Miranda's day had started off promising. She was met at the elevator by her frantic second assistant; the girl handed her a cup of steaming coffee and updated her on the progress everyone was making for this month's issue. Abysmal, though Jenny (or was it Jessie?) made it sound groundbreaking. Caring for her colleagues and passionate about the field she worked in (fashion was the girl's religion); the perfect combination of Andréa and Emily. She was very proud of both of them for choosing such an adequate replacement for the redhead, though she would never say it to their faces.
The day went downhill two seconds after she received her coffee. Two seconds. That was all it took for Jill to snap her eyes back to Miranda, gape at her, then trip and nearly fall in front of her boss. Miranda didn't stick around for the millions of apologies the girl was bound to spew. She marched towards her office, ignoring the clackers save for those who dared look at her for too long. They were in tears by the time she threw her coat and bag on Josie's desk.
Miranda settled down in her office and noticed the neatly organized magazines waiting for her next to a bottle of San Pellegrino. Well, new Emily was doing something right after all. However, Miranda dismissed all the items on her desk in favor of the Book. Issue week meant no distractions. She got to work, noting important parts, correcting mistakes, and calling for workers from different departments to scold them, give pointers, or praise them (subtly). Each and every one of them took one look at her and recoiled, as if glimpsing the Devil. The day was returning back to normal.
Andréa graced Runway with her presence a little after eleven. Miranda, who had grown to feel uneasy whenever Andréa wasn't there to make sure her day ran smoothly, couldn't let the opportunity pass her.
"Andréa, I see you deemed it high time to join us today" Miranda spat in lieu of a greeting when the young woman came into her office. She was holding what looked like the maximum amount of purses a person could carry without dropping them.
"Good morning to you too, Miranda. I got the Prada bags you requested. Strange, they couldn't remember having an agreement with you to prepare them."
"Other people's incompetence does not concern me, Andréa" she drawled. The young woman huffed and left her office, not sparing her a look.
Everyone else, however, seemed to find reasons to come ogle her today. Maybe they needed a reminder that they were the ones who were supposed to squirm underneath her gaze, not the other way around. She decided she'd had enough when Nigel nearly doubled back upon entering her office.
"Close the door, Nigel."
The man knew her all too well, however, and composed himself quickly. All she got out of him was that she looked even scarier than usual when deadlines were closing in. But if she was scary, surely people would be trying to stay out of her way? Nigel had sneaked out before she could voice that thought.
Emily was her next victim. The girl adored her and was still profusely expressing her gratitude for the promotion whenever she got the chance. But the redhead proved as annoying as everybody else when she actually gasped and turned around to stare at Andréa through the glass doors.
"By all means, Emly, take your time goggling at my assistants. Runway can wait."
"Sorry, Miranda."
For all her blushing and arm wringing Emily seemed hell-bent on not sharing what made Miranda suddenly so popular among the Runway crew. Much to the editor's dismay, she was kept in the dark all day long. What really did it for her, however, was Serena stopping by to bid her and her assistants goodnight and actually smiling at her. Miranda simply huffed. What was it with everyone today?
Andy was nervous and angry while she strode towards Miranda's office, laden with what felt like all the purses Prada had produced over the years. She'd had to wait over two hours for them to be collected, then she'd had to face the traffic with an Uber because Roy was driving the twins somewhere. She wasn't sure whether she'd have the stupidity to snap at Miranda, but if her colleagues continued to stare at her like that, she might just lose it.
"Andréa, I see you deemed it high time to join us today."
"Good morning to you too, Miranda" Andy dumped the designer purses on the couch. "I got the Prada bags you requested. Strange, they couldn't remember having an agreement with you to prepare them."
"Other people's incompetence does not concern me, Andréa."
I love my job, I love my job, Andy repeated Emily's mantra over and over again in her mind, leaving without looking at Miranda (or else she might have jumped her). As she settled behind her desk she noticed that the second assistant's eyes were glued to her.
"Hello, Jessica" she smiled at her, snapping her out of the reverie.
"Oh, hi, Andy, sorry, I-"
"It's nothing" Andy waved a hand, preferring to focus on her work, not listen to a million apologies. Geez, she really understood Emily now.
The afternoon ran smoothly, or as smoothly as any day of issue week could run. The only thing that bothered Andy was that today everyone seemed to come in and out of Miranda's office as they pleased. Were people that desperate to be fired? She could hear Miranda's tone getting sharper with every new visitor and she couldn't really blame her - especially if they were throwing her the same sideways glances they did at Andy. She tried to get something out of Nigel after he smiled mischievously at her on his way out of Miranda's office.
"Hey, Nige, how's issue week going so far?" she threw in.
"Not too bad, but I've seen better. You?"
"Can't wait for it to be over" Andy groaned.
"You don't look it. Rocking Chanel yet again, I see" he gave her an appreciative smile.
"You sure? I swear everyone's giving me a side eye today. Did I mess up my makeup?"
"They're just jealous, Six. Lovely shade of lipstick. Keep doing what you're doing" he winked at her and left in a hurry.
Emily was not a much better source. She took one look at Andy and placed her hand over her heart dramatically. Moments after she entered Miranda's inner office and closed the door Emily gasped and turned around to Andy's eyes. Andy raised her eyebrows then winced upon hearing Miranda's cutting remark. Serves Emily well for acting all weird though. All she got from the Brit on her way out was a mouthed 'Bloody hell.'
From this point on, Andy just accepted the judgmental stares. People were probably jealous she was one of the few lucky enough to not be yelled at. She was so used to everything being upside down today that she almost missed Serena's wink directed at her, and her smile directed at Miranda's inner office. What?
"You can go home, Jackie" came Miranda's voice not long afterwards. At this point it was only the three of them left.
"Go before she changes her mind" Andy whispered, noticing the hesitation in the girl's eyes.
"I just wish she'd learn my name."
"Get some rest tonight" Andy said, not bothering to lie to her coworker.
"Goodnight, Andy. Goodnight, Miranda."
No response came. When she heard the elevator doors close behind Jessica Andy allowed herself to relax in her chair.
"Aren't you coming in?"
"Abso-o-o-lutely" Andy yawned, making her way inside Miranda's office. She pushed the Prada bags aside and draped herself across the couch. "You haven't even touched those."
"Turns out I didn't need them" Miranda's smile was evident in her tone, if not on her face.
"You could be nicer" Andy grumbled.
"To whom? Everyone was acting out today. Am I running a fashion magazine or a kindergarten?"
"I noticed that too" Andy had to agree. She immediately felt the change in the atmosphere.
"People were... looking at you too?"
Miranda all jealous and possessive did things to Andy. She lifted her head to meet her girlfriend's eyes. Miranda had finally raised her head from her work, giving Andréa her undivided attention. This gave Andy a wonderful view of her delicate neck, one of Andy's favorite places to leave marks - only, the skin right underneath Miranda's chin was sporting a deep purple spot the exact same shade as Andy's lipstick. Andy sat up.
"Andréa? Answer the question."
"I don't think it is what you think it is, Miranda" Andy grinned nervously, looking around for a mirror. "Say, did you check your reflection sometime today, love?"
"For once, I had more important things on my mind than how I look, Andréa" Miranda replied impatiently. "What does that have to do with anything?"
"You might want to run to the bathroom real quick."
"Andréa, what-?"
"Please, love."
Maybe that sounded a little too pitiful, because Miranda put down her pen and walked over to her office bathroom. Silence. Then-
"Fuck."
Andy's head hung.
"At least people will know you can't keep your hands to yourself."
"What?" Andy was sure she hadn't heard right.
"You heard me. I am irresistible."
Miranda stood in the doorway of her bathroom, smirking proudly. Her expression changed when she saw Andy's face.
"Did I go too far?"
"Wha-No! I just... It wasn't supposed to come out like that."
"Oh, Andréa, people were bound to find out. What else could be keeping you here besides the opportunity to sleep with the frigid boss."
"Miranda!"
"I'm joking, dear. No need to get all worked up, we will work through this" Miranda moved closer and took Andy's hands. "But now, you're going to call Roy and get us home because there's something else I'd like to work through tonight."
Andy blushed at Miranda's sultry tone.
"Yes, Miranda."
"Good girl."