Magnetic Hearts

Big Step

Chris was buzzing with excitement as she paced the apartment, the phone still clutched in her hand. She had just received a call from an international Formula 1 broadcast network, offering her a prominent role in their 2025 coverage. It was the kind of opportunity she had always dreamed of—a chance to step into a global stage and cover one of the most thrilling sports in the world. Now, she just had to share the news with Franco.

Franco was in the kitchen, chopping vegetables for dinner when Chris burst in, her face glowing with excitement. "Franco! You won't believe it!" she exclaimed, practically bouncing on her toes.

He looked up, startled but quickly smiling at the sight of her enthusiasm. "What's going on, cariño?" he asked, setting the knife down and wiping his hands on a dish towel.

"I got it! I got the job! The international F1 broadcast team for 2025—they offered me a position!" Chris could barely contain herself as she rushed to Franco's side, her hands trembling with joy.

Franco's eyes widened with pride and happiness for her. "Are you serious? That's incredible!" he exclaimed, pulling her into his arms and lifting her off the ground as he spun her around. "You deserve this, Chris! I'm so proud of you!"

She laughed as he set her back down, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "I still can't believe it. This is going to change everything—I'll be traveling more, doing live coverage, and meeting new people. It's everything I ever wanted."

Franco's eyes shone with pride, but she also noticed a hint of something else—perhaps a tinge of apprehension. "You'll be amazing. There's no one more suited for this than you," he said, his hands still holding her waist. "But... does that mean you'll be away for longer periods? Will you still be able to come to the races?"

Chris reached up to cup his face, her thumb brushing across his cheek. "Yes, I'll be traveling more. But I'm not going anywhere, Franco. We'll make this work. I promise."

He gave a small nod, pushing the worry aside for now. He knew how much this meant to her, and the last thing he wanted was to dim her light. "Then we need to celebrate," he said, his voice low and filled with affection. "How about I open that bottle of champagne we've been saving for a special occasion?"

"Perfect!" Chris grinned. "And let's cook something special tonight."

Together, they set the table with candles and cooked dinner, enjoying each other's company as they chatted about the future and what her new role would entail. As they ate, Franco would occasionally raise his glass to her, making toasts like, "To Chris, the future voice of F1!" and "To new adventures!"

Later that night, as the celebration continued, Franco leaned in closer, brushing a lock of hair behind Chris's ear. "I'm happy for you," he whispered, his eyes locking onto hers with a deep intensity. "And I'll be right here, cheering you on in every race. We'll take this step together."

Chris felt warmth spread through her chest at his words, knowing that no matter where her career took her, Franco was her anchor, her partner, the one who'd stand by her side through every twist and turn. She reached up and kissed him, sealing the moment with the promise of love and adventure that lay ahead.

Chris and Franco found themselves in the whirlwind of their new routine, where life on the road seemed to pull them in different directions even when they were in the same place. Traveling to all the races meant constant movement—early mornings, late nights, different time zones, and always something that needed their attention. Though they would often end up in the same hotel room at night, they barely shared a few hours of quality time before exhaustion took over.

Chris's work with the international F1 broadcast team was demanding, and Franco had his obligations as a driver. There were media appearances, team meetings, training sessions, and endless preparations for the races. On some nights, they would lie in bed together, backs facing one another, both too tired to even say "good night." Other nights, Chris would come back to the room long after Franco had fallen asleep, her heels clicking softly on the hotel floor, hoping not to disturb him.

The strain of their schedules didn't go unnoticed by fans either. Online, people started commenting on the noticeable lack of couple moments between them. Social media was flooded with comments like, "We miss seeing Chris and Franco together!" and "Are they still even a couple? They never appear together anymore!"

Chris saw the comments, and though she knew it wasn't anyone's business, she couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. They hadn't shared a cute moment in the paddock for weeks. No hand-holding, no playful interactions, not even a casual kiss. Franco, too, noticed the online chatter when a reporter subtly hinted during an interview, "You've been quite busy, Franco. Will we see you and Chris making time for each other this weekend?" He had only laughed it off, but it stayed on his mind afterward.

One evening, as Chris was preparing notes for the next day's race coverage in their hotel room, Franco finally spoke up. "Have you seen what people are saying online?" he asked, leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed.

Chris glanced up from her laptop, sensing the seriousness in his tone. "I've seen some comments," she admitted, closing her computer. "They think we're drifting apart."

"It's not their business," he replied with a slight frown. "But... they're not completely wrong, are they? We've been missing each other, even when we're right here."

Chris sighed, rubbing her temples. "I know. It's been hard, Franco. We're both so busy and when we do get time together, we're either exhausted or distracted."

Franco pushed away from the doorway and walked over to sit beside her on the bed. "Maybe it's time we remind people that we're still us," he suggested, his eyes meeting hers. "Let's give them what they want—a moment of us. But let's make sure it's real, not just for the cameras."

"What do you have in mind?" Chris asked, her curiosity piqued.

"How about we walk into the paddock together tomorrow?" Franco suggested a playful smirk appearing on his lips. "Hand-in-hand, maybe even steal a kiss. Let's show them that we're still that same couple who can't keep our hands off each other."

Chris chuckled, leaning her forehead against his shoulder. "You make it sound so simple."

"Sometimes, it is," he replied, lifting her chin to look into her eyes. "We just have to make the time. Even if it's just for a few minutes, it's enough."

The next day, as they made their way to the paddock, Franco reached for Chris's hand and interlaced their fingers. Chris glanced up at him, a small smile spreading across her face as their steps fell in sync. As they walked in, photographers snapped away, capturing every moment. And when Franco leaned down to press a soft kiss to Chris's lips, the crowd erupted with excitement.

The moment quickly spread across social media, with headlines like, "Chris and Franco Shut Down Breakup Rumors in the Best Way Possible," and fans gushing over how adorable they looked together. For a brief moment, it was as if time slowed down for them, and they remembered why they were doing all of this in the first place.

Back in the hotel room that night, Chris lay her head on Franco's chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath her ear. "We need more of this," she murmured.

"More moments?" Franco asked, running his fingers through her hair.

"More us," she said softly. "Not for the cameras, but for us."

Franco kissed the top of her head. "I couldn't agree more, cariño. From now on, let's make a promise to always find time, no matter how hectic things get."

As they drifted off to sleep, they felt closer than they had in weeks, reminded that no matter how chaotic their lives became, they would always find a way back to each other.