"I would love to spend mire time with you but duty calls." Brando said.

Miranda pursed her lips and nodded. She took the roses from his hand and held them against her chest.

They looked into each other's eyes for quite a few seconds. Brando was about to lean in when the door opened sending both parties away from each other.

"Michelle!! What are you doing here?"

Michelle didn't respond immediately but instead eyed Brando.

"Michelle Allen?" Brando asked.

"At your service." Michelle extended her arm for Brando to take." I don't want to seem rude but... we haven't met , have we?"

Brando took her hand and shook it softly." No. Not personally but we have a meeting coming up in just a few weeks."

"Right. Well I'm glad we could meet before. Sometimes the meeting room can become tense when no one knows each other." Michelle let go of her grip on his hand and looked over at Miranda.

She raised her brows in a teasing manner. Miranda rolled her eyes and set the roses down in her glass desk.

"Well I really have to go now. Ms. Allen it was a pleasure meeting you."

"Pleasure was all mine." Michelle added with a smile.

"Ms. Priestly, see you soon. Have a great rest of your day ladies." Brando gave one last look at Miranda, sneaking in a wink at her. He nodded at Michelle on his way out before closing the door after him.

Michelle peeked her head and made sure he was gone.

"Oh my god! What is with you and English men? Your first husband was okay but, Miranda, that one right there is a keeper. Why didn't you tell me you're in a relationship ?

"We aren't in a relationship. We are sort of seeing each other."

"Has he taken you out for dinner?"

"Yes. Many times."

"Have you two been to each other's house?"

"Hm-hm."

"Has he kissed you?" Michelle asked with a very piercing squeal.

"Well.....as a matter of fact yes."

"Then you are past "Just seeing each other" Does Sean know?"

"No. No. He would came rushing in here and bombing me with questions. And the next thing I know, he is sewing me into a wedding dress."

Michelle laughed and nodded. She knew this was true. When she announced her marriage to Danny, he practically was naming her non existing children for her.

"But Sean has seen him, he just doesn't know who he is."

"Oh. How long have you two been 'seeing' each other?"

"2 months."

"Miranda!"

"What?"

"I can't believe you have kept this to yourself. Really."

"Sorry. But I just need to have something for myself. My whole past is exposed to the press. And my life is literally Runway. And I'd like to have kids but I haven't had the time nor have I met the right man. And privacy.....God....that is highly underrated. I just...."

"Miranda, you don't have to explain that to me. I understand."

Miranda's two past marriages had brought more attention to her than her talent. Her persistence to work and striving for perfection had marked her as the Snow Queen. It frustrated her how these two things overshadowed the fact that she was a talented and empowering woman. A woman who had overcome so much and now reached so high.

It was like a dagger through her heart that she couldn't find a partner, a soulmate that understood what she was sacrificing and had sacrificed for her career. In her past two marriages she was the one who picked up the check and payed. The one who had to run around and make the money. She wanted someone that would take care of her for a change.

If she held on to her privacy and the intimacy she was building with Brando: that would keep the press from yet again ruining a chance for her to be happy. To not feel insecure. She felt she had a better chance with Brando, a man who worked in the same industry: a man who understood the time and effort it took to really reflect the modeling business.

In the 2 months that they had been 'seeing' each other. Not once had Brando tried to take things further than she allowed it. Not once had he made her feel ashamed for who she was. Or how much time she needed to do her job as it should be.

"I feel we have got caught up in this Brando thing. Why were you coming to see me darling?"

"Well......I have two good news. One is now I'll be working here in New York, so you will be seeing me MUCH more often."

"Yay!" Miranda said sarcastically before cracking a smile.

"And the second thing is .......I'm pregnant."

"Are you jocking?"

"No."

Miranda wrapped her arms around her friend and hugged her tightly.

"Oh honey. Congratulations! I know you've been trying for so long."

"I know. And you are actually the first person I told. Not even Danny knows. I plan on telling him today."

"I'm sure he will be thrilled. How far along are you?"

"10 weeks."

"That's still so early. Michelle, I am going to spoil that kid rotten."

"I thought you would." Michelle laughed and hugged Miranda one more time.

......

A lot of Michelle in this chapter. I know. But I just had to write more on Jessica.

Btw- I have been writing a Jude/ timothy fanfiction. A fanfiction from asylum in the AHS world. And i don't know if I should publish it or keep it to myself. PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

I LOVE Y'ALL. And thanks for reading.

🌹💋❣