On Thin Ice

~Chapter two~

As Toto left the arena that night, the conversation with Elsa lingered in his mind. Her blend of strength and grace, along with her clear understanding of what it took to achieve greatness, had left an impression on him. It was rare for him to connect with someone outside of his world of motorsport, yet here was a figure skater who seemed to mirror his own approach to life and competition.

The next day, Toto was back at the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team headquarters, immersed in the usual flurry of meetings, data analysis, and strategic planning. Yet, between discussions about tire degradation and aerodynamics, his thoughts would occasionally drift back to the ice and the woman who commanded it with such authority.

Late in the afternoon, as the sun began to set outside the large windows of his office, Lewis Hamilton popped his head in.

"You've been quiet today," Lewis remarked, a knowing smile on his face. "Still thinking about Elsa?"

Toto looked up from his desk, caught off guard by how accurate Lewis's observation was. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "She's... interesting. It's not often I meet someone who understands the mindset needed to excel at this level."

Lewis nodded, stepping into the office and closing the door behind him. "I had a feeling you two would click. It's not just about the sport; it's about the mentality. You both thrive under pressure, and you both chase perfection like it's the only thing that matters."

Toto sighed, rubbing his temple. "I keep thinking about what she said-about pushing for perfection. It's exactly what we do, but in a completely different environment. And yet, it feels the same."

Lewis sat down across from Toto, leaning forward. "So, what are you going to do about it? You said yourself it's rare to find someone who gets it like she does."

Toto was silent for a moment, staring out the window as he considered his options. "I don't know, Lewis. This is all very new territory for me. But... maybe I'll reach out to her. See if there's something to learn from each other."

Lewis grinned, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "That's the spirit! You never know, Toto. This could be the start of something really cool."

The next day, with some hesitation but undeniable curiosity, Toto sent a message to Elsa. It was brief and to the point, as was his style, but it carried an offer he rarely extended:

**Subject: A Thought**

"Elsa,

It was a pleasure meeting you the other night. I've been thinking about our conversation and how much our worlds, though different, share in common. If you're interested, I would like to discuss this further-perhaps over coffee, or at the next opportunity. I believe there's much we can learn from each other.

Best regards,

Toto Wolff"

Toto hit send and leaned back, unsure of what to expect. He wasn't the type to pursue relationships outside of his work circle, especially not in such an unfamiliar context. Yet, there was something about Elsa that intrigued him, something that made him want to explore this connection further.

It didn't take long for a reply to arrive. When Toto opened the message, he couldn't help but smile at Elsa's response:

**Subject: Re: A Thought**

"Toto,

I'm glad you reached out. I've been thinking about our conversation as well, and I'd love to continue it. Coffee sounds great-how about next week when I'm back in town? Looking forward to it.

Best,

Elsa"

The next week arrived quicker than Toto anticipated. He arranged to meet Elsa at a quiet café in the heart of London, away from the usual hustle of the motorsport world. When he arrived, Elsa was already there, seated at a corner table with a book in her hand. She looked up as Toto approached, her face breaking into a warm smile.

"Mr. Wolff," she greeted him, standing up to shake his hand. "Or should I say, Toto?"

"Toto is fine," he replied, smiling as they both sat down.

They started with small talk-discussing the weather, the café, and how they'd both been since their last meeting. But it wasn't long before the conversation naturally shifted to the topics that had drawn them together.

Elsa sipped her coffee thoughtfully before speaking. "I've been thinking about what you said the other night-about how our worlds, though different, are driven by the same principles. I realized that in skating, as in racing, you're constantly fighting the clock, striving to execute every move perfectly, even though perfection itself is an elusive goal."

Toto nodded, leaning forward with interest. "Exactly. Whether it's on the ice or on the track, every fraction of a second counts. Every decision, every move, has to be precise. There's no room for error."

"But it's more than just precision, isn't it?" Elsa continued, her eyes bright with passion. "It's about the mindset-the willingness to push yourself beyond what you thought was possible. To face failure and still keep going."

"That's what defines a champion," Toto agreed. "It's not just about talent; it's about resilience, the ability to learn from mistakes and keep pushing forward."

They talked for hours, diving deep into the philosophies that drove them both. They compared the physical and mental demands of their sports, discussed how they managed pressure, and even shared stories of their most challenging moments. Toto found himself sharing more than he usually did, opening up in a way that surprised even him.

As the afternoon turned into evening, the conversation shifted to more personal topics. Elsa spoke about her journey in figure skating, the sacrifices she'd made, and the challenges she'd faced as a woman in a sport that demanded so much. Toto listened intently, drawing parallels to his own experiences in the cutthroat world of Formula One.

At one point, Elsa looked at him thoughtfully. "Do you ever wonder what it would be like to step out of your world, even for a moment, and experience something completely different?"

Toto considered the question, his gaze distant. "I've spent so much of my life focused on racing, on winning, that I haven't given much thought to anything else. But meeting you... it's made me curious. There's so much more out there, and maybe it's time I started exploring it."

Elsa smiled, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "Well, you did promise to leave the skating to the experts, but how about this: You teach me a bit about the world of racing, and I'll show you a few basics on the ice? Just for fun."

Toto chuckled, the idea both daunting and intriguing. "You have a deal, but I warn you-I'm not sure how well I'll take to skating."

"We'll take it one step at a time," Elsa assured him, her smile warm. "And who knows? You might just discover a new talent."

As they parted ways that evening, Toto felt a sense of excitement and anticipation that he hadn't experienced in years. This new connection with Elsa had opened a door to a world he'd never considered before, and for the first time in a long while, he felt a genuine curiosity about what lay beyond the confines of the race track.

And so, Toto Wolff, the man who had spent his life chasing victory on the tarmac, found himself on the brink of a new adventure-one that would take him far beyond the familiar roar of engines and into the exhilarating unknown.