Wells Estate / New York / 6:37 p.m. / August 12, 2033
The crunching of the gravel stopped abruptly. Kate pulled the handbrake on her Camaro SS and gawked out the open window. Just twenty minutes (or fifteen if you could drive fast enough) outside the city, Wells Estate stood proudly. Three stories tall, the dark stone and pillars gave it a slight gothic atmosphere. It was relatively new, built in 2028, but the owner had given it an older look. Maybe 1800's, she guessed. Her recourse told her that Bradford Wells, the celebrity actor, would be gone for another few hours. Kate had always wondered about him. For being such a known name, there was hardly any news to report. A recluse, people called him. Only appearing for his film shoots or a red carpet event, which in years recent, he had skipped out on in more than one occasion. Kate crouched down to her knees, eye level with the door handle, pulled out a lock picking set and began to work.
Across town, Bradford Wells pulled out his iPhone. A blinking alert buzzed on the touchscreen. He swiped it away.
"Excuse me."
The actor rose from his seat in Rockefeller Center and started out the door. Two minutes to get to the Aston Martin. Another twenty to get across town, and the ten more to home.
Kate closed the door behind her. Surprisingly simple lock for such a big place. Kate wandered forward, the grand staircase fifty feet across the way.
"And this is a big place..."
The fireplace hadn't been used recently, no doubt to the hot weather. Kate moved closer. The brick was lighter than the outside, and smaller. They were laid wide for most of the frame, lined with slimmer bricks on the side. A pretty fireplace, she thought. The gold lights on either side glowed with an inviting and warm demeanor. Kate continued walking around the open living room. Two black leather chairs encircled the fireplace with dark wood tables on the outer sides of both. Across the way, another black leather furniture piece sat in front of the 34" flatscreen. Kate sat on the couch and looked through Bradfords Star Tek, Wizard, Imagine FX and comic magazines.
"What a nerd."
A bookshelf in an adjacent room caught her eye. Kate stood and walked to library, her sneakers surprisingly loud in the quiet of the manor. The girl pushed the door open fully and stepped in. The library. Full of books. A large globe over in the far corner, next to a wooden desk. Two more leather chairs, this time over stuffed and deep red sat in the room. The corner in front of her housed a small grand piano.
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7:10 / August 12, 2033
Kate had moved upstairs. She had been through all rooms that looked interesting, and few that were worthless. So far, nothing of particular interest had revealed itself. She had found that the man was a true comic nerd, with a taste for being a little over dramatic (This much was evident as soon as she had pulled up). She had looked through his room and bathrooms. No drugs, no porn, nothing weird at all. Being a journalist, someone this clean and 'perfect' is hiding something. Is obviously hiding something. But what?
"I was in a meeting with Lorne Michaels. Why am I here?"
Kate jumped and spun around. Bradford Wells stood in the doorway. His grey suit open, and black tie looser than he usually kept it. Kate was suddenly aware how underdressed she was. Torn and faded blue jeans, an old Black Sabbath T-shirt and worn denim jacket didn't suit her environment and host.
"Bradford Wells.... H-how did you....?"
Brad flashed his phone with the faintest smirk.
"There's an app for that."
"Clever," Kate replied, regaining her composure. She may be an intruder in this man's home, but this particular man was known for his kindness and generosity. One rumor had claimed that Bradford had given a younger man the keys to his Porche just because the man liked it, and the actor took a cab home that day. Kate shook herself. She realized she had gotten caught in his eyes somehow, so quickly. Like everything else in the house, they were ridiculously pretty. Somewhere between grey and green, she thought. But there was something else. A sad, lonesome look in there that even his fantastic charm couldn't hide.
"Anyway, I'm Kate Simmer. I'm-"
"A journalist. Do you want an interview?"
"....How do you do that?" Kate was getting more confused and fascinated by the minute.
"How did I know you were a journalist?" Brad mused.
"Yeah."
"You're not dressed like a burglar and your car verifies that you have some money. You don't look like a private detective. Too pretty. And I'm not involved with any crimes. You're not a cop. I'll play the 'not involved' card again and there's ah... no real place to hide a warrant in your current clothes." Brad leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms.
Kate arched an eyebrow, "Impressive, Mr. Wells. And I'd love an inter-"
"No."
"Didn't you just offer a moment ago?"
"No. I didn't," Brad stood and moved out of Kate's way, "And it's time for you to go."
Kate walked up to him. She looked up, He was nearly a foot taller than her. She found herself not wanting to leave. But for nonprofessional reasons. 'New York's Most Eligible Bachelor... I'll say..."
"Mr. Wells, people want to know more about you."
"Good for them. I don't much care."
"You're very strange, Mr. Wells," Kate commented as she moved on, past him and out the door. Bradford followed her, close enough she could just feel his breath on her neck. It was warm. She felt goosebumps begin, and she forced down a shudder.
"I don't really connect with people. You're wondering why I'm never at any parties? I'm just not interested. I like a nice little group of friends. I'm not a big party person. It's that simple."
"I've been through your house. You're cleaner a doctor's office."
"You always talk like this?"
"Like what?"
"Like you're from an old TV show," he laughed. They had made it to the staircase and begun their way down.
"Sometimes, I guess," Kate smiled. There was something... something about him that made her want to jump in his arms and love him.
"Hmm. You really want to learn something about me?"
"Yes please sir!" Her eyes opened, and she looked at him.
"C'mon." Bradford led her to the library. He walked up to the grandfather clock just behind the desk she had seen before.
"Promise you won't tell?"
"Promise.."
Brad pulled a book halfway out and stood back as bookcase swung open. Kate's eyes grew even wider than before as her lips parted. She moved inside this new, wide room. Two wooden cabinets stood on both walls left and right. The wall immediately adjacent to her, had a long dresser with candles and boxes on it. She looked forward, and saw a beautiful, enormous bed, raised on a step from the ground level. A black fur blanket covered the red sheets and pillows. Bradford watch quietly as Kate walked up to the cabinet closest to her on the left. His green, grey eyes watched with intrigue. Kate flung open the cabinet doors and inhaled sharply. She felt her legs go weak. Inside was lined with riding crops and bonds. Sexy bastard...
"The next one is gags and cuffs and things. Do you like it?"
"Yeah... Yeah, um... I think I do..." Kate walked back to the dresser where Brad stood. She noticed a picture. Of a girl with brown, curly hair and big, big blue eyes. "Who's this?"
"A friend," Brad said, moving between them and looking into Kate's eyes now.
"Lover?"
"From time to time." Kate narrowed her eyes. Who the hell are you?
"You're a kinky guy aren't you?"
"When the mood strikes."
Kate moved closer, breasts just brushing his chest. She looked up again, smiling a bit.
"How's your mood now?"
"My mood is just fine," He laughed. Kate smiled now. She made to place her hand on his arm, but before she even moved, Bradford had thrown her across the room, and onto the bed. He didn't even wait for her to land. Carrying a loop of rope, he swooped across the room and bound her hands, tightly, behind her back.
"Ah, shit... am i really that obvious?" asked Kate, her heart racing and her voice trembling.
"A little. I have a gift for reading girls like this," He replied, observing his prisoner's rear. Bigger than he had thought. Tight jeans.
"W-what're you going to do to me?"