❥𝑹𝒆𝒅 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆

Chapter 26

Valerie POV

I left the changing room and went to find the place that was being kept for me where the family members of drivers could sit and watch the race.
On my way, two people came in my direction I completely forgot.

»Mama, Papa. What are doing here?«
»We are here to see the race, did you forget?«
My face lightened up in realization.
»Yeah, right.« I hugged them and lead them to our spot.

»We can sit here and watch the race, you want anything to drink?«, I asked my parents as they took place near the commando post.
They nodded and I went to grab some water.
»We saw that your novio, Charles, is driving first today?«, my mama asked.

I almost choked on my water. They still thought he was my boyfriend. Well, I kind of wanted them to when we had that dinner.
And I didn't want to change it now.

I nodded. »Yes, he is. It's also his home race.« A smile grew on my face.

You can do this, mi amor.

We got quiet as the race started.

It's light out and away we go in Monaco!

The start was good, Charles got ahead very well.
But Max was close in his rear-view mirror.
And throughout lap 18, I noticed that something was wrong.
Charles didn't seem to have certain control over the car. He drove all shaky and I feared he would slip into the wall every second.

Charles POV

My hands began to shake heavily. Max drove closer and closer and I couldn't get myself to defend my position.
And how it went, I saw the RedBull overtake me in lap 20.
My heartbeat rose instantly, I could feel anger and frustration rush over me.

You can do this

But it seemed so helpless. Like I have already lost.
For a moment, I had the feeling I would drown in an attack again. My vision a bit blurred, my hands barely gripping the steering wheel.

In lap 46, Verstappen pitted.
My chance.

"And now go out there and bring the title home."

I remembered Valerie's words as they were my own thoughts. I knew she was watching me in this very moment.
And it helped me focusing.

Max drove into the pitlane.
I pushed the throttle like it was about life or death. I got ahead fast without caring about anything around me.
I was almost driving past the exit of the pitlane, when I saw the pitted RedBull ready to continue the race.

Come on, Charles.

»Perfect Overcut, mate!«, I heard Xavi yell over the radio.
I didn't even realize I got ahead of Max as he fell behind me while exiting the pitlane.

»YES!«, I shouted into the radio microphone.
But I knew the race wasn't over yet. I still had to make it across the finish line.

Max tried to get past me a few times, but overtaking in Monaco was almost impossible.

The checkered flag was only a few corners away.

Charles Leclerc, you are the winner of the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix!

The blood in my veins began to boil from excitement.

I won my home race!

I did it for Papa, and Jules.

I got out of the car quickly as I placed it on its righteous spot. I fell into the arms of the engineers that were waiting behind the barrier.
My brothers and my mother were also there.

How proud I was! I did it!

Max came towards me to congratulate me.
It was an exciting, tensioning race after all.
Carlos was third! So I would share another podium with my teammate.

I also wanted to see Valerie but I couldn't catch her before the show went on.
They handed me a Monaco Flag and I put it around me as a blanket.
Next was the podium.
I got up there after Carlos and Max, the flag around my back waving in the wind.
Seeing all the Tifosi made me as happy as I ever could've been. They cheered on me like crazy.

The monegasque athem warmed my heart.
It's been too long since I heard it the last time up here.

I held the trophy into the sky while pointing above, making sure to let Jules and Papa know.

The sun was shining into my face. It was my golden hour indeed.

The champagne chaos started. Max made sure to create a swimming pool out of my neck but I payed him back instantly.
We all took a sip and laughed with each other.

After a while, I looked down the podium into the crowd. I was searching for a familiar face.
The cameras were following me precisely, but I didn't care what they filmed or not.
I didn't care if the knew I was looking for someone special.

But I wished I wouldn't have done it.
As I found her between all these other people, she wasn't facing to me, but to someone else.
A dark haired man that was seeking her attention down there. They seemed to have a nice chat.

Frustration, anger and even jealousy raged inside of me. I know I shouldn't have felt that way.
But I thought me and Valerie got close, once again. We had found the courage to love each other.
I didn't want it to end, not ever.

But I had the feeling she would slip through my fingers and I couldn't catch her.

By looking closer, I recognized who she was talking to.
It was my personal security guard, Raphael Nomandéz.

He was the guy she was also talking to a few days ago. The one she actually wanted to meet last night.
I never asked why she didn't. I didn't care to be honest.
I hoped he would never be a topic again. That he was only a matter of distraction for her.

But she actually looked pleased talking to him.

»Mate, you coming?«, I heard Carlos shouting behind me. I pulled myself away from the railing, tearing my gaze from Valerie and this guy.

I followed Carlos off the podium stage.
We had some interviews to give.
They went well actually, talking about my win lighted up my mood.

But it changed within seconds.
»Who were you looking for after your ceremony, Charles?«, the reporter asked and showed a footage of me staring down the railing, my face expression growing colder the longer I stood there.

»No one.«, I replied straight, not even hesitating.

I broke off the interview, just saying thank you and disappearing into the back of the paddock.

I went to grab my stuff and drive home. The party of the crew wouldn't start until the next hour so I decided to take a shower and get changed.

I wanted to make myself aware that I was just an innocent chat with some colleague.
But just the imagination of them being something more, this guy touching her, made my hand form into a fist.

Are we dammed to be apart? Aren't we supposed to destined for each other?