1.
Andy Sachs was being pushed to her limit by her boss Runway Magazine Editor-and-chief Miranda Priestly. The Runway team was in Budapest doing the most elaborate and expensive shoot in the magazines long history. Things had not gone well from the beginning because of poor weather, lost equipment, and several members of the crew getting food poisoning. With those delays the most important shoot along the Danube River had to be completed in a single afternoon. Andy spent all of the previous day in a mad scramble procuring everything from new equipment, lighting, accessories, and even a small boat all on Miranda's ever changing orders. The mad scramble had paid off in the end with some of the most extraordinary shots ever captured for the magazine. The Christmas issue would go down in history as Runways top seller. Miranda could feel it in her bones and was overjoyed that they had gotten the exact shots she wanted and she knew how hard the team had worked to make it happen. She especially knew how hard her Andrea had worked to make it all happen. Contrary to popular opinion, Miranda did not go out of her way to make life for her employees more difficult. She was simply unable to accept good enough as a standard. It made her the best at what she did but also made her personal life a complete mess at times. Two ex-husbands could accurately attest to that. She had been unwilling to accept good enough as a standard for marriage any more than she would accept a good enough issue of her beloved magazine. She also reflected that her current personal life was far better than it had ever been. She was getting along with her daughter better than ever, she was spending more time at home than she had since the girls were toddlers, and she was genuinely happy for the first time in a very long time. She also knew that Andrea Sachs's continued presence in her life and the lives of her girls was a big part of it. She also new that a great deal of the success for today's shoot was due to Andrea innate ability to make miracles occurs on demand. Miranda was no fool, she saw how the girl looked at her. She had first written it off as the infatuation that many of her assistants had shown in the past. She knew they wanted her because of her power, her looks, her style or because they had unresolved mommy issues. Over time however she had come to realize that this was different. She realized that Andrea's affections were more than just a passing fancy. So she had allowed the girl to stay by her side instead of promoting her or pushing her to pursue a writing career. So she had given the girl access to her children and her home. So maybe the girl had started to take her place in the older woman's heart. The question was and still what if anything she should do about it. Her rational mind strove to keep everything as is. Everyone was happy and why should she do anything to upset their current dynamic. Her heart was a different story altogether. Her heart said kiss the girl, make love to the girl, put a ring on it already. Lately even the rational mind was starting to recognize that things could not stay the same forever. She knew the time was coming for them to have a long conversation about their future but not tonight. She was pulled from her thoughts by the sudden presence of the object of her musings. "I just saw the last couple of shots they are unbelievable" Andrea commented. "Yes this issue will be one of if not my best since becoming editor-in-chief" Miranda responded. "Thank you, for everything you did to make it possible" Miranda commented. Andrea merely shrugged as if it were her everyday job to make miracles occur. Miranda noted the younger woman was quite pleased by her words of thanks.
Miranda stood in front of her team to let them know how proud she was of their efforts and to announce there would be a celebration at Onyx one of the top restaurants in the city. The group was pleased by Miranda's words and at the prospect of a exquisite dining experience. Miranda thought that Andrea had rubbed off on her, saying thank you this dinner to reward the hard work of her employees would have never happened without Andrea presence in her life. Andrea made her a better person. The rational brain conceded another point to the heart. The rational brain also knew that the fight to keep things status quo was already lost, eventually Miranda would make it very clear to the girl just how she felt.
Dinner at Onyx was a feast worthy of a Queen and her court. The food was unbelievable and the drinks flowed generously. Miranda thoroughly enjoyed herself and could tell Andrea who was seated next to her was equally enjoying herself as well. As the evening went on many of the crew left some alone but others in pairs who planned to continue the evening celebration one on one. Miranda even noticed one threesome that seemed all very into each other. Miranda on the other hand was in no hurry to return to a lonely room. She suggested to Andrea that they move to the bar. As the two women approached the bar they were greeted by a handsome young bartender asking them what they wanted to drink. As their evening continued Miranda noted the bartenders intense interest in Andrea. She also noted with pleasure Andrea's complete disinterest. That did not stop the overwhelming feeling of possessiveness she was suddenly feeling. She was not planning on taking any action on that feeling until she saw Andrea's eyes widen after the young man whispered some kind of propitiation into her ear. Before Andrea could respond Miranda stepped closer causally placing her hand on Andrea's waist and informed the man that she would appreciate if he would stop hitting on her girlfriend. The stunned look on the bartender and the pleased look on Andrea's face made her intervention more than worth it. Miranda dropped some money on the bar grabbed Andrea's hand and said "come along Andrea". They left the bar both laughing at the bartender's reaction and Miranda's boldness. Knowing that neither was ready for the night to end, Miranda made a snap decision. Still holding onto Andrea's hand she hailed a taxi and told the driver to take them to Faust one of the trendiest clubs in the city. Andrea looked at her boss quizzically but did not object to the plan. Both women were curious about what the night would bring them.