Beyond The Checkered Flag

006 - (Awake)

(2 months later- 2 weeks before the start of the 2025 season)

                       —  ESTELLA —

I walked through the revered halls of Scuderia Ferrari's Maranello headquarters, a blend of excitement and determination coursing through me. The significance of this moment wasn't lost on me; I was stepping into one of the most legendary teams in motorsport history. But I couldn't shake the uncertainty gnawing at the edges of my confidence—especially when it came to my first meeting with the team. Awkward encounters seemed inevitable, and I was bracing myself for whatever lay ahead.

The corridors were a labyrinth, each turn looking like the last as I navigated the maze of Ferrari's inner sanctum. I followed the flow of people as my guide, knowing I was already five minutes late. My winter break had led up to this moment, yet it had also given me more than a few run-ins with Charles Leclerc. Each meeting seemed to escalate our rivalry, laced with increasingly sharp sarcasm and biting remarks. Today would likely be no different, but I had no intention of backing down.

Finally, I reached the door that marked the beginning of this new chapter. I paused, drawing a deep breath to steady my nerves before pushing it open and stepping inside.

The room fell into a tense silence as I entered, every pair of eyes turning to me. My gaze found Charles instantly—he was lounging at the head of the table, exuding a casual arrogance that only fueled my resolve. I met his gaze head-on, a smirk curling at the corner of my mouth. If he thought he could intimidate me, he was sorely mistaken.

"Welcome, Estella," Frederic Vasseur, the team principal, greeted me warmly as he rose to his feet. "We're thrilled to have you on board."

I nodded, moving to the seat directly opposite Charles. "Thank you, Frederic. It's an honor to join such a prestigious team. And, of course, to learn from the great Charles Leclerc." The sarcasm in my voice was unmistakable. I wasn't just here to learn—I was here to prove that I belonged. I tilted my head slightly, waiting for Charles's retort.

Charles leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with that trademark smug grin. "Oh, I'm sure we'll learn a lot from each other, Estella. After all, it's not every day you get to work with someone who's so..." he paused for effect, "...fresh to the top tier of motorsport."

I chuckled softly, unbothered. "Yes, fresh perspectives can be invaluable. It must be refreshing for you too, Charles, to have some real competition within the team for a change."

The tension in the room thickened, palpable in the uneasy glances exchanged around the table. I could feel it in the air—this wasn't just a first meeting; it was the start of a battle. And I was ready to let everyone know I wasn't here to play second fiddle.

Frederic cleared his throat, attempting to steer the conversation back to business. "We have a lot to discuss today—strategy, car development, and how we'll work together to bring Ferrari back to the top."

I leaned forward, clasping my hands on the table, exuding the confidence I'd built through years of fighting for my place in motorsport. "Absolutely. I'm eager to contribute to the team's success. I've been reviewing last season's data and have some ideas on how we can improve the car's balance." I knew I should stop there, but I couldn't resist adding, "I'm sure Charles has some thoughts as well, given his experience."

Charles's smile was tight, anything but genuine. "Experience does bring a certain depth of understanding. I'll be interested to see how your... ideas pan out on track."

"Track performance is everything, after all," I replied smoothly. "I look forward to showing you what I'm capable of."

Frederic interjected, clearly sensing the growing tension. "We'll focus on teamwork this year. Our success will come from working together and combining our strengths."

"Teamwork, right," Charles said, his voice dripping with irony. "I'm sure Estella and I will be a fantastic team. Won't we, Estella?"

"Undoubtedly," I responded with equal sarcasm. "After all, we're both here to win. It's just a matter of who does it better."

Frederic sighed, the weight of the season already pressing down on him. "Alright, let's move on to the technical updates. Enzo, can you give us an overview of the changes we've made to the car?"

As Enzo, the chief engineer, began his presentation, I focused on the screen, but I couldn't ignore the charged atmosphere. Each sarcastic remark from Charles only strengthened my resolve. I had fought too hard to get here, and I wasn't about to let anyone, least of all Charles Leclerc, undermine me.

"The aerodynamics have been overhauled, with a significant change to the front wing," Enzo explained, clicking to the next slide. The car looked stunning, a masterpiece of engineering that could finally take me to the top—where I belonged.

"Ah, look, Estella," Charles drawled, leaning forward slightly. "Maybe the new car shape will help you get on the podium again! Oh wait... you barely even finished in the top ten last season." He kissed his teeth mockingly. "My bad..."

His comment made my blood boil, but I kept my composure, rolling my eyes. "Oh yes, and maybe the new car shape will prevent you from crashing at your home race again. Actually, no matter what car you drive, you still manage to crash. It really showcases your ferocious talent behind the wheel, doesn't it, Leclerc?" I couldn't help but feel a pang of satisfaction when I saw his face scrunch up in anger. He has never finished let alone won Monaco, so it was a touchy subject.

Frederic tapped on the desk, cutting through the tension. "Charles, Estella, calm yourselves, or I will remove you both from this room." I quickly nodded an apology, while Charles merely snarled before turning back to the screen.

"The steering wheel has undergone some minor changes, and the overall shape of the car is slightly different, but all of this has been rigorously tested. We're confident we've created a better car than last year," Enzo continued, earning nods of approval from Frederic and a smirk from Charles. "I'd like to schedule more testing next week so that Charles and Estella can get a feel for the new setup."

"Thank you, Enzo," Frederic said as the room erupted into a round of polite applause.

"Andrea, could you walk us through the strategy changes?" Frederic asked, motioning to a woman who stood and moved to connect her laptop to the projector.

Just as Andrea was about to start her presentation, my phone began to ring. I glanced down and saw Valentine's name flashing on the screen.

"I'm so, so sorry, Frederic and Andrea," I apologized quickly. "Is it okay if I take this call? It's very important." I could see Charles roll his eyes, clearly unimpressed.

"Of course, Estella. We'll catch you up afterward," Frederic replied graciously.

"Yes, go on, Estella," Charles added, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "A great impression to make in your first team meeting." Ignoring him, I scrambled to my feet, nearly tripping in my haste as I left the room, murmuring thanks for their understanding.

I answered the call the moment I was outside. "Hello? Valentine?" I was met with silence on the other end, followed by a faint sniffle.

"Estella," Valentine's voice finally came through, trembling. "I'm so sorry to call you like this, but you need to fly here as soon as you can."

My heart clenched in fear, her shaky voice amplifying my anxiety. "Why, Valentine? What happened?" I asked urgently.

There was a pause, then she whispered,

"He's awake."