CHAPTER SEVEN- Do I like him?

She nailed the shot. Again and again. One model, then another was called to swap in, a group shot but Lucas never left the room.

Jake approached her during a five-minute break. “You’re lucky mi amor,” he said quietly. “They love your shots. You’re back in their good graces.”

Aurelia gave a tight nod and smirks, while sipping water.

She turned back toward the viewing screen, and suddenly, Lucas was there beside her.

“Good work,” he murmured under his breath, just loud enough for her to hear.

She didn’t look up at him. “Thank you, Sir,” she replied coolly, eyes fixed forward.

He chuckled softly. “Still mad?”

“I’m trying to forget,” she said with a tight smile, "Sir?" She added, sarcastically aware that eyes might be watching.

“You left that day without saying goodbye, and I still wonder why.”

“You’re my boss, now that’s goodbye enough.”

His jaw tightened, but he didn’t respond. After a beat, he said, “Lunch. Tomorrow. You choose the place.”

“I’m busy,” she replied. “I am always busy." She wanted to add the part about being a single mother.

Lucas leaned in slightly, his voice low, like a caress. “I’ll wait for you, Aurelia.”

And then he walked away, back into the shadows of his corporate throne, leaving Aurelia to face the battle of her own emotions.

She exhaled, quietly.

This was going to be more complicated than she thought.

---

“Okay, spill it!”

Aurelia jumped slightly at the sudden voice in her ear. She turned to see Sue—her best girl, fellow model, and part-time human lie detector—grinning like a fox who’d found a henhouse full of secrets.

“What?” Aurelia asked, trying to sound innocent as she dabbed sweat off her forehead with a tissue.

Sue folded her arms and gave her a look. “Don’t ‘what’ me. You’ve been weird all morning. Extra flawless on set. Blushing between shots. And let’s not pretend I didn’t see Mr. Tall-Dark-and-CEO whispering sweet nothings in your ear.”

“I wasn’t blushing,” Aurelia muttered.

Sue raised a brow. “You were scarlet, girl. So? What's up?”

Aurelia hesitated. This was Sue—her safe space, her no-judgment zone—but this has to remain a secret. Because it is dangerous and complicated.

"What are you doing here, Sue? You were supposed to be on a yatch in Paris remember?" Aurelia queried, instead.

"Well, I changed my mind. My manager has been calling me nonstop. The tech guru we were supposed to hangout with was rude to women and you know I can't tolerate such nonsense. So I opted out last minute and here I am with you, my angel. What are you hiding?" Sue sang through the words and shouted the last part.

"Shhhh. Okay,” Aurelia whispered, pulling Sue into a quiet corner of the dressing area. “Promise you won’t scream?”

Sue’s eyes lit up, with mischief. “Oh, I live for this.”

Aurelia rolled her eyes and took a deep breath. “Last weekend after the incident with Ethan… I went to this bar, I met a guy there. One thing led to another and… well, I ended up at his place.”

Sue’s eyes widened but she stayed silent.

“The sex was… amazing,” Aurelia added quickly, her voice barely above a whisper. “And I left before he woke up. Thought I’d never see him again. It was supposed to be a one-night stand."

Sue leaned in, whisper-shouting, “And now he’s your boss?!”

Aurelia covered her face. “Yes! Lucas freaking Winthrop.”

Sue whistled under her breath. “Girl, I thought you were going to say you slept with your cousin’s ex or something. This is way hotter.”

“Sue!”

“I’m serious!” Sue grinned. “You, my friend, are living in a modern-day romance novel. Forbidden love, high fashion, hot CEO? It’s a spicy fan fiction.”

“I’m freaking out, Sue. This could ruin everything. If anyone finds out you know…”

“They won’t,” Sue said gently. “Unless you start making out with him in the middle of a campaign shoot.” She paused, then smirked. “Although, that would be iconic.”

Aurelia rolled her eyes, but her heart felt lighter having told Sue.

Just then, Jake walked by with his tablet, eyes glued to the screen. “Aura, Su,” he said warmly, then glanced up and added with a grin, “Our star of the day.”

“Jake,” Aurelia said carefully, “you’re no longer mad I was late this morning?”

Jake sighed and waved a hand. “Mi amor, you’re one of my best girls. You showed up, nailed it, and didn't throw a diva tantrum. You think I was always on time when I modeled in Milan? Oh Please.”

Sue laughed. “Wait, you modeled?”

“Briefly. For a very tragic denim brand.” He struck a pose. “I was their 'bad boy in bootcut'.” Then he made a gagging sound.

Both girls burst into laughter.