Dream Meddler - Chapter I
Author: Brook
Title: Dream Meddler
Rating: T for now, but might be M in later chapters.
Pairing: Miranda Priestly / Andrea Sachs
Length/Word Count: 3313 words
Summary: Andrea Sachs came to New-York with a head full of dreams, however no one wants her so in a last act of desperation she goes to a fashion magazine: Runway. And she makes some interesting encounters, and become a pawn to the Queen's desire.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters nor the book. And I don't make money from it.
A/N: Hi ! I wanted to thank all of those who supported me and for your patience... This chapter is here to, erm, install the plot a little bit more. The 'action' will start soon.
[Chapter I]She was flying in an endless blue sky, the air swept her up and she rose with her brown wings. Soaring up the clouds, she spied the rising sun before being suck into a cloudy kingdom. She gleefully dove into it, feeling the humidity on her body. She was almost blinded by the brightness of the sun filtering through the cloud thickness. Suddenly, something passed by her, and she laughed when she saw a yellow bird fluttering its wings, trying to keep up with her. Her laughter and its tweets seemed to echo in their cloud nest. She dived and hoped with him, playing for what seemed hours to her, but really was just a few seconds.
She came to a stop when the brightness deemed and the clouds were whipped away by the force of the wind and she came face to face or more like nose to snout of a white dragon.
It roared and took chase when Andy tried to flee, her heart trying to beat out of her chest. She pulled her wings flush against her back, diving under the menacing dragon, missing him by an inch. It then turned flapping its powerful wings accordingly to make a U turn. Unfortunately, the power of the wind generated deviated her from her trajectory, making her flail around helplessly.
Her shriek of horror resonated in the air when she saw the dragon come upon her, its talons closing around her hips, it’s torso stopping her wings from beating.
‘Andréa...’ It rumbled, it’s purr making her shiver. ‘Wake up...’
Wednesday, 10 am.
Andy jerked awake, the incessant ringing of her phone giving her a headache.
‘Yesh?..’ She answered sleepily. Yesterday, she ran all around New-York trying vainly to find a job, even after her brush off at Runway. Alas, no one wanted a girl from Ohio fresh out of her studies. At twenty-six years old, she had had enough of the slow life in the country side so she left to the city that never sleep, new life, new pace.
And discover she did! No time for anything but work...Well in my case, more like searching for work, she thought sarcastically. She came with her head full of dreams, dreams of family, friendship or even wealth. Unsurprisingly, all of them were dashed the first week she came here and her naivety… Now that was an interesting case, it seemed like it stayed in her childhood home in Ohio. If it was not for her stubborn personality, she would have slept in the street these first nights, all because the last tenant decided to die? A case was opened, but it was easily solved..Overdose. Talking about that, she found a stash of herb under the sink, it was still there, one never knows…
‘Hello Andréa.’ Said a dulcet voice, making Andy shiver and she lost her phone in her sheets.
‘Shit’ She exhaled while moving around searching for her fleeting phone. ‘Don’t hang up ! Please..’ She said loudly, not to lose whoever was at the other side of the line. ‘Fuuuck...’
After ten seconds of shifting sheets she finally gripped her mobile.
‘Hello, are you still there? I’m terribly sorry for the inconvenience-’ She stammered flushed.
‘Shhh, do not fret, Andréa. Everything is going to be all right.’ The silence stretched for a while.
‘Hum...I’m sorry but do I know you? You seem to know me but I can’t for the life of me remember who you you are - I mean no offense.’ The sensual laugh that flowed through the line made her blush.
‘My bad, you can’t remember me? Now I am quite vexed, Darling.’ The woman voice sounded full of mirth. ‘If you want to know, come and meet me at Central Park in one hour, my chauffeur will be there for you. Don’t be late and...Please Darling, don’t disappoint me.’ Then she hung up, Andy stayed here, frozen, the dialing tone echoing her though.
What had just happened?
‘Uuugh !! What the hell?! Who’s that woman?’ She yelled in her pillow frustrated. What should she do? Go or not? What if this woman was a..a madwoman? But she couldn’t let the feeling that she knew her go…
Well, man up, you only have half an hour left. With that thought in mind, she got out of bed and stumbled to the bathroom, hitting her toe on the process. Colorful curses could be heard for miles. Why, oh, why hasn’t she moved this table yet? She lived in a little apartment in Manhattan, it was the only one she could afford with her non-existent salary. It wasn't over stuffed, she didn’t have the time nor the money to buy new furniture only taking second handed one’s. Things that didn’t always fit together.
In ten minutes flat, she was washed up for the day, still reeling over her poor mistreated toe. Looking out she could see that the weather wasn’t particularly nice today so she decided on red skinny jeans with black Doc Martens with red laces and finally a white shirt with a black trench coat on. There was still time left but she decided to simply stop at a Starbuck to take her breakfast quickly. Just thinking about a caramel macchiato made her drool.
Once ready to go out, she open her double lock, and got out.
‘Hello Miss Andy’ Said a cheerful voice.
‘Hi M.Anderson, how are you doing today?’ she answered, smiling up at him.
‘Fine, fine, say, Anita wanted to know if would like to dine with us tonight? ‘
‘Ah can’t do, sorry. Can I come back at you if it is possible?’
‘Of course, have a nice day.’
‘You too’ She replied, entering the lift.
She met Thomas and his wife Anita when she was moving in, they kindly offered her diner late at night and they bonded over the fact that they came to N-Y to live the American Dream. They came from France and Thomas was the co-tenant of a bakery down the street and Anita was a French teacher in secondary school.
While the lift ascended, she looked at herself in the mirror, her brown chestnut hair were wildly coiffed, the humidity didn’t help at all in the matter. Her bangs were now too long, a trip to the hairdresser seemed like a good idea.
She huffed, the fact that she couldn’t find a job was weighing her down, but she wouldn’t go back to her parents wit her tail between her legs. NO she would find something even if it was not the job of her dreams and stay here. The opening of the elevator doors took her out of her thought, she passed through and headed out.
She shivered as the January morning breeze passed through her coat, she snuggled inside her scarf, which she had the bright idea to take before going out. The woolen scarf did a good job, preventing her cheek and nose from freezing. Seeing her reflection in the glass of a door she giggled happily with the thought that she looked like a Brownie those little fae that lived in the Ireland territory. She started walking on the sidewalk, when a black Mercedes slowed down near her, she ignored it at first, but the vehicle followed her as her path took her to the nearest Starbuck and she headed in. She got in line hoping that whoever followed her wouldn’t try anything in a crowded area… She looked briefly behind her, spying a pair of legs adorned with deep red heels, reddening a little she turned back around when the barista cleared his throat impatiently trying to catch her attention.
‘Oh I’m sorry, can I have a caramel macchiato please?’ She asked smiling bashfully.
‘Add a hot tall late with no foam to it.’ whispered the same voice as this morning phone call. Andy jerked to the left away from the woman. ‘Hello again Andréa.’ She added simply looking as if nothing in the world was wrong.
‘Wh-Wha...’
‘Here you go ladies.’ The barista came back, with their beverages.
‘Aren’t you paying, Andréa?’ the woman piped in.
‘But...I-Alright..’ She huffed and payed. What a rude woman. ‘Bye, have a nice day ! ‘ She smiled briefly.
‘Come along Andréa, don’t dwaddle.’ She ordered over her shoulder, letting Andy get the coffee. Shocked, she looked at this infuriating and rude woman then at the hot beverages. For a few millisecond she was tempted to forget the latte but then she remembered that she payed for it.
My life has become so confusing since yesterday… She thought bitterly.
She took the coffee almost dropping the burning late in the process.
‘Fuck, that hurt ! ‘ She mumbled using her sleeve to avoid being burned. She lifted her head, just in time to see the Starbuck’s door closing behind the woman.
Now that’s rude...I should just throw her coffee away but she has a great body and..Wait what? Stop thinking right now.
Miffed, and in a last act of defiance toward this woman, she headed toward the furthest table from her and seated herself, starting to take little sip of her own coffee. This lady was completely out of her mind if she thought that she would willingly follow her everywhere like a lost puppy. Though she will admit, she was curious but not to the point of doing something so reckless. Sure, this lady was intriguing, she held herself like a queen, capturing the attention of all the passersby..And she could have been her boss, Andy hadn’t forgotten what took place a few days ago, how she had looked at her as if she wasn’t worth the sole of her foot, like trash. It didn’t help either that she hadn’t even bothered to let her talk. So no, this lady will fair for herself today, no matter how rude Andy was being, serve her right. To mark her world she stuck her tongue out toward the direction of this rude lady.
Just like this morning, the ringing of her phone surprised her to the point of choking on her coffee, she looked at the display, still trying to find her breath and almost choked again when she saw that it was the same number as this morning.
‘Yes?’ She spluttered.
‘Are you done? I will admit that it is quite entertaining seeing you acting like a child, however the time is fleeting and my time is limited. The world won’t stop for you dear, and I can feel that my coffee will soon be arctic cold...’ In the middle of her rent, her voice became more placating, trying to win her over. Andy wouldn’t admit it but it almost worked.
‘Wait a damn minute here, no offense but who are you? And what do you want with me? I get that you are important and all but alas the world doesn’t revolve around you either. So listen Lady I won’t let you walk all over me just because you seem like an interesting person and-’ She was met with the dialing tone. ‘Damn it !’ Infuriated she almost threw her phone against the wall. Her head hit the table in her frustration, staying there she tried to forget about it all.
‘I don’t like to repeat myself again and again Andréa, but I will do it, just for you. Are you done? Will you come along now darling? Or are you trying to break this poor table?’ She had felt her presence, and how could she not, but she would not grace her majesty with her attention. She merely grunted in response. She heard a sigh, and felt heat on her right side. ‘Are you always so difficult?’
‘Yes, particularly in front of royalty.’ She mumbled, her head now on her arms. ‘Must you be so rude to me? I know that I am not made of the same wood as you, but I haven’t done anything to compromise you, the last five minutes aside. I’ve seen how you treat your employees, and I won't say anything about the matter either, however if you want anything from me don’t consider me as such, I won’t allow it. Plus I don’t even know who you are !’ Andy said, looking confused and determined at the same time.
‘Well, it is true that I have been preoccupied.’The lady replied, before making a weird face as if shocked. ‘You-You don’t know who am I?’
‘No, should I?’ Andy let the poor hidden apology pass.
‘Well...’ Her gaze swept over her. ‘I can understand that.’
‘Wait, what does that mean?’ Andy asked completely lost.
‘Nothing darling, nothing. Well, I was raised properly, and I regret that I haven’t introduced myself, my name is Miranda Priestly.’ She said her nose in the air, her eyes narrowing when Andy let out a guffaw. ‘I don’t care for being mocked.’
‘I-I’m sorry but you looked so cute doing this...’ She trailed off seeing the glare Miranda was sending her way. ‘I’m sorry..?’ She said sheepishly.
‘Cute? I’ve been called Dragon Lady and even Ice Queen but cute? Silly girl...’ Miranda looked a little red in the face. ‘Now that you seem to be done with your coffee, would you come along, please?’ The last word sounded so foreign coming from her.
‘Yes, Miranda.’ Replied Andy, standing up and following the maven, who seemed to freeze for a moment after hearing Andy.
If the thought of being called Darling by a complete stranger, well apart from one meeting that was better left forgotten, then arriving to the townhouse was kind of a shock. The wealth exulted from all the walls, making her feel as if she shouldn’t be here. She felt so little here, it was a little unsettling, but a hand on her back centered her, and it made the area more inviting.
Silently, Andy shed her coat and surprisingly, Miranda took it and hanged it on the coat hanger.
‘Your house is very..hum..very sophisticated and nice to look at.’ Andy tried to make the thickness of the silence disappear.
‘Thank you darling. Come along, the sitting room will be perfect to chat.’ Miranda replied, seeming lost in her own mind.
‘Huh, okay.’ Said Andy, sounding meek.
And forth they went, Andy discovering the private dragon’s lair, it was nice and cozy, for the part that weren’t accessible by acquaintance or more like work ‘friends’. These parts were more cold and impersonal but still cleverly designed. They finally came to the sitting room after ascending one herd of stairs, there was a chimney and a bookshelf that took one pan of the wall next to a wide window, letting the sunlight filter through it. Miranda went to a cabinet and took out a bottle of water.
‘Pellegrino or something else?’ She simply asked, an eyebrow raised.
‘The first is good, thanks.’ Andy replied, trying to furtively look at the titles of the books without being successful if what Miranda said was of any indication.
‘Feel free to peruse them, I did not acquire them just to let them be dusty.’ She smirked while saying that and poured the liquid in two glasses before giving one to Andy, who took it with a ‘thank you’ and a wide smile. Miranda seated herself on the couch, looking straight at Andy who flushed before she dropped her gaze embarrassed and looked at the books again.
After a while, Andy took a sip of her glass and hummed her appreciation for it’s taste and the feeling of it on her tongue.
‘Good isn’t it? Really refreshing, I would have preferred to offer you some Château de bourgogne but it is too early for that.’ Miranda said sounding breathless.
‘I’m not really a connoisseur but it is good.’ Andy replied taking out Tool of the Trade and reading the back of it. Finding it to be to her liking she came to sit by Miranda, who seemed mystified for a moment before a mask of neutrality took it’s place. ‘So...’ Andy started feeling uneasy under the maven’ scrutiny.
‘Aaah...’ Miranda exhaled ‘Question time, right?’ Seeing the curiosity in Andy gaze, she continued ‘Don’t worry darling, I will try to be as truthful as I can.’ At that she nodded letting Andy know that she could finally ask the question that burned the tip of her tongue.
‘Why me? I’m not saying that I don’t like being here with you even if we just met but...Seeing your reaction at Runway I am still confused about the reason you called and even knew of my number...Also wh-’ She couldn’t stop herself: she had to know, it was so confusing and she hated being this confused. But Miranda shushed her by putting her finger on her lips, making her blush heavily in the process and she gripped the book on her lap tightly.
‘Now, Now Andréa, don’t be too hasty I may be a dragon but even I can’t keep up if you ask too many questions in one go.’ Miranda said looking amused. ‘My work facade is different from my real self, you must realize that being a woman at the head of the most powerful magazine in the fashion industry it is a must. If I was an easily impressionable and compassionate woman I would have already been eaten by the sharks that lurks in these waters.’ She paused, taking a sip of her glass and briefly closing her eyes, Andy’s eyes were fixed on her flexing throat. ‘Why you? Usually, men and women cower under my mere presence and you? You took everything in stride and even silenced my assistant with a few words. It was quite...refreshing, even revigorating I should say.’ She smirked when she saw Andy blush. ‘Don’t worry about Emily she is used to it, even if me taking a day off almost made her faint, that was entertaining to witness. Another one?’ She asked when she saw Andy putting her glass down.
‘Yes, thank you.’ Andy replied, even if she was already feeling light headed… Something could be said about this woman, she could easily put you at ease and slice you off the next second. Even if Miranda was rude and cold at first she now was caring and mirthful. However, Andy wasn’t as gullible as to think that there wasn’t something far darker lurking behind this almost normal scene, they only met properly two hours ago after all. Still it was weird that she agreed to go to the home of a complete stranger. So they talked back and forth, and after a while, Andy started to feel drowsy due to lack of sleep. And the warmth of the room and the alluring voice of Miranda made the perfect lullaby.
‘-when it became harder to live peacefully with each other we agreed to split up, amicably of course. The prenup was closed off and - Andréa, give me your glass before you end up drowning yourself. Is my story boring you to the point of sleep? Well, it would be the first time.’ At this Andy jerked up, an apology already spilling through her lips only to be stopped by Miranda, again. Without further ado, Miranda guided Andy’s head on her legs, using them as a pillow, Andy who tried to sit up only to be gently restrained.
‘W-wait Miranda I-’
‘Darling, be a dear and close your mouth.’ These words alone sealed her lips. ‘No need to fret and you are not imposing, you will learn that I never do something I do not want to do. Now try to sleep, I will keep watch.’ Her tone leaving no place for arguments and Andy found herself complying without much difficulties. Though, she was sure that she felt lips on her forehead before falling into the arms of Morpheus.
Title: Dream Meddler
Rating: T for now, but might be M in later chapters.
Pairing: Miranda Priestly / Andrea Sachs
Length/Word Count: 3313 words
Summary: Andrea Sachs came to New-York with a head full of dreams, however no one wants her so in a last act of desperation she goes to a fashion magazine: Runway. And she makes some interesting encounters, and become a pawn to the Queen's desire.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters nor the book. And I don't make money from it.
A/N: Hi ! I wanted to thank all of those who supported me and for your patience... This chapter is here to, erm, install the plot a little bit more. The 'action' will start soon.
[Chapter I]She was flying in an endless blue sky, the air swept her up and she rose with her brown wings. Soaring up the clouds, she spied the rising sun before being suck into a cloudy kingdom. She gleefully dove into it, feeling the humidity on her body. She was almost blinded by the brightness of the sun filtering through the cloud thickness. Suddenly, something passed by her, and she laughed when she saw a yellow bird fluttering its wings, trying to keep up with her. Her laughter and its tweets seemed to echo in their cloud nest. She dived and hoped with him, playing for what seemed hours to her, but really was just a few seconds.
She came to a stop when the brightness deemed and the clouds were whipped away by the force of the wind and she came face to face or more like nose to snout of a white dragon.
It roared and took chase when Andy tried to flee, her heart trying to beat out of her chest. She pulled her wings flush against her back, diving under the menacing dragon, missing him by an inch. It then turned flapping its powerful wings accordingly to make a U turn. Unfortunately, the power of the wind generated deviated her from her trajectory, making her flail around helplessly.
Her shriek of horror resonated in the air when she saw the dragon come upon her, its talons closing around her hips, it’s torso stopping her wings from beating.
‘Andréa...’ It rumbled, it’s purr making her shiver. ‘Wake up...’
Wednesday, 10 am.
Andy jerked awake, the incessant ringing of her phone giving her a headache.
‘Yesh?..’ She answered sleepily. Yesterday, she ran all around New-York trying vainly to find a job, even after her brush off at Runway. Alas, no one wanted a girl from Ohio fresh out of her studies. At twenty-six years old, she had had enough of the slow life in the country side so she left to the city that never sleep, new life, new pace.
And discover she did! No time for anything but work...Well in my case, more like searching for work, she thought sarcastically. She came with her head full of dreams, dreams of family, friendship or even wealth. Unsurprisingly, all of them were dashed the first week she came here and her naivety… Now that was an interesting case, it seemed like it stayed in her childhood home in Ohio. If it was not for her stubborn personality, she would have slept in the street these first nights, all because the last tenant decided to die? A case was opened, but it was easily solved..Overdose. Talking about that, she found a stash of herb under the sink, it was still there, one never knows…
‘Hello Andréa.’ Said a dulcet voice, making Andy shiver and she lost her phone in her sheets.
‘Shit’ She exhaled while moving around searching for her fleeting phone. ‘Don’t hang up ! Please..’ She said loudly, not to lose whoever was at the other side of the line. ‘Fuuuck...’
After ten seconds of shifting sheets she finally gripped her mobile.
‘Hello, are you still there? I’m terribly sorry for the inconvenience-’ She stammered flushed.
‘Shhh, do not fret, Andréa. Everything is going to be all right.’ The silence stretched for a while.
‘Hum...I’m sorry but do I know you? You seem to know me but I can’t for the life of me remember who you you are - I mean no offense.’ The sensual laugh that flowed through the line made her blush.
‘My bad, you can’t remember me? Now I am quite vexed, Darling.’ The woman voice sounded full of mirth. ‘If you want to know, come and meet me at Central Park in one hour, my chauffeur will be there for you. Don’t be late and...Please Darling, don’t disappoint me.’ Then she hung up, Andy stayed here, frozen, the dialing tone echoing her though.
What had just happened?
‘Uuugh !! What the hell?! Who’s that woman?’ She yelled in her pillow frustrated. What should she do? Go or not? What if this woman was a..a madwoman? But she couldn’t let the feeling that she knew her go…
Well, man up, you only have half an hour left. With that thought in mind, she got out of bed and stumbled to the bathroom, hitting her toe on the process. Colorful curses could be heard for miles. Why, oh, why hasn’t she moved this table yet? She lived in a little apartment in Manhattan, it was the only one she could afford with her non-existent salary. It wasn't over stuffed, she didn’t have the time nor the money to buy new furniture only taking second handed one’s. Things that didn’t always fit together.
In ten minutes flat, she was washed up for the day, still reeling over her poor mistreated toe. Looking out she could see that the weather wasn’t particularly nice today so she decided on red skinny jeans with black Doc Martens with red laces and finally a white shirt with a black trench coat on. There was still time left but she decided to simply stop at a Starbuck to take her breakfast quickly. Just thinking about a caramel macchiato made her drool.
Once ready to go out, she open her double lock, and got out.
‘Hello Miss Andy’ Said a cheerful voice.
‘Hi M.Anderson, how are you doing today?’ she answered, smiling up at him.
‘Fine, fine, say, Anita wanted to know if would like to dine with us tonight? ‘
‘Ah can’t do, sorry. Can I come back at you if it is possible?’
‘Of course, have a nice day.’
‘You too’ She replied, entering the lift.
She met Thomas and his wife Anita when she was moving in, they kindly offered her diner late at night and they bonded over the fact that they came to N-Y to live the American Dream. They came from France and Thomas was the co-tenant of a bakery down the street and Anita was a French teacher in secondary school.
While the lift ascended, she looked at herself in the mirror, her brown chestnut hair were wildly coiffed, the humidity didn’t help at all in the matter. Her bangs were now too long, a trip to the hairdresser seemed like a good idea.
She huffed, the fact that she couldn’t find a job was weighing her down, but she wouldn’t go back to her parents wit her tail between her legs. NO she would find something even if it was not the job of her dreams and stay here. The opening of the elevator doors took her out of her thought, she passed through and headed out.
She shivered as the January morning breeze passed through her coat, she snuggled inside her scarf, which she had the bright idea to take before going out. The woolen scarf did a good job, preventing her cheek and nose from freezing. Seeing her reflection in the glass of a door she giggled happily with the thought that she looked like a Brownie those little fae that lived in the Ireland territory. She started walking on the sidewalk, when a black Mercedes slowed down near her, she ignored it at first, but the vehicle followed her as her path took her to the nearest Starbuck and she headed in. She got in line hoping that whoever followed her wouldn’t try anything in a crowded area… She looked briefly behind her, spying a pair of legs adorned with deep red heels, reddening a little she turned back around when the barista cleared his throat impatiently trying to catch her attention.
‘Oh I’m sorry, can I have a caramel macchiato please?’ She asked smiling bashfully.
‘Add a hot tall late with no foam to it.’ whispered the same voice as this morning phone call. Andy jerked to the left away from the woman. ‘Hello again Andréa.’ She added simply looking as if nothing in the world was wrong.
‘Wh-Wha...’
‘Here you go ladies.’ The barista came back, with their beverages.
‘Aren’t you paying, Andréa?’ the woman piped in.
‘But...I-Alright..’ She huffed and payed. What a rude woman. ‘Bye, have a nice day ! ‘ She smiled briefly.
‘Come along Andréa, don’t dwaddle.’ She ordered over her shoulder, letting Andy get the coffee. Shocked, she looked at this infuriating and rude woman then at the hot beverages. For a few millisecond she was tempted to forget the latte but then she remembered that she payed for it.
My life has become so confusing since yesterday… She thought bitterly.
She took the coffee almost dropping the burning late in the process.
‘Fuck, that hurt ! ‘ She mumbled using her sleeve to avoid being burned. She lifted her head, just in time to see the Starbuck’s door closing behind the woman.
Now that’s rude...I should just throw her coffee away but she has a great body and..Wait what? Stop thinking right now.
Miffed, and in a last act of defiance toward this woman, she headed toward the furthest table from her and seated herself, starting to take little sip of her own coffee. This lady was completely out of her mind if she thought that she would willingly follow her everywhere like a lost puppy. Though she will admit, she was curious but not to the point of doing something so reckless. Sure, this lady was intriguing, she held herself like a queen, capturing the attention of all the passersby..And she could have been her boss, Andy hadn’t forgotten what took place a few days ago, how she had looked at her as if she wasn’t worth the sole of her foot, like trash. It didn’t help either that she hadn’t even bothered to let her talk. So no, this lady will fair for herself today, no matter how rude Andy was being, serve her right. To mark her world she stuck her tongue out toward the direction of this rude lady.
Just like this morning, the ringing of her phone surprised her to the point of choking on her coffee, she looked at the display, still trying to find her breath and almost choked again when she saw that it was the same number as this morning.
‘Yes?’ She spluttered.
‘Are you done? I will admit that it is quite entertaining seeing you acting like a child, however the time is fleeting and my time is limited. The world won’t stop for you dear, and I can feel that my coffee will soon be arctic cold...’ In the middle of her rent, her voice became more placating, trying to win her over. Andy wouldn’t admit it but it almost worked.
‘Wait a damn minute here, no offense but who are you? And what do you want with me? I get that you are important and all but alas the world doesn’t revolve around you either. So listen Lady I won’t let you walk all over me just because you seem like an interesting person and-’ She was met with the dialing tone. ‘Damn it !’ Infuriated she almost threw her phone against the wall. Her head hit the table in her frustration, staying there she tried to forget about it all.
‘I don’t like to repeat myself again and again Andréa, but I will do it, just for you. Are you done? Will you come along now darling? Or are you trying to break this poor table?’ She had felt her presence, and how could she not, but she would not grace her majesty with her attention. She merely grunted in response. She heard a sigh, and felt heat on her right side. ‘Are you always so difficult?’
‘Yes, particularly in front of royalty.’ She mumbled, her head now on her arms. ‘Must you be so rude to me? I know that I am not made of the same wood as you, but I haven’t done anything to compromise you, the last five minutes aside. I’ve seen how you treat your employees, and I won't say anything about the matter either, however if you want anything from me don’t consider me as such, I won’t allow it. Plus I don’t even know who you are !’ Andy said, looking confused and determined at the same time.
‘Well, it is true that I have been preoccupied.’The lady replied, before making a weird face as if shocked. ‘You-You don’t know who am I?’
‘No, should I?’ Andy let the poor hidden apology pass.
‘Well...’ Her gaze swept over her. ‘I can understand that.’
‘Wait, what does that mean?’ Andy asked completely lost.
‘Nothing darling, nothing. Well, I was raised properly, and I regret that I haven’t introduced myself, my name is Miranda Priestly.’ She said her nose in the air, her eyes narrowing when Andy let out a guffaw. ‘I don’t care for being mocked.’
‘I-I’m sorry but you looked so cute doing this...’ She trailed off seeing the glare Miranda was sending her way. ‘I’m sorry..?’ She said sheepishly.
‘Cute? I’ve been called Dragon Lady and even Ice Queen but cute? Silly girl...’ Miranda looked a little red in the face. ‘Now that you seem to be done with your coffee, would you come along, please?’ The last word sounded so foreign coming from her.
‘Yes, Miranda.’ Replied Andy, standing up and following the maven, who seemed to freeze for a moment after hearing Andy.
If the thought of being called Darling by a complete stranger, well apart from one meeting that was better left forgotten, then arriving to the townhouse was kind of a shock. The wealth exulted from all the walls, making her feel as if she shouldn’t be here. She felt so little here, it was a little unsettling, but a hand on her back centered her, and it made the area more inviting.
Silently, Andy shed her coat and surprisingly, Miranda took it and hanged it on the coat hanger.
‘Your house is very..hum..very sophisticated and nice to look at.’ Andy tried to make the thickness of the silence disappear.
‘Thank you darling. Come along, the sitting room will be perfect to chat.’ Miranda replied, seeming lost in her own mind.
‘Huh, okay.’ Said Andy, sounding meek.
And forth they went, Andy discovering the private dragon’s lair, it was nice and cozy, for the part that weren’t accessible by acquaintance or more like work ‘friends’. These parts were more cold and impersonal but still cleverly designed. They finally came to the sitting room after ascending one herd of stairs, there was a chimney and a bookshelf that took one pan of the wall next to a wide window, letting the sunlight filter through it. Miranda went to a cabinet and took out a bottle of water.
‘Pellegrino or something else?’ She simply asked, an eyebrow raised.
‘The first is good, thanks.’ Andy replied, trying to furtively look at the titles of the books without being successful if what Miranda said was of any indication.
‘Feel free to peruse them, I did not acquire them just to let them be dusty.’ She smirked while saying that and poured the liquid in two glasses before giving one to Andy, who took it with a ‘thank you’ and a wide smile. Miranda seated herself on the couch, looking straight at Andy who flushed before she dropped her gaze embarrassed and looked at the books again.
After a while, Andy took a sip of her glass and hummed her appreciation for it’s taste and the feeling of it on her tongue.
‘Good isn’t it? Really refreshing, I would have preferred to offer you some Château de bourgogne but it is too early for that.’ Miranda said sounding breathless.
‘I’m not really a connoisseur but it is good.’ Andy replied taking out Tool of the Trade and reading the back of it. Finding it to be to her liking she came to sit by Miranda, who seemed mystified for a moment before a mask of neutrality took it’s place. ‘So...’ Andy started feeling uneasy under the maven’ scrutiny.
‘Aaah...’ Miranda exhaled ‘Question time, right?’ Seeing the curiosity in Andy gaze, she continued ‘Don’t worry darling, I will try to be as truthful as I can.’ At that she nodded letting Andy know that she could finally ask the question that burned the tip of her tongue.
‘Why me? I’m not saying that I don’t like being here with you even if we just met but...Seeing your reaction at Runway I am still confused about the reason you called and even knew of my number...Also wh-’ She couldn’t stop herself: she had to know, it was so confusing and she hated being this confused. But Miranda shushed her by putting her finger on her lips, making her blush heavily in the process and she gripped the book on her lap tightly.
‘Now, Now Andréa, don’t be too hasty I may be a dragon but even I can’t keep up if you ask too many questions in one go.’ Miranda said looking amused. ‘My work facade is different from my real self, you must realize that being a woman at the head of the most powerful magazine in the fashion industry it is a must. If I was an easily impressionable and compassionate woman I would have already been eaten by the sharks that lurks in these waters.’ She paused, taking a sip of her glass and briefly closing her eyes, Andy’s eyes were fixed on her flexing throat. ‘Why you? Usually, men and women cower under my mere presence and you? You took everything in stride and even silenced my assistant with a few words. It was quite...refreshing, even revigorating I should say.’ She smirked when she saw Andy blush. ‘Don’t worry about Emily she is used to it, even if me taking a day off almost made her faint, that was entertaining to witness. Another one?’ She asked when she saw Andy putting her glass down.
‘Yes, thank you.’ Andy replied, even if she was already feeling light headed… Something could be said about this woman, she could easily put you at ease and slice you off the next second. Even if Miranda was rude and cold at first she now was caring and mirthful. However, Andy wasn’t as gullible as to think that there wasn’t something far darker lurking behind this almost normal scene, they only met properly two hours ago after all. Still it was weird that she agreed to go to the home of a complete stranger. So they talked back and forth, and after a while, Andy started to feel drowsy due to lack of sleep. And the warmth of the room and the alluring voice of Miranda made the perfect lullaby.
‘-when it became harder to live peacefully with each other we agreed to split up, amicably of course. The prenup was closed off and - Andréa, give me your glass before you end up drowning yourself. Is my story boring you to the point of sleep? Well, it would be the first time.’ At this Andy jerked up, an apology already spilling through her lips only to be stopped by Miranda, again. Without further ado, Miranda guided Andy’s head on her legs, using them as a pillow, Andy who tried to sit up only to be gently restrained.
‘W-wait Miranda I-’
‘Darling, be a dear and close your mouth.’ These words alone sealed her lips. ‘No need to fret and you are not imposing, you will learn that I never do something I do not want to do. Now try to sleep, I will keep watch.’ Her tone leaving no place for arguments and Andy found herself complying without much difficulties. Though, she was sure that she felt lips on her forehead before falling into the arms of Morpheus.