An Unexpected Request

Chapter 3

Andy stood in the doorway, watching what appeared to be a drawing room.

"Sit down," Miranda instructed halfway to the opulent, well-served bar at the back of the space. Though, realizing that Andrea was still in the same place, she stopped, and as if remembering something, the woman gave an impatient sigh. "Andrea, 'please', have a seat," she said slowly.

It was not her intention to remind the editor to use good manners. Andy was just immersed in the assessment of the room, as she had never been there before. The decor was refined and luxurious, an impeccable showcase set to impress. Compared to the rest of the townhouse she knew, the area was so impersonal that Andy felt a real shiver run through her body. Yet, her ego was grateful for that rare moment when Miranda Priestly remembered the magic word 'please'.

Andy smiled slightly and did as a request, taking a seat in one of the fancy armchairs. At least it was comfortable.

Miranda huffed and reached the bar. She chose a bottle of Clos Vougeot Grand Cru 2005, opened it with an exclusive corkscrew, grabbed two wine glasses and came back. Without any comment, she handed one of the glasses to Andrea, and poured it. Then Miranda sat in the armchair across from the younger woman, calmly filled her own glass, and placed the bottle on the floor, on the small Persian rug between the furniture.

Andy looked at the piece of crystal in her hand, and admired the crimson liquid for a moment before taking a long drink. Delicious. Good French wine. She noticed that Miranda was also sipping hers. They took their time with the drinks. Both needed to relax a little before the conversation.

After a few more minutes of tactical silence, Miranda looked at Andrea with curious blue-green eyes, as if to say: so what?

Andy took a deep breath.

"Er...well..." She started nervously, then stopped, trying to regain control.

It was weird having Miranda Priestly waiting so eagerly for something she had to say, or being so patient.

"Uh...well...Since I'm here, you must imagine that I intend to accept your request...otherwise, I could have just called and said no, and-"

"So, do you accept?" Miranda wanted to restate the obvious.

"Y-yes...but we need to discuss everything...Look, it's an unusual situation, and-"

"Of course. I understand perfectly. Say your terms," Miranda instructed.

Andy swallowed hard. Setting boundaries for Caroline and Cassidy was one thing, but saying what she wanted and would accept from Miranda Priestly was another matter far more dangerous and full of ramifications. She froze. Her mouth was ridiculously half-open.

Miranda rolled her eyes.

"Andrea, as the wine apparently anesthetized your neurons, which by the way, already seemed to be off today, let me deal with that...If we have any disagreements, we'll discuss the topic, right?"

Andy nodded, her face flushed, her eyes expectant.

"First: all of this will be in a contract," Miranda began.

Andy gave a nod.

"It is strictly forbidden to talk about our situation to the press, before being authorized by me. You must keep our real deal a secret. However, if you need to share it with someone, your parents or a close friend, for example, make sure they keep their mouths shut. Because if it leaks, you're the one who's going to pay for it..."

Andy swallowed and gave another nod.

"Every month I will deposit a significant amount into your account, and-"