"Andrea?" Miranda called out softly.

Andy hurried into the editor's office with her notepad and pen in hand. "Yes, Miranda?"

"Make sure everyone has the equipment they need to work from home. I do not care about the costs involved. We need to be able to keep working despite the COVID crisis getting worse and we need to close down the office by next week at the latest. I will be writing an official email to ensure the entire team know what is happening." Miranda stated. "I will be working from the townhouse from Monday onwards but I require only one assistant and that will be you." She continued in her calm way. "Have Emily help you to organise what we need to work from the townhouse."

"Of course, I'll get right on it," Andy said, startled by the turn of events.

She went right to work and checked with each department as to what kind of equipment they needed to do their job effectively. She placed the orders and made sure everyone would have the equipment delivered to their homes. It wasn't enough that designers were now making expensive masks, COVID cases were still rising and everyone with an ounce of sense was frightened. They just couldn't get this virus under control.

Andy was starting to freak out when she heard her boss calling her once again. "Andrea..."

"Yes, Miranda?" Andy moved quickly back into the dragon's lair.

"Make sure you order two laptops for my daughters as well, uhm...Apple laptops...I don't know what they are called these days." She waved a hand. "And also two iPads. Make sure it's paid for with my account. Also, order yourself and Emily these two items as well. I need you two fully prepared and ready to work from home on Monday." She saw tears welling up her assistant's eyes. "And Andrea, try to keep it together. I know it's scary but we will get through this." She stated softly.

"Of course, Miranda." That was all Andy could say before she turned away and the tears finally spilt down her cheeks. She was scared shitless but didn't want Miranda to know or see. Andy went to the bathroom to calm down and splashed some water in her face before going back to her desk to continue her work. Since they'd ordered masks with the Runway logo, she made sure everyone received a package with some of the masks and sanitiser.

With everything she had to do, Andy wasn't able to leave the office much before 9 pm. She made sure Miranda's office was locked up securely and moving through the floor checked every computer was turned off since no one would be in the office for a while. The book was already waiting and she knew she had to hurry before the Editor called with a demand to know what was taking so long.

Once inside the townhouse, Andy placed the book on the table with the flowers and hung the dry-cleaning in the closet. As she closed the closet door, she heard Miranda approach from upstairs.

"Is everything arranged for Monday?"

"Yes Miranda, everything is organised," Andy said tiredly. She was, in all honesty, exhausted.

"I've arranged some home tests for you, there are in that box next to the book. Before you come here you should take a test, that way we can work together without a mask. Is that okay with you? I will take one too, of course, to ensure your safety." Miranda stated.

"Yes, of course. That seems reasonable," Andy said taking the tests and putting them in her bag.

"Also, Roy will be driving you back and forth. There will be no Subway or cab rides during the worst of the pandemic," Miranda advised.

"Oh okay." Andy was surprised. "So what time would you like me to be here on Monday?" She asked.

"I expect you no later than 8 am. I will not require the usual coffee. I bought a coffee maker for the house," Miranda said with a smile.

"Alright, I'll be here." Andy agreed. "8 o'clock sharp, without coffee ."

"Very well. That's all." Miranda stated, inching closer to grab the book.

Andy stepped back quickly and said her goodbyes.

Roy drove her home and she stepped into her empty apartment twenty minutes after leaving the townhouse.

She had been living alone for over a year after Nate had left to go to Boston. In the end, she was glad since their relationship was in tatters, plus there was the fact she had fallen in love with her boss, which made it hard to work for Miranda. And yet, since the pandemic they had been keeping their distance, so at least that helped a little.

She had been alone a lot since Nate left, especially lately, since she wasn't supposed to meet up with friends. Just two weeks ago restaurants had closed and now schools and offices had followed suit.

Frankly, it terrified her and she was worried about her friends and family but more than anything, she was worried about Miranda. It was both a blessing and a curse to work closely with Miranda in her home. She would be safe, but she would also be closer to her boss in her private realm and knew being alone with Miranda would make it virtually impossible for her not to flirt with the woman.

Andy hadn't hugged anyone for weeks, not her friends, not her family. She had no love interest, nobody. And she missed it so much. She just wanted to hold someone and to be held.

She wondered if Miranda ever felt the same but at least she had her girls and could cuddle them silly, especially now Stephen moved out, which Andy was more than happy about. The divorce had been final only for a couple of weeks and it was a relief to all involved.

Andy went through her day once more and checked her email to make sure everything was running smoothly. Her head was pounding after the stressful day and she realised she had forgotten to drink enough. She got herself some tap water and some Tylenol for her head and decided to call it a day and go to sleep.

Before sleep hit, she wondered how everything would work out while working from the townhouse on Monday.

The last thought on her mind before she finally drifted into a peaceful slumber was her beautiful boss.

xxxxx

Andy woke up Monday and was glad she'd thought to set up her devices over the weekend so the week could start as smoothly as possible while working from home. She knew Miranda wouldn't appreciate her work being delayed.

While she got ready for work, the news was on and she saw the latest numbers on COVID cases.

She was awed by the people working in health care, they were such heroes in her eyes. Seeing the numbers constantly going up she turned off the TV. It made her even more anxious and she needed to be able to focus.

She knew this was a big change for Miranda, who relished the efficiency that she had in the office. The changes would be tough on her and Andy expected her to be in a hellish mood. She took her test and decided to send the picture with the negative result to Miranda personally.

At the townhouse, Miranda was in the exact opposite of a bad mood. She had helped the twins set up their equipment and they were both busy with their online classes. "Alright girls, you can come down on your break and I will make us lunch. Until then you're all set." She explained as she gave them each another bottle of water. "And be sure to work as hard as you do in school. It remains important."

"Yes, mom," Caroline groaned, annoyed by the lecture.

"We will," Cassidy huffed.

Each of them went into their rooms and the doors slammed shut behind them

"I'll be downstairs working with Andrea," Miranda called after them.

She had gotten ready as usual but decided to wear black designer jeans with flats and a blouse with zebra stripes on it rather than her usual business attire. She had just finished her make up when she saw the text from Andrea with a photo of a negative test.

She took a picture of her own test and sent it to her with the comment;

I guess we are all set then.

Yes, we are. I'm on my way. Roy just picked me up.

The reply came immediately and Miranda moved down to the kitchen to fix two large mugs of coffee. She took them upstairs to her office and started to go through her emails.

Miranda knew she'd have a lot to do to get organised but honestly, what could go wrong with Andrea by her side?

TBC