Kissing Mr. Bradley

Chapter 1

One step further and I would be entering the most prominent territory of my generation.

There it was, The Bradley & Sons Real Estate Agency, right there in front of my eyes and at the heart of the big city. It was only the beginning of what was yet to come. A mission I had been planning since the beginning of time. It was all too surreal to have it come to fruition after many years of manifestation. It was sort of funny in a way, how everything fell so neatly onto my lap. My mother was right along. Everything was going to work out in due time. I almost felt guilty for refusing to listen to any advice my mother would give me. I knew how right she truly was and this day had proved that.

The intricate structure of the Bradley & Sons building towered over me. I couldn't take my eyes off of it. It was mesmerizing to say the least. It resembled a pretzel with its twisted architectural design. Every window that was present lit up like a Christmas tree. It was the only building that was uniquely distinct from all of the other skyscrapers that nestled quietly in the loud city. There was just something so special about Bradley & Sons. It was nearly impossible to pass it by without admiring its everlasting beauty. Although it was near perfect on the outside, without a single defect that could be seen or pointed out with the naked eye, what carried on inside of the agency itself was a mystery to those who would never get the opportunity to step foot into the high end building.

The front entrance of Bradley & Sons was heavily monitored by security. Cameras were discreetly hidden at every angle and camouflaged with artificial plants that hung loosely around as if they were there merely for decoration and not another security measure. Anyone who worked at an established company would know this.

Beyond the outside security cameras resided the eldest sibling of the Bradley family, Ethan Bradley. His office was located at the top floor, safe and hard to come by without scheduling an appointment for weeks, and sometimes even months, in advance.

Ethan Bradley was the envy of men with his top position in power. He made women wet between the legs with just a single glance of acknowledgement. He was the biggest businessman in the city carrying a household name that marked the legacy of his family amongst many businesses alike. He was a prosperous real estate agent. He sold many properties from vacation homes to wide stretches of land to the most wealthy. His numbers ranked the highest of every neighboring agency in the city and his business was on perfect standing.

Aside from his business, Ethan's personal life also left room for envy.

He lived in a dream house, drove a fancy black sports car and dined at many of the city's finest restaurants but it wasn't just Ethan who had lucked out thanks to his generational wealth. His entire family worked the ins and outs of the business that garnered billions. It was safe to say that Ethan Bradley had won both the genetic and financial lottery in life. It was Ethan's world, we were all just living in it and some of us were living vicariously through him.

A cascade of dark clouds blanketed over the city, bringing forth a light sprinkle of rain. The day's forecast held some significance to the overwhelmingly daunting mood of the Bradley & Sons establishment. It was almost as if something sinister was behind the glass building and I was being warned to take it slow, don't screw up the plan and to keep the enemy as close to me as possible.

"This is my stop," I said to the driver. "Thank you."

I dug into my purse and tossed a couple dollar bills and an extra tip his way.

"Have a nice day, ma'am!" he exclaimed, showcasing a toothless smile at the only good deed I planned on doing that day because in the face of Ethan Bradley, doing good wasn't going to get me anywhere in the place of business. I had to step on a couple of necks to get to the top of the ladder and I was willing to do just that.

I got out of the car and raced up the steps to the building before the downpour began. I wouldn't dare step foot into Ethan's office drenched in rainwater.

Of all the days, I chose a very impressionable look in hopes of getting the attention of Ethan. It wasn't the most professional business attire I could find in my closet but it was sure to make a statement. One could never go wrong with a sheer blouse, a tight little pencil skirt that stopped above the knee with a side slit up to my thigh and a pair of black pumps that elongated my legs like a high rise. First impressions were everything, especially when it came to Mr. Bradley.

Once in the lobby, my heels made sweet music with the checkered polished marble. As if the marble was a chess board, I became its piece, preferably the Queen. I scanned the lobby, critically thinking about my next move. It was a game of pure strategy and unpredictability with quick movements one would be sure to miss if they weren't paying close attention.

I guess you could say that I dominated my arrival at Bradley & Sons, making my presence known amongst the masses of agents in the room. I was quickly acknowledged by men in crisp suits and women in peplum skirts. I was greeted with quick glances and nods of approval as if I belonged and there was no doubt about it. If I was getting as much acknowledgement from the employees, I could only imagine how much I would get from Mr. Bradley himself. Of course, I had to keep myself from showing too much confidence. That could easily be my downfall.

The night before, I played out many different roles in front of the mirror. The sweet and innocent Virgin that knew no better was a classic but it was too overdone and I wouldn't be able to pull off the sweet and innocent mask for far too long. Then, there was the intimidating boss babe with a soft side. It was another good role to play but I couldn't pull off much of the soft side as I wanted either. The last one was probably the most desired. It was the vain, opinionated and dark feminine bitch that every guy chased and lusted after. A professional businessman like Ethan would be no different for he was still a man. That was the role I had going for me.

Behind the front desk was Maudie, the receptionist. She was a bubbly young woman who couldn't have been much older than twenty-one with her soft features and her obvious signs of naivety. Automatically, I knew she would be the one to use for all things related to the Bradley's. It was always the least expected that knew everything about everyone.

"Hi," she said as her voice wavered the moment she made eye contact with me. "Welcome to Bradley & Sons Real Estate Agency. How can I help you?"

"I have a very important interview," I said. "With Mr. Ethan Bradley."

Her brows, light and barely noticeable, raised just slightly.

She pointed in the direction of some of the finest leather seats in the lobby, perfectly positioned at a ninety degree angle. To the side was a potted fern that added an extra shade of greenery to the dark and monochromatic design of the building.

"Please," she started. "Why don't you have a seat and I'll let Mr. Bradley know you have arrived."

I have arrived.

The words had such a nice ring to it.

I took a seat and waited in the lobby just as Maudie suggested, observing the scene around me as affluently dressed men and women stepped out of the chrome elevators, coming and going as they pleased. They exerted sophistication and purpose. They had their own plan in mind on how they wanted to be perceived by the world and what they wanted their lives to look like. We all had a similar aspiration. We were all trying to make it in the same fucked up place. Trying to make ends meet, striving to get to the top. My plan was far more personal though, some may even say a bit calculated. A plan that had everything to do with Mr. Bradley and the blood stain his family had left on the Hastings name. I was growing impatient and upset as the thought of my family's broken legacy crossed my mind and brought me back to the reason why I was at Bradley & Sons. After that feeling wore off, the drive to retrieve what I had lost came at me ten fold.

Maudie presented a vibrant smile behind her pink glossed lips that matched her bubblegum persona. Her small steps with the soft pat of her flats against the tile hurried over to me.

"Mr. Bradley is ready to see you," she said. "Follow me."