Belonging to the Iceman

The Iceman and the Professor

Shantelle smiled when she saw that Nicolas was Skyping her. They had been constantly in touch, getting to know each other, much to Alain's disapproval.

"Bonjour ma belle Shantelle, comment allez-vous?" He asked, looking tired.

"Hello, Nico..." She began but was soon interrupted. 

"Good Evening Shantelle" Came Alain's wise voice. "I didn't know I named my son Nico... His name is Nicolas, be sure to call him that!"

The truth was his son's nickname was Nico, but hearing it from a stranger's lips and being a strange woman's lips didn't feel right.

Only once he was gone, Shantelle eyed the Professor's son."I apologise about that, Shantelle; my Dad hates it when anyone calls me anything other than Nicolas, but don't let him get to you..."

"J'ai entendu dire que, Nicolas!" Alain yelled.

She sighed, and he noticed it almost instantly. "What is wrong, Shantelle?" He asked, 

"Your Father hates me, Nicolas, I can tell!" Shantelle said, wiping her tears away with a tissue.

"Shantelle, if Alain Prost hated you?... He's not that type of person. He's really just a very nice, soft person, he's French, he doesn't hold grudges, because he's fifty-nine, and he's seen a lot of his friends pass away, especially Ayrton. My Father does not hate you..."

"He doesn't approve of the fact that you and I are together! What have I done wrong?" Shantelle argued.

"Nicolas, may I have a word with Shantelle please?" Came Alain's voice as he came into view.

"Yes, Dad," Nicolas said, getting up from his desk chair.

The Australian watched as Alain sat down in his son's spot and put his glasses on. When he was comfortable and could see her he smiled "Bonjour Shantelle, how is your French coming along?"

She swallowed and knew she had to try and answer him in French, "Bonjour Alain..." Then she paused, and couldn't find her voice.

He gave her a fatherly smile and said "I know you think I don't like you Shantelle, and that's not true. There's not a deliberate reason why I would dislike you. You have a good, driven career. I have seen your work, at the start of the F1 season in Melbourne, and also at Ferrari, those horses were magnificent, but you have to see it from my eyes, I love my children, all three of them. Nicolas, Sacha and Victoria."

"Alain, I am not after your money or Nicolas'" Shantelle said "Is that what you are trying to say?" He took a sip of expensive red wine."That is always part of it and there's also Nicolas' ex-wife Delphine..."

"Nicolas is divorced?" Shantelle exclaimed.

"Oui, he is Shantelle, and she completely broke his heart, you are the first woman he has shown interest in since the..."

"Was it a tough divorce Alain?" Shantelle asked, as her massive St Bernard padded by behind her.

"Oui, it was, she took him for everything, and he's only started to rebuild his life, his new home and his bank account..."

"Alain, I'm not one of those women, I really like Nicolas, he's the most wonderful man I have EVER met!"

Alain smiled "we French are pretty wonderful Shantelle, I will let Nicolas talk to you now"

"Merci Alain, je vous souhaite une bonne soirée!"

The look on Alain's face said it all, he clearly looked impressed."vous êtes les bienvenus Shantelle, je vais prendre du recul avec mon vin rouge préféré et lire un bon livre, parce que Nicolas et Sacha ne seront pas jouer aux échecs avec plus de moi, je les ai battus à chaque fois!"