Rivalry of the Century ~ Ayrton Senna Love Story

Secrets and Truth

Austrian Grand Prix, August 1985...

Isabelle's POV

The last few races weren't great for Ayrton, but alright for Alain, as Ayrton DNFed the last few races and I knew he blamed himself a lot even though it wasn't on him. This was all getting a lot for me and it felt like I was going through a tsunami and I couldn't get out. Between reconciling with my Dad and Alain, rekindling things with Ayrton, and boosting my modelling career, it was all too much to handle. I soon found myself in Niki's room crying in his arms.

"Let it out, let everything out." Marlene came with some water, rubbing my back, and waiting for me to calm down to explain what was going on.

It took me a bit to finally calm down enough to talk, but even then I didn't know what to say to them. I just looked blankly, until Niki spoke.

"Too much to explain?" I just nodded in response.

"Well I know the perfect cure for this, we're going to show you our favourite cafe. Niki knew you'd come one of these years and tried so many different cafes to find the perfect one to show you." I look at Niki in surprise because he didn't really love cafes, they were too boring and unnecessary to him.

"Don't be so surprised, you're family to me and I know you love them. Now lets get you calmed done and go on a small adventure."

I let out a small smile before going to the bathroom to watch my face and when I look in the mirror I don't know if I recognize myself anymore. I've let everyone dictate who I was supposed to be, to the point that I didn't even know what I wanted anymore. After I got out the three of us headed out, Niki drove us to a small little corner where there was a lonely shop in a corner between four roads. The roads perfectly faced each direction: North, East, South, and West. It was perfect for me and it became even more so when we walked in. The walls were surrounded with different flowers and vines, small lights around the small shop, but mostly daylight from the windows seeping through. I turned in a circle in awe of its beauty, it felt like I stepped into one of my fantasy books. 

"Come here Isa, what would you like today?" Marlene snaps me out of my imagination to look at what was offered.

"An apple strudel and a hot lemon tea please." I find a small table near a book shelf to sit down.

When the drinks and food came, it looked amazing and I couldn't help but smile widely. Looking up I see Niki watching me with a fondness that rarely comes out in him. It was my favourite Niki to see, when he was away from his cars and was with his family. As much as I loved Marlene, Niki understood me better than anyone else. He knew that I would come to him when I was ready to talk to him about it. I let my concerns fade away for a moment as I taste the food and I'm filled with a burst of flavour and my eyes go wide as Niki and Marlene let out laughs.

"I told you that you would love it." Marlene says, smiling at me brightly.

"Thank you, both of you, for everything. You make everything better and I know that you didn't want to do this but it means a lot Niki that you found this place for me."

"Anything for my little girl."

"Hey! I'm not that little anymore and you're only a little older than me."

He laughs and we continue to enjoy our time together, just talking about small things and being in each others presence. It was enough for me in that moment, a time where I could let everything else go and a place where I didn't have to make choices other than if I wanted another tea or not. Marlene had to leave after a few hours to make some calls and talk to some people about who knows what. I knew that Niki would give me this time to talk and was right as he let us fall into a sudden silence. He had a habit of not talking if there was something on my chest and would wait silently until I talk to him about it. It was annoying but effective I had to admit.