PART II -- Brad

As the sound of classical music playing softly in the air, Kitty started to dance along with it. At first the plié and then pirouette and then a whole elegance was shown through every moves that Kitty made up in the stage. It was her special time. Her private practice.

Dancing alone in the grand stage of the Royal Opera House when all the lights were off but one in the center of the stage. The audience seats were dark, there was only her and ballet. It was her paradise.

So she dances, the faster the spin, the more she desired ballet. She wanted to be the Prima Ballerina, she wanted to have all the important part in every play, and she wanted her name to be remembered as the Prima Ballerina Assoluta. All of her desired have driven her far but at the same time has wreck her focus and this particular night, it has tripped her. She fell with a bang.

With a rush, Brad has ran to Kitty's assistance, forgetting that he was supposed to be unseen and that his job of cleaning the hall hasn't finish yet.

"Are you okay?" Brad took Kitty's hand and helped her stand on her feet.

"I'm okay. Thank you. Where do you come from? It's like magic!" Kitty sat on the floor and massage her foot. It wasn't a serious fall, no bone was broken but still at the moment some of the pain still linger.

"I'm Brad. Bradley Carson. I...well, you'd think me creepy but I've been watching you dance every night. I'm the night janitor," Brad nervously sat beside Kitty.

"Oh? I didn't know that I have an audience. What do you think of my dancing? I'm Kitty by the way, it's actually Penelope James but people call me Kitty. I just have no idea why but they said that I remind them of a cat," Kitty and Brad shook hands.

"I think I know why they call you Kitty. It's your eyes, its green like cats'. They're beautiful," Brad looked at Kitty's big green eyes and smiled. "And don't get me started on the dancing, it was wonderful. You're a wonderful ballerina, Kitty,"

Brad has been the night janitor for 2 years at the Royal Opera House and every night for the last 6 months, he has seen Kitty dancing alone. Admiring her elegance moves and even more of her beautiful face, her big eyes that he finally discovered now were green with black voluptuous eyelashes to go with it, her small round face, small nose, rosy cheek, red cherry lips and her long, wavy golden hair made a big impression on Brad. He have seen so many beautiful girls before but none quite like Kitty.

"I like you, Brad. You said all the right things," Kitty gave Brad the sweetest smile.

Brad felt goosebumps all over him by the way his name sounded when Kitty said it. The way that girl said it made his ordinary name sounds sexier.

Since then, Brad has been Kitty's loyal audience to her night practice and they have been friends. It was the second best thing for Brad since he has fell in love with Kitty ever since he saw her the first night 6 months ago.

"Oh, Brad, do you know what I really want in the entire world? I want to play the swan princess in Swan Lake. It's the most important role in ballet and if I got to play the swan princess then I'll get the attention, so much attention! And that my friend is how I'm going to get every leading role in a ballet and I'm well on way to be prima ballerina assoluta! But first, I have to do my best in the upcoming play of Cinderella. I have to be the Cinderella so that I have more chance to play swan princess when the time comes," said Kitty with so much passion than Brad could ever understand.

The way Kitty talked about ballet with so much gusto, Brad could even hear the determination and drive behind her.

They were sitting on the floor side by side, looking out into the darkness that was the audience seats. Kitty was on a water break in one of her night practice.

"I admire you, Kitty," began Brad. "You are driven to pursue your dream. You never give up and I admire you for it. Some people just give up their dream because it was easier,"

"Thank you, Brad. It wasn't easy I grant you that. There are some things that I did that I honestly wish I didn't but I think it all pays for where I am now," Kitty noticed that Brad has been quite and his face has hardened. "What dream did you give up, Brad?"

"Well, I was at the last year of university when mom got sick, she got stroke. I took care of her as best as I could. The money was scarce so I dropped out of college and work as a night janitor. I love counting, you know and I've been told that I'm pretty good at it. You know it sounds boring but I wanted to be an accountant, to count money. Maybe because I don't have money that's why I want to work around it," Brad let out a laugh.

"It's too bad, Brad. If you had finished university then you'd be a successful accountant by now and would've been able to care better for your mother," Kitty rest her head in Brad's shoulder and sighed. "Life is confusing, isn't it Brad?"

View weeks after, Brad noticed something strange about Kitty. She wasn't the cheerful, no-care-of-the-world anymore. She looked tired and unrested as well as disheveled. There were dark circles beneath her eyes. It started to raise concern for Brad.

"Kitty, are you okay?" asked Brad.

"I'm fine, Brad. Why do you ask?" even Kitty's smile now looked forced.

"You look tired. Are you sure you're okay? I mean, if there's something I could do to help, you know I would gladly help you, right? You have only say it,"

"I know, Brad. But I'm fine," said Kitty shortly.

2 days later Kitty was looking more haggard and the dark circle is getting darker. As it happened, Brad was cleaning the dancers' dressing room when he found a sleeping bag and a pillow in flowery pattern case.  Next to it was a gym bag so familiar; it was Kitty's. Brad put two and two together and found out that Kitty has been sleeping in the dressing room for the past view days.

"Kitty, have you been sleeping in the dressing room?" asked Brad when they were sitting side by side in the front row of the audience seat, right beneath the stage. It was the water break again.

"How did you know?" Kitty was shocked. Her big green eyes stared at Brad in disbelieved.

"I found your sleeping bag in the dressing room next to your gym bag. But why, Kitty?"

"Oh, Brad! I can't tell you without you being disgusted with me. God, I have hoped that I wouldn't have to tell you this. I'm so embarrassed," Kitty looked away from Brad, hiding her face with the palm of her hands.

For some unknown reason Kitty was reluctant to tell the truth to Brad. Somehow, she was embarrassed if Brad was to found out all about her sins. Kitty has high regards on Brad, she secretly adored this young night janitor. It was like having a crush on some cool guy and doing everything you can to hide the bad side of you to make the guy good impression long lasting.

"Just tell me," said Brad a little impatience.

"But promise me that if you will judge me you will do so in secret of your mind and never to tell it to my face. And if you wouldn't want to hang out with me after this then I will understand. Brad, promise me!"

"I'm sure it wasn't that bad..."

"Promise me!"

"Okay, I promise. Now tell me!"

"Brad, I'm a sugar baby, well, I was until two days ago. My sugar daddy is going through an ugly divorced and he is left with nothing but an apartment that he bought for me in Notting Hill and he sold that apartment. So, now I'm homeless. The worst part is, I'm trying to have a new sugar daddy but so far nothing match my schedule. Yes, I'm that kind of girl, Brad and it doesn't look like I'm going to stop anytime soon," Kitty drew a deep breath and turned to Brad, looking at him, anticipating his response.

"Kitty, why do you feel like you need to hide that from me? I could never judge you and I have no rights to. I admired you too much," Brad smiled.

"Well, in that case, I should really tell you the truth then, the whole truth and nothing but the truth," said Kitty and then began to tell Brad the whole story of her long journey to get to The Royal Ballet Company.

"It didn't make any sense, why would you sell your parents' house and buy car instead? Why didn't you use the left over money to rent a flat? Kitty, you're unbelievable!" said Brad as he tried so hard not to burst out laughing. Kitty's life story is sad but Brad found humor in the fact that Kitty's mind work mysteriously that she found buying a car is much better plan than to rent a flat.

"Well, I was a teenager! How am I supposed to know all that? All I cared was just to get into the royal ballet school," said Kitty defensively but then she burst out laughing on how silly and confused she was when she was just a teenager.

Their laughter echoed in the big, empty, dark theater.

"I'm sorry about your parents, Kitty," said Brad as their laughter ceased.

"Thank you, Brad."

"Look, Kitty, I have a small flat in Waltham Forest and I have a couch too if you want to, you can stay with me as long as you need,"

"Really? Oh, Brad! I could take the couch!"

"No, you take the bed, I'll take the couch!"

"Brad, you're an angel!" Kitty kissed Brad on the cheek, leaving him flushed.

That night Brad took Kitty to his small flat. It was indeed a very small flat that even Kitty clothes couldn't fit and have to be left on the car. Brad offered to get rid some of his stuffs to make room for hers but Kitty said no.

"The bed smells like you, Brad," Kitty laid on the bed and sniff the pillow.

"I should change the sheet,"

"No, you don't have to. I love your smell," said Kitty as she snuggled under the blanket.

"Good night, Kitty," Brad closed the door slowly.

That night nobody was able to fell asleep. Kitty tossed and turned, thinking about Brad who was sleeping on the couch in the living room. Brad couldn't closed his eyes, thinking about Kitty who was sleeping on his bed.

It was 4.30 in the morning and the door of Brad's bedroom slowly opened. Kitty tip toed outside to the couch.

"Brad," whispered Kitty.

"Kitty?" Brad got up from the couch.

"I couldn't sleep,"

"Me too," Brad walked up to the window and turned back. "I'll show you something! Come with me,"

Brad led Kitty to a long stairs and up to the roof. Brad held Kitty's hand as he slowly helped her to climb to the top of the roof and there, they sat side by side overlooking the entire landscape of Waltham Forest and on the far edge of the landscape is a pale light of the rising sun.

"It's beautiful, Brad! Is this absolutely your favorite place?" exclaimed Kitty enthusiastically.

"Yes, I come here when I couldn't sleep,"

Kitty looked hard at Brad, her eyes were searching every inch of him. Brad could feel Kitty's eyes all over him and found himself blush by the attention that the girl paid him.

Kitty just realized how handsome Brad is. His broad shoulder--perfect to cry on. His charming boyish smile--assured her that everything would be okay. His sharp nose, brown eyes, and curly brown hair, all very handsome for her except his beard, that one beard for Kitty, was like an ivy covering up a beautiful rock wall.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" asked Brad.

"Brad, you're a very handsome guy, you know that? If you shave the beard and got a new haircut, you'd be the most handsome guy in the room!" Kitty reached to Brad's hair and play with his curl. "You have a beautiful curl,"

"Well, I'm glad you like it," Brad smiled nervously at Kitty.

"Like it? I adore it!" exclaimed Kitty with the most adorable tone.

Brad found himself unable to resist Kitty's charm anymore. He's been dreaming of kissing her lips ever since he laid eye on her the first time and he's been controlling himself, to restrain himself. But now he couldn't hold on any longer. Brad leaned in and pulled Kitty closed to him and kissed her so passionately that by the end of it they both painting, out of breath.

How they managed to climbed down the roof safely while locking lips was a mystery but view minutes later Brad and Kitty tossed each other's clothes on the floor and impatiently trying to open the bedroom door. Brad tossed Kitty on the bed and made love to her.

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