The Devil Wears Prada: Science of Fashion Part 2
Title: Science of Fashion (2/?)
Author: vicar_dibley
Fandom: The Devil Wears Prada
Pairing: Andy/Miranda AU
Rating: G (for now)
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters from The Devil Wears Prada
Author's note: English isn't my first language, this hasn't been beta'd so forgive me. The mistakes (language wise and otherwise) are all mine. This is my first DWP fan fiction. Hope you like it:) Comments are welcome!
Science of Fashion
2
Carl had made her see reason and two days later Andy was on her way to Elias-Clarke to meet with the editor in chief about the interview. Grinding her teeth at having been talked into this, Andy looked every inch the angry professor when she stood in front of the building. With a defeated sigh at the impending fate Andy Sachs made her way inside and caught the elevator full with thin, good looking women on their way up to the same floor.
Stepping off the elevator on the 17th floor to finally meet the famous Miranda Priestly, she looked around at the busy floor of Runway filled with even more beautiful women. Andy felt herself limp harder and the scar on the right side of her face more prominently visible.
When she reached the desk of Miranda Priestly´s assistant she couldn’t help but smile at the familiar snotty English accent of Emily Carlton.
“What can I do for you?“
“Professor Sachs for Ms Priestly.“ Andy introduced herself.
Losing her snobbish attitude at her fellow British comrade, Emily smiled an honest smile, her first since she started working at Runway.
“I will tell her that you are here, just a moment.“ Emily got up and made a beeline for Miranda’s office.
Glancing over her glasses at Emily, Miranda knew why she was here, having heard the other woman’s voice outside her door.
“Professor Sachs is here, Miranda.“
A nod of her head was enough to tell Emily to send her guest in.
“Professor Sachs“, Emily called out to Andy.
Sighing at what was to come Andy entered the office. Shock was clearly written on her face when Emily stepped aside and Andy saw the woman behind the desk. Recognising the woman from the fund raiser.
“That’s all, Emily.“
“Professor Sachs“, Miranda’s voice was just as soft as she remembered, feeling like a complete fool.
“You knew“, Andy spat, her hazel eyes blazing with fury.
“Yes“, Miranda had to admit, “although not from the beginning.“
“So what is this, some joke? Your idea of getting even for my disregard of your precious magazine?“
“Neither.“
Looking at the woman for some time without saying anything at all, feeling trapped by those mesmerising blue eyes, Andy finally shook her head as if to free herself from a spell.
“I am leaving.“
“Please, Professor, take a seat and let me explain.“ Miranda had jumped out of her seat, ready to grab the younger woman and stop her from leaving. Surprised by her own action Miranda pointed at one of her visitor’s chairs and waited for Andy to accept the invitation.
Reluctantly Andy took a seat and Miranda exhaled the breath she wasn’t even aware she was holding.
“Well, explain! I am all ears.“ Andy’s tone was challenging, not in the least afraid of the woman before her.
Smiling at the biologist’s attitude Miranda sat in her own chair before she explained herself to the other woman. A first in, she couldn’t remember how many, years.
“I didn’t know who you were, Professor. Not at first, but during our, rather pleasant, conversation I realised you were the one Carl wanted me to meet. You didn’t know who I was and it was wonderful to be anonymous for a change.“
“I more or less offended you, by implying the superficiality and meaninglessness of fashion and in consequence you personally.“ Andy felt ashamed now, knowing full well about the importance of this woman in the greater economic scheme of the world.
“Whatever.“ Miranda waved off her apology. “You weren’t trying to impress me and come to think of it you wouldn’t have tried even if you knew who I was.“
“Probably not“, Andy snorted. Gazing into Miranda’s eyes, Andy was intrigued by this woman. Tearing her eyes away Andy studied the carpet with great interest before she mumbled something unintelligible.
“I beg your pardon?“ Miranda wasn’t sure if she had heard correctly.
“I said“, Andy sighed, “thank you for the beautiful flowers.“
“How did you know?“ Miranda was surprised.
“Who else would thank me for a wonderful evening?“ It wasn’t a question, merely the stating of a fact.
“Oh?“
“Yeah, well... about the interview...“ Andy purposefully changed the topic.
Miranda explained what was going to happen and before she knew what was going on Andy was swepped away by one of Runway’s freelance writers to answer her questions.
The interview took place in one of the conference rooms and Andy threw all her passion for science and her field of research in particular into it. When they were finished the journalist called Nigel to get the Professor ready for the pictures.
Andy didn’t have a clue because nobody had told her about the pictures. When Nigel tried to fluff away her hair from the right side of her face to take a good look, Andy became frighteningly angry.
“Hands off, buddy, don’t you dare touch me“, Andy hissed.
Withdrawing his hand as if it had been burned, Nigel retreated from the furious woman.
“Maybe you should get Miranda, it was her idea after all.“ Nigel suggested to the writer.
Dashing out of the room to find their boss, Nigel and Andy were alone.
“I am leaving, don’t bother“, Andy stated and made her way out of the office. Before she could reach the elevators she heard a familiar voice behind her that made her stop.
“I didn’t beg you for a quitter, Professor.“ Miranda baited her.
Turning around Andy faced the other woman, still fuming about the whole thing.
“I gave the interview, but nobody said anything about photos.“
Walking towards the younger woman, Miranda had a very good idea why the good Professor was so forcefully fighting against having her pictures taken.
“Dr Richardson must have forgotten to tell you that it is my intention to put you on next month’s cover.“
“What?“ Andy thought her brain wasn’t functioning correctly because she couldn’t have heard what she thought she heard.
“I am sure as hell not going to be the cover girl for your magazine. Look for somebody else to play a role in your freak show!“
“I beg your pardon?“ Miranda was honestly confused, she had no idea what the other woman was talking about.
Taking her cane into her left hand, Andy lifted her hair from the right side of her face to show the angry scar that was running from her forehead, circling her eye, down to the middle of her cheek, ending only half an inch next to her lips.
“This Ms Priestly, I’m talking about this. I hardly doubt that the readers of your precious magazine want to see the disfigured nerd on the cover. They want to see the dream, the illusion, perfection and beauty, not some damaged goods.“
Pausing to take hold of her cane again, Andy was shaking with fury having to expose herself in front of this woman. Although she had to admit that the editor hadn’t even flinched nor had she witnessed any trace of pity in her eyes when she had shown her hideous scar. Andy had to give her that.
Exhaling a calming breath Andy looked into perfectly calm pools of blue and felt suddenly ashamed at her outburst.
“I’m sorry, but you better look for someone else. I’m quite certain one of my colleagues would gladly pose for your cover. Good bye, Ms Priestly.“
She turned around and stalked towards the elevators. Sighing at the woman’s stubbornness Miranda knew that now was not the time to insist, letting the biologist go. For now. She was Miranda Priestly after all and nobody denied her.
When Miranda returned to her office, Nigel was already waiting for her. Arms crossed over his chest he looked expectantly at his boss and old friend.
“Well?“
Raising an eyebrow at him Miranda didn’t answer, she simply took a seat behind her desk and concentrated on her files.
Upon her return from the magazine Andy stormed into her friends office, anger pouring from every pore.
“It’s just an interview, my arse Carl“. Andy nearly shouted without so much as a greeting.
„Would you please calm down! What´s up?“ Carl was used to the young woman’s temper, so he merely put down his glasses and waited for Andy to lose her steam, which she usually did quite fast.
Flopping down in one of the chairs in front of Carl’s desk, Andy humped very unlady like at her friend and boss.
“You never said anything about pictures, let alone pictures for the cover“, Andy accused Carl.
Snorting at Miranda’s scheme which Carl hadn´t known. He had no idea that Andy would be on the next cover of Runway, but it absolutely looked like something Miranda Priestly would do.
“I didn’t say anything, because I didn’t know.“
“Like I would believe that.“
“Miranda Priestly is one of the most unpredictable women. Believe me when I say I had no idea that she wanted you on the cover“, Carl tried to soothe the younger woman.
Looking at her friend Andy could see he was honest with her, inclining her head.
“Ok.“
“Thank you. So, cover girl when will I see your face on the front of Runway?“
“Never.“
“Excuse me?“ Carl leaned on his desk.
Sighing at the man Andy knew he wouldn’t be pleased but it couldn’t be helped now, could it.
“I said never. I did the interview and then I left because you damn well know I would have never agreed if I had known about the picture.“
Carl Richardson knew Andrea Sachs could be stubborn as a mule but he also knew the same was true for one Miranda Priestly. He really liked his quiet life, maybe his dear wife could help him with this. Which reminded him of her insistence to invite Andy to dinner for next Saturday.
“Anna wants you to come to dinner next Saturday. She misses you, you shouldn’t be such a stranger“, Carl gently admonished Andy.
“Thank you. I will come, give her my regards.“
With that Andy returned to her office working on her lecture for next week.
TBC