Beyond The Checkered Flag

007 - (Cold And Unfeeling)

— ESTELLA —

"W-what?" My voice falters as my jaw drops, and I clutch my phone tightly, my hand trembling. "A-are you j-joking?" I manage to stammer, my words drenched in desperation. My eyes sting as tears well up, and before I can even register what's happening, they spill over, streaming down my cheeks in relentless waves.

"It happened exactly two minutes ago. He hasn't spoken yet, but his eyes are open, and he's looking around. Please hurry back." Valentine's voice is laced with shock, and I can hear the tremor in her tone. My heart skips a beat, and just as I'm about to respond, I catch the faintest sound of a weak voice in the background—Luca's voice.

"Mamma, dove sono?" (Mum, where am I?) The words pierce through the air, fragile and confused. I choke on a sob, my heart pounding with a mix of disbelief and overwhelming emotion. He's awake.

"Luca! Sto arrivando, amore mio!" (Luca, I'm coming, my love!) I blurt into the phone, my voice thick with tears as I hurriedly end the call. My hands are shaking as I rush back into the meeting room, my mind a whirlwind of frantic thoughts. I need to gather my things. I need to leave—now.

But I can barely see. My vision blurs as the tears keep coming, unstoppable and fierce. I wipe at my eyes, trying to clear them, but it's useless. The thought that Luca might never wake up had been seared into my mind for so long, and now... now everything is changing too fast to process.

I burst into the room, and the conversation stops abruptly. All eyes are on me. The weight of their stares only makes the tears fall faster.

"Oh my God, Estella, are you okay?" Frederic's voice reaches me through the fog, concern heavy in his tone. I realize, with a sinking feeling, how terrible I must look—eyes swollen, face blotchy from crying. Even Charles looks startled.

"Y-yes, I'm so sorry," I stutter out, struggling to form coherent sentences. "I've had an emergency and I need to fly home immediately. I must look horrible right now, but I—I need to go see someone." The words tumble out in a rush, my desperation barely concealed. I've already texted to arrange for my private jet.

"Okay, Estella," Frederic says gently, his eyes full of understanding. "I hope everything is alright. We'll see you at the season testing?" I nod quickly, my heart hammering in my chest, and without another word, I turn and hurry out of the room. As I leave, I catch a muttered comment from Charles, "What the fuck is wrong with her?" but it barely registers. All I can think about is getting to Luca.

I practically sprint through the building, my feet moving faster than my thoughts. The tears won't stop, and I don't care who sees them. I can't get out of here fast enough. Every second feels like an eternity.

***

Once on the plane, the first person I call is Adrianna. Her voice is the lifeline I desperately need right now.

"Stella? You alright, querida?" Her voice is soothing, like a balm to my frayed nerves.

"No, Addi," I breathe, sinking into my seat. I tilt my head back, staring at the ceiling, trying to steady my ragged breathing. It feels like I haven't taken a proper breath since Valentine's call.

"What happened?" she asks gently, concern lacing every word.

"Valentine called," I whisper, my voice quivering. "She said Luca woke up... I'm flying to see him now." I hear Adrianna gasp on the other end.

"Oh my God! Mi amor, this is good news! He's awake!" Adrianna's voice is full of joy, but all I feel is a numbing disbelief.

"I just... I can't believe it, Addi," I manage to say, my voice breaking. "I thought I lost him. They told me he might never wake up, that I had to prepare myself for the worst."