that august night - c.l.

15. Wonder woman

The practice finished without many major incidents or interruptions. Ferrari boys finished P3 and P4, and ahead of them were both Red Bull drivers, with Max in the lead of the first practice session of this racing weekend. As soon as Elena saw his picture on the screen, she remembered the conversation they had earlier today.

Elena wondered why he reached out to her all of a sudden. Was it in a nice friendly way or like something more? There was no doubt Elena was young, successful and beautiful woman. Her long black hair made boys who were into blondes rethink their life choices, few times. As her ex-boyfriends would tell her how she changed their minds.

Her hazel eyes never went unnoticed, especially under bright lights or sun when they would shine like emeralds. Charles adored Elena's eyes. They were so hypnotizing to him, and they were like a spell that is casted upon anyone who just looks deeply at them. He may not know her very well, but he trust her. Especially after today when she immediately told him about her conversation with Max, even though he was worried about their future conversations. And it was not worried  because he didn't believe in her loyalty, it was because he didn't trust other men.

He, as a man himself, knows how men react and how needy they can get. Especially around a woman like Elena. He wanted the whole world to know that she was off limits and that she was his, and he was hers. But he promised to wait and give her the privacy she needed, because as he said himself, that was the best thing he could give her at the moment.

But Charles won't hide the fact that he is not interested in anyone else if they ask him. He will keep her like an oath, protected by her anonymous identity to the world, but he is free to say that he already has his eyes on someone else.

When Charles got out of his car he motioned to Elena with his eyes, to follow him to his driver's room. She quickly excused herself from Isa, going towards him as Isa approached Carlos and started the conversation with him. Elena walked in his room and before she could close the door Charles did it by pushing her against it.

Charles, without wasting another second pulled his lips on hers. And she kissed him back. Soon enough, one of his hands reached for the back of her thigh, pulling her leg over his torso. Elena, as she promised before, gave him a sign to pull away and he did. He looked her in the eyes then realized why she did it. Charles closed his eyes and pulled his forehead against hers.

"I know, I know. No distractions." – He whispered bringing their hips closer as Elena smiled to herself, while her eyes remained closed as well. "That's it, love." – She teased as her smile grew wider. "Oh my god." – He whispered back, not moving away. "Be patient. I want you to do well this weekend and make sure there was nothing to distract you on the side." – She defended her already mentioned argument.

She didn't want to be the one his career depended on. Like, if they do something now, she is sure it won't be able to leave his head any time soon. Elena, besides being a cop, knew a psychology of a man. She came across many of them through her career and life. She learned what makes them feel good and what not. How they act in certain situations and how they feel sometimes. It was not hard judging and getting to know them because many of them work the same way.

"You know it's hard to focus, when you have a beautiful girlfriend running around your mind all the time." – He complimented as he sat on his couch and rested his head back on it. She walked across the room and sat next to him playing with the strands of his hair.

"Thank you for that Charles, but again you have to make your country proud. I don't know you for a long time but I know that a good race finish will make you feel better about yourself. As much as I am on your mind a lot of time as you say, you can't let me take the part of the brain you dedicated to the racing and your career. You worked your whole life for this seat and now when you have it, you can't let it go. To make everyone proud, make yourself proud." – Charles opened his eyes looking at her with adoration.

"You are so good at cooking, sports, at your job and now at being a psychologist. You are a wonder woman indeed. You don't have super powers but it's like you do." – Charles focused on her face as she was focused on putting his messy hair in a right place. "Thank you for thinking that way, Charles. It really makes me feel better." – Elena continued to mess with his hair after giving him a warm smile.

"I am not just thinking that way, Elena." – He said her name in a certain way, it mad her think of it for a moment before she looked him in the eyes. "It is that way, you can ask anyone who knows you Elena. They will agree with me I am sure of it." – Charles' lips softly curled up in assuring smile but hers melted away as she realized how deep those words went.

Everyone who knows her would tell her she doesn't need super powers to be a wonder woman.

She knows for a fact her parents wouldn't agree. They know her all her life but they don't work the way modern people work. They don't believe in a having super powers without actually having them thing. The only power they know is the power of law and work. Better if it's both of it.

Her mother being a lawyer and her father being a police officer, didn't bring as much as safety and care as anyone would think. Or any kind of money comfort. There was no money comfort until she started working and getting the money for herself and no one else. Their money only brought a lot of schools, activities besides that, a lot of time spend productively. And Elena barely complained.

Yes, she wanted to have free time all the time to hang out with her friends, but having the educations she has, abilities and all kinds of trophies for good results also brought the joy not only to little Elena herself but to her parents. They were always proud when she would come home with good grade, or something similar.

Growing up with the parents she had, law had to be one of her career choices. And she is not complaining that she chose criminology as her major. Her parents were proud as well. Especially now when she is working for what she studied all her life for. It's like childhood dream that made both, a child and parents happy.

"What is it?" – Charles asked seeing the worry on her face, bringing his hand to her cheek in a sign of comfort. "Nothing, don't worry." – What Elena also didn't want to admit to herself is that, growing up in a strict household like hers, emotions were unnecessary. There is no point in showing your emotions in your life. What good will it do to you? It can only bring other people joy when they use it against you. Elena regardless, smiled at Charles moving his hair away from his eyes.

"Get rest before second practice. I'll go find Isa and we'll probably be somewhere in hospitality. If you want to join us, feel free to come." – She gave him quick kiss on the lips before she walked out of his room. With thoughts running around her head, she talked with Isa about their careers and whatever they found in common for the next half hour. Both Ferrari drivers had meeting with the team before the second practice to discuss some things about the car and their performance from the previous session, so they joined them for a very short time.

...

"And Charles Leclerc takes the pole position for Monaco grand prix!" - The commentator yelled over through the headphones of everyone who had them in garage. The energy everyone in Ferrari garage had once they realized their driver got the pole position at his home race was something Elena never thought she would experience.

Elena barely stopped smiling as she saw Charles get out of his car greeting everyone around him as they could see his smile on his eyes, under the helmet. They listened to the interviews of Mr. Pole position himself, Max and Carlos Sainz. Elena got up greeting Isa and walking towards Charles' driver's room getting in. Charles came back and she congratulated him as once again he barely kept his hands to himself.