sweet escape [c.l.]

chapter twenty two

The last two days had been chaotic. But race day was like no other. The streets of Monaco were packed with fans, the air filled with the scent of fuel and the sound of engines. Rory could feel the tension in the air as she walked through the paddock. Every team member, every driver, and every fan was on edge, knowing that today's race would be crucial.

She quickly made her way to the Ferrari garage, stopping herself when she saw Charles talking with a team member.

Seeing from a distance, Charles excused himself and walked to Rory, giving her a sweet kiss. "Glad you are here."

"Where else would I be?" she replied, squeezing his hand reassuringly.

The drivers were getting ready to start the race, everything was ready, everything looked good. Charles was starting from pole and if there weren't any complications this race could be it.

Rory was in the Ferrari garage beside Pascale and Arthur, the three of them watching the screens intently. When the lights went out silence was what took over the garage, everyone attentively watching Charles' first laps.

He had a strong start, holding his position and navigating the tight corners with precision. Rory's heart raced with every lap, he reyes never leaving the screen. When it was finally time for Charles to do his pit stop, Pascale grabbed her hand and gave it a good squeeze, the two women hoping that Ferrari wouldn't screw this up once again. But this pit stop was flawless and Charles managed to come out on top, making everyone in the garage let out a collective breath of relief.

The race was going quickly, the laps passing by at rapid speed. Charles could see the end of the line and he could see his dreams coming true. But he knew that everything could be taken from him in a second so he tried to distract his mind from what looked like to be his win.

Before

It had been raining all night, and it hadn't gotten better by morning, so Rory and Charles decided to spend the day in his hotel room.

They had started by watching movies, but then got bored, so they turned to telling stories and dreams to one another, which ended up with Charles confessing to Rory his dream of winning the Monaco Grand Prix for his dad and Jules.

"They were one of the people that gave me the most support in my driving career. My dad always said that one day I would be world champion." he admitted with a small laugh, "And if one day I get there I know I will dedicate it to them. But for now all I want is to win my home race, and to know they are proud of him.

Rory took his hand, her voice filled with sincerity. "They are already proud of you Charles. But you will win Monaco soon, I can feel it."

Now

Charles smiled remembering how it all started with Rory and she had always believed in him.

The final laps were approaching, everyone at the Ferrari garage was on the verge of their seat, waiting for that checkered flag. It had been a long time coming, a Charles win in Monaco, and after the last couple of race weekends he had had, he deserved this more than anyone.

It was the final lap and no one was sitting anymore. Everyone was just looking at the screens waiting for Charles to cross that finish line and finally claim his win in Monaco. When the checkered flag was waved in front of him, everyone at Ferrari was screaming and hugging each other.

"He did it," Rory whispered to herself, as she hugged Pascale, tears of joy streaming down her face. "He did it."

Charles' voice crackled over the team radio, filled with emotion. "We did it! We won Monaco!"

"Congratulations Charles." Brian said, with a little tear falling from his eye. Everyone knew what this win meant to Charles.

As he parked the car in the winners spot, the whole team ran to the pit wall to celebrate with him. Pascale quickly nudged Rory to go with them, and Brian, seeing that she was coming along, helped get her to the front, so she would be one of the first people Charles would see.

As he climbed out of his car, and took his helmet off, his face lit up with a mix of disbelief and elation. We looked around at the crowd that was screaming his name and waving flags for him, celebrating him. As he looked back at his team, he spotted Rory and ran over, lifting her over the pit wall and wrapping his arms around her with his face buried in her neck.

She could feel his tears wetting her neck, and all she could do was hug him closer to her. "You did it Charlie, you won Monaco. I'm so proud of him."

Charles finally lifted his head from her neck and looked her in the eyes before giving her a passionate kiss.

"They would be proud of you." She said, the tears starting to fall from her eyes again.

"Thank you." he whispered, his voice choked with emotion.

They kissed one more time, the cameras capturing everything about this sweet moment between the two. They finally walked over to the rest of the team so they could congratulate Charles, but he never took his arm from around Rory's waist.