CHAPTER SIX- In my feelings

The sun was barely up when Aurelia leapt out of bed, nearly tripping over her heels scattered on the floor from the day before. Her alarm hadn’t gone off, today of all days or did it? She couldn’t afford to be late. Not with the brand Coco. Not with this campaign from their new "CEO", she couldn't help rolling her eyes.

“Kyle, baby! Up! Now!” she called, rushing into the kitchen with her green hairbrush in one hand and her phone in the other. Her son, groggy and rubbing sleep from his eyes, looked up from the couch, his makeshift bed until she could afford one for him where he'd fallen asleep watching cartoons the night before.

“Is it school already?” he mumbled.

“No, sweetie. You're going to stay with Aunt Eloise for a few hours. Mommy has something very important this morning.”

Kyle perked up a little. “Will I get a chocolate croissant again?”

“If you’re good,” she promised, kissing the top of his head. He looks so tall for his age, he was barely 5years old.

After helping him brush his teeth, and packing Kyle’s school bag with some snacks, a coloring book, and his tablet, Aurelia slipped into a sleek all-black jumpsuit that enhanced her curves and oversized sunglasses. She grabbed her heels in one hand and Kyle’s hand in the other, rushing them out the door.

The city was already alive with traffic and sirens, horns blaring as her Uber weaved through the chaos. She checked the time again. 8:15 AM. The shoot would start at exactly 8:30AM.

“Damn it,” she hissed under her breath. Kyle looked at her and she smiled because he just caught her cussing. Her manager Jake was going to flip. She texted Eloise a hurried message:

“Dropping Kyle with you in 5. Love you, Sis.”

As soon as the Uber screeched to a halt outside the café, Aurelia unbuckled Kyle and practically ran inside. Eloise, already behind the counter in her red apron, looked up and raised an eyebrow.

“Oh no,” she said, already remembering her sister's shot that morning. “Go, go, I got him.”

“Thank you!” Aurelia called out, breathless, giving Kyle a kiss and a quick, "I love you." Before bolting out the door again.

---

By the time she burst into the studio—heels in hand, her hair slightly in disarray, lips dry—it was 8:35. Five minutes late, but it might as well have been fifty. The icy glare she got made the room too cold.

Cameras were already set up, models were in Coco costumes, makeup artists were flitting between stations. Jake stood by the monitor, arms crossed, jaw tight. When he saw her, he didn’t say a word—just gestured sharply with his head toward the dressing area.

As she passed the other models, Aurelia could feel the eyes on her. Some snickered. Judging her. A few even muttered.

“Typical. She always thinks she’s the exception.”

“She thinks she’s the star.”

Aurelia clenched her jaw and kept walking. She would not let their bitterness get to her—not today. Shot like this make her miss her friend Sue, an Asian beauty.

“You’re five minutes late, Aura,” Jake snapped, catching up with her behind the divider.

“I had to drop Kyle off—”

“No excuses,” he cut in. “This is Coco. You get here before the doors open. Not a minute after. The client is watching. Keep your head in the game or someone else will take your spot.”

Aurelia bit her tongue, swallowing the urge to defend herself. She couldn't afford to get blacklisted over pride. She has so much at stake as it is already.

“Understood,” she said tightly.

By the time she stepped out to stand in front of the mirror, the makeup artist gave her a quick once-over. “You’re lucky you’re pretty,” the woman muttered, tugging her into the chair.

---

It was nearly an hour into the shoot when she saw him—Lucas.

He walked in like he owned the place, which made sense because technically, he did. Coco brand was now one of the agency's biggest partnerships. He stood in a tailored dark grey suit, talking to the creative director, looking sharp and disturbingly composed.

Aurelia froze as he scanned the room... until his gaze landed on her.

Their eyes locked. Her heart skipped a beat, then thundered in her chest.

Lucas tilted his head ever so slightly in acknowledgement, but said nothing. A mask of professionalism painted over every inch of his expression. He wasn't smiling. No familiar warmth. Nothing to indicate they'd spent the night tangled in each other’s arms just days ago.

But his eyes... they lingered.

“Focus,” the photographer barked, jolting her from the haze.

Aurelia turned her face back to the camera, posing with grace and precision. It was always easy for her. She wouldn’t let Lucas or her late arrival throw her off her game. She was here because she had earned it. She smiled at her words.

“Perfect. That’s it, Aura,” the photographer said. “Hold that pose!”