"That's sweet of you, but no, thank you. To be honest, I've been having some troubles with my self-esteem and for a short time I thought I couldn't continue to do what it takes to be your assistant." Andy lied since she couldn't reveal what was troubling her.

"Oh don't be ridiculous, Andrea. You are learning from the best people on our team. I would be very disappointed if you left before your year is over." Miranda insisted, putting on her glasses to work on her laptop.

"I know. I'm totally over my doubts now and promise I'll continue to do my best. Plus, I think I'm getting the hang of the new style I'm developing, and to be honest, the clothes are amazing." Andy chuckled.

"So you're just staying because of the clothes and the benefits you get?" Miranda asked, chuckling inside since she knew her words would make her assistant nervous.

-Take that. And once again she's nervous. I'm so relieved she's staying. I couldn't bear it...to lose her. Oh gosh, she looks so nervous. It makes me all tingly.-

"No! Oh my god, of course not, I'm not staying because of the clothes. I'm staying because of you...um...I mean..." Andy stuttered.

-Shit stay calm. She said she'd stay because of me...don't you dare blush now, Miranda Priestly.-

Her thought came a little too late and a little blush crept up her cheeks. She cleared her throat.

"...I mean...yes, because of you, because I want to learn from you...like you said, from the best." Andy stated with a chuckle as she tried to process what she'd heard from Miranda's mind.

"I see. Well, I might be able to show you how to organise a business meeting and how to plan the budget." Miranda offered.

-I'm officially nuts, I've never offered an assistant a private lesson...Oh lord, it sounds kind of salacious. Get your mind out of the gutter, Priestly.-

"Wow...um...it would be an honour. If you can manage to find the time, I would be more than grateful." Andy said.

"Well, that's settled then. That's all," Miranda said dismissively.

Andy hurried out of her office. "Em, I'll be right back, just gotta go to the bathroom." She said and stormed out.

"It isn't your lunch break yet..." Emily called out, trying to stop her. She hadn't even had the chance to finish before Andy slipped from view. "Great! I love my job." Emily muttered as she continued to work.

Meanwhile, in the bathroom, Andy splashed some cold water on her face. "Fuck, she has naughty thoughts about me...it...shit! Andy, you need to pull yourself together." She whispered to herself as she fixed herself up. She stood in front of the mirror and straightened up. "Right, you need to pull yourself together. " She thought. "She's your boss. You're the assistant. Nothing more, got it?" She went back to her desk and continued to work on her tasks.

"It's about time you got back and finally did some work." Emily snarled, giving her a quick but meaningful glare.

"I know, I'm sorry Em," Andy said smiling cheerfully at her colleague, which she knew would make her even more furious.

xxx

Andy stepped into the townhouse. She'd just hung the dry cleaning in the closet and turned to leave the book when Miranda arrived home with the twins.

"Good evening, Miranda. Look, I'm sorry, I'll be gone in a second." Andy said not wanting to disturb her sacred time with her girls.

"Andy!" The girls yelled and hugged her tightly.

"I would appreciate it if you would leave Andrea in one piece, Bobbsey's," Miranda said with a small chuckle.

-She's so good with my babies. That's the sweetest picture.-

Miranda's thoughts made her smile. "Come on girls, our ice cream will melt if we don't eat it now." She said.

"Mom took us to get our favourite dessert because we both got A's on our chemistry test," Cassidy explained with a sparkle in her eyes.

"I can't wait. Do you wanna join us, Andy? Then we can tell you all the new gossip from school." Caroline offered, trying to pull her towards the kitchen.

"Well, Andrea, I guess my girls have decided you have to eat ice cream with us. That is unless you have prior commitments since it's a Friday evening." Miranda said hoping for the best.

-Please say you have time for us.-

"Nope, no plans. I'm free as a bird and I'll be happy to stay, but only if you're sure you don't mind Miranda. I'd love to hear the latest gossip." Andy said chuckling. Since Andy sometimes helped the twins with their homework or studied with them she often knew the latest drama affecting the girls and their friends.

Miranda turned away and got them all bowls and set the containers with some fancy-looking Italian ice cream on the counter and prepared her daughter's serving.

The girls talked nonstop about what was new at school but Andy couldn't focus one bit. She was mesmerised by the sight of Miranda devouring her ice cream and listening to her thoughts.

-This is so lovely. My girls seem to like her so much. But that isn't hard at all...I'm glad my divorce will be over soon. I must remember to send Stephen the rest of his things. I'll organise that tomorrow.-

She was rambling on in her thoughts not really paying attention to what the girls were talking about.

"You okay, Mom?" That was all she heard.

-shit, I wasn't listening at all.-

When Andy heard that she started chuckling. "Your Mom's already told me what she thinks about your friend Karen and her snobby attitude," Andy said to save Miranda, who fortunately played along.

"Yes, you know I don't like brats who get everything without working for it. If you want to achieve something in life you must work hard to get it." Miranda said as she got up to clear the table.

"That's true, mom, and it's exactly what we told Andy," Caroline stated.

"Okay, go on upstairs and get ready for bed girls," Miranda said.

Andy stood up to hug the twin's goodbye. "Sleep well little ones. I can't wait to catch up again soon." She said, smiling down at them.

She heard Miranda's thoughts rambling while she filled the dishwasher.

-I wish she didn't have to go but I guess it's better that way since my divorce isn't final. I can't act on my feelings until it's done, or while she still works for me, but I also don't want her to quit. It's all so confusing.-

"Don't worry, I won't quit," Andy said with a grin as she grabbed her purse. She quickly realised her faux pas when Miranda look at her like she'd seen a ghost.

"Did I say all that out loud?" Miranda whispered in shock.

"I, uh...no...no, Miranda...it's just...I can...I can hear your thoughts...I know it sounds ridiculous..." Andy said.

"Ridiculous you say?" Miranda's voice rose "You have completely lost your mind, Andrea." She said hysterically.

-She's gone nuts…I...what! Okay, if she can hear what I'm thinking then she can tell me the number I'm thinking of. 398.-

"398," Andy whispered. "Look, I know you must think I'm crazy but ever since I hit my head the other day I've been able to hear what you think...Only you...I know it sounds..." Andy tried to find the right words.

"Nuts, ridiculous, crazy...I can't believe it..." Miranda seethed.

-Oh gosh, she would have heard all my thoughts about the way I feel, and shit, now she's heard this too.-

"I did, but Miranda..." Andy wanted to explain and tell her she felt the same and that she'd tried to treat her with respect.

"Get out of my house," Miranda demanded quietly.

-I can't believe that kind of betrayal. Get out now! I know you can hear me. I don't want to yell while my daughters are here. And make sure you have your two weeks on my desk tomorrow. Backdated!-

"Please, Miranda, just let me explain..." Andy pleaded.

Miranda glared at her. She didn't have to say or and certainly didn't have to think anything to let Andy know she had better leave.

Once at the door, Andy turned around once more but Miranda was still in the kitchen silently crying and Andy couldn't see her. "I wish you'd let me explain. I love you." She whispered as she left and closed the door to the townhouse slowly.