Kissing Mr. Bradley

Chapter 16

Bronwyn Bradley dripped in gold. From head to toe, she glistened as she made her grand entrance underneath the crystal chandelier. Everybody's eyes were on her. That's the way she liked it. She was the center of attention on her big day. She cut through the crowd as the guests moved to the side to make room for her as if she was parting the Red Sea. Her waves of hair moved with the motion of her body as she showed off her gold ensemble. The ends of the gold dress she wore trailed behind her with the sparkles reflected by the chandelier. The guests clapped for her as she proudly stood at the center.

Bronwyn wasn't the only one who desired attention on a big night. Donna stood at the top of the grand staircase watching from below. She stepped down, slowly and gracefully, as her white empire dress trailed behind her with diamonds worth more than gold. Bronwyn looked away and pretended as if her mother wasn't stealing the limelight away from her.

The party began with lively music. Bradley & Sons employees and family friend's of the Bradley's danced, drank and conversed with one another in the high rise mansion.

"Happy birthday, Bronwyn," I said, catching up to her. "You look beautiful."

She crossed her arms. "Which one invited you?"

"The boss," I replied. "Ethan."

She rolled her eyes. "I should've known," she said. "He'd invite just about anyone to a family affair. Even as a little boy he couldn't leave the strays alone. He always had to bring them home."

"Where is Ethan?" I asked, ignoring her subtle jab at me.

She shrugged. "Tell him to come find me," she said. "If you run into him."

Bronwyn disappeared into the crowd the same time Donna found me. It seemed like no matter what I did, I was suddenly a magnet to the Bradley's.

"Saffron," Donna said in a sweet tone. "Lovely to see you again."

"Likewise."

"Do you gamble?" she asked as she pointed to the casino themed table where a group of well respected men and their gorgeous girlfriends took a chance at a game of blackjack.

"No," I said. "Do you?"

Donna laughed with her entire chest. "I've had my fair share of wins," she replied with a large grin. "Every single time."

"They let you win," I said in a joking manner she didn't seem to take too well. "You are the force behind Bradley & Sons aside from Ethan. I'm sure they'll do anything to make you happy. Even if that means letting you win at everything."

"Where are you from?" she asked suddenly with a squint of her eye as if there was a possibility of us having a personal connection to one another.

Before I could answer, I spotted Ethan in the crowd. His arm was locked around Katherine as they greeted the guests who quickly formed a circle around them.

"There he is," I said.

"They're a beautiful couple," Donna whispered, her lips touching my ear. "They're perfect for each other don't you think?"

"I definitely don't disagree."

Her grin was gone. "Good," she said flatly. "Then you'll have no problem keeping your relationship with my son strictly a professional one."

I stayed calm and collected. I wasn't going to let Donna shake me up no matter how much she wanted to watch me squirm.

"Of course!" I exclaimed. "I can assure you that my relationship with Ethan is strictly professional. I fully respect him and his personal life with Katherine."