2.

Getting out of the house was not an easy task to complete. Despite her years of experience dealing with the paparazzi she had difficulties pushing through the small crowd that had gathered in front of her home. She did not bother to answer any of their questions. Not even a "no comment" left her mouth. She got into the car and headed to her office. During the ride she checked her emails, looking for the one Leslie's friend had received and had claimed that it was from her. At first she almost believed that the email had been sent from her email address but when she examined it more closely something caught her attention.

"Smart." she murmured. A fake email, with Runway misspelled. A classic tactic used in phishing, and now in this case a ploy used to fool the media. She understood how something like that could be overlooked by the smear-sheet, in a moment of excitement and in their eagerness to get the scoop. She felt relieved that possibly it wasn't her staff who had betrayed her, but someone who had no direct access to her office.

There was more paparazzi in front of the Elias-Clark but she breezed through them ignoring their questions once again. Inside the building she felt people's eyes on her and there were some who actually dared to whisper behind her back. She didn't care. The days would pass and a new sensational story would take over and she would be old news again.

Arriving at her office she dropped her coat and bag on the second assistant's desk.

"Coffee. Now. Emily. Meeting in my office in five."

She sipped the coffee that was placed in front of her and hummed in agreement. Searing hot. The first thing that pleased her this morning. There was a knock at her door and not waiting for an answer Nigel stuck his head inside.

"Morning Miranda. You naughty girl. You should have told me first before you came out for the whole world."

Miranda grinned grimly at her longtime friend.

"So very funny, Nigel. You should sign up for open mic night somewhere in Soho."

Nigel grinned back and sat down in the chair next to Miranda's desk.

"You know this is big right?"

"No. Actually, I don't think it's a big deal, Nigel. Coming out as a lesbian. I could have done worse."

Nigel leaned forward, his face serious.

"It's a real problem, Miranda. I know Edna Martin and for her it is going to be a deal breaker."

"How do you mean? Am I missing something here?"

"I don't know who planned this ploy but they definitely know Edna and her past very well. I'm surprised you don't remember it. It was all over the news at that time."

Miranda frowned and sipped from her coffee. It tasted bitter this time.

"For God's sake. Spit it out will you."

"Several years ago, Edna fell in love with a woman. She fell hard. It was a once in a lifetime type of love. You know, soulmates and happily ever after. The power lesbian couple happiness and fluff. Until one day Edna accidentally overheard a conversation between her beloved and her friend." Nigel stopped and sighed dramatically. "Long story short, Edna found out that the love of her life wasn't in love with her. She wasn't even a lesbian. In fact every time she and Edna made love, she apparently literally fell sick and threw up every time."

"What…? Why?"

"Easy money. I believe. The woman was not the typical eye candy, so finding an older millionaire and getting married wasn't that easy. But somehow she charmed Edna. Now since then Edna has been a bit paranoid. You coming out just as she bought those shares…well that's sure to be more than a little suspicious to her. She will question your intentions. She will think that you came out just to strengthen your position at Runway. And who ever caused this ruckus probably knows this."

"Just wonderful. You're telling me that I can't win this one?"

Before he could answer Leslie strolled in with several more people in tow. They rolled in a clothes rack, bringing make-up tools and reflectors.

Miranda raised her eyebrow. "Care to explain what is going on here?"

"I've figured out the solution" answered Leslie. "What you need is to convince the world that you are a lesbian. So I contacted an agency and they are sending over a woman who is going to act as your significant other for the next few months. You'll go out on dates, show up together at the upcoming events. And of course, at the end you'll break up, you'll be heartbroken and you'll go back to men. End of story, everyone will be happy."

"What!"

Leslie missed the icy tone of Miranda's voice and went on with her idea.

"We take some pictures of the two of you and release them to the press. When your soon-to-be girlfriend arrives, we dress her up, add a bit of makeup and all will be settled."

"I see…and how the…" Miranda wasn't able to finish because Emily burst into the office dragging a beautiful, young brunette with her. The woman looked like a deer in headlights, obviously uncomfortable. She opened her mouth to say something but was hushed and pushed into Miranda's private bathroom.

"Make up! Clothes!" ordered Leslie and the office became a noisy mess in a blink of an eye. Everyone seemed to talk at the same time. They started to rearrange the furniture, to create an acceptable scene for the photo shoot. An armful of clothes were carried into the bathroom and a makeup artist slipped inside, to transform the young brunette into a princess worthy enough to compliment the Queen. They all were so immersed in their task that they failed to see the storm coming.

A loud bang made them freeze, when Miranda pounded her fist on the desk.

"Enough! Everybody get out. Now!"

Miranda turned her attention to Leslie who blinked in horror.

"Are you out of your mind? You can't seriously think that I would agree to something like this. I'm not going to fake a relationship. I'm not going to pose as a lesbian with a kid on my arm." She motioned toward the bathroom. "What were you thinking? Is she even legal?"

"I…" stammered Leslie.

"Get out. I will deal with you later."

Miranda looked at Nigel who smiled wryly. "You too."

Turning her back, Miranda looked out of the window and gazed at the small snowflakes falling from the gray sky. There was some bustling behind her back than all went silent. She rubbed her temple. The headache was coming back.

"Well…well…well. How are you today, Miranda?" The acid in the voice of the man who had entered the office was unmistakable.

Miranda groaned. "Irv."

"I thought I'd pay you a visit before you leave us for good this time."

"I don't understand you, Irv. Why do you think that my coming out would end my career? If you haven't noticed, we are way past the middle ages…or the nineties."

"Your coming out? Don't make me laugh, Miranda. We both know that you had nothing to do with that press release."

"Do we now, Irv?"

"I mean…I assume you're not really in a relationship with a woman are you?"

"Would that surprise you, Irv? Maybe after three failed marriages I finally realized that men are not what I want. Maybe I've been in a lesbian relationship for the past few years and no one knew about it, because I've had enough of living my life in the public eye and I've kept my private life where it belongs…private."

"I don't believe you, Miranda. And take my word for it, Edna Martin won't either. She doesn't take kindly when someone tries to use her. Knowing your reputation she won't fall for the "but I'm really a lesbian" bullshit."

"And of course you'll be there to make sure of that. Right, Irv?"

"I'll do what I have to do to finally get rid of you, Miranda. You, in a relationship with a woman? Seriously? You are not capable of maintaining a relationship. No one would put up with your attitude for long. Some might tolerate you for your fame and money but who would want to go to bed every single night with a cold, heartless..."

His hateful speech was interrupted when the private bathroom's door swung open and a young woman stepped out. She was buttoning her shirt and didn't lift her gaze as she addressed Miranda.

"Hey gorgeous can you help me with this? You know how clumsy I can be sometimes?"

They were both staring at the newcomer, wordless as she stopped in front of the editor before finally looking up. Apparently noticing that she was not alone in the office with Miranda, her gaze settled on the angry looking, red faced man who was staring at her disbelievingly. Clearly he was on the verge of having a stroke. She flashed a fake apologetic smile at the gapping man and leaning closer to the equally dumfounded Miranda she whispered loud enough to be heard by both of them.

"Oh I'm sorry. I didn't realize that you had a visitor. I don't want to hold you up any longer, I have an appointment and I'm already late." She tilted her head and offered a wide honest smile, so unlike the one before.

"See you tonight sweetie?"

Miranda who still hadn't found her voice just nodded, her lips moving involuntarily until they reflected the smile she had received from the brunette. She was taken further aback when the younger woman reached up, gently palmed her face, and pulled her in for a kiss. It was a chaste, albeit sweet kiss, that colored the editor's cheeks and left her more speechless than she was before.

The brunette pulled back with a dreamy sigh and caressed the editor's face one more time with her fingertips. "Later sweetheart." she whispered and was out of the office leaving the stunned editor and her angry companion behind.

As if waking from a dream Miranda shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. What the hell was that? She of course recognized the brunette as the "mail order bride" but she had no idea that she was still hiding in her bathroom. What was she doing there anyway? Why hadn't she left with the others? And how did she dare to act like that.

The editor wet her lips with her tongue, tasting the younger woman on them. The memory of the unexpected kiss sent shivers through her body. She had never been kissed by a woman before and at that moment she was thinking that perhaps she should have tried it long ago because it just felt right. This was so unlike her. She had been kissed by a complete stranger, a woman twenty years her junior of all things, and instead of getting annoyed and angry, all she could think of was how wonderful it was. Irv was completely forgotten, as she sunk into her chair closed her eyes and continued to replay the kiss in her mind.

"Don't think this is over. We are not done yet."

The moment lost, Miranda opened her eyes and made a dismissive gesture with her hand towards Irv, who was hovering over her desk, his face even more red than before.

"Oh we are pretty much done here Irv. I don't care what you say or do. I don't care about your petty games, period." Miranda closed her eyes again, signaling that the conversation was indeed over.

Thankfully, Irv got the clue and left. However, he made sure that his departure was heard throughout the office by shutting the door forcefully. But that had little effect on Miranda. What had affected her was the kiss and the beautiful brunette who had delivered it so sweetly.

"We have a problem." Leslie's worried voice snapped her out of her daydreaming.

"Leslie. I was just about to call you. Did you have the woman the agency sent sign a non-disclosure agreement? What did you say her name was again?" Miranda tried to act nonchalant but she was eager to get to know the young woman's name.

Suddenly Leslie's earlier words sunk in. "Problem? What are you talking about? Haven't we had enough for one day?"

Leslie cleared her throat nervously.

"I got a call from the agency. The woman they sent had an accident, so she never made it to our office."