An Unexpected Request

Chapter 26

The doors on the Runway floor barely opened, and Miranda Priestly stepped out of the elevator like she was heading into battle. The Editor-in-Chief arrived at the reception area with a stiff posture, her usual hurried gait, with an extra weight on her steps.

"Emily, with me," she called in a sharp tone, after tossing her coat and handbag onto Tara's desk.

The first assistant immediately jumped out of her chair, notepad and pen in hand.

"Cancel my yoga class," Miranda commanded, taking the coffee waiting for her on her desk. "Rearrange my schedule. I'm leaving the office at four-thirty in the afternoon," she instructed, after taking a sip of her coffee, and sitting down in her chair. "I don't care what you have to do, work it out, Emily," the editor clarified, opening The Book.

The first assistant wanted to scream.

She killed herself organizing Miranda's appointments, and when the editor came up with her absurdities, it meant hours of extra agony. What happened this time?

"Andrea's parents will arrive at six-thirty. Tell Roy to pick them up at the airport."

Emily's eyes widened. There was her answer!

"Call them and talk about the deal," Miranda said with pursed lips, inspecting The Book, making notes on it with her red pen. "Mr. Sachs probably won't want to accept any more favors from me. For Andrea's sake, convince him that it will be better for everyone. As if Andrea needed more worrying..." She muttered under her breath to herself, heaving a sigh. Then, the editor lifted her head and looked at Emily, her gaze coldly dangerous. "No matter how, do it."

"Yes, Miranda!" Emily said with a start, and ran out of there.

From her desk, Tara watched the nervous redhead take a deep breath, as she sat back in her chair. The second assistant was thanking heavens that she was not the one having to fulfill Miranda's mission.

Emily looked at Andy's father's cell number in the address book, and after squaring her shoulders, she called. Once she was answered, the first assistant did something that was one of her specialties.

Emily Charlton resorted to emotional pressure.

After Mr. Sachs refused the ride outright, Emily argued for Andrea's well-being, and then pleaded, informing him how Miranda would take it out on her, a poor assistant, for failing to convince them to accept her boss's proposal. This seemed to move the man, who probably, remembering the hard times his daughter had been through, felt sorry for Emily and finally agreed that Roy would come get them.

One problem solved. Now, let's go to the next one! But, first... The redhead picked up her cell and hit speed dial.

"Em!" Andy answered her, euphoric. "I was going to call you just now!"

"Well, I heard the news. Mom and Dad will be visiting, how sweet!" Emily was sarcastic. "At least, I solved the issue with the airport ride."

Andy sighed.

"They finally agreed..."

"But of course! I used a few tricks from my survival arsenal," Emily was snobby.

"I confess that I feel more relieved...It was already very challenging to convince them to stay here. It was fine with me if they took a cab to the townhouse. But Miranda wanted a full service, and she offered Roy. I knew that if my parents didn't accept the ride, Miranda would be upset."

"And that would also upset you, by association," Emily added, rolling her eyes.

"Thank you, Em..."

Emily snorted.