Kissing Mr. Bradley

Chapter 5

Maudie pointed to the large monitors at the front desk.

"You can see all levels of the building here," she said. "It's pretty awesome."

She showed me how to work the cameras and trained me on proper phone etiquette.

I picked up the phone and we practiced a test run.

"Thank you for calling," I said, then hung up.

"We want our guests to keep coming back to us," Maudie explained. "We want our clientele to grow and with that, we need to have exceptional communication skills."

I had another trial run on the phone and tried to match Maudie's high pitched tone. It was like playing a different character aside from the one I was already playing.

"Keep practicing," she said to me. "You'll get it soon enough."

After a few more attempts, Maudie commented on my attire. She deemed it too revealing and unprofessional for a receptionist.

"What's wrong with a bit of skin?" I asked.

"Oh, Saffron," she said, shaking her head. "Less is always more. Give me a second and I'll be right back."

Maudie left the desk only to come back with a straight, A-lined skirt and an oversized matching uniform blazer.

"What is that?" I asked.

"I doubt you'll be given an official name tag," she said. "Seeing as how this is a temporary position and all, but here's an extra uniform for you."

I glanced at the plain uniform in disgust but didn't complain. I had to comply with everything.

When lunch rolled around, Ethan and his siblings entered the lobby. They moved together, their steps trekking along the tile at the same time. They greeted the other agents in the lobby as they passed by. The Bradley's were praised just by existing. The power they held over everybody was overwhelming.

Ethan stopped at the front desk.

"We're heading out," he said. "How's she doing, Maudie?"

"I can speak for myself," I cut in. "I'm doing just fine, thank you."

"I'll be back soon, Maudie," he continued. "Take down my messages, will you?"

Ezra and Bronwyn exchanged looks.

"Enjoy your lunch break, Mr. Bradley," I said, quickly getting his attention.

Ethan stopped midway and looked over his shoulder at me.

"We will," he responded. "Hold down the fort, Ms. Hastings."

After the Bradley's left the lobby, Maudie and I took our own lunch break while monitoring the cameras. She ate her sandwich in small nibbles while talking in between.

"Are you going to eat?" she asked.

"Maybe later," I replied, still checking the monitors and studying every part of the establishment.

"Mr. Bradley's the best boss," she commented. "A one hour lunch break is one reason why."

"Maudie," I said, finally getting a word in between her talking and chewing. "What more do you know about Ethan?"

She pursed her lips. "Well!" she exclaimed. "Ms. Hastings wants the 411 on all things Mr. Bradley?"

I played it off. "I just want to know a little more about the man I'm working under," I said. "That's all."

She put down her sandwich and made herself comfortable.

"Let's see..." she started.

Maudie told me things that were common knowledge and easily accessible with just an internet search. I knew about the generational wealth they acquired through their family and how the Bradley's were set for life. I knew that their father was the founder of Bradley & Sons before passing it on to his eldest son, Ethan. I had a feeling there was more to their story than just money.