Meet Michael Bradford, the main male protagonist of the book(s).
Copyright © 2024 Maria McDonald
Whilst a large student population of St. Andrew’s were fixated on Elizabeth Hartley’s Oriental appearance – a total contrast to her Caucasian father, what intrigued Michael Bradford the most was the fact that she was seemingly unperturbed by it all. Instead of busily justifying her life story, the newest student seemed content to sit in a quiet corner in the library.
He swung one leg forward, approaching Elizabeth before fully realizing it.
“Hi.”
Still totally engrossed in her novel, Elizabeth ran the tip of her index finger along the last three words of the sentence she was reading; her gesture of acknowledgment was nothing more than a slight upward tilt of her chin.
“I’m…”
“Michael Bradford.”
Elizabeth didn’t regard him with an utterly shell-shocked, star-struck expression the way a group of freshmen girls had every time he walked past them; another thing he found utterly refreshing. She had simply inclined her head at a slight angle and given him a genial, slightly amused smile. Truly, the only thing remotely betraying her confidence was a slight lilt in her voice as she uttered his name.
“It’s impossible not to know who you are,” Elizabeth added, smiling gleefully at Michael’s widened eyes.
The sole heir to the advertising mogul James Patterson Bradford, both his parents had shielded him from the prying eyes of the press as much and as best as they possibly could. He, in turn, had avoided the media’s attention the way one skirted around the most direct way home to minimize potential encounter with bullies.
Despite their best efforts, the media had taken a growing interest at Michael James Bradford. What had started as a casual mention of his name during toddlerhood had gradually morphed into images soon after he reached seven years of age, showing him traipsing along the white sandy beach of Waikiki or skiing the slopes of Hakuba Valley with his parents during their annual vacation. Much as Michael had viewed his enrolment at St. Andrew’s as a way to blend in with students of other high-profile parents, the paparazzi had singled him out like a sore thumb, training their camera lenses on him as he emerged out of his father’s car on his first day of freshman year.
“Not that I understand the fascination, but the media do televize the wealthiest family in Massachusetts attending the Red Sox’s first home game at the opening of each season,” Elizabeth remarked dryly.
Michael lowered his gaze a fraction, trying hard to suppress the heat of embarrassment from creeping up past his neck. To the best of his recollection, with his own mother being the only exception, no member of the opposite sex has ever made him blush.
Should you wish to share my work-in-progress, please do so by copying the link (URL) to this webpage.
Discover more from Maria S McDonald
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
