Chapter 1 The interview

Andrea looked at the classifieds in the paper. This year she will complete a masters degree in law, she had been so excited when she received her letter of acceptance to the program, but worry soon set in. She had always dreamed of completing her masters and now at the age of 24 she has the opportunity, but she does not want to burden her parents with the fees of another year's studying. So, she is looking for a job that will enable her to study using her own money-this will not be easy as the fees are excessive and waitressing or something similar will definitely not cover the costs. Her eyes scan the pages of the newspaper and a single advertisement catches her eyes.

AU PAIR POSITION

2 CHILDREN

LIVE IN- DUE TO THE EMPLOYERS DIFFICULT SCHEDULE.

PAYMENT-$50000 PER WEEK

5 DAYS A WEEK

CALL 555253 6780 TO SET UP AN INTERVIEW

Andrea could not believe what she read, the payment in the advertisement had to be a mistake, but even if it is, this job could be perfect. The advertisement was short and did not give much information, but she could work on her dissertation while the kids are at school or even in the evenings and a live- in position would mean that she would not have to pay rent. Andrea dialled the number and wrote the details for the interview down as a woman with a British accent rumbled the instructions. Andrea guessed from the conversation that the woman was the employer's assistant as her tone was frantic and impersonal.

Her interview was scheduled for 9am the following day.

The next morning Andy woke up feeling excited and nervous for the interview. She showered and put on a pair of comfortable jeans and a wool jersey. She printed out her CV and grabbed her leather bag that she carried over her shoulder. She took a taxi to what she assumed was the employers work address at the Elias clark building. She entered the office and got disapproving looks from just about every person in the office. This was the office of some famous fashion magazine and she has never felt so out of place in her entire life. She walked up to the assistant

"Hi, I'm here for the au pair position" Andrea said hesitantly.

The red head looked up and with a tone of irritation said, "You're late."

"I'm not supposed to be here for another five minutes."

"You have come to see Miranda Priestly, if you are not fifteen minutes early, then you are late!"

"Emily", a soft voice called from behind glass doors and Andy was startled by the speed with which the assistant rushed to the door. When the assistant came out a moment later she told Andrea that she could enter. Feeling unsure of herself Andrea walked through the doors to find a woman with white hair and the most beautiful elegant face that Andrea has even seen. The woman was sitting behind her desk, but Andrea could still see that she was the embodiment of style and fashion in a tight fitting black dress that clung to her perfectly, which made Andy feel even worse about herself.

The woman seemed to be unaware of her presence in the office and after a long moment, Andy cleared her throat and said, "H Hi, I'm Andy…". Without even looking up the woman said, "Are you just going to stand there of are you going to give me your resumé? Andy fumbled for the document and when she finally found it she approached Miranda's desk and held the document out to her. Miranda finally looked up and scrutinised Andy with a disgusted look, Andy hoped that the look was directed at her clothes and not at herself, but she could not tell. Miranda's face was stunning and even this disapproving look seemed to take Andy's breath away.What the fuck is the matter with me?? This woman is tearing me apart with a look and I can't form a coherent thought. Focus!Miranda looked over the document with faint disinterest and then back to Andy. "What makes you think that you are capable of being an au pair for my children?" Miranda asked. "Well I am great with kids, I used to babysit all the time in high school and even University, I can help them with homework, play with them, I did an emergency medical course, so you know that they are safe with me. I am very reliable and trustworthy. If I may ask, how old are your children?" Miranda paused and then said, "They are three years old, why are you interested in this position if you have a law degree?". "Well, I am doing my masters this year and I really need the money for my studies, I would really enjoy being your children's au pair and I am sure you and your husband will find me very helpful and reliable." Miranda's face hardened and she glared at Andy, "I do not have a husband and I am not sure that I can find anyone wearing that jersey reliable, I am not about to trust my children with some fat girl who assumes things about my life and then takes it upon herself to judge my situation." Andy stood frozen, an expression of fear on her face, why did she have to day husband? She does not know this woman, why did she say that. Feeling like such an idiot and getting more nervous every second that Miranda looked at her with steely eyes, Andy stammered, "I am so sorry, I did not mean to judge you, I don't even know you …" "You do not know who I am?" Miranda said gave Andy a disgusted look, "Well I suppose I should not be surprised, that's all". Miranda went back to her work and Andy just stood there stunned, she could not believe that this woman dismissed her just like that. She did not even bother to day anything else and just walked out of the office as fast as she could. Tears of humiliation and anger brimmed in her eyes, how dare that woman treat her like that? Andy felt overcome with emotion as she stood outside the building. She should hate Miranda, and yet she just wanted to look into those beautiful blue eyes again, she wanted to impress Miranda and she did not know why.

Andy felt miserable and she wandered the streets aimlessly. Lunchtime came, and Andy got a donut to help her forget her worries, she reached the park and went to sit on a park bench. She took out the paper to start looking for another job. "Hey", she heard a small voice and she lowered her newspaper to find an adorable small blonde girl looking at her. "Hey there sweetheart." Andy said sweetly and looked around to see who the little girl belongs to. "Can I have some of your donut?" the girl asked, and Andy laughed, "I'm sorry sweety but you will have to ask your mommy or daddy first." The girl looked around but did not seem to see the person who brought her to the park. "I'm Caroline, what is your name, can I sit with you?" "My name is Andy and sure you can, who brought you to the park darling?", Andy asked. "Mommy did, but I don't know where she is now." Andy smiled at the fact that the little girl did not sound worried by this. Caroline clumsily climbed on the bench and into Andy's lap and started touching Andy's hair. Andy smiled at the little girl who suddenly made her forget all her worries. "Andy, I don't like your sweater." The little girl said, and Andy laughed and said, "You are not the only one.". Caroline traced her fingers on Andy's face and asked, "Why are you sad Andy?", "I just had a rough morning sweetheart, don't worry about me. Caroline kept talking to Andy and Andy kept up with the conversation while they were walking around the park looking for Caroline's mom. They walked hand-in-hand and Andy felt so much better.

Miranda had taken the girls to the park in her lunch break as she did not have a nanny for them at the moment. She watches as Cassidy slipped down the slide and she stood up when she could not see Caroline. Miranda's thoughts had been swimming and now she had to look for Caroline. She did not panic yet, as Caroline was a bit more difficult than Cassidy and she liked to wander off, she was very fussy and did not like many people. The previous nanny worked for Miranda for two years and Caroline still refused to talk to her. Miranda supposed that Caroline was a little more like herself. She called Cassidy and they started walking around, looking for Caroline. Miranda heard Caroline's voice and followed it, it came from behind a big tree and Miranda stopped, curious to hear what Caroline was saying as she would never talk to a stranger. "I rode a horse and we ate cake and we had two cakes because it was my sister's birthday too…" Miranda heard, followed by "That sounds amazing Caroline, I like horses too, do you see your mommy anywhere sweetheart, she is probably looking for you." The voice sounded sweet and oddly familiar and Miranda could hear some laughter in it at her daughter's excitement.

Andy picked Caroline up as the little girl held her arms outstretched just as someone came from behind the tree. Andy stood in shock as she saw that it was in fact Miranda Priestly. Miranda's face mirrored her own and Andy realised Caroline must be her child as she had a matching twin holding her hand. "Mommy! This is my new friend Andy, she had a bad day, but she says that I made her feel better and that she likes horses too and she does the crossword puzzle just like you mommy." Caroline said excitedly, and Miranda looked warily at Andy before saying, "Bobbsey, how many times have I told you not to run off like that, mommy worries when she can't find you.". Andy could not help to find Miranda interacting with her daughter adorable, even after how horrible she made her feel this morning. Andy handed the child over to Miranda, looking into her eyes and before Miranda could take the child, Caroline placed a wet kiss on Andy's face and said, "Bye Andy", Andy smiled at the girl and said, "Bye Caroline, bye Cassidy (Caroline told her about her sister), bye Miranda" and walked off, refusing to humiliate herself further by engaging with Miranda.

Miranda stared after Andy, the young girl certainly had a beautiful smile. Why did Caroline have to make friends with the poor girl she probably reduced to tears this morning. She tried to forget the girl's intense gaze later at home, but it was difficult as Caroline would not stop talking about "Andy".Fuck! I'm going to have to hire her.She called Emily and told her to call Andy and give her the details.