Oh mon Dieu! - Damiano David

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A/N Just to let you know the voting is in this chapter and things are changed from how it actually was. Without giving too many spoilers, points are changed! 

May 2021,

The performances were done, the voting has ended, and it was time for the winner to be announced. Margot was inpatient but ecstatic at the same time. No matter the outcome, she was happy with herself and with how she represented herself and her country, but most importantly she was glad she sang her heart out and portrayed her motions towards Damiano in the only way that she deemed fitting; through her music. What she didn't know was that Damiano was supressing tears as he was watching her flourish on stage. To him, it didn't matter that the song was directed towards him, he was proud of her and how far she had come in her career.

He didn't want her to be happy without him, it was unfair in his eyes that he wasn't the one to love her, share her ups and down, shared her presence and energy. Despite all of this, he decided to push his feelings to the side and just be happy for her, be proud of her and cherish whatever he had to see from her because he was certain that this was their end. In his mind, there was no way they could rebuild what was knocked down that summer day in 2018. It was time for him to celebrate whatever the outcome of tonight will be. he can mourn later.

Both Margot and Maneskin were aware that they were the fan favourites of this years Eurovision. Margot already spread her fame throughout Europe, but Maneskin were new and exciting. It was up to the fans to decide who performed better. Margot didn't want to get her hopes up and decided to just celebrate her personal victory that she achieved that tonight. She was sitting around her green room table surrounded by her team and father who sat all night either being overly excited for his daughter or silently starring daggers at Damiano's head. Margot and the rest of her team were socialising as much as they could with the surrounding delegations, either congratulating them on their stellar performances of chit chatting the night away.

When the time for the public voting to be announced rolled over, Margot's dad took her by the shoulders and gave her a few words of wisdom. "No matter what happens, chou chou, know that I am very, very, very proud of the woman that you have become! Look at how far you've come all by yourself. Know that your voice is powerful, and your talent can tell a story; and that's what you did tonight! I love you so much chou chou, and I will always be in your corner cheering you on no matter what happens!" – he told her while deeply looking her in her eyes. His eyes were misty and glowing from how proud he was of her. Margot didn't take long to embrace her father in a strong hug and thanks him endlessly. He kissed the side of her head and continued "I bet that if your mum was here she would be proud of you, as well. Her speech was going to be better than mine, though!" – he tried to light up her mood before they had to take their place with the French flag in hand, ready for the camera.

The voting was starting to be announced, the professional jury's vote was the first nerve-wracking part of the night. Points after points were given away to everyone and when it ended Switzerland was number one followed by France and then Malta­. Margot was nervous beyond belief because she didn't expect to get this many points from the jury. There was a great chance for her to win this whole thing and all that was going through her head was how were they going to make it rain on stage, again. Her guitarist was on one side of her, her dad on the other side both having their hands around Margot as the French flag was draped over them. Margot kept her head down in anticipation for what will happen next once the public votes started to be announced. She was in second place so far, so that meant that her votes will be announced second to last.

She was gutted that some of her friends received 0 votes from the public and the jury. As countries were receiving points and climbing up the list, she as descending down it. when it came to the last 5 countries, she was beyond nervous. Her dad was quietly praying next to her as she tried to concentrate on the scores. Iceland gained 180 points making them climb up to the first place. Italy was next and Margot could only see the back of their heads. She could tell based on that if they were nervous or stressed, but all she could come up with was that Damiano was drunk, Ethan and Thomas were a mess and Vic was the only one sain. She diverted her attention to the big screen in front of her where she could see Damiano's handsome face. It didn't matter that he hurt her, he was still the most handsome man to her, and no one could top him. She still loved him, but she couldn't forgive him for the pain that he has caused her. The makeup suited him very well, the styling choice was making him look like a dream to her.

"We move on to Italy!" – the presenter announced. "Italy get ready to receive from the public... 318 points! That means Italy is now in first position!" – the presenter announced. The whole band jumped on each other with excitement as everyone clapped their hands. Margot was proud of them and proud of what they had become! She clapped energetically for her former friends and lover. The presenters were doing a good job at making the public wait in anticipation as 3 countries were left to receive their votes. Malta was next and received 47 points from the public which was not received well from the audience. A member of the Eurovision staff came over to the last two countries' tables and told them to get ready to be on the big screen and stand up so they can receive their points.

Margot with her team and father around her stood up and they all embraced each other as they waited patiently for the points to be announced. So far, Italy was in the lead, followed by Iceland and Ukraine. Margot was in 7th place. It was her turn to receive her points, but the hosts were dragging the whole thing out with countless speeches. "The next country is France!" – the presenter finally announced. Margot's stomach dropped as she knew she had to keep a neutral place because everyone in the world that was watching Eurovision could see her now. She kept as slight smile on her face as she looked at the presenter that was going to announce her faith.

"France, the public had decided to give you... 281 points!" – the presenter announced. France was blasted to the top of the board as Margot got up and clapped for the public for giving her the points as her team started jumping around with excitement. It still didn't fully register in her mind that she was indeed in the first spot at the moment. France was in first place with 529 points while Italy was in second with 524 points. It was comical to the people around her and at home watching when she realised that she was in the lead at that time. Her face went from neutral, to confused, surprised, confused and excited in a span of 3 seconds after being told by her guitarist that they were in the lead.

There still was one more country to be given points by the public, it was too early for a celebration as the anticipation was at an all time high. "France is currently in first place and Switzerland has not received their points, yet! One of you will be the winner of the Eurovision Song contest 2021!" – the presenter announced. Maneskin turned towards Margot that was sitting behind them and watched her as she was surrounded by people that loved her. Of course, they love her and wanted to be there with her at that moment, but as Damiano realised earlier in the night, this was not the time to fix their relationship. It was time to watch Margot shine and hopefully win. They were watching her with pride as she clutched the French flag and her father's hand. They finally saw where she got those intendable locks from.

"If Switzerland gets at least 282 points, they win. So, it's either France or its Switzerland. Who will be the winner of Eurovision song contest 2021?" – the presenters continued. "Are you ready? Switzerland had got... from the public... 185 points THAT MEASN WE HAVE A WINNER. FRANCE IS THE WINNER OF THE EUROVISION SONG CONTEST 2021. WHAT AN EVENING! WHAT A RESULT!" – the presenters announced. Margot was flabbergasted. As soon as the presenters announced Switzerland's points all she could see was white curls in front of her as a result of her dad embracing her and jumping with her. Maths was not her strong suit as it took her to realise that she has won when she heard that France was the winner. Confetti was all around her as people started embracing her left and right with a camera right in front of her filming her reaction which for a good 20 seconds which had confusion written all over it.

Maneskin where cheering and clapping on for her and as soon as they took off to congratulate her, all they could see was her being ushered by staff to go and get ready to give a speech and perform one last time for the night. Damiano didn't give up, though. He tried to his best ability to go and congratulate her, but a hand stopped him from going any further than the green room. He turned around to find who the hand belonged to and was surprised to see that it was her dad. In his perfect Italian, he said to Damiano: "You and I need to have a chat when this is over!" – he smiled at him and patted his shoulder a few times and disappeared in the sea of people. Damiano was paralysed with fear from the girl's father. There weren't many things that scared him, but this, for some reason was making him shit his pants...