CHAPTER EIGHT: Too much at stake

Now,” Jake said, turning serious, “rumor is Lucas might be staying for the afternoon shots. Just keep it professional. He’s already taken an interest in your portfolio, Aurelia.”

“An interest?” Sue mouthed behind him.

Aurelia ignored her and nodded. “Got it.”

As Jake walked away, Sue nudged her. “Jeez, girl. He’s into you.”

“I don’t want him to be.”

“But you like it, don't you?. Admit it.”

Aurelia bit her lip. “It doesn’t matter. I can’t let myself fall for someone like him, not in this industry, and definitely not with my son to protect. People can be mean.”

Sue leaned against the wall, tilting her head. “Or maybe… this is exactly what you need. Something real. Something that scares you in a good way.”

Aurelia looked down at her reflection in the mirror—her makeup perfect, her expression composed. But beneath it all, her heart was a whole ranging storm.

“I don’t know, Sue,” she whispered.

Sue’s voice softened. “Hey, before you go, there’s something else I heard."

Aurelia turned. “What is it?

“Lucas was engaged. Like, a year or two ago. To some fancy heiress. It was all over fashion gossip—expensive events, flawless couple. And then out of nowhere, it ended. Word is she cheated.”

Aurelia blinked. “He was engaged?”

“Yeah. He doesn’t talk about it in interviews, obviously, but people who worked under him in London said it really messed him up."

Aurelia stared at the wall for a long moment. “Thanks for telling me, Su.”

“I don't care about the drama there but I figured ...if you two are going to be an item, you deserve to know all the chapters."

"There is nothing...stop." Aurelia added, playfully.

"Imagine him naked, did you just turned red?" Sue laughs knowingly as her friend rushes off.

---

That evening, the scent of basil and tomatoes wafted through the hallway as Aurelia unlocked the door to her apartment.

Inside, the familiar warmth of home wrapped around her like a blanket, and she sighed.

“Mama!” Kyle’s voice rang out before she even had a chance to close the door.

He appeared in the hallway wearing his superhero apron and a wooden spoon in one hand like a sword rushing to hug her. “Guess what? We made you dinner! Me and Auntie 'Lo!”

“You what?” Aurelia laughed, dropping her bag and heels that she had long dished out for sneakers, walked toward the kitchen.

“He added about three cups of oregano,” Eloise said, popping her head around the corner with a grin. “But he says it’s the ‘superpower spice.’”

“I told you, Mama! It makes the food taste better!” Kyle insisted, twirling the spoon like a baton.

“Well then I guess I’ll be strong enough to lift a truck after dinner,” Aurelia said, scooping him up for a kiss.

They settled into the small kitchen. Kyle stood on a stool, stirring the sauce with complete dedication while Eloise poured two glasses of wine and handed one to her sister. She stared at her son amazed at how fast he has grown over the years, it was just yesterday.

“So,” Eloise began as she leaned against the counter. “Tell me. How was the shoot? And how was he?” She winked.

Aurelia rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress the half-smile. “It went well. The team loved the shots. And Lucas was there… all day.”

“Watching you,” Eloise said knowingly. "How sweet!"

Aurelia took a sip of wine. “He asked me out. Lunch. Tomorrow."

Eloise raised a brow. “Did you say yes?”

“I said no, but as politely as I could manage.”

Her sister didn’t say anything at first, just watched her. Then: “Why?”

Aurelia sighed. “Because it’s messy. He’s my boss. Because I have Kyle. Because I’m not some glamazon with nothing to lose. I have everything to protect, 'Lo.”

“That might be true,” Eloise said gently. “But… did you feel terrible you didn't say yes?”

Aurelia hesitated. “I don’t know.”

Eloise tilted her head. “Lia, you're allowed to want something. Shit! Even someone.”

"He was engaged before,” Aurelia said quietly.

Eloise’s eyes narrowed. “Engaged?”

“Yeah. Sue told me. Some heiress. She cheated. He was devastated, doesn’t talk about it.”

“Well, that explains the walls he’s got around him.”

Aurelia looked over at Kyle, who was now humming a song about noodles and superheroes.

“I just… I don’t want him to get close and then disappear because of some heartbreak he can't heal from. Not with Kyle involved. I don’t know if I can risk that.”

“You don’t have to introduce him to Kyle tomorrow,” Eloise said. “Just have lunch. Talk. You might find out you have more in common than you think.”

Aurelia leaned her head on her sister’s shoulder and let out a tired breath. “Why do you always have to be the reasonable one?”

“Because one of us has to be,” Eloise said, smirking. “Now sit tight before your son adds ketchup to the sauce.”