22.
Despite the cold there were a handful paparazzi hanging around outside Miranda's townhouse. Ed shot a loathsome look at them as she was passing through. Arriving at the door, she ringed the bell and braced herself for whatever was going to happen. The door swung open and she found herself face to face with a very welcoming Editor–in-Chief.
"Edna, dear." Miranda exclaimed.
Leaning forward, Miranda lightly hugged Ed and surprised her with one of her signature air kisses. Ed went rigid. She was not expecting that.
"Smile." whispered Miranda, sweetly. "You don't want to disappoint the press, do you?"
"Press? Bollocks." Ed's voice was low and just as polished, as Miranda's. She recovered quickly and returned the hug. "All I see are bloody vultures."
Miranda pulled back in a mock dismay, although the plastered smile never left her face.
"Oh my, such language. Are you taking lessons from my first assistant by any chance?" Not waiting for an answer, the editor led Ed inside the house. As soon as the door was closed behind them, Miranda stepped away from her guest and her fake smile gave way to a guarded, impersonal expression.
"This," she motioned towards the street, "was for show. In the eyes of the world we are on good terms. Serves our purposes, for now."
"Just for show?" Ed grinned smugly. "Seemed pretty real to me. You are either an excellent actress, or" she slowly looked Miranda up and down, the cocky smile widened "you are actually going for the better looking sister."
Ouch. She regretted saying that the instant, the words were out. Miranda didn't waste time expressing her real dismay this time.
"If you want to go down that road, by any means please do. However, I have to warn you. Your flirting, or rather your poorly delivered attempt at flirting, is not welcomed. It's not only meaningless, but degrading for all of us."
Ed didn't miss how Miranda had phrased her reply. "For all of us". She was right. It not only wasn't a classy move, but it was also very unlike her. She could hear Emily's hiss calling her an idiot again. Proving the brit right, Ed dug herself even deeper.
"I assumed, based on your little gift and message, that we've already entered the battlefield. I'm doing what anyone would do in my place, trying to gain advantage."
Nicely done. Going against the Queen in her own house, not fully knowing her standing. What could possibly go wrong?
"How disappointing." Miranda looked Ed up and down, mimicking the CEO's earlier behavior and shook her head. "Using someone's sexuality to win is a cheap shot, there's no victory in that."
Folding her arms in front of her, Ed leaned against the door. She tried to play it cool, but Miranda was getting under her skin.
"So you're saying that you are not pretending to be a lesbian and using my sister to get ahead of me?" Ed asked vehemently.
Miranda laughed, clearly amused by the angry comeback.
"Given different circumstances I would enjoy your adolescent approach to our unique situation, however this is not the right time nor the right place to indulge myself."
Wait, what? Did Miranda just call her immature? Pushing away from the door, Ed straightened her posture. Two steps forward and she was towering over Miranda.
The editor didn't waver, she continued with her speech.
"Responding to your earlier comment, there is no war, no battle, therefore no battlefield. That's not why you were invited over."
"I'm reluctant to believe you, Miranda. You might just wait for the right moment and slay me if I let my guard down. I learned the hard way that one can never be prepared enough for a fight."
Miranda rolled her eyes, but didn't answer. She didn't have to, because a newcomer chimed in on the conversation with an unexpected blow.
"Why are you so adamant about this fight stuff, Ed? She would destroy you."
It was the perfect hit. It might have gone slightly under the belt but no referee would have been noticed.
It hurt Ed's pride, her ego, and because it was coming from her own sister, it hurt her heart. She was a fighter, she was smart and strong willed. Yet no one gave her enough credit against Miranda. First Emily and now Andy. She looked up at Andy, who was standing on the top of the stairs and asked slyly.
"Destroy me, you think?"
"She would." nodded Andy. She walked down the stairs, straight to Miranda and circled her waist with one arm. The other arm was rested casually against the editor's midriff. Miranda covered Andy's hand with her own, her thumb gently caressing the sensitive skin on her wrist. Ed watched them and swore she saw a warm, golden glow surrounding them, as they were swaying together to a tune only they could hear. In theory Ed knew, that there was a possibility that Miranda and Andy were an item. Frankly it was more than a possibility, yet she convinced herself otherwise just to avoid reality. Seeing them together, their bond was unmistakable. And Ed didn't like it. She didn't like it at all. The uncomfortable feeling of jealousy sneaked up on her again and she shook her head to clear her mind. What did Andy say? Something about Miranda?
"Destroy me?" Ed repeated.
"Or you would destroy each other." Andy shrugged nonchalantly. "There is no third option. You can't win."
Miranda raised her hand, stopping Ed from rebutting. "I'm not ignorant of your reputation Ed. I have an understanding of what you are capable of and I don't underestimate you in any way. However Andrea's observation deserves your consideration."
"My consideration? All right. Let's consider this. You invited me here. Your home. Fine. You insist, that you have no intention to harm me in any way. Fine. Yet, I'm standing within four feet from the person, my own sister, who filed a restraining order against me and according to that we are not supposed to be in the same building. Same street. The same fucking universe. Sounds like a trap to me."
Miranda glanced at Andy.
"Is that true, darling? A restraining order?"
Andy let go of Miranda and pointed at Ed.
"There is only one restraining order I know about and believe me, it wasn't me who asked for it."
"Why would I obtain a bloody restraining order against my own sister?" Ed threw her arms in the air. "That's your style, not mine, Andy."
Andy stepped forward, hands on her hips, she straightened her back.
"Why? I'm assuming for the same reason you've been making my life miserable for the last eight years. The same reason you made those horrible decisions about the family company."
"Horrible decisions? I successfully brought the company back to life just to watch our father nearly destroy it again. The second time I had to make some harsh choices, otherwise our efforts would have failed."
"Harsh choices? You robbed us of the company, Ed. You know I don't care about the money but for them it was devastating."
"Devastating? Their extravagant lifestyle almost crashed our company not once but twice. I had to give up my dreams to save it. After the company was signed over to our names they carried on with their ridiculous, lavish lifestyle but without the burden of responsibility. How is that devastating?
"Oh, I see now. You had to sacrifice your dreams, so you decided to shatter mine too. How very noble of you, Ed."
"That's bollocks. You locked me out of your life, choosing that bloody lowlife leech over me."
"Don't try to blame me for your ignorance, Ed. You made it clear that I didn't matter. You were the most important person in my life and you pushed me away. Where were you when I had my accident? Why did you sabotage my book publishing? My only fault was to speak my mind. Was it really that unforgivable?
"What the bloody hell are you talking about? I went to the hospital, you didn't want to see me. And why do you keep mentioning your book? I was so proud of you for writing it. Why would I have sabotaged the publishing? That's bloody ridiculous."
"Oh stop it Ed, will you? And stop this British cursing, nonsense. Where did you learn that?"
"I was wondering about that myself." murmured Miranda.
Miranda had retreated, as soon as the sisters had started to argue and had quietly observing their interaction. So far everything was going just as she predicted. Andrea and Ed threw eight years' worth of accusations, pain and disappointment at each other's heads, only paying attention to their own side of the story, not really listening to what the other had to say. Both were angry, they let their emotions take over, rational thoughts had no chance to partake. Exactly how Lily had described it was going to happen. Miranda had done her homework. Andy's anxiety being her main concern, she contacted the only person, she knew would give her valuable input. Lily was more than happy to help. She advised against Miranda's original plan to prep Andy in advance, suggesting that a bit of a shock would work better. "Don't worry Miranda, she can handle it. You tell her ahead of time and she will close up and that won't resolve anything." Miranda took that advice and only revealed their dinner guest's identity seconds before Ed's arrival. Apparently Lily had been right. Emotions were flying high. Their true feelings were out on display. It was time for her to intervene and lead them towards a solution.
Stepping between the sisters she stated smoothly. "I see you two are one of those people. I should have guessed."
In the heat of the moment, they must have forgotten Miranda was present, because they both stared at her, as if seeing a ghost. Or was it her statement?
"Those people?" asked Andy, biting down her lips.
"Those people?" echoed Ed. She bit down her lips, the same way Andy did. Miranda found that somewhat adorable.
"Yes those people. Who wouldn't recognize Clark Kent without the glasses."
More staring. They clearly didn't get it.
"Oh, you two." Miranda pursed her lips. "Just follow me. We need to talk."
Miranda turned and headed towards her study, hoping that the two would follow her. They did.