Runway Matrix

In the heart of New York City, amidst the towering skyscrapers and bustling streets, Aurelia weaved through the crowded sidewalk caught in a sudden downpour, the rain poured down in sheets, soaking her hair and clothes, her heels clicking against the wet pavement. With a purse in hand, desperately trying to hail a cab to meet her boyfriend Ethan.

When she spotted a yellow cab up ahead and sprinted towards it, waving her arm frantically and shouting to catch the driver's attention.

"Taxi! Hey, Taxi"

As she reached the cab, her foot slipped on a slick spot, causing her to stumble. With a gasp, she reached for the door.

"44th Avenue, Carmine's" Aurelia panted, sliding into the backseat. She settled back, relieved to be out of the rain checking her wristwatch and groans as if in pain, because she was going to be late. The photoshoot she had today took up the entire day and she had been giddy throughout the day, looking forward to the dinner Ethan planned. The cab sped through the city streets, splashing through puddles and navigating the traffic.

Finally, they arrived at the Carmine. She paid the driver and hurried inside, her clothes damp but thanks to her coat it was not a total disaster. Despite the weather, Aurelia was glad to see Ethan sitting at their reserved table, a frown on his face.

"I'm so sorry. The shoot ran longer than I expected and then the traffic because of the weather," She apologized as she slid into her seat.

Ethan's expression was cold. "You're always late, Aurelia. You never do anything when you should, do you even care about my time?"

Aurelia felt a pang of guilt. She knew she had been neglecting their relationship lately, but her modeling career had been demanding, and she needed to end her place on this month's catalog.

As they sat in silence his said accusatory. "Silence. That's all I get? I've been thinking, Aurelia. Is your modeling career going to affect us?" Before she could reply, a waiter walked to their table with the menu.

"Good evening, what are you ordering for the night? Our Chef made his special Grilled Salmon and lemon butter sauce, our grilled salmon is cooked to perfection, served with a delightful lemon butter sauce that enhances the natural flavors of the fish. Accompanied by a side of seasonal vegetables and roasted potatoes." Then he adds with a bit of an Irish accent, "It is a dish that never fails to impress."

"We'll order in a minute, thank you" Aurelia replied, sensing that Ethan will not. She knew where this was going but kept her voice low and asked, "What do you mean, Ethan? Cause I don't understand." He has been picking fights with her ever since she got this contract to start working for one of the biggest agency in New York.

"I mean look at you, you're constantly surrounded by other men, showing off your beauty. Smiling at the camera man, blushing at his compliments. How can I trust that you're not... fooling around behind my back?" His voice rising and calling attention to them.

"Stop this, Ethan. We can not continue fighting about this same issue, I don't sleep with this men. They are hardly even friendly towards me." Aurelia pleaded calmly, but all her insides were in twist. She looks around them, catching some of the diners looking at them disapprovingly.

"How would you blame me for thinking this way?" Ethan muttered, sipping his wine. A deep frown appears on Aurelia's face.

"Don't you dare, Ethan." She whispers angrily. He keeps bringing up her past life, mocking her and accusing her. Aurelia was frustrated and tired, their relationship was never this strain before she got this job. " I've worked hard to get to where I am today, and you of all people should know this. I don't need to sleep around to do that."

"You're a whore, a whore does not change overtime and you know that." He whispers back, loud enough for the older couple sitting across to hear. And they couldn't help but gasps in shock, as the older woman soaks her teeth in distaste while the older man frowns.

"What did you just call me? Ethan, what did you call me? If you can't trust me, then maybe we shouldn't be together." She said, her voice barely above whisper and her eyes teary. But she felt like this was all a dream, they have been quarreling lately but not like this. It has never been like this. Earlier today when she told her sister, Eloise, about this dinner, they all hoped for an engagement. But this doesn't look like an engagement dinner, or does it?.

"That's what you are. You are not what they say you are. You're delusional. This dream of being a top model is fucking hilarious, do you think about everything you are risking chasing this whole modeling bullshit."." Ethan whispered coldly, sipping his wine. He looked down at Aurelia's glass still untouched, as she broke into a quiet sob. "Stop the bullshit Aurelia, you always do this when I try to talk to you about your career and how much effort you put into it, own up to your shit."

"I'm sorry if you feel that way, Ethan. I know my worth and the hard work I've put into getting this gig with this agency. I won't let you or anyone's misconceptions about me, define me. And I'd prefer not to continue this conversation." She sips her wine, nervously as the older woman at the other table, murmurs loudly.

"Oh, for God's sake, stop being so rude to the young lady, you don't deserve her." Then her husband added audibly, "Show some respect!" Ethan already overwhelmed with envy, and hatred toward Aurelia heard them and said, more to them than to her.

"You can go about being a slut, I am done with this relationship." He downed the remaining wine in his glass and storms out angrily. Aurelia sat at the table, staring blankly at the spot where Ethan had been just moments before. His harsh words echoed in her mind, each one like a dagger piercing her heart. She felt the tears running down her face, nothing prepared her for this heartbreak. The pain of his betrayal, the sting of his words, and the emptiness of being left alone washed over her like violent waves.

The other diners, and the older couple glanced over at her, some with sympathy, others with curiosity, but she was oblivion to her surrounding. Lost in her grief, she felt a deep sense of loneliness and abandonment, wondering how everything had gone so wrong. After what felt like an eternity, Aurelia finally composed herself enough to leave, as the doorman pass her her coat.

As she steps out into the cool night, a shiver run down her spine, as she wrapped her coat tightly around her. Aurelia kept walking down the busy street, only ending up at a bar.