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Emily grimaced when she heard the rhythmic tap of kitten heels coming down the Runway corridor. She ignored Andy’s worried looks as she buried her head deep between her hands. Ever since the Paris trip, Miranda’s found a seemingly endless number of infractions that require Emily to be personally reprimanded in her office. A punishment that Andy seemed immune to.
God, Miranda wasn’t even being subtle anymore. First the Paris trip and now this, Emily really needed to get over her infatuation with the older woman. There was no point in pining over Miranda when she was clearly fawning all over her doe eyed brunette assistant.
The steps came to a sudden halt. Emily lifted her head toward the entrance of the outer office. Oh Miranda was definitely going to murder her for this. She wondered if Vogue was still interested in poaching her, getting blacklisted by Runway would probably make her an even more desirable asset to them.
‘Darling, If I didn’t know any better I would think that you're not very happy to see me,’ Jacqueline Follet teased, a smug smirk gracing her delicate features.
‘I hate you,’ Emily hissed at the ever smirking Jacqueline before pointing at a gaping Andy. ‘And you can just shut up!’
‘I didn’t even say anything,’ Andy threw her hands up in exasperation as she attempted to defend herself.
‘But you wanted to,’ Emily glared, not backing down.
‘Can you blame me? Darling? I have so many questions.’
‘Well it’s a good thing that I wasn’t planning on answering any of them.’
‘I’ll answer them,’ Jacqueline cheerfully interjected.
‘No you won’t,’ the redhead snapped.
‘Oh I think it’s the least she could do. I would love to hear what brings Jacqueline to my office,’ a cool voice rang out from the inner office.
All three of the women that occupied the outer office turned towards the voice that dripped with barely concealed disdain. Miranda stood in her doorway, arms crossed and lips pursed as she glared at the French interloper before her.
‘I don’t believe we have an appointment Jacqueline,’ Miranda looked to Andy for confirmation. Andy shook her head vigorously. ‘And even if we did, I’m sure that I would have had some urgent matter to take care of at that exact time. Unfortunately having to postpone our meeting. Indefinitely.’
‘Oh Miranda, you are still so funny,’ Jacqueline chuckled. Playfully swatting Miranda’s arm as she moved further into the office, taking a seat on the corner of Emily’s desk. Ignoring how Miranda tensed at the light touch.
Andy winced, slinking lower into her chair and using her monitor as a shield for the impending bloodbath that was sure to ensue. This was not covered in Emily’s 700 page training guide. She wondered if Auto Universe had these types of problems. Probably not.
Emily just mumbled to herself in exasperation, mentally composing her email to Vogue as she did so.
‘You have nothing to fear, I’m not trying to steal Runway from you. Not anymore at least. I’m here for Emily,’ Jacqueline smugly revealed. Miranda’s expression grew even colder as she glared between the two women. She made note of how close they were to one another, Emily’s aversion to touch seemingly not applicable to the smaller brunette. That fact seemed to only fuel Miranda’s icy rage as she felt the pit in her stomach grow. Her hands clenched, an involuntary action.
Andy used the opportunity to send an SOS text to both Nigel and Serena. Maybe they could help de-escalate whatever the hell was happening. What the hell was happening?
‘So you failed at stealing Runway from me and now what? You’re attempting to steal my assistant,’ Miranda demanded. This could not be happening. She would not lose Emily. Not to anyone, especially not Jacqueline.
‘Oh no, Emily is much more than an employee to me,’ Jacqueline replied with an exaggerated wink. Grabbing on to the redheads arm as she continued. ‘No, we are much much closer than that.’
Emily rolled her eyes and released a long suffering sigh. Andy sat as still as possible, scribbling notes on a tiny pad under her desk as her eyes darted between the women.
‘Well this has been very awkward and hopefully we can never do it again. I’m going out for lunch,’ Emily grumbled as she grabbed her bag with one hand and dragged the shorter brunette out by the other. ‘Au revoir Miranda,’ Jacqueline called out with one final smirk as she was dragged out by the disgruntled red head.
Miranda watched as they disappeared down the corridor. Turning her full attention to Andy once they were out of sight.
‘What do you know?’ Miranda demanded.
‘About this or in general? Because the answer is nothing... for both,’ Andy replied, inching away from her furious boss. A difficult task as the wheels of her chair were tangled in the rug.
‘She is trying to steal my Em…. assistant. The audacity of that woman!’ Miranda hissed. Jealousy twisted itself around her guts. She felt nauseous. Andy had no idea what to do, they would really need to add an addendum to Emily's training manual after this.
‘We’re here, where's the bitch?’ Nigel announced as he entered the office, Serena trailing closely behind.
Andy threw her tiny pad of scribbled notes to the taller blonde who caught it with ease, she quickly scanned the contents before passing it off to Nigel.
‘Should I even bother asking how you know of an interaction that has only just concluded? Miranda asked Nigel, never once taking her attention off of Andy. Watching as the brunette squirmed nervously in her seat.
‘So is it true? Emily actually left with Jacqueline?’ Serena asked.
‘Indeed.’
‘She quit?’ Nigel gasped. ‘I didn’t think she had it in her. We all know that she’s obsessed with Runway and her feelings for you have always been an open secret.’
‘Feelings?’
‘The girl has been in love with you for years Miranda,’ Nigel sassed. ‘God knows why, not after how you’ve treated her.’
‘Well then you must be misinformed because she did not quit. It seems that her relationship with Jacqueline is that of a more….. personal nature,’ Miranda spat the words out in disgust.
‘And this is a problem why?’ Serena asked, head tilted in confusion. ‘We all know Emily is gay.'
‘Because Emily is mine!’ Miranda snapped. The stunned looks she received in return caused her cheeks to bloom red.
‘But you don’t even like Emily!’ Nigel argued. ‘You’ve always treated her the most harshly out of all your assistants.’
‘An editor needs to be able thrive under pressure. I’m preparing her for her future at Runway. And when she does move up the ladder it would be best for everyone if there were no rumors of favoritism.’
‘You made me take her place in Paris,’ Andy interjected.
‘I was going through a very messy and public divorce. Taking the woman I am interested in to Paris where we have adjoining rooms is not a good look. If we were to ever explore a relationship I would not want Emily to have to endure allegations of being my mistress.’
‘Holy shit, you’re actually in love with her,’ Serena mumbled. Seeing Miranda show emotion was shocking enough but having her admit to actual feelings was mind blowing. ‘What the fuck!’
‘I know this is hard to hear,’ Miranda observed sympathetically. ‘Especially given your own feelings for Emily.’
‘My what?!’ Serena snorted. Was she high? Was Miranda high? She was not high enough for whatever was happening right now.
‘I think its clear for all to see Serena.’
‘Uh Miranda, Serena’s married,’ Andy pointed out.
‘Very very married,’ Serena said as she flipped her hand over for Miranda to see the large diamond that rested against her ring finger.
‘We were at the wedding Miranda,’ Nigel sighed. ‘Emily was the maid of honor.’
Oh, well congratulations. To both you and your husband, once again.’
‘It was 6 years ago. I married Jocelyn. We have 2 children. You’re Jacobs godmother,’ Serena huffed.
‘Yes…. yes, of course I am,’ Miranda sputtered.
Serena raised a perfect eyebrow as she stared at Miranda in disbelief.
‘Fine! I’ll pay for your second honeymoon.’
‘And?’
‘Two weeks paid leave?’
‘For both of us?’
‘For both of you.’
‘Deal, also it’s your godsons school play next month. I’ll have Andy put it in your schedule,’ Serena beamed in victory. This was the third second honeymoon that Miranda had gifted them, not that she going to let her know it.
‘You know, I always thought it would be you 6,’ Nigel offered thoughtfully.
‘Me what?’ Andy asked.
‘Well if Miranda was going to pursue an assistant, I would have assumed it would be you,’ Nigel explained, he continued when he saw a nod of agreement from Serena. ‘The plucky outsider winning the heart of the ice queen. Very harlequin paperback romance. Jackie Collins eat your heart out.’
‘I personally don’t see it,’ Miranda dismissed the thought.
‘And I’m straight,’ Andy added.
Nigel gasped. ‘No!’
‘Yes.’
‘But why?’
‘Just born unlucky I guess.’
‘Its okay 6, every group needs a token heterosexual. You can be ours,’ Nigel offered.
‘Aw thanks Nigel,’ Andy smiled sweetly.
‘Can we please go back to discussing my problems,’ Miranda huffed.
‘Alright,’ Nigel agreed before turning to Andy. ‘Cancel all Miranda’s appointments for the foreseeable future, we’re definitely going to be here for a while.’
‘Nigel!’
‘I despise you,’ Emily grumbled as she took a long swig of expensive wine. The one benefit of eating out with Jacqueline was her expensive if not excessive taste.
Jacqueline let out a hearty chuckle. ‘I was doing you a favor. Did you see how jealous she got when I dared to touch you. Hilarious!’
‘You’re her rival. Anything you do makes her seethe, it doesn’t prove anything,’ Emily sighed brushing dark red strands behind her ear.
There was a time where she had some hope that Miranda could return her feelings but that was 2 divorces, a trip to Paris and a replacement assistant ago. Her feelings didn’t seem to get the memo though, because they had only grown.
This would not have happened at Vogue.
‘Eh maybe, maybe not. I still think you could do better but the heart wants what the heart wants.’
‘I could do better? Aren’t you sleeping with Christian?’ Emily curled her lip in disgust.
‘I admit that was bad, but I have since moved on.’
‘With who?’
‘A Versace model.’
‘Mother will kill you if you bring home a male model for the holidays.’
‘Not a male model,’ Jacqueline countered as she lit two cigarettes, passing one off to Emily.
‘Better, but it’s still Versace. You know how mother feels about Versace.’
‘Better Versace than Dior.’
Emily blew out a stream of smoke as she considered Jacqueline. ‘Point taken.’ Her lips quirked up in a small but devilish smile.
Emily was immediately put on high alert as she walked back into the office. Andy sat rigid in her chair, her eyes darting around the room nervously as Serena and Nigel huddled around her.
Before she could even question their skittish behavior she was beckoned by a familiar voice. ‘Emily.’
Emily glanced over to Andy who just pointed furiously at Miranda’s office. Nigel and Serena each flashed her a thumbs up. Oh god, she was definitely getting fired. She was going to kill Jacqueline. The redhead took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves as she entered Miranda’s office.
‘Yes Miranda?’
‘Close the door Emily.’
She turned back to Miranda after shutting the doors and watched as the older woman toyed with her reading glasses. She seemed to be contemplating her words carefully. Emily couldn’t help but appreciate her beauty, the light framed her so wonderfully.
She hated how her infatuation was so all consuming that it even took priority when she was clearly about to be fired. On the other hand she might as well take in as much of Miranda as possible, since her time at Runway was clearly running out. Consorting with the enemy is a cardinal sin at Runway. An Jacqueline was definitely the enemy.
‘You will no longer see that woman,’ Miranda demanded quietly. Much to Emily’s surprise.
‘That’s not really possible Miranda,’ Emily grimaced.
‘So…. its already that serious?’
‘Serious?’
“You’re willing to give up m….. Runway for Jacqueline?’ Miranda struggled to find the words, almost revealing her true feelings. The jealousy that had been writhing around her stomach gave way to a sharp pang of sadness.
‘She would do the same for me.’
‘I see,’ Miranda turned away from Emily as she attempted to restrain the sob that was fighting its way to the surface. It hurt. It hurt that this was all her fault. She had waited to long and had lost Emily. Miranda may have won the battle for Runway but Jacqueline had won the war for Emily’s heart.
‘Our mother would never let us hear the end of it if we did something like that. And the holidays are difficult enough with Jacqueline’s terrible taste in lovers making an appearance at every family event,’ Emily chuckled lightly, trying to keep the tears at bay. Losing Runway would be hard but losing Miranda would be devastating.
‘Our mother? But Jacqueline is your…. What?’
‘My sister?’
‘But she’s French,’ Miranda stuttered, her brain struggling to process the sudden whiplash of information.
‘Oh, well her father is French and mine is English,’ Emily elaborated. ‘I thought you knew, that’s why you didn’t take me on the Paris trip or why you’ve been treating me….. worse. Right? I figured you were trying to get me to quit but I knew sooner or later it would come to this.’
‘This?’
‘Don’t play games Miranda. I can't handle it right now. Just fire me already,’ Emily gave a resigned sigh.
‘I think that both of us have made some assumptions and have come to the wrong conclusions,’ Miranda stood and moved to Emily’s side. She gently took her hand and guided her over to the couch where she sat them down closely together. Emily felt her heart stutter from the close contact and the loving look that overtook Miranda’s face.
‘I think it’s time we have a open and honest conversation. Don’t you think so?’ Miranda asked Emily, charmed as the redhead blushed prettily and further entwined their still joined hands.
‘I’d like that.’
‘It’s been an hour already!’ Nigel complained from his seat at Emily’s desk. Watching Miranda’s office door for any sign of movement.
‘They're probably still processing everything. They both have tons of baggage,’ Andy offered spinning around in her own chair.
‘That’s not what they’re doing,’ Serena whispered as she moved to get a better view of Miranda’s office through the keyhole. Andy and Nigel snapped to attention.
‘Serena, No!’ Andy quietly admonished the blonde. ‘Wait…. what are they doing?’
‘Trust me, you don’t want to know.’
‘What could be that bad?’
‘I didn’t say it was bad,’ Serena gave her a knowing look.
‘Oh..... oh,’ Andy’s eyes went wide. ‘Should we leave?’
‘Definitely. We need drinks,’ Nigel declared. ‘We deserve them.’
‘I agree,’ Serena gave a sharp nod.
‘You’re paying.’
‘What, why? Serena whined.
‘Three words: third second honeymoon,’ Nigel counted on his fingers.
‘Agh, fine!’