place, safe and a peaceful place-” Andy just sighed that out when a loud yell from the room next to her penthouse quaked entire place.
“FOR GOD’S SAKE TOBY! IT’S STILL 6 IN MORNING AND YOU TALKED ABOUT DAMN GUN!?”
“…so much for peaceful place…” exhaling forlornly, Andy tuned out all the shouts and yells traded from somewhere out of her bedroom, slipping out of her bed she trudged her way into her bathroom, she need long hot shower for her day clearly started with chaos. “And I still not yet arrived in Runway,” she mumbled sarcastically and closed the door of the bathroom behind her.
***
Donning her new attires though Andy grumbling a bit of how even she got a giant walk-in closet most of the shelves filled with new brand clothes and no single piece of her old yet comfortable clothes, survived. She blamed her aunt and most likely her boss who definitely had burn her poor clothes. Putting on her makeup she heard a knock on her door, “come in Zoey!” she called from inside her closet, still searching pair of shoes that matched her clothes for the day. “Good morning, Chiquita,” chuckled Andy when a pair of slender arms hugging her from behind, “Mmm,” Zoey inhaled deeply, “you smell nice. Is it Kenzo?”
“Yes, the only perfume I could snatch and saved from several hands that itching to throw it into trash-cans,” Andy angled her head a bit to peck the shorter-girl’s hairs shaking her head when she got a glimpse of Zoey’s clothes which actually the President’s Daughter still wearing her pajama, “I cannot believe your dad able to get in touch with U.S. Ministry of Magic and demand them to install a door that connecting White House and my place.”
“You know how dad and mom would do for our protection, Sis,” Zoey continued nuzzling Andy’s back which make the older of the two moving around dragging the baby-koala clinging on her back while searching the good pair of shoes that matched her outfit. “Yes, yes, including buying the other penthouse next to mine, changing it into your residences as you stayed here while attending Georgetown, for them too to use, and turned my own place into a war zone filled with politicians.” Tiptoe a bit Andy reached for the shelf above her head and cradled pair of ankle-lengths boots.
“Channel?” Zoey asked peering over her sister’s shoulder to see the shoes Andy selected for the day. “Yup,” nodding her head, Andy once again dragging the baby-koala on her back to nearest chair inside the closet to put her shoes and picked up her bag. “What issue that triggered this morning war?” Andy asked, supporting herself on the armchair while she slipped her feet into the shoes.
“They are debating about guns and the new law to restrict it.” Zoey continued to cling on her sister like in her childhood day where Andy would give her a piggy-ride-back. “Toby brought up the ‘nauseating’ issue or so dad said to me, when he and mom just barely awake and not yet take a sip of their coffees down in my place.”
“No wonder,” picking up her bag, “your dad’s coffee-addicted could rival Miranda,” Andy shifted the shorter-girl and easily giving a piggy-ride-back out of her closet, muttering “Don’t comment,” toward smirking Gina Toscano who waiting outside of her bedroom, highly entertained of how clingy Zoey to her cousin and how her cousin could balance herself on two-inches-heels boots, climbing down the stairs to the first-floor of her two-floor penthouse, with 110 pounds baby-koala on her back.
“Good morning.” Andy greeted the-already-buzzing with activity, kitchen. Her kitchen.
“Good morning sweetheart,” Abbey swept closed with a sandwich and a glass of milk. “Beef sandwich and drink your milk. No nonsense diet. The world could be filled by zero-size-skeleton models but I will not allow member of my family copy that unhealthy life.”
“A good doctor always gives a good advice,” mumbled Andy, got feed by Abbey as her hands continued supporting the purring Georgetown-girl on her back, “Morning C.J.” the doe-eyes watched recently arrived C.J. came from different ‘adjoining-door’ to the penthouse on left side, who stopped, stared to the sight that greeting her very first in morning, and smirk, “you think Miranda would allow you bringing a baby-koala on your back, Andy?”
“Don’t worry,” swallowing a mouthful of sandwich, “I will dump her somewhere along my way to Runway,” now gulping down her fresh milk, “say, you got any idea where I could dump her?” she asked playfully tightening her grip on the brunette’s legs that latched on her back that squirming around wanting to get free while her mother appeared highly amuse.
“Why not now?” C.J. asked back moving to ‘Andy’s fridge’ to take out an orange juice and pouring a glass for herself, “if I am not wrong there is a big swimming pool that took place from your to Zoey’s balcony…” lifting up the glass to her lips, C.J. smirked into her drink as Andy’s head jerked up while Zoey freeze. Whilst the younger of the two brunettes paling rapidly…the older of the two… got ear-to-ear splitting grin. “Bless you dear,” said Abbey wandering back into the kitchen to get her own breakfast.
HENCE!
Inside different penthouse, seated on a long table is the handsome Sam Seaborn staring out of the large (bulletproof and many other-proofs) glass-windows, the top sheet of a thick-looking-notes on left side of his breakfast-plate was lifted up by his left thumb and index-finger has his right hand that lifting up a mug of coffee hovering few inches away under his chin. Next to him Joshua Lyman basically open-mouthed with his half-eaten sandwich a palm away from his lips. Both men were staring to Andy who running full speed from direction of her penthouse straight to the Olympic-size swimming pool with Zoey clearly (even mutely for them inside the other penthouse) screaming for dear life clinging tighter to Andy’s back, stomping on the edge of the swimming pool both brunettes soared to the air, one in full complete of comfortable pajamas (made by finest cottons) while the other one, in expensive stylish-clothes. Both vaguely caught a laughing C.J. clinging to the doorframe of Andy’s penthouse to support her figure with the First Lady snickering over a mug of coffee and agents around…simply got identical smirks. In midair all of sudden Andy’s form transformed into a cute Chihuahua making Zoey’s eyes bulged and the poor teen clearly yelping as she successfully fall into the swimming pool with loud-splash spraying water everywhere with the cute Chihuahua that freed from her captor smoothly soaring across the swimming pool, transforming back to the form of the doe-eye beauty in name of Andy Sachs, perfectly safe on dry ground.
Working for nearly a year with Miranda Priestly the Goddess of Fashion make Andy learned lots of things to keep her exterior tidy and neat. As soon as she landed perfectly safe across the swimming pool she straightened her jacket, a compact-mirror at left palm immediately flipped open with right hand tucked the only strand of hairs behind her right ear and smoothly producing a bottle of perfume (the Kenzo) she sprayed twice, two items vanished from her hands and Andy checked her outfit, finding her pencil-skirt riding up a bit enough to flash a quite generous amount flesh of her left thigh she straightened that down and flicked her hair over her shoulder just then noticing she got ‘spectators.’ Tossing a teasing looks, Andy mouthed, ‘Bonjour’ to the two male senior-staffs grinning silly at her, “Bonjour,” they replied watching the brunette gliding away leaving Zoey resurfacing from swimming pool with highly annoyed look to Andy’s retreating back.
“I love magic,” Sam breathed out theatrically with Josh nodding his head up and down, “Andy and magic in morning? Definitely make my day,” he agreed. Both trading silly-grins never aware how the ‘argument’ between the President and Toby already ended long ago, whilst Leo palmed face, Toby rolled his eyes heavenward muttering, “Double-pervs,” with an enraged-looking Jed Bartlet giving rounding smacks to the back of the two-victims’ heads while yelling out, “Stop ogling my niece and dare you ogled my daughter you two will wake up in deepest area of Amazon for next ten years before you two could said ‘have mercy!’ Now start working!”
Two remorse “Yes sir,” came from two poor males rubbing their throbbing heads. The President is a kind man but when it comes to his family and niece… needless to say both Sam and Josh quickly finished their breakfasts and scuttled to the magical-door that leading straight to the White House wanting to get as far as they could from certain overprotective-father-and-uncle.
***
Glaring dagger toward a smiling Kate Harper opening a door of an unmark black sedan, “…I got a car now?” Andy asked the Commander whose smile turned into a smirk. “The only issue Mr. President would not interfere would be your job, Andy.”
“Yet,” the brunette hissed through clenching teeth, “oh fine,” knowing she cannot wasting more time without risking got late to her work-place, Andy climbed into the Lincoln Car allowing Kate to close the door. The blonde talked for few moments toward an agent that after obviously got instruction went into the driver-seat and put his seatbelt. “Good morning, Ms. Sachs. I’m Rafael Rivera-Spencer. Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
Andy winched a bit, “Andy is fine.” The handsome Latina agent glanced to the mirror to look at her before smiling, “then please call me Rafael, Andy,” inserting the gear he drove the black Lincoln out of the basement car-park and out to the road.
She maybe in ‘long-vacation’ from her previous job, but Andy’s well-trained eyes immediately caught few odd things from her driver. “Rafael?” she caught his eyes met hers through the mirror. “Yes, Andy?”
“You are an active soldier till recently, are you not?”
“Yes I am,” Rafael confessed with chuckles. “I was in Black-Bird 33rd.” He didn’t surprise to see (through mirror) Andy’s eyes widening in astonishment, of course the brunette aware what that division means, “…you are a wizard…” she whispered.
“Strangely my birthmother is a person who very devout,” without losing his focus to the road, “I got a trouble in my youth, since my childhood I always felt different from other children and after my Dad passed away, let just say I ended inside a jail,” he continued to speak in his quiet tone. “I rejected this oddity for so long I buried it not even my parents know it, but one day, there was this woman my Ma fall in love with, she got her own little daughter, my sister who accidentally saw the side I hid for years after I left the jail and lived together with them. Before I could stop her she ran back into the house, I was so scared and panicking when her mother, Olivia-mama come out, dragged by Emma telling her that I could do magic. Long story to short my new mom was the one who helped me to talk with my Ma, she livid at first, angry because I didn’t trust her. But once she calmed down she told me, magic or not, it is a gift from heaven. That I should be grateful, that she would never look at me differently. And after she had rummaging old journals from her great grandfather, turned out, my power came from our ancestors a mix marriage between a centaur and a witch. That’s why from Ma’s family, most of them still alive and their exteriors belied their real ages.”
“Indeed,” Andy mused in understanding. “Witch or Wizard alone already has a long lifespan and centaur-races could live in same form where they stop aging around forties for several thousand years before their time moving again albeit aging again, it’s slow.”
“Yes,” Rafael nodded his head to acknowledge her statement. “Usually female members of races could share their ‘grants’ or so what Ma said to their children but not to their husbands, although male members could share it with their wives and of course children. My Dad unfortunately cannot receive such gift, but my new Mom and my little sister, could.” Then he added; “Though they cannot transform like Ma or me, but they are more than happy to receive such gifts.”
“So you worked on Black-Bird 33rd.” Andy pointed out.
“Yep, my Mom loves me like she loves Emma, just like Ma to me and my little sister. My Mom wanted me to get a normal life, a life where at least I could free my strength and used it for good. She had purchased lots of books after that fateful day, and learned it is the side-affect for me never using my strength went up to my brain and emotion. The Mayor back in Springfield where they currently living, got a friend who got another friend who have a niece working in U.S. Ministry of Magic and his wife worked in Races Community. Before I know it I already landed on Black-Bird 33rd.”
Andy went silent, assessing the situation calmly she asked, “Why you become my driver then?” the look Rafael gave her through the mirror screaming ‘are you kidding me?’ “You wanted to tell me that I should reject to work and guarding even becomes a driver from the famous Lieutenant Commander Andréa M. B. Sachs from Black-Bird 19th Division? Pentagon would more than happy to cannon me to deepest of Africa in no time!” he exclaimed.
Blushing Andy lowered her head, “I’m not that famous,” she mumbled, a flash of image and she winched slightly, normal person would not catch it but the driver is not a normal person at all. “Well,” clearing his throat a bit, “1st - 10th division located on west, 11th - 20th located on north, and 21st - 30th is on east.” Subtly Rafael changed the topic.
“…31st is on the middle-east right?” glad for the changing of the topic, Andy saw Rafael bopped his head up and down. “Yep, 33rd is on Qatar. It’s been awhile I went to Qatar, I missed my family, my Ma, my new Mom, heck I even missed my little sister’s joining elementary school. I mean, I don’t want I returned home and she already a preteen. Mom terrorizing me whole the time telling my Ma stressed herself thinking about my wellbeing and well, that cunning lady know how to hit sore spot and suddenly said, ‘what would you do if you return home and Emma already got swollen belly?’” Turning around the corner that would lead them straight to Elias-Clarke building after next three traffic-lights, “so I jumped to the first opportunity, at least New York is much closer from Illinois than Qatar,” he smiled sheepishly. “I could go there anytime to beat any guy dare to come close to my lil’ sis and return here to be your driver in same day.”
That particular information sent merry laughter escaped Andy’s lips, “for that I cannot disagree, Rafael.”
***
(Runway)
Since she got drove by Rafael, Andy arrived much earlier than her usual schedule. Thus she took her sweet time to prepare everything her boss need, the magazines, the papers, the water, the coffee included. She learned since her second month in her tenure that Miranda less-caffeine in her system is ten times scarier than her usual… and for all sanities’ sakes, Andy’s health included, she would do everything in her power to prevent that situation ever happen.
Miranda’s arrival as usual overtures by a panic Emily running out of her chair with notepad and pen at hands like a complete chipmunk in a crack, one of Andy’s favorites was when Emily still using a walking cane…she still cannot discover how her British counterpart could walk with that cane while jotting down all Miranda’s words without missing a single syllable. Miranda’s Prada-pump four-inches (must) high-heels would be heard all the way from her spot behind her desk -because entire floor would turn as silent as graveyard- marching from the elevator that become the prelude of the arrival of the Queen Sheba, er, ehem, The Queen of Fashion followed by mass of hordes turning right and left and if they could dig a hole on the floor they would do so to avoid meeting the Lady of All Dragons first in morning that would seal their fates most often than not, got fired.
These sights is always Andy’s favorites that addicting so much it becomes one of the reasons why Andy would never quit from her current job, that or she developed a masochist mind. But Andy chose the first of the two options is the real reason. (Completely in denial.)
By this amusing sight (and terrifying) Andy too learned few things she never tells a soul about it that make her always prepared no matter how worse Miranda’s mood was. She would observe the hordes-in-escape behaviors calmly from her chair behind her desk. If they simply turned around and rushed away (in panic) then by all means, Miranda’s mood is in…well, the usual cranky-mood-level-one. But if they jump to the right, leap to the left, dive under a table, and dove into nearest cubicles that fit enough for a half-dozen of them to hide, then by all means, Miranda’s mood would be on cranky-mood-level-two. (Andy swore that must be the real reason why most women inside Runway got Size Zero.)
However when the clackers, males or females, turned completely ashen, women got sudden asthma-like-symptoms and men suddenly got ‘fainting-fit’ miraculously still dramatic enough to put the back of their palms against their foreheads before fainting that means Miranda’s cranky-mood in level three which alerted Andy…even she would give a big eye roll on this situation. Yet the most alarming situation that tempted Andy so much to announce entire Runway’s is in DEFCON and all people should find nearest bunkers is like today. All people outside the outer-office frozen on their spots, women burst into tears for no reason at all and men got sudden issue with their bladders systems. Yet they never move. They simply froze on their spots. Had Andy not too troubled for what reason Miranda’s mood turn extremely worse since morning, she would notice this oddity… that she already had witness few times in last year.
But right now she have no time for that, no time to observe calmly like any other day, as clearly the Dragon had rise to the majestic height and breathing fire since…well, Andy simply didn’t want to think since when -of the day- the dragon had breathe out fires. “And today is a Monday,” Andy muttered under her breath, opening her drawer she grabbed three small brown pouches and five small cups two made by silver and another two made by gold and the last one made by crystal, she brought the items with her and rushed into Miranda’s office. This time around Andy always frightened by Miranda’s aura, not by her moods or tempers, no. But her aura, the Queen of Fashion’s aura always felt lethal and colder than tundra in this time around. And it’s really scared her; not only that, no living-beings could work in such air.
After traumatizing time she endured Andy could feel her power started trickling back and bit-by-bit she gained her power as a nymph but still no signs of her magical-core that got burned years ago, healed. She still cannot use her power even the one she got by birth, properly and directly. She still needs a medium. Placing all the cups on top of a low table, Andy dropped down to her knees ignoring the pains flaring up from the rough land. “Come on. Come on.” Tossing a frightened look over her shoulder to make sure there is still no sign of her boss, Andy shakily opening each pouch and pouring the contents to her left palm. Pink petals pouring into her left palm while she chanted, “Mother of the Sun that warmed our bloods and be the light of our life,” with trembling hand she filled the golden-cups with the Cherry-Blossom petals and grabbing the cup she rushed to the left corner on her back and right corner of the office next the bookshelf behind Miranda’s desk before rushing to the low-table again this time to pour a snow-white petal of Lily. “Mother of the Moon that guide us in darkest hour of the night,” filling the silver-cups with the lily-petals she hurried to other corners creating a complete ‘X’ formation and poured the content of the last pouch to her left palm, “by name of Apollo Guardian of Sun, Artemis Guardian of Moon, I summoned your love to us, Mother of Earth,” filling the last cup with purple-petals of Lavender, “give us your mercy,” she cupped the crystal-cup with her palms, “bless us with your love, granted us your protection,” moving to the center of the office she slowly placed down the cup on the carpet floor, “Gaia.” As soon as her chants ended the crystal-cup slowly sinking into the floor and vanished from view. Andy went relax for a second before she went as rigid as statue when “care to explain why you prefer kneeling on carpet floor inside my office instead behind your desk as your job required, Andréa?” came from her back.
---
Miranda Priestly’s mood today is beyond cranky, the dragon within her already snarling asking for bloods of a man she once loved who is the culprit of the present fury radiating from all of her from head to toes and crackling air around her. She only see red all the way she went to Runway after dropping off her girls at Dalton, which of course she never allowed her stress to be seen although she knew her daughters simply too smart for their own good. She didn’t care let alone seeing how many people become her victims or they who littered the Runway floor, what she knew her ire that already blazing went into the newest level of extremely furious finding no Andréa behind second-assistant desk.
She got Emily as soon as the elevator-doors slide open and no Andréa.
She got (at least hundreds) clackers she didn’t even remember their names but no Andréa.
She even caught a glimpse of certain Art Director squeaking and curling into a trembling ball somewhere on corner she had passed by and yet, still no Andréa.
And now here she is entering the outer-office hoping to see her Andréa only for her expectation smashed, plummeted, nose-dive to the deepest and darkest abyss as soon as her eyes landed on the empty second-assistant’s desk. Her Andréa is not there when she arrived. Her Andréa is not there to greet her with tentative yet adorable look. Her Andréa who become the light of her life, is not there, to welcome her with her usual heart-warming smile no matter how worse her mood. Unacceptable! Yet even in barely concealed rage, Miranda’s super-inhuman-mind racing in speed rivaling F1 car and in few seconds alone already conjuring up 1001 scenarios (and reasons) from good to the worst of why HER Andréa is not there!
Her keen ears, proven sharper than bat and rival superman, caught a soft murmur of the familiar voice of HER Andréa coming from inside her office. So ignoring really frightened Emily somewhere behind her Miranda quietly make her way closer to her office and saw Andréa kneeling on the carpet floor with her back to the door and seems just finished doing something. It’s confused Miranda but her anger went forward and so she demanded coldly and sharply of why HER Andréa inside her office and not behind her desk. “Care to explain why you prefer kneeling on carpet floor inside my office instead behind your desk as your job required, Andréa?” her chin tilted up and icy blue eyes looking down her nose watching Andy slowly rose to her feet and turned around fully facing her with no trace of what she done inside Miranda’s office. “Good morning, Miranda,” Andy said warmly, with smile and look matching her tone.
Oh those look, voice and smile! It sent warmth spreading in Miranda’s chest and in no time, all over her. Although by exterior the Editor-in-Chief still as cool as ice statue, a beautiful one at that, her eyebrow arched up and Andy got light blush adorned her cheeks. “I am sorry. I dropped my pouches here.” She said showing three brown-pouches. Miranda didn’t say anything, truthfully, she was struggling to slam back the succubus she has back into the damn golden-cage and not jump on her assistant and ravishing her for entire Runway to witness. The brunette genuine regrets and apologize make Miranda give a sharp nod of her head and Andy waltzed passed her side wafting three different flowers scents. Miranda’s eyes fluttered half-closed as she entered her office the scents of Cherry Blossom, Lily and Lavender invaded her nostrils yet welcomed by her stressed mind and once Miranda sat on her chair behind her desk she completely relax. The first minute was spent by Miranda inhaling deeply of three different scents filling her office, to fill her lungs. The deafening roar of the dragon within her slowly went away, further and further away from her ears till the roars died down. Behind closed eyes she could see the dragon stopped went rampage affected by the scents, curling into a ball and let its eyes closing went into deep sleep, a peaceful sleep to be precise.
Miranda’s eyes fluttered open, looking around she found nothing that could be the sources of these scents. ‘Andréa.’ Her mind offered the answer she sought. ‘Yes, it must be her Andréa’s doing. That cheeky-girl must hide something inside her office that leaking the sweet-smells of three different flowers. Her Andréa gone from her desk wasn’t there to welcome her, because she does something that work better to improve her mood. Not false smiles. Not fake pleasantries. But with flowers.’ This discovery made Miranda’s mood sky-rocketing from the deepest (and darkest) abyss high to the heaven and over the moon, fully and absolutely revived. Carefully the Editor-in-Chief swirled her chair around facing the window instead the door, hiding how her cheeks went visibly pink. Her Andréa care deeply for her and her Andréa turned out pretty romantic. Icy blue eyes took a quick peek over her right shoulder to look to Outer-Office, the pink colors on the Editor’s cheeks darkening as she saw her Andréa standing next to her desk and gazing into the office their gazes met and genuine fondness with complete devotion shone brightly inside that dark chocolate orbs. As an utterly adorable smile formed on her Andréa’s lips (overlooking that the young second-assistant actually a bit confuse of why the Editor peering at her like that) it took Miranda entire minute to regain her composure and not squealing like a giddy-school-girl.
…Which is a good thing as not even Andy Sachs would survive if she ever heard a squeal escaped Miranda’s lips…
***
“Why you always special?” Emily asked sharply. She had tried to work with her unhealthy-rivalry to the second-assistant per Serena’s request, but really, she simply cannot hold back anymore. Today is another Monday. A full week after Miranda came with bad mood complete with pursed lips result of her first ex-husband wanting to meet her to talk about her girls’ future. Something that suspiciously came from his new girlfriend, a blonde…with extremely healthy assets of her breasts, or in Miranda’s twin-daughters’ words, “A complete Bimbo!” they have said it with too much vigor, ehem.
Miranda unleashed her wrath everywhere and to everyone in Runway sans Andy Sachs. Au contrary, the Editor still spoke to Andy in her usual scathing-tone but a bit lack of its usual sharper-than-razor or hotter-than-magma, part. She sent Andy to errand three-times a day, the brunette would return with arms full with goodies she got from designers and their boutiques where she would enter Miranda’s office to dump those items but always exiting the office with puzzlement as she would get at least an item she just got from those designers, for her to own and use.
“Ask Miranda then,” Andy deadpanned ignoring Emily’s scandalous look as the doe-eye beauty tried to solve this puzzle.
Last Monday she already got a beautiful scarf from Hermes, a Prada Bag, and a pair of two-thousand-dollars Jimmy Cho’s. Tuesday Andy moved fifty red-roses inside crystal-vase from Miranda’s office by the editor’s order as “I don’t want to see red-roses on Tuesday, move it to your desk, that’s all.” Follow by a skirt from Nina Ricci and a silky blouse of Versace. Wednesday Andy deposited Zac Posen Halter, a pair of shoes from Ferragamo and this chic jacket of Dolce inside the small closet behind her desk. Thursday Andy went home with several bags that came from Antonio Berardi, Donna Karan and Ardienne Landan. And last Friday, she exited the building with three pair of jeans from Diesel, Bill Bass and Domenico Vacca, complete with the jackets.
Rafael who easily become her new and loyal friend, staring unabashedly at her when this morning he drove her to Runway, she expressed her confusion. “She like you.” There, the handsome Latina said bluntly, blatantly and in oh so gallantly way it took Andy entire ten minutes before she could wrap her mind around his words and launched into a full rampage of denial.
“Oh no! She’s here!” Emily’s panic exclamation bring Andy out of her thought, placing aside those questions (for now) as usual Andy sat facing the hallway observing the usual hordes to give the divine-signs what kind of mood her boss she mooned but still in denial, would come with. Andy is ready for all situations under any circumstances. She is prepared to face the worst, well-trained inside ‘nearly’ inhuman-Spartan-training for entire year Andy is confident she could face Miranda and her terrifying swing-mood. But certainly… not this one… not even with new batch of flowers she stashed inside her drawer, not all knowledge she gained from experiences for entire year could prepare her to greet the sight of Miranda entering the outer-office this very morning. What Andy could do is only to suck a deep breath and staring to her boss and breathing out, “…my God…”
Seventh Question. New life, New trouble arise - 1.
***
(Andréa’s Penthouse)
With an “Ungh…” Andy lifted up her hands above her head, stretching high even it popped her back a bit, she felt the sore muscles from having a well-proper sleep on a new large four-poster bed inside her Penthouse where she got dragged there and got long speech from her uncle and aunt (in combo) to never stay in her old apartment no matter the place still allowed her to stay there for next three months, unless she wanted got dozen Secret Services hauling her like some kind of criminal and printed on newspapers… she decided it is wise and extremely good for her health to follow their instructions to be a good girl and living in this very penthouse. “Well, it’s a great place, safe and a peaceful place-” Andy just sighed that out when a loud yell from the room next to her penthouse quaked entire place.
“FOR GOD’S SAKE TOBY! IT’S STILL 6 IN MORNING AND YOU TALKED ABOUT DAMN GUN!?”
“…so much for peaceful place…” exhaling forlornly, Andy tuned out all the shouts and yells traded from somewhere out of her bedroom, slipping out of her bed she trudged her way into her bathroom, she need long hot shower for her day clearly started with chaos. “And I still not yet arrived in Runway,” she mumbled sarcastically and closed the door of the bathroom behind her.
***
Donning her new attires though Andy grumbling a bit of how even she got a giant walk-in closet most of the shelves filled with new brand clothes and no single piece of her old yet comfortable clothes, survived. She blamed her aunt and most likely her boss who definitely had burn her poor clothes. Putting on her makeup she heard a knock on her door, “come in Zoey!” she called from inside her closet, still searching pair of shoes that matched her clothes for the day. “Good morning, Chiquita,” chuckled Andy when a pair of slender arms hugging her from behind, “Mmm,” Zoey inhaled deeply, “you smell nice. Is it Kenzo?”
“Yes, the only perfume I could snatch and saved from several hands that itching to throw it into trash-cans,” Andy angled her head a bit to peck the shorter-girl’s hairs shaking her head when she got a glimpse of Zoey’s clothes which actually the President’s Daughter still wearing her pajama, “I cannot believe your dad able to get in touch with U.S. Ministry of Magic and demand them to install a door that connecting White House and my place.”
“You know how dad and mom would do for our protection, Sis,” Zoey continued nuzzling Andy’s back which make the older of the two moving around dragging the baby-koala clinging on her back while searching the good pair of shoes that matched her outfit. “Yes, yes, including buying the other penthouse next to mine, changing it into your residences as you stayed here while attending Georgetown, for them too to use, and turned my own place into a war zone filled with politicians.” Tiptoe a bit Andy reached for the shelf above her head and cradled pair of ankle-lengths boots.
“Channel?” Zoey asked peering over her sister’s shoulder to see the shoes Andy selected for the day. “Yup,” nodding her head, Andy once again dragging the baby-koala on her back to nearest chair inside the closet to put her shoes and picked up her bag. “What issue that triggered this morning war?” Andy asked, supporting herself on the armchair while she slipped her feet into the shoes.
“They are debating about guns and the new law to restrict it.” Zoey continued to cling on her sister like in her childhood day where Andy would give her a piggy-ride-back. “Toby brought up the ‘nauseating’ issue or so dad said to me, when he and mom just barely awake and not yet take a sip of their coffees down in my place.”
“No wonder,” picking up her bag, “your dad’s coffee-addicted could rival Miranda,” Andy shifted the shorter-girl and easily giving a piggy-ride-back out of her closet, muttering “Don’t comment,” toward smirking Gina Toscano who waiting outside of her bedroom, highly entertained of how clingy Zoey to her cousin and how her cousin could balance herself on two-inches-heels boots, climbing down the stairs to the first-floor of her two-floor penthouse, with 110 pounds baby-koala on her back.
“Good morning.” Andy greeted the-already-buzzing with activity, kitchen. Her kitchen.
“Good morning sweetheart,” Abbey swept closed with a sandwich and a glass of milk. “Beef sandwich and drink your milk. No nonsense diet. The world could be filled by zero-size-skeleton models but I will not allow member of my family copy that unhealthy life.”
“A good doctor always gives a good advice,” mumbled Andy, got feed by Abbey as her hands continued supporting the purring Georgetown-girl on her back, “Morning C.J.” the doe-eyes watched recently arrived C.J. came from different ‘adjoining-door’ to the penthouse on left side, who stopped, stared to the sight that greeting her very first in morning, and smirk, “you think Miranda would allow you bringing a baby-koala on your back, Andy?”
“Don’t worry,” swallowing a mouthful of sandwich, “I will dump her somewhere along my way to Runway,” now gulping down her fresh milk, “say, you got any idea where I could dump her?” she asked playfully tightening her grip on the brunette’s legs that latched on her back that squirming around wanting to get free while her mother appeared highly amuse.
“Why not now?” C.J. asked back moving to ‘Andy’s fridge’ to take out an orange juice and pouring a glass for herself, “if I am not wrong there is a big swimming pool that took place from your to Zoey’s balcony…” lifting up the glass to her lips, C.J. smirked into her drink as Andy’s head jerked up while Zoey freeze. Whilst the younger of the two brunettes paling rapidly…the older of the two… got ear-to-ear splitting grin. “Bless you dear,” said Abbey wandering back into the kitchen to get her own breakfast.
HENCE!
Inside different penthouse, seated on a long table is the handsome Sam Seaborn staring out of the large (bulletproof and many other-proofs) glass-windows, the top sheet of a thick-looking-notes on left side of his breakfast-plate was lifted up by his left thumb and index-finger has his right hand that lifting up a mug of coffee hovering few inches away under his chin. Next to him Joshua Lyman basically open-mouthed with his half-eaten sandwich a palm away from his lips. Both men were staring to Andy who running full speed from direction of her penthouse straight to the Olympic-size swimming pool with Zoey clearly (even mutely for them inside the other penthouse) screaming for dear life clinging tighter to Andy’s back, stomping on the edge of the swimming pool both brunettes soared to the air, one in full complete of comfortable pajamas (made by finest cottons) while the other one, in expensive stylish-clothes. Both vaguely caught a laughing C.J. clinging to the doorframe of Andy’s penthouse to support her figure with the First Lady snickering over a mug of coffee and agents around…simply got identical smirks. In midair all of sudden Andy’s form transformed into a cute Chihuahua making Zoey’s eyes bulged and the poor teen clearly yelping as she successfully fall into the swimming pool with loud-splash spraying water everywhere with the cute Chihuahua that freed from her captor smoothly soaring across the swimming pool, transforming back to the form of the doe-eye beauty in name of Andy Sachs, perfectly safe on dry ground.
Working for nearly a year with Miranda Priestly the Goddess of Fashion make Andy learned lots of things to keep her exterior tidy and neat. As soon as she landed perfectly safe across the swimming pool she straightened her jacket, a compact-mirror at left palm immediately flipped open with right hand tucked the only strand of hairs behind her right ear and smoothly producing a bottle of perfume (the Kenzo) she sprayed twice, two items vanished from her hands and Andy checked her outfit, finding her pencil-skirt riding up a bit enough to flash a quite generous amount flesh of her left thigh she straightened that down and flicked her hair over her shoulder just then noticing she got ‘spectators.’ Tossing a teasing looks, Andy mouthed, ‘Bonjour’ to the two male senior-staffs grinning silly at her, “Bonjour,” they replied watching the brunette gliding away leaving Zoey resurfacing from swimming pool with highly annoyed look to Andy’s retreating back.
“I love magic,” Sam breathed out theatrically with Josh nodding his head up and down, “Andy and magic in morning? Definitely make my day,” he agreed. Both trading silly-grins never aware how the ‘argument’ between the President and Toby already ended long ago, whilst Leo palmed face, Toby rolled his eyes heavenward muttering, “Double-pervs,” with an enraged-looking Jed Bartlet giving rounding smacks to the back of the two-victims’ heads while yelling out, “Stop ogling my niece and dare you ogled my daughter you two will wake up in deepest area of Amazon for next ten years before you two could said ‘have mercy!’ Now start working!”
Two remorse “Yes sir,” came from two poor males rubbing their throbbing heads. The President is a kind man but when it comes to his family and niece… needless to say both Sam and Josh quickly finished their breakfasts and scuttled to the magical-door that leading straight to the White House wanting to get as far as they could from certain overprotective-father-and-uncle.
***
Glaring dagger toward a smiling Kate Harper opening a door of an unmark black sedan, “…I got a car now?” Andy asked the Commander whose smile turned into a smirk. “The only issue Mr. President would not interfere would be your job, Andy.”
“Yet,” the brunette hissed through clenching teeth, “oh fine,” knowing she cannot wasting more time without risking got late to her work-place, Andy climbed into the Lincoln Car allowing Kate to close the door. The blonde talked for few moments toward an agent that after obviously got instruction went into the driver-seat and put his seatbelt. “Good morning, Ms. Sachs. I’m Rafael Rivera-Spencer. Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
Andy winched a bit, “Andy is fine.” The handsome Latina agent glanced to the mirror to look at her before smiling, “then please call me Rafael, Andy,” inserting the gear he drove the black Lincoln out of the basement car-park and out to the road.
She maybe in ‘long-vacation’ from her previous job, but Andy’s well-trained eyes immediately caught few odd things from her driver. “Rafael?” she caught his eyes met hers through the mirror. “Yes, Andy?”
“You are an active soldier till recently, are you not?”
“Yes I am,” Rafael confessed with chuckles. “I was in Black-Bird 33rd.” He didn’t surprise to see (through mirror) Andy’s eyes widening in astonishment, of course the brunette aware what that division means, “…you are a wizard…” she whispered.
“Strangely my birthmother is a person who very devout,” without losing his focus to the road, “I got a trouble in my youth, since my childhood I always felt different from other children and after my Dad passed away, let just say I ended inside a jail,” he continued to speak in his quiet tone. “I rejected this oddity for so long I buried it not even my parents know it, but one day, there was this woman my Ma fall in love with, she got her own little daughter, my sister who accidentally saw the side I hid for years after I left the jail and lived together with them. Before I could stop her she ran back into the house, I was so scared and panicking when her mother, Olivia-mama come out, dragged by Emma telling her that I could do magic. Long story to short my new mom was the one who helped me to talk with my Ma, she livid at first, angry because I didn’t trust her. But once she calmed down she told me, magic or not, it is a gift from heaven. That I should be grateful, that she would never look at me differently. And after she had rummaging old journals from her great grandfather, turned out, my power came from our ancestors a mix marriage between a centaur and a witch. That’s why from Ma’s family, most of them still alive and their exteriors belied their real ages.”
“Indeed,” Andy mused in understanding. “Witch or Wizard alone already has a long lifespan and centaur-races could live in same form where they stop aging around forties for several thousand years before their time moving again albeit aging again, it’s slow.”
“Yes,” Rafael nodded his head to acknowledge her statement. “Usually female members of races could share their ‘grants’ or so what Ma said to their children but not to their husbands, although male members could share it with their wives and of course children. My Dad unfortunately cannot receive such gift, but my new Mom and my little sister, could.” Then he added; “Though they cannot transform like Ma or me, but they are more than happy to receive such gifts.”
“So you worked on Black-Bird 33rd.” Andy pointed out.
“Yep, my Mom loves me like she loves Emma, just like Ma to me and my little sister. My Mom wanted me to get a normal life, a life where at least I could free my strength and used it for good. She had purchased lots of books after that fateful day, and learned it is the side-affect for me never using my strength went up to my brain and emotion. The Mayor back in Springfield where they currently living, got a friend who got another friend who have a niece working in U.S. Ministry of Magic and his wife worked in Races Community. Before I know it I already landed on Black-Bird 33rd.”
Andy went silent, assessing the situation calmly she asked, “Why you become my driver then?” the look Rafael gave her through the mirror screaming ‘are you kidding me?’ “You wanted to tell me that I should reject to work and guarding even becomes a driver from the famous Lieutenant Commander Andréa M. B. Sachs from Black-Bird 19th Division? Pentagon would more than happy to cannon me to deepest of Africa in no time!” he exclaimed.
Blushing Andy lowered her head, “I’m not that famous,” she mumbled, a flash of image and she winched slightly, normal person would not catch it but the driver is not a normal person at all. “Well,” clearing his throat a bit, “1st - 10th division located on west, 11th - 20th located on north, and 21st - 30th is on east.” Subtly Rafael changed the topic.
“…31st is on the middle-east right?” glad for the changing of the topic, Andy saw Rafael bopped his head up and down. “Yep, 33rd is on Qatar. It’s been awhile I went to Qatar, I missed my family, my Ma, my new Mom, heck I even missed my little sister’s joining elementary school. I mean, I don’t want I returned home and she already a preteen. Mom terrorizing me whole the time telling my Ma stressed herself thinking about my wellbeing and well, that cunning lady know how to hit sore spot and suddenly said, ‘what would you do if you return home and Emma already got swollen belly?’” Turning around the corner that would lead them straight to Elias-Clarke building after next three traffic-lights, “so I jumped to the first opportunity, at least New York is much closer from Illinois than Qatar,” he smiled sheepishly. “I could go there anytime to beat any guy dare to come close to my lil’ sis and return here to be your driver in same day.”
That particular information sent merry laughter escaped Andy’s lips, “for that I cannot disagree, Rafael.”
***
(Runway)
Since she got drove by Rafael, Andy arrived much earlier than her usual schedule. Thus she took her sweet time to prepare everything her boss need, the magazines, the papers, the water, the coffee included. She learned since her second month in her tenure that Miranda less-caffeine in her system is ten times scarier than her usual… and for all sanities’ sakes, Andy’s health included, she would do everything in her power to prevent that situation ever happen.
Miranda’s arrival as usual overtures by a panic Emily running out of her chair with notepad and pen at hands like a complete chipmunk in a crack, one of Andy’s favorites was when Emily still using a walking cane…she still cannot discover how her British counterpart could walk with that cane while jotting down all Miranda’s words without missing a single syllable. Miranda’s Prada-pump four-inches (must) high-heels would be heard all the way from her spot behind her desk -because entire floor would turn as silent as graveyard- marching from the elevator that become the prelude of the arrival of the Queen Sheba, er, ehem, The Queen of Fashion followed by mass of hordes turning right and left and if they could dig a hole on the floor they would do so to avoid meeting the Lady of All Dragons first in morning that would seal their fates most often than not, got fired.
These sights is always Andy’s favorites that addicting so much it becomes one of the reasons why Andy would never quit from her current job, that or she developed a masochist mind. But Andy chose the first of the two options is the real reason. (Completely in denial.)
By this amusing sight (and terrifying) Andy too learned few things she never tells a soul about it that make her always prepared no matter how worse Miranda’s mood was. She would observe the hordes-in-escape behaviors calmly from her chair behind her desk. If they simply turned around and rushed away (in panic) then by all means, Miranda’s mood is in…well, the usual cranky-mood-level-one. But if they jump to the right, leap to the left, dive under a table, and dove into nearest cubicles that fit enough for a half-dozen of them to hide, then by all means, Miranda’s mood would be on cranky-mood-level-two. (Andy swore that must be the real reason why most women inside Runway got Size Zero.)
However when the clackers, males or females, turned completely ashen, women got sudden asthma-like-symptoms and men suddenly got ‘fainting-fit’ miraculously still dramatic enough to put the back of their palms against their foreheads before fainting that means Miranda’s cranky-mood in level three which alerted Andy…even she would give a big eye roll on this situation. Yet the most alarming situation that tempted Andy so much to announce entire Runway’s is in DEFCON and all people should find nearest bunkers is like today. All people outside the outer-office frozen on their spots, women burst into tears for no reason at all and men got sudden issue with their bladders systems. Yet they never move. They simply froze on their spots. Had Andy not too troubled for what reason Miranda’s mood turn extremely worse since morning, she would notice this oddity… that she already had witness few times in last year.
But right now she have no time for that, no time to observe calmly like any other day, as clearly the Dragon had rise to the majestic height and breathing fire since…well, Andy simply didn’t want to think since when -of the day- the dragon had breathe out fires. “And today is a Monday,” Andy muttered under her breath, opening her drawer she grabbed three small brown pouches and five small cups two made by silver and another two made by gold and the last one made by crystal, she brought the items with her and rushed into Miranda’s office. This time around Andy always frightened by Miranda’s aura, not by her moods or tempers, no. But her aura, the Queen of Fashion’s aura always felt lethal and colder than tundra in this time around. And it’s really scared her; not only that, no living-beings could work in such air.
After traumatizing time she endured Andy could feel her power started trickling back and bit-by-bit she gained her power as a nymph but still no signs of her magical-core that got burned years ago, healed. She still cannot use her power even the one she got by birth, properly and directly. She still needs a medium. Placing all the cups on top of a low table, Andy dropped down to her knees ignoring the pains flaring up from the rough land. “Come on. Come on.” Tossing a frightened look over her shoulder to make sure there is still no sign of her boss, Andy shakily opening each pouch and pouring the contents to her left palm. Pink petals pouring into her left palm while she chanted, “Mother of the Sun that warmed our bloods and be the light of our life,” with trembling hand she filled the golden-cups with the Cherry-Blossom petals and grabbing the cup she rushed to the left corner on her back and right corner of the office next the bookshelf behind Miranda’s desk before rushing to the low-table again this time to pour a snow-white petal of Lily. “Mother of the Moon that guide us in darkest hour of the night,” filling the silver-cups with the lily-petals she hurried to other corners creating a complete ‘X’ formation and poured the content of the last pouch to her left palm, “by name of Apollo Guardian of Sun, Artemis Guardian of Moon, I summoned your love to us, Mother of Earth,” filling the last cup with purple-petals of Lavender, “give us your mercy,” she cupped the crystal-cup with her palms, “bless us with your love, granted us your protection,” moving to the center of the office she slowly placed down the cup on the carpet floor, “Gaia.” As soon as her chants ended the crystal-cup slowly sinking into the floor and vanished from view. Andy went relax for a second before she went as rigid as statue when “care to explain why you prefer kneeling on carpet floor inside my office instead behind your desk as your job required, Andréa?” came from her back.
---
Miranda Priestly’s mood today is beyond cranky, the dragon within her already snarling asking for bloods of a man she once loved who is the culprit of the present fury radiating from all of her from head to toes and crackling air around her. She only see red all the way she went to Runway after dropping off her girls at Dalton, which of course she never allowed her stress to be seen although she knew her daughters simply too smart for their own good. She didn’t care let alone seeing how many people become her victims or they who littered the Runway floor, what she knew her ire that already blazing went into the newest level of extremely furious finding no Andréa behind second-assistant desk.
She got Emily as soon as the elevator-doors slide open and no Andréa.
She got (at least hundreds) clackers she didn’t even remember their names but no Andréa.
She even caught a glimpse of certain Art Director squeaking and curling into a trembling ball somewhere on corner she had passed by and yet, still no Andréa.
And now here she is entering the outer-office hoping to see her Andréa only for her expectation smashed, plummeted, nose-dive to the deepest and darkest abyss as soon as her eyes landed on the empty second-assistant’s desk. Her Andréa is not there when she arrived. Her Andréa is not there to greet her with tentative yet adorable look. Her Andréa who become the light of her life, is not there, to welcome her with her usual heart-warming smile no matter how worse her mood. Unacceptable! Yet even in barely concealed rage, Miranda’s super-inhuman-mind racing in speed rivaling F1 car and in few seconds alone already conjuring up 1001 scenarios (and reasons) from good to the worst of why HER Andréa is not there!
Her keen ears, proven sharper than bat and rival superman, caught a soft murmur of the familiar voice of HER Andréa coming from inside her office. So ignoring really frightened Emily somewhere behind her Miranda quietly make her way closer to her office and saw Andréa kneeling on the carpet floor with her back to the door and seems just finished doing something. It’s confused Miranda but her anger went forward and so she demanded coldly and sharply of why HER Andréa inside her office and not behind her desk. “Care to explain why you prefer kneeling on carpet floor inside my office instead behind your desk as your job required, Andréa?” her chin tilted up and icy blue eyes looking down her nose watching Andy slowly rose to her feet and turned around fully facing her with no trace of what she done inside Miranda’s office. “Good morning, Miranda,” Andy said warmly, with smile and look matching her tone.
Oh those look, voice and smile! It sent warmth spreading in Miranda’s chest and in no time, all over her. Although by exterior the Editor-in-Chief still as cool as ice statue, a beautiful one at that, her eyebrow arched up and Andy got light blush adorned her cheeks. “I am sorry. I dropped my pouches here.” She said showing three brown-pouches. Miranda didn’t say anything, truthfully, she was struggling to slam back the succubus she has back into the damn golden-cage and not jump on her assistant and ravishing her for entire Runway to witness. The brunette genuine regrets and apologize make Miranda give a sharp nod of her head and Andy waltzed passed her side wafting three different flowers scents. Miranda’s eyes fluttered half-closed as she entered her office the scents of Cherry Blossom, Lily and Lavender invaded her nostrils yet welcomed by her stressed mind and once Miranda sat on her chair behind her desk she completely relax. The first minute was spent by Miranda inhaling deeply of three different scents filling her office, to fill her lungs. The deafening roar of the dragon within her slowly went away, further and further away from her ears till the roars died down. Behind closed eyes she could see the dragon stopped went rampage affected by the scents, curling into a ball and let its eyes closing went into deep sleep, a peaceful sleep to be precise.
Miranda’s eyes fluttered open, looking around she found nothing that could be the sources of these scents. ‘Andréa.’ Her mind offered the answer she sought. ‘Yes, it must be her Andréa’s doing. That cheeky-girl must hide something inside her office that leaking the sweet-smells of three different flowers. Her Andréa gone from her desk wasn’t there to welcome her, because she does something that work better to improve her mood. Not false smiles. Not fake pleasantries. But with flowers.’ This discovery made Miranda’s mood sky-rocketing from the deepest (and darkest) abyss high to the heaven and over the moon, fully and absolutely revived. Carefully the Editor-in-Chief swirled her chair around facing the window instead the door, hiding how her cheeks went visibly pink. Her Andréa care deeply for her and her Andréa turned out pretty romantic. Icy blue eyes took a quick peek over her right shoulder to look to Outer-Office, the pink colors on the Editor’s cheeks darkening as she saw her Andréa standing next to her desk and gazing into the office their gazes met and genuine fondness with complete devotion shone brightly inside that dark chocolate orbs. As an utterly adorable smile formed on her Andréa’s lips (overlooking that the young second-assistant actually a bit confuse of why the Editor peering at her like that) it took Miranda entire minute to regain her composure and not squealing like a giddy-school-girl.
…Which is a good thing as not even Andy Sachs would survive if she ever heard a squeal escaped Miranda’s lips…
***
“Why you always special?” Emily asked sharply. She had tried to work with her unhealthy-rivalry to the second-assistant per Serena’s request, but really, she simply cannot hold back anymore. Today is another Monday. A full week after Miranda came with bad mood complete with pursed lips result of her first ex-husband wanting to meet her to talk about her girls’ future. Something that suspiciously came from his new girlfriend, a blonde…with extremely healthy assets of her breasts, or in Miranda’s twin-daughters’ words, “A complete Bimbo!” they have said it with too much vigor, ehem.
Miranda unleashed her wrath everywhere and to everyone in Runway sans Andy Sachs. Au contrary, the Editor still spoke to Andy in her usual scathing-tone but a bit lack of its usual sharper-than-razor or hotter-than-magma, part. She sent Andy to errand three-times a day, the brunette would return with arms full with goodies she got from designers and their boutiques where she would enter Miranda’s office to dump those items but always exiting the office with puzzlement as she would get at least an item she just got from those designers, for her to own and use.
“Ask Miranda then,” Andy deadpanned ignoring Emily’s scandalous look as the doe-eye beauty tried to solve this puzzle.
Last Monday she already got a beautiful scarf from Hermes, a Prada Bag, and a pair of two-thousand-dollars Jimmy Cho’s. Tuesday Andy moved fifty red-roses inside crystal-vase from Miranda’s office by the editor’s order as “I don’t want to see red-roses on Tuesday, move it to your desk, that’s all.” Follow by a skirt from Nina Ricci and a silky blouse of Versace. Wednesday Andy deposited Zac Posen Halter, a pair of shoes from Ferragamo and this chic jacket of Dolce inside the small closet behind her desk. Thursday Andy went home with several bags that came from Antonio Berardi, Donna Karan and Ardienne Landan. And last Friday, she exited the building with three pair of jeans from Diesel, Bill Bass and Domenico Vacca, complete with the jackets.
Rafael who easily become her new and loyal friend, staring unabashedly at her when this morning he drove her to Runway, she expressed her confusion. “She like you.” There, the handsome Latina said bluntly, blatantly and in oh so gallantly way it took Andy entire ten minutes before she could wrap her mind around his words and launched into a full rampage of denial.
“Oh no! She’s here!” Emily’s panic exclamation bring Andy out of her thought, placing aside those questions (for now) as usual Andy sat facing the hallway observing the usual hordes to give the divine-signs what kind of mood her boss she mooned but still in denial, would come with. Andy is ready for all situations under any circumstances. She is prepared to face the worst, well-trained inside ‘nearly’ inhuman-Spartan-training for entire year Andy is confident she could face Miranda and her terrifying swing-mood. But certainly… not this one… not even with new batch of flowers she stashed inside her drawer, not all knowledge she gained from experiences for entire year could prepare her to greet the sight of Miranda entering the outer-office this very morning. What Andy could do is only to suck a deep breath and staring to her boss and breathing out, “…my God…”