Hey guys! Thank you all for the awesome comments and the support! Like the last chapter, this one was also written by Lor, all credit to her!
Sehnsucht
Chapter Three
Miranda's mouth dropped open a fraction of an inch. Enough to make her look slightly distressed by the situation at hand. The picture in front of her was so reminiscent of herself it took her aback. This was Andrea looking like her during her first marriage. Crying in the restaurant bathroom trying to straighten one's self before heading back into the fighting ring. To say Andrea's makeup was disheveled would be putting it nicely. Miranda couldn't turn away from the girl and Andrea just stared back through the mirror. Neither one of them speaking for a long moment. It was getting increasingly uncomfortable in the room so Miranda moved to step back. Andrea still gripping the sink with an iron force.
"I'm sorry to bother you," Miranda muttered. Only a decibel over a whisper.
Andrea didn't reply. Just removed her eyes from the mirror and nodded.
Turning on her heel, Miranda made a hastened withdrawal from the bathroom heading back to the table. The night far from over and her anger channeling to a different source now.
No matter how angry she currently was with Andrea, she would never wish that treatment on anyone. Miranda knew intimately well the problems of marriages. With two divorces notched on her imaginary belt, she refused to add a third. Andrea was the unlucky victim of a harsh first marriage. Hopeless and having so much love to give that she thought she could fix the marriage. Not realizing, of course, that by the time crying in a bathroom happens that the marriage is beyond repair. To watch Andrea go through what she went through put a damper on any battle she was going to pick with her this evening. She was going to do what she wished someone had done for her. Show Andrea the particular kindness of getting her out of the restaurant.
"I apologize for taking so long, Carl." Miranda eased.
"No apologies necessary, is everything alright?"
"Not necessarily, I got a call from my daughters and I'm needed back home." She effortlessly lied.
"I hope everything is okay." Carl sounded worried.
"I'm sure it is, but one can never be too safe."
"I understand. Before we go let me write you the check for the advertisement space." His smile was brilliant.
Caught in the moment, Miranda couldn't stop her own smile either. The most genuine smile of the entire evening. Carl was a man of his word and if Miranda hadn't sworn off men and dating she might have wanted a repeat dinner. There were larger matters at hand, though, she couldn't let the memory of Andrea go and the flame that was still alight for her.
The check was safely tucked away into her clutch when she stepped outside the restaurant. Phone cradled to the shell of her ear, she dialed the number that she knew by heart. Roy would be there in 10 minutes so that gave her time to help Andrea. Of course, she wouldn't force her to come with her, but having an option is better than being stuck at a dinner like that. Making her way back inside she saw that they were seated again. Miranda put on her best mask and effortlessly made her way to the table positioned in the back. Andrea's back was to her so the grand entrance was all for the swine of a gentleman Andrea was married to. He would cower before her by the end of the conversation. Miranda would personally see to it that he does.
With a clear of her throat, both parties looked up at her. Her face as stoic as a statue. Her gaze hardened as her eyes bore into the husband,
"Miran-"
"Who are you?
They both said at the same time.
"Miranda Priestly, Andrea's former boss." She introduced herself, standing beside Andrea in order to face her husband.
Andrea was looking peaked. Her natural complexion far paler than what it normally is. Her makeup was still a bit smudged under her eyes from crying otherwise nothing else was amiss. The tension very palpable in their little corner of the world. Life seemingly stopping around them.
"Oh, so you are the former boss that stopped Cola."
"The same one indeed."
"Well, I'm sure you got my wife's 'Thank You' champagne. We are kind of having a private conversation so if you would excuse us." He turned away from her to fix another leveled glare at his wife. Almost signaling for support so they could continue their fight in private.
Miranda's eyebrow quirked up at how sharply toned that was. Quite rude to a stranger that had saved their dog.
"Matt." Andrea rebuked her husband.
"That's quite alright, Andrea. Roy is waiting outside for when this conversation is finished." Miranda smirked her smile a predator's smile.
"Why would my wife go home with you?" Matt sneered, his tone dripping in acidity.
"I won't make her, but I am giving her the option. Which she is free to reject if she so chooses."
"Well, I'm sure she won't need your ride home, Ms. Priestly. We have a car that works perfectly fine." Matt continued to look at Andrea for some form of backup. Unwilling to look at Miranda.
Andrea didn't know what to do in this situation. Matt would be undeniably worse if she left with Miranda. On the other hand, Miranda offered her the escape she was longing for. She was properly stuck in a difficult situation. Miranda's offer was far more attractive. Fighting with Matt this entire night was draining her emotionally and physically. Her head would hit the pillow as soon as she got home if Matt dropped the fight for the night. Which was entirely unlikely, though. So her decision became very clear to her at that moment. She desperately needed a break.
"Actually, I think I will take you up on that ride. Thank you." Andrea nodded, taking the last sip of wine.
"Andy?" Matt was both confused and furious.
"We aren't getting anywhere. We might as well take some time to think. Separately." Andrea said logically. The mask was wearing thin and she needed time for herself.
"We will continue this later," Matt said which brokered no argument.
"Fine." Andrea resigned.
"I'll be one moment." Andrea looked to Miranda.
Miranda had decided it was best to leave and let Andrea finish talking to her husband or whatever she needed to do. The Mercedes had just pulled up and Roy gave her a tight smile. His boss was sure acting differently this evening and he was super curious. Roy knew better than to question her, though. After all these years in her service, he didn't dare risk his head for a question. He opened the door for her to slide into the back and they idled at the curb. Miranda having him stand outside waiting for Andrea to reappear.
"Sorry, had to pay the check." Andrea spewed out.
Nerves making her sit tensely in the car, every muscle pulled taunt. Whether it was from being in such close proximity to Miranda or the fight she had with Matt was yet to be determined. The Mercedes certainly had changed. A newer make and model of car it seemed. There was still a divider between the driver and back seat. That brought Andy a semblance of peace. Miranda never changed and that was soothing to Andrea.
"No worries." Miranda waved her off as Roy pulled away from the curb.
There wasn't much traffic to deal with when they exited the restaurant. The streets of New York City quieting as the night progressed onwards. Neighborhoods in the Upper Eastside sleepy in the twilight hours. Andrea loved New York most in these moments. How something so large and bustling could be so relaxing and peaceful. She turned her gaze from the passing homes to look over at Miranda. Miranda was also focused on other things lying beyond the car. Words on both of their tongues, but they weren't able to say a thing. Worried that breaking the silence would lift the spell. Andrea studied Miranda in these silent moments. It was a favorite pastime of hers when she was still employed at Runway. Miranda was so much smaller when they sat together in the car. Usually, she held herself over everyone in the office and seemed seven feet tall. In here she was just a fashionable woman. Sure she still rolled out instructions to Andrea, but her posture changed. Her hands would rest softly on her lap and feet gently crossed at the ankles. Shoulders were not held to a perfect degree but relaxed and sloped. Her hair would uncurl itself and glide gently across her forehead. Miranda always tucking a hair that had gone astray. She looked lost too. When she finished her orders Miranda stared far away. Her mind never silent as she was. Andrea loved these times together in the Mercedes. She realized just how much she missed them while riding with Miranda this evening.
Roy pulled smoothly up alongside the curb outside Miranda's grandiose townhouse. Andrea smiled at the fact it looked the same from eight years ago. They were both so still waiting outside of the townhouse. Neither wanting Miranda to leave.
"Roy will give you a ride home," Miranda said as if it didn't require any response.
Miranda peered up at the townhouse not wanting to exit the car. Her hand gripped the door handle opening it.
"Miranda."
Andrea reached out to stop her before she left. Andrea's hand finding her wrist. It shocked both of them how electric the touch was. They never touched. Andrea's head swam with the emotions brought from touching Miranda and smelling her perfume again.
"Thank you," Andrea said entirely too sincere and watery.
Miranda could only nod before getting out, the connection broken. She was too afraid to speak. Her voice would be dripping with emotion and wavering. Andrea was not allowed to see that yet. Miranda would remain stoic. No matter how much she wanted to look back at the gray Mercedes she wouldn't. The stairs felt miles longer but when she got inside she could breathe again. She would remember how soft Andrea's hand was. How delicately she touched her. How slender her fingers were when they wrapped around her wrist. Miranda was not a lovesick fool, but Andrea made her feel lighter than she has in years.
End Chapter Three
