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Andy rushed into the lobby at NYC Family Counseling Center. She had run from the subway after abruptly leaving an interview in Brooklyn to get there with little time to spare. She took a look at the elevators but decided the stairs were a better option based on the fact that the doors had just shut with a well-dressed solo rider. It was odd since there was a crowd, so how one person got the privilege of riding alone was beyond Andy.
She took the stairs two at a time with her leather messenger bag that held the tools of her trade tucked to her hip and lower back. She periodically grabbed the handrail as she raced up the four flights of stairs. As she reached the fourth-floor landing, she took a few deep breaths and ran her fingers through her bangs before she straightened her jacket and entered the hallway. She looked both ways and spotted suite 405 with a low-profile NYC FCC plaque by the door.
She stepped to the door and noticed what she believed was the lone elevator rider sweeping down the hall from the other direction. Andy paused to watch the gorgeous and striking woman stride towards her in heels that Andy would likely break a leg or turn an ankle if she tried to walk like that. However, Andy had to admit that this woman had the best legs she could remember seeing in recent history. As the lady approached, it was clear that she was going to the same place. Andy stepped to the side and opened the door with a bit of a flourish. She held it in place to allow the woman to enter before her with a slight hand movement to indicate that she was willing to wait for her.
To Andy's surprise, the woman stopped beside her and pulled her oversized sunglasses down. Andy could make out the icy blue eyes, and it made her suck in a breath. This woman was dangerous to the rest of the population and knew it. She had confidence and control coming out of her pores. Andy was sure that any men in her presence would likely not come away unscathed if she was corporate. If they did, then they lived only to die another day.
“Thank you.” The woman said in a low and clipped voice.
"You are most welcome," Andy stated in her usual warm and outgoing manner.
The woman smirked a bit and then preceded Andy into the reception area. Andy glanced around, and her shoulders dropped in recognition that Nate was not there even though couples therapy had been his idea. She looked towards the reception desk and saw the other woman glancing to the seating area before conferring with the receptionist.
They spoke in quiet tones, but Andy could see that the receptionist was definitely out of her league against the force of nature in… Well, some likely expensive shoes. Andy knew a little about fashion due to her long-time friendship with Doug, her out and outrageous gay bestie. He would be utterly disappointed in Andy for not knowing what designer shoes the woman was wearing.
She discreetly pulled out her phone and snapped a quick pic of the shoes. She sent the pic in a message to Doug.
Andy: Gucci?
She saw the delivered message and the tiny dots that let her know that Doug was typing.
Dougie: OMG NO
Dougie: Have I taught you nothing?
Dougie: Return your Bi card and the toaster oven!
Dougie: Prada – Those gorgeous shoes are Prada
Dougie: But damn, Gurl! Look at that gams on this woman!
Doug sent a gif of a gay man fanning himself in a Southern Belle manner.
Andy: Aw, shucks, do I have to turn in the toaster oven?
Dougie: YES xoxo
Andy: 😉 Later, Dougie.
She slipped her phone back into the pocket of her leather jacket that closely matched the leather of her well-worn bag. She could see the woman in front of her did not hear what she wanted to hear. Andy would have loved to assist but decided this was not the time or place to be a gentlewoman due to the need for confidentiality in this setting.
She heard the woman at the desk say, “Ms. Priestly, I am sorry for the inconvenience, but you can wait for your other party or join the group that is about to start?”
“Group? I think not. I will be back after I call…”, the woman’s quiet voice was too low for Andy to catch the end of the statement. Not that Andy was trying to hear. Well, not too much.
The woman stepped away with her phone to her ear. Andy walked up to the desk and the visibly rattled woman behind it.
"Hi, Andy Sachs, I'm…", she trailed off as the woman on the phone near her made a growling noise. Andy was transfixed as she heard the woman growl as she punched the button to hang up the call. It was beyond distracting and a bit arousing to listen to that noise coming out of the sophisticated and controlled being that she had been observing without shame since their hallway-to-door encounter.
The receptionist had also lost what little composure that she had scraped together to greet Andy. She now looked ready to bolt as she watched the woman with a completely different response than Andy seemed to be having.
Andy and the receptionist were transfixed as they witnessed the older woman's frustration and barely noticed the door to the inner office space opening. A woman and man from within exited. They paused when they saw the out-of-sorts woman. Andy could tell when the other woman noticed them. A practiced mask fell across her facial expression, and her spine straightened. The woman raked her gaze up and down the couple and smirked without saying a word.
The man gathered himself and spoke, “Miranda.”
"Greg, how unexpected to see you here." The sound was a drawl and in a surprisingly calm and sultry voice.
“I could say the same to you.” The man named Greg responded.
As Andy watched, the woman with Greg looked more and more uncomfortable.
"And Gabby, is it?" Miranda had turned her attention to the noticeably younger woman that was clinging to Greg's arm.
"Um, hi, yes, it is, I mean" the woman took a deep breath and gathered herself. "Yes, I'm Gabby. It's nice to finally meet you, Miranda." Though she didn't opt to hold out her hand as she greeted the more dominant Miranda.
"I'm sure." Miranda drawled in a quiet and deadly-sounding tone.
“May I ask what you are doing here?” Greg, in a show of bravado, asked Miranda.
Andy peripherally noticed the receptionist was also frozen in place, watching the dramatic tableau they were witnessing.
“I no longer answer to you, Greg. I think you seem to have,” Miranda paused before continuing, “enough on your plate.”
Gabby sucked in a breath and looked ready to verbally attack though Andy had little doubt that the kitten was about to feel the claws of the controlled Miranda.
The receptionist quietly broke into the conversation, "Mr. and Mrs. Nielson, you must have taken a wrong turn. The exit is in the other direction to protect the confidentiality of our clients. If you would go back through, then you can follow the…" The receptionist didn't have a chance to finish her guidance before the white-haired woman responded with a touch of humor in her quiet tone.
“So, the girlfriend has become the next Mrs. Nielson. The girls didn’t mention a ceremony.” Miranda questioned without directly asking a question.
"Oh, no, Greg and I did not want a big to-do after his last, oh well, um.” Gabby trailed off as her brain seemed to catch up to the situation.
"Justice of the peace, then?" Miranda inquired.
"No, we eloped to Vegas!" Gabby exclaimed. "It was a snap decision, and we just hopped on a plane. Next thing you know, we tied the knot at the most adorable chapel. They even supplied a dress, suit, and everything else that you could think of! We went with the full package!" Her excitement was evident.
"Vegas," Miranda stated and turned her regal gaze back to the ex-husband. "Well, Greg, that's certainly a break from the tradition that you allowed your mother to enforce in your last,” Miranda dramatically paused, “to-do, was it? I’m sure Therese was absolutely thrilled.”
"Enough, Miranda," Greg stated firmly at the formidable woman.
“I’m sorry, Greg, but I will determine what is enough.” The woman stood firm and held her ground.
“Why are you here again, Miranda? Another divorce in the works? Trying to act like you could or would change?” Greg responded harshly.
Gabby and Andy both reacted to the rising tension. Gabby tugged Greg's arm and softly asked to go, but Andy did something a bit more drastic. She confidently approached the visibly seething woman.
“Miranda, honey." Andy laid a gentle hand on the woman’s lower back and felt her stiffen further at her touch. “I’m sorry to interrupt your, um,” Andy took a slight pause for emphasis, "conversation, but I think that our appointment will have to be rescheduled. I hate that I brought you all the way here for nothing.”
"Who are you?" Greg growled at Andy. "One of her sycophants?"
“Oh, so we are going to do intros now?" Andy responded, then stuck out her other hand. "I'm Andy Sachs, a journalist for the Mirror, and you are Greg, it seems. I've heard a lot about you."
This answer made Greg pause and look at her more closely. All the while, Gabby had been slowly moving him towards the exit. Andy could feel the woman beside her now watching her more closely, and she had relaxed her stance a bit. Greg didn't take her hand.
"Well, I've not heard anything about you. The Mirror?" Greg asked as he turned back to the woman that outclassed him in every way. "Are you making friends with the enemy now, Miranda? Is that your new angle?”
Andy laughed, “That’s funny, Greg. Miranda and I are working on a project together. We had planned to meet with one of the counselors here for their input today, but there was a scheduling snafu, as you just heard. If you'll excuse us, we need to work out the adjusted plan and your wife, Gabby, looks ready to go."
Greg glanced at Gabby and patted her hand. “Yes, well, we have lunch plans and should go. Miranda, a real treat as always. Andy, nice to meet you. Good luck dealing with the likes of her.”
Andy could feel Miranda readying to fire another verbal shot across the bow and interjected quickly. “Oh, she is a pussycat when you work with her and not against her.” Andy knew she was pushing it when she turned her head and smiled into the woman’s icy gaze. Andy swallowed and turned back to the couple as they exited. "Good luck with therapy. Starting so early in your new marriage seems like an excellent plan for you both. And congratulations on your Vegas wedding! It sounded like it was a dream come true.”
Andy saw Greg start to respond, but Gabby firmly maneuvered him back through the door which closed behind them forcefully. She could tell when the woman stopped looking at the door and turned her eyes back to her. Andy met her eyes with a charming grin on her face.
“Hey, I probably shouldn’t have stepped in, but I hated to standby while that jerk unloaded on you.” Andy attempted to smooth the situation over with Miranda Priestly. The Miranda Freaking Priestly.
The woman in question continued to scrutinize her. Andy knew that she was trying to tell if Andy was genuine or working an angle. Andy was no fashionista, but you couldn't work a few blocks from Elias-Clark and in publishing and not know that Miranda Priestly was a legend.
Andrea stepped back, stuck out her hand, and with a tiny bow said, "Andy Sachs, New York Mirror, at your service.” She then smiled her megawatt smile that usually opened doors or eased tense situations.
Miranda glanced at Andy’s hand before slowly grasping it in a firm but not punishing manner. "Andy? Is that your given name?" The quiet, purring voice was back now that Greg and his new wife had left the area.
“Andrea, but everyone calls me Andy.”
“Andrea.”
Holy crap, the way that she said her name was like a caress and an invitation to her bedroom all rolled up into one. Andy also realized that she still held the hand of the enthralling woman. She decided in for a penny, in for a pound. Andy turned her hand slightly, bent, and brought the soft hand to her lips while all the while keeping eye contact with the woman's icy gaze.
“And if I am correct, you are Miranda Priestly, Runway’s Editor in Chief. It is an honor and privilege to meet you in person. What you have accomplished in such a misogynistic industry is legendary and inspirational, and the pictures that the rabble prints do not do you justice. You are gorgeous.”
Miranda gently pulled back her hand and brought the reporter nearer to her. Her gaze seemed to be considering the trustworthiness and intentions of the brunette with the gorgeous amber eyes.
"Either you are looking to get a foot in the door professionally, or you are exceptionally courageous today, Andrea.” Andy watched Miranda closely as she tilted her head and started toying with her necklace.
"So, which is it, Ms. Sachs? Ambition or courage?”
Andy threw her head slightly back and laughed again before replying just for Miranda. "Definitely courage, but from a desire to support an extraordinary human being in an awkward situation. I was supposed to be meeting my now ex-boyfriend for counseling that he had demanded, and he," Andy glanced around, "must have more important things to do. I made the leap that you may be in a similar situation, but I didn't think that it was Greg and Gabby's business one way or another." Andy continued, "I'm sorry if what I did puts you in a more difficult situation."
Miranda again seemed to be considering her response and observing Andy for ill intent. “I don’t feel comfortable confirming or denying your assumptions, Andrea. I’m sure you understand.”
“Oh, of course. It’s none of my business.” Andy paused and then decided to barrel on. "Since we are both at loose ends, would you like to get a cup of coffee? I know a quiet place nearby that serves a great cup of Joe. Interested?”
"What's in it for you?" Miranda queried.
Andy took a step towards the stunning woman, held eye contact, and said in a soft voice. "I get to spend more time in a gorgeous woman's presence and see if my defense of her made any difference to said woman. I find that I don’t want to leave her company just yet. Nothing I want from her would ever be on the record." Andy stated firmly and followed up with, "Do I need to put it in writing? Sign an NDA?"
Miranda smirked, "What would you say if I said that you needed to sign an NDA to have a simple cup of coffee with me?"
"Where do I sign?" Andy asked with no hesitation.
That answer pulled a full laugh out of the white-haired woman. To Andy, Miranda seemed to decide to follow her instincts and hooked her arm through Andy's. She then said quietly in that sultry voice, "Lead the way, Andrea. I expect to be dazzled by this cup of coffee that you so eloquently advertised. We can discuss the need for an NDA on the way.”
As they turned to leave through the door in which they'd entered together, Miranda paused at the reception desk and looked at the scared woman behind it. "If my soon-to-be ex-husband deigns to show up, you can tell him that he'll be hearing from my lawyer. I'll have the locks to the townhouse changed today. Someone will be delivering his things to the hotel where he likes to meet his mistress or likely mistresses, and whatever is left will be put into storage. That’s all.”
Miranda fluttered her hand at her last statement.
Andy smiled at the show of bravado from the woman on her arm and followed up with her declaration, "If my now ex-boyfriend shows up, tell him to take the job in Boston and collect his things while I'm at work in the next few days. There doesn't seem to be anything left to discuss with him. Anything that he does not pick up will be donated to a shelter by the end of the week. He can leave the key on the counter when he is done or with my friend, the super, that cannot stand him. His choice.”
The receptionist hesitantly said, "You should pay for the sessions today since you didn't cancel before the 24-hour deadline, but I think in this case that we can waive both of your fees."
Andy chuckled and felt the woman beside her lean into her just a bit more.
"If you cannot waive the fees, then put them both on my card. You have it on file, and the cost is well worth the results."
Andy snorted and then laughed outright.
Miranda sighed theatrically and, with a hint of humor in her voice, said, "Really, Andrea?"
Andy made direct eye contact with the woman on her arm in immediate proximity to her. “Miranda, I’ve been dreading this all week, but this has to be the best counseling session ever. You don't have to cover the cost for me because I agree that this is the best money I will ever spend. The results so far are exquisite and better than my wildest dreams.”
Miranda finally broke eye contact, slid her glasses back on, and swept Andy towards the door.
As they exited, Miranda said quietly so that only Andy could hear. “The money means little to me, Andrea. I believe the payoff will be worth it, and I would’ve never expected to enjoy couples therapy to this extent. I’m rarely wrong in these things.”
"I expect that you are more right than wrong in most situations, Miranda."
“I’ve two failed marriages, Andrea. I have proof that I can be wrong, but my girls and my magazine balance it out.”
They continued down the hallway in a regal manner that cut a path to the elevator.
“Maybe you just hadn’t met the right person. Or rather,” Andy watched out of the corner of her eye to see the woman's reaction, “you hadn’t met the right woman.”
Though there was a slight pause before Miranda responded with a bewitching smirk on her lips, "what do you think this NDA needs to cover, Andrea?”
Andy visibly relaxed, and with a slight curve of her lips, she stated, "Everything, Miranda, absolutely everything." Andy continued, “Do you think Greg and Gabby will be inviting us to any family gatherings? We may need to discuss the appropriate responses to such an invitation and include that in the NDA's clauses."
It was Miranda’s turn to laugh.