that august night - c.l.

52. Sign of a triumph

"Come on, baby just three more laps." – Elena held her hands together, praying that Charles hangs on to the first position for three more laps as he's got Max breathing behind, almost in his DRS zone. She knew how bad he wanted to win the Italian GP since 2019. And winning in Monaco and in Italy in the same season would mean so much to him and especially to his lead in championship. It is close but even those few point would mean a lot.

"Elena, do you want- oh sorry." – Ashely walked through the door. She came back to the office this week and was feeling fine to work as she confirmed to Elena couple of times. Elena refused to let her do something on her own, especially if it is something that involves hard work.

"Sorry, I am little stressed right now." - Ashely saw the race on the screen and the situation her friend's boyfriend found himself in. "Oh my, I really hope he makes it." - She stood next to Elena as they patiently waited for the race to end and for commentator to announce Charles as the winner of the Italian GP.

"And Charles Leclerc comes home, taking a win for Ferrari in their homeland, overflown with red flags and black horses! Well done Charles!" - Commentator yelled as Elena cheered, watching the TV as Charles celebrated himself. Ashley joined her in celebration hearing Charles thank his team for the effort.

"Say hi to him from me when you call him." - She winked before she walked out as Elena sat behind her desk watching Charles get out of the car and run to his team. In that moment she forgot everything bad that had happened between them. Seeing him happy was like magic. You just forget everything before that.

Lando came up to do his interview as he had finished P3 as Elena listened, patiently waiting for Charles'. Then she heard her phone ring. And it was Charles... She picked up without a second thought, seeing his smile across her screen. The smile she wished to feel against her lips at that moment.

"Congratulations baby!! I am so happy for you!" - She smiled as he never once took his one off. "Thank you, I wanted you to be the first person I talk to. I had you on my mind for the last couple of laps, and I wanted you to be happy again... I guess I did it?" - He asked, raising his eyebrow.

"You did... more than that. Is it me who you sent that kiss to on your on board camera?" - She asked, placing her chin in her palm leaning forward on her desk holding a phone in her hand. "Who else? You've been on my mind the whole weekend, to be exact."

"We can make up for that time once you come back." - She shrugged with a smile. He didn't say anything, he rather watched her in admiration. Like she was not real. Her cheeks started getting into light red color.

"I can't wait to see you again." - He said in a tone lower than before. "Me too." - Elena said quietly as she heard his name being called and the reporters looking at him from the screen in front of her. "You better go, champ. They are waiting for you." - Elena was ready to hang up but he cut her off.

"Hold on for a minute." - She stopped, observing what he was up to. Charles walked to the interviewer and kept his phone close to his chest as she watched it all on full screen. "Well Charles, congratulations on your amazing victory it has been a pleasure watching you bring it home for the second time in Ferrari, how do you feel?"

"It's amazing, the support here is unimaginable and when I think that it goes beyond the borders of Italy it makes me even happier to be honest."

"And what about your title fight? Anything in mind for the next couple of races?"

"Well, to win would be the best case scenario. Of course we are keeping everything in mind, we are trying to not get surprised in case something happens and for now it's going amazing."

"Thank you Charles, good luck." - Charles nodded leaving his microphone, positioning his phone in front of his face. "Well that ended soon." - He heard Elena speak as he chuckled. "I think he was excited for the podium as well." - Charles said as he entered cool down room where he found Max and Lando.

"Is that Elena?" - She heard Max ask Charles as he confirmed. "Elena, just so you know I let your boyfriend win this weekend. Out of pity." - Max smiled, taking a sip from his bottle. Charles gave him an exhausted look, due to hot day in Italy. "Oh come on Max, no need to blame it on me. We all know you couldn't do it." - She joked earning a laugh from Max.

"But seriously, congratulations to all three of you. It was a tough race but you did great." - Max and Lando quickly thanked her as Charles positioned the phone on his P1 stand, taking a bottle in his hands, well aware it was all being streamed live.

"I expect to see you at next one in Singapore, just so you know." - Max added as Elena smiled at him. "I'll see what I can do about that. There is a lot of paperwork to do now." - She answered as Max and Charles shared a look. "Why do you two keep looking at each other like that, are you hiding something from me?" - She had to ask, but did it quietly so cameras in the room with them wouldn't hear.

"No, why would we? He just wants you there that's all, same for me." - Charles shrugged but she knew there was something he was hiding. "You know I am good at this stuff, right? I've trained through many people." - She held questionable and concerned look as Max and Charles showed panic on their faces.

"They are having an affair, and they won't tell you." - Lando yelled so she could hear him but obviously the cameras heard it as well. Both Max and Charles gave him a look before they turned to Elena. "So the rumors were true..." - She quietly said, obviously joking, making them smile.

"And before you ask any more questions I've got to go. I'll call you tonight." - Charles brought his phone to his lips so he wouldn't be heard as she nodded. "I love you." - He whispered, making her laugh a little. "I love you too, see you." - She hung up after blowing him a kiss.

Charles got on the podium, both of his hands in the air in a sign of a triumph. He achieved both of his dreams and the third one is on the way. He won in Monaco, he won in Italy... with a title in his grasp. With every second he is closer to it. Living in his dream.

Monegasque and Italian anthem were sung from the top of the lungs of people who knew them as it ended and Charles wore a big smile on his face ever since he crossed the finish line minutes ago.

Elena watched it as if she needed to memorize it and would be asked questions about it later. Tracing lines left from his helmet on his face, sweat formed on his forehead under strong Monza sun. Watching his dimples appear as he held the trophy up, high in the sky on the top step of the podium pointing his finger at blue surface above him.

He quickly jumped off, taking a bottle of champagne and spraying his team under the podium. Soon he found himself in a battle with Lando and Max, but didn't fight for long, letting the cold champagne wash over his suit in a sign of relaxation. The moment he moved was when Max let the champagne down his back inside the suit, and he got him back soon after.

Weeks ago, he thought he had nothing left. Elena leaving him, almost dying because she was shot while trying to protect others, his career going in ruins, having a child with a woman he doesn't love anymore... it all seemed like something he fell into after being on a highest step. Like it hit him in the head and left him there, with all the worries.

But now it fell down his body with every drop of champagne, while the sun started drying his suit immediately. After all, there is sun after the storm, to dry it all away with the kisses of warmth.

He took his trophy and champagne, greeting the loud red sea one more time before finding a camera pointed at him.

I love you, Elena.

He mouthed, leaving with a smile, the camera frame on his back with every step he took.