Magnetic Hearts

The circus

The night of the F1 Gala Party was fast approaching, and the air buzzed with excitement. Franco had been invited to attend for the first time, marking a significant milestone in his career. Though the thought of standing among the most elite figures in motorsport was thrilling, both he and Chris were feeling nervous, especially since they had decided to attend together as a couple for the first time.

"Are you sure about this?" Chris asked, pacing their apartment, a look of uncertainty in her eyes. She was holding a shimmering yellow dress, one that she had carefully chosen but now doubted. "It's a lot of attention..."

Franco, dressed in his sharp black tuxedo, looked at her with a reassuring smile. He stepped forward and took her hands in his. "You look stunning," he said, his voice full of admiration. "Everyone will be in awe of you."

Chris smiled nervously. The dress was indeed elegant yet undeniably sexy—a bold choice in vibrant yellow that hugged her curves perfectly and had just enough sparkle to catch the light. She looked at herself in the mirror, her hair styled in soft waves, her makeup flawlessly done. But there was still that lingering hesitation. This wasn't just any event—it was the F1 Gala, and they would be walking in as a couple for the first time in front of cameras, drivers, and team principals.

"I don't want all the attention on us," she admitted quietly, adjusting the straps of her dress. "It's your night, Franco. You've worked so hard to get here, and I don't want to take anything away from that."

Franco chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Chris, I want you by my side. This is as much our night as it is mine. You've been with me through every step of this season, supporting me, calming me down, helping me focus. I wouldn't be here without you."

She looked up at him, her expression softening. Franco had a way of calming her nerves, and she could see the sincerity in his eyes. "Okay," she said finally, exhaling deeply. "Let's do this."

The venue was a dazzling display of glamour as they arrived, with lights flashing and cameras clicking. The F1 Gala Party was everything Chris imagined and more, filled with the sport's elite, dressed in their finest. Franco, with his handsome curls and youthful charm, looked like he belonged there, even though this was his first time. As they stepped out of the car, the flashes of the paparazzi intensified.

Chris took a deep breath, linking her arm with Franco's. The yellow dress seemed to glow under the lights, catching everyone's attention the moment she stepped onto the red carpet. Whispers and glances followed them, but Franco stood tall beside her, his arm around her waist as if to tell the world that he was proud to have her by his side.

As they made their way into the venue, Chris could feel the weight of the stares, but Franco's reassuring presence kept her grounded. "You're handling this like a pro," he whispered into her ear, his hand gently squeezing hers.

"I'm just following your lead," she said, smiling up at him.

The night continued, filled with speeches, awards, and celebrations. Franco mingled with drivers and team members, all congratulating him on his impressive season. Now and then, he would glance at Chris, giving her a small smile or a wink, as if to remind her that she wasn't just a spectator—she was his equal in this, his partner.

During a quiet moment, they found themselves standing by a balcony, overlooking the glowing Monaco skyline. Chris looked out at the view, feeling a sense of surrealness wash over her. "I can't believe we're here," she whispered.

Franco stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder. "Me neither," he said softly. "But I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

Chris leaned back into him, her heart full. Despite the nerves, despite the attention, being here with Franco felt right. They had built something together, something strong and unshakable, and tonight, they were showing the world that they were in this together.

"You know," Franco said after a moment of silence, "I think everyone's jealous."

Chris raised an eyebrow, turning to look at him. "Jealous?"

"Of me," he said, his grin widening. "Because I'm here with the most beautiful woman in the room."

Chris rolled her eyes, but she couldn't hide her smile. "You're just saying that because I'm your girlfriend."

Franco chuckled, pulling her closer. "No, I'm saying it because it's true."

They shared a quiet laugh, the nerves and tension from earlier in the evening melting away. The F1 Gala was just the beginning of many milestones for them, and as they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, Chris realized that no matter what challenges or attention they faced, they would always have each other.

"I love you," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the soft music in the background.

Franco kissed her temple, his voice warm and full of affection. "I love you too, Christina."

As the night went on, they rejoined the party, but this time, Chris felt lighter, and more at ease. With Franco by her side, she knew they could face anything together—even the flashing lights and the curious stares.