An Unexpected Request

Chapter 17

Since the first time Emily Charlton set foot on Runway, her existence was not the best. Being abused and mistreated by Miranda Priestly was routine. It was part of the job. Or so Emily told herself constantly, as she resisted the urge to lash out at Miranda, kick off her damn high shoes, and run like a madwoman to stuff herself at the first diner she found.

Nonetheless, as much as she suffered, Emily remained steadfast in her British persistence and personal stubbornness. She would nobly pass the ordeal and then reap the rewards.

Anyone who could handle being Miranda Priestly's assistant and receiving her recommendation when leaving the job, would be able to work anywhere in the city, in the country. Probably, anywhere in the world!

But as masochistic as it sounded, Emily actually did not want to leave Runway. Her dream was the Art Department.

Amid the mad rush of her duties, Emily paid attention, learned. Who better to look up to than the tyrant bitch, but also Goddess and genius, Miranda Priestly?

More than anyone, Emily knew the Editor could make an adult cry with just one of her looks. Miranda was extremely demanding, her taste par excellence, somewhat psychotic. The woman really enjoyed the suffering of her employees.

Yet, eccentricities aside, Miranda Priestly was the best. She reigned absolute.

Emily had no pretense of being like her, Miranda was unique, a legend. However, one day, Emily wanted to be there, at the top, being part of her court.

The conversation she had had with Miranda the day before had unsettled her. Maybe if the older woman had fired her, she would not have surprised Emily so much.

Emily knew Miranda and Andrea went to a fertilization clinic, Roy told her the treat. Obviously they kept it to themselves. They were not crazy about spreading the gossip with their coworkers. Still, Emily thought it was one of Miranda's moves, who will know why, was fucking Andrea 'Andy' Sachs.

The Fashion Queen could have anyone she wanted, but she chose the carb-eating, good-girl, cocky-smart provincial Sachs.

How this annoyed Emily!

True, Andrea blossomed after Nigel's magic touch. To the amazement of the first assistant, Andrea managed to maintain her weight, God knows how!

She would never tell anyone, but Emily had to admit that Andrea was very attractive, with those expressive eyes and disgustingly gorgeous lashes, plus her full mouth and shy smile. The girl had her merits. She even developed a fashion sense.

Even though it hurt her deeply, Emily admitted, too, that Andrea was the best assistant Miranda had ever had.

Emily tried so hard, but it was never enough. The ex-fat-cocky seemed to guess Miranda's wishes. Even when the woman was fiendishly demanding, Andrea found a way to fulfill her whims.

The girl was smart and adaptable, there was no way she could not admit it, too.

However, it was more than smartness. Emily had always thought the two of them had something, a kind of connection. The first assistant, although, never wanted to follow that line of thought. It was something she did not even want to imagine. Then later, with Andrea's escape, the redhead forgot about it.

But it was true, the two did have 'something special'. Such knowledge, strangely, soothed Emily, as her dispute with Andrea was never really fair.

In a gruff and emotionally retarded way, Miranda made it clear that 'Andrea' was now part of her family's life. For Emily, the sudden display of confidence was genuinely shocking.