26.

Stepping into the elevator Miranda did not have time to fume over Irv's antics, because her phone started to ring. Pulling the cell out of the bag, her eyes fell on the small velvet box she had purchased earlier that morning and her mood brightened instantly. Smiling widely, she answered the call.

"Miranda Priestly."

"Mom. It's me Caroline."

"Caroline? What happened? I don't recognize this number?"

"Mom. Don't get mad. Yvonne had a little accident, so her new girlfriend is driving us home. We will arrive in ten."

Miranda sighed deeply and rubbed her temple.

"What do you mean, "a little accident"? And what new girlfriend? Caroline?"

There was a moment of silence then a strange yet oddly familiar voice spoke.

"Hallo Mrs. Priestly. I'm Adriana Wallace. We haven't met before, but we are actually neighbors. Dr. Westwood fell from my tree and broke her ankle. She also has a slight concussion."

"What?"

The elevator arrived at Runway's floor. Exiting the car, Miranda was almost knocked over by her second assistant, who ran past without looking at her. The young woman jumped into the elevator, pressed the button and finally looked up. When her eyes met Miranda's, the editor saw pure terror. The assistant, who had turned white, franticly pressed the buttons, trying to hurry the doors closed. Shaking her head wildly, she repeated in a small voice, "It's not my fault. I…I haven't done anything."

The call momentarily forgotten, Miranda froze in place. The elevator door silently closed and all she could do was just stare at the cold metal. What just happened? Her good mood was quickly disappearing again. She felt as though she were riding a roller-coaster.

"Hallo? Mrs. Priestly? Are you there?"

Miranda slowly lifted the phone to her ears. She did not understand what was going on, she felt quite lost. And when Miranda Priestly felt that way she made sure, that others would feel even worse.

"Yes. I'm here." she stated, her voice vibrant from forced calm. "Care to explain why a complete stranger is driving my children home? Why wasn't I notified? If anything happens to them under your care, I promise you that…"

The woman on the other side of the line chuckled softly and cut in.

"Mrs. Priestly. Miranda. I can assure you that your children are completely safe. Dr. Westwood is here with us. However, she is not in the best condition. And before you ask, we stopped for gas, so I'm not driving and talking on the phone."

Before Miranda could answer, she heard Yvonne's voice. The doctor was breathing heavily, sounded weak and pretty much in pain.

"Miranda. I'll explain everything when we get home. Please?"

That was all Miranda needed. Knowing that Yvonne, who she trusted with her life, was there with her children instantly calmed her. Saying goodbye, she headed towards her office. The sun was up and bright again. The kids were coming home and while she had plans for the evening, she thought that with the girls around it was going to be even better.

Her phone buzzed and she glanced at the screen. A message from Groot. She read it and her world turned upside down again for the millionth time that day. As she turned and hurried down the corridor, she prayed to all the deities she could have think of.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

Andy's head snapped up and she flashed a half-fake smile at the stocky woman, standing in front of her.

"Oh. Groot. You're looking for Miranda? Of course, you are. You work for her after all. I'm afraid she's not here…and I was just about to leave myself…and…"

Andy knew she was babbling but she felt so embarrassed to get caught crying like a baby. She was about to scramble to her feet, from the corner she was hiding in, but she was stopped by the other woman.

"Please don't. Stay." Groot sat down next to Andy and with a reserved sigh she leaned back against the wall. Closing her eyes. she said, "Actually, I was looking for you. And just for the record I don't work for Miranda."

"You don't? I thought you'd said earlier that you did."

Groot chuckled and shook her head.

"Believe me there is a big difference between working for or with her. Many work for her. I don't. I work with her occasionally and it's an entirely different status than being one of her employees."

"Oh. I see."

Andy shifted uncomfortably and glanced at the stoic woman. Why was she here? Was she sent by Miranda? Yes, she probably was. Andy could not see any other reason why Groot would have been looking for her. After seeing those pictures on the editor's desk her survival instincts had kicked in and she had to get out of the office. It did not help, that the second assistant's words confirmed her fears. She felt betrayed and she did what she had learnt on the streets was the best way to survive. She ran. She'd run through the corridor, and blinded by her tears, lost her sense of direction and somehow ended up in a huge room, full of clothes, shoes, bags and other accessories. She recognized it instantly. The Closet. Of all places she could have run to, she just had to choose the only one where Miranda's presence was unmistakable, almost more obvious than in her office. She hid in a corner and let her thoughts run wild this time. It did not take her long to realize how misguided her insecurity had been. Yet she couldn't help how she felt. She needed to get over her fears, she needed to learn how to trust again. She knew that there was no reason to question Miranda's love and loyalty and she also knew that even though the editor loved her dearly sooner or later she would get tired of Andy's breakdowns.

Groot cleared her throat and looked at Andy.

"I understand you Andy. I used to walk, or to be more accurate run in the same shoes you are wearing now. But one day a wise woman told me something very important. If you don't stop running, you'll never know if staying was worth it or not. If the answer is no, you can still run away. I listened to her and you know what? She was right."

Her problem forgotten, Andy raised to her knees and faced Groot.

"What happened?"

"It's a long story and right now it doesn't matter. What matters is you and your happiness."

"Please?"

Groot cleared her throat again and scratched her head. Andy was looking at her pleadingly and damn that girl had a serious set of puppy eyes.

"All right. All right. I came from a wealthy family. They had big plans for me and fifty years ago it meant, that I was supposed to marry a man with money and good connections. I was supposed to become the perfect housewife and mother. I did not bother to tell them about my different ideas and very different sexual orientation. I just left when I turned eighteen. I had no money. I did not know anyone. I lived on the street for a while but I got lucky and found someone who was willing to give me chance. I started to work and collected enough money to move in with three other young women in a small apartment. That's how I met Miranda."

"Oh."

"And that's how I met Sarah. She was kind, smart and beautiful. And very popular. Everything that I was not. I fell for her fast and hard."

"Did she…?"

"Yes. She loved me too. Everything was perfect. I had a steady job, I started to attend college and I was deeply and madly in love. Then one day I saw her hugging and kissing someone else. I did not wait for explanation. I just left."

"Why didn't you ask her? You said she loved you. I'm sure that it was a misunderstanding."

"You think so? A misunderstanding?" asked Groot, teasingly. Andy groaned and buried her face into her palms as the realization hit.

"Oh. I did the same thing, didn't I? I just ran away and did not give Miranda a chance to explain. I'm so messed up."

"No, you're not. It takes time, but you'll get there."

"What happened with Sarah?"

"Miranda came after me. She wasn't angry or mad. She just reminded me that if I did not stop running I would lose the opportunity of happiness. Talk to Sarah she said. If you want to run away after that I won't stop you."

"Did you talk to her?"

"I did. It was the best decision of my life. The guy she was hugging was their cousin."

"Their cousin?"

"Yes. Sarah was Miranda's sister."

"I didn't know that. Miranda never mentioned her."

"We don't talk about her. Losing her was painful for all of us and I always thought that keeping my feelings to myself would ease the pain. Miranda respected that, actually she pretty much thought the same. But honestly now I think otherwise. I believe that talking about her and sharing the good memories would help healing. I just don't know how to tell this to Miranda. Too many years passed in silence."

"You should just tell her like that. You're friends. Communication is very important in every relationship."

"You think so?" Groot raised an eyebrow at Andy.

"God. Again. I'm telling you what I think is the right thing to do and I'm just doing the opposite."

Groot reached out and squeezed Andy's shoulder.

"See. You don't need me, you already know what you have to do."

"Why are you so nice to me? You hardly know me."

"Miranda is crazy about you. I have never seen her like this before and I've known her for ages. You are the one who Miranda loves and adores. I don't have to know anything else."

Andy narrowed her eyes and looked at Groot skeptically.

Groot shrugged and offered a half smile. Standing up she walked to the nearest rack and propped against it. The brunette had stopped crying but the earlier tears were still evident on her face. She seemed so lost, so fragile, Groot felt sorry for her. She hoped that Miranda possessed the magic cure that would be able to heal poor girl's heart.

"Perhaps you haven't realized yet, but Miranda is a package deal."

"A package deal? I... I don't understand."

"She means you don't only have to deal with me…but my kids and those handful of people I care deeply for. For some unknown reason they are the utmost faithful. They care for me too and would do anything to see me happy. And you Andrea, you've made me happy beyond words."

"Miranda!" Andy jumped up to her feet but her enthusiasm was haltered by the forlorn look on the editor's face. Miranda was standing there looking paler than usual, her posture rigid and Andy saw some unshuttered tears in her eyes.

"Miranda?" Andy reached out to take her hand, but Miranda shook her head and took a step backwards. None of them noticed that Groot had quietly left, leaving them alone. Miranda walked around the room, obviously searching for something. She stopped in front of a rack and took down a golden colored evening dress. Holding the dress in front of her she talked so softly, that Andy hardly understood her words.

"I wanted to ask you to accompany me to the Gala. I wanted you to wear this dress."

"It's a beautiful dress." answered Andy quietly, she did not really know where this conversation was headed.

"Yes, it is." nodded Miranda sadly. She hung the dress back up and faced Andy.

"I want this...", she motioned between them with her hand, "…to work, more than anything I've ever wanted."

Andy's face lit up and she opened her mouth to answer, but Miranda stopped her.

"Please. Let me finish, first."

The older woman pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed deeply.

"But I don't think that this is going to work.