Mi campeón - Carlos Sainz (EN)

Chapter 18 : September 3, 2023

The morning was gentle, the sunlight delicately caressing the curtains, filtering its first rays into the room. Carlos, awake early, was already immersed in the tranquil spectacle of Talia asleep by his side. The unruly curls of her hair, scattered on the pillow, seemed to capture the morning's golden glow, giving her an almost angelic aura.

Beside her, Carlos tenderly observed every detail of her face, every fleeting expression that crossed her features. The fine lines of worry on her forehead testified to her discomfort with the emerging light, but even in her sleep, she seemed at peace, as if Carlos' presence alone was enough to chase away her worries.

He could have gotten up to close the shutters and preserve her peaceful sleep, but he restrained himself, instinctively feeling that Talia held him firmly against her. Her delicate arms enveloped him, keeping him close in a comforting embrace, as if she feared he might slip away at any moment.

Yet, despite this morning sweetness, a veil of sadness enveloped Carlos. Talia's troubled gaze, reflecting her distress over the accident from the day before, had deeply moved him. He knew that for her, every risk he took on the track was a trial, a trial to which she was not yet fully accustomed.

Thus, in this suspended moment between sleep and wakefulness, Carlos found himself torn between the apprehension of the day ahead and the desire to protect this woman who was so dear to him, even at the cost of his own peace.

When Carlos gently rose from the bed, the gradual distancing of his warmth stirred a sense of uncertainty in Talia. Her arms, instinctively, reached out to him, as if to hold him back, bring him back to her side, or perhaps simply to ensure that he was still there, within reach, in this almost childish gesture.

Seeing her like this, reaching out to him like a child seeking comfort and security, deeply moved Carlos. Usually, it was she who played the role of the protective big sister, watching over those she loved with unwavering determination. But in this moment, she seemed vulnerable, almost fragile, revealing a facet of her personality to which Carlos had never had access before.

He felt touched by this image, this contradiction between Talia's usual strength and her current vulnerability. But even as his heart ached at the thought of leaving her alone, he knew he had to go. It was his duty as a driver, but also as a man who deeply loved this woman.

With a gaze filled with tenderness and regret, Carlos approached the bed and gently kissed Talia's forehead. He whispered sweet words to her, silent promises to return soon, before slowly breaking free from her embrace and preparing for the day ahead.

The awakening for Talia was like a struggle between the gentle temptation of sleep and the imperative of the day ahead. The fatigue from the previous day weighed heavily on her eyelids, as if every blink was an invitation to plunge back into the comforting arms of the night. However, she knew she had to get up, get ready, and face the busy day ahead.

In the morning light filtering through the curtains, she took a few moments to recall the day's schedule. Part of the morning was reserved for Lando, her close friend and racing partner, with whom she needed to share some moments of complicity. Even though she wouldn't be directly involved in the race preparations, her presence was important to her, and she was determined to offer him her support.

Once on her feet, she headed to the warm-up room where Lando was already busy. His sparkling eyes and radiant smile instantly lit up the room as he moved from one exercise to another with natural ease. Talia watched with admiration the grace of his movements, captivated by the elegance of his stride and the concentration on his face.

Lando, still as teasing and energetic as ever, urged her to join him in his exercises. He threw challenges at her with a mischievous smile, encouraging her to participate with contagious joy. Despite her persistent fatigue, Talia was carried away by her friend's enthusiasm, savoring every moment of their shared complicity.