Intertwined

Monaco, June

Elena

"Kroshka! Five minutes! We won't wait!" Mom's voice sounded from the other side of the suite. I rolled my eyes- like I wouldn't be ready. I wasn't even sure what I was getting ready for, some sort of big-wig F1 party, probably on some ostentatious yacht out in the Marina. I smiled. I loved it.

I grabbed my clutch, my lipstick and my phone, which I just managed to slide inside. I rushed to the door, stopped and backtracked to the mirror. Loose wisps of fell deliberately, a frame for my face. Mom had taken me shopping for the dress: navy bandeau, floor length, a slit that came a little too high up my leg. I'm not materialistic, far from it, but tonight I was grateful to be wearing an outfit from a store that's appointment only.

"Solnishko, beautiful!" Dad kissed me on the cheek as I met him at door to our suite. "Although, someone forgot to finish sewing the dress..." He cocked an eyebrow at the gap in the fabric.

"Ah, Alex! She is almost eighteen! Let her live!" My mother appeared behind me, captivating in a red gown, neck laden with pearls, hair curled just so around her face. Dad always told me I got all of my looks from her, my brother from him.

I watched the numbers skip as the lift descended, the foyer brightly lit as the doors pulled apart. Outside, the air was warm, but a slight breeze raised goosebumps on my arm. The marina was close, its lights illuminating the sea and sky like a permanent fireworks display. I inhaled the sea air.

"Elesha, I'm glad we bought that dress, you never know, you might meet your future husband tonight!" Mom smirked, turning to wink at my dad.

"Hmf. Seventeen is far too young to be thinking about marriage, Alina, don't make me lock her away" The two shared a giggle, slowing to link their arms, strolling in the kind of companionable silence that comes with being together for years. I felt a warm fuzzy feeling in my stomach, a kind of longing and admiration for the love my parents had for each other. Regardless, I doubted I'd meet anyone here. The guys at these parties might be nice to look at, but that was usually it.

8:30pm

"Little noisy, don't you think?" I started a little, the reverie of watching the lights twinkle in the inky water broken by a voice. I smiled when I saw its source. He was around my age: floppy blonde hair, a smile that was tentative yet sure at the same time. His eyes were clear, bright, and looking right into mine.

"Mm," I tried to be nonchalant.

"I hate these parties. Not really my thing. I'm Sebastian."

"So what is your thing, Sebastian?" I cocked an eyebrow, excited by the idea of having somebody interesting to talk to. Not to mention handsome, in that boyish kind of way.

"Driving. Reading. Music. Being anywhere but on a million dollar boat with a bunch of showoffs..."

A driver then, I thought. I tried to follow the other championships, but what with following dad around it was hard to keep up. That accent... German. Soft, but definitely German.

"Ach so," I pressed my lips together, watching a new smile tug on his lips.

"Und dir..."

"Elena," I offered.

"Elena..."

"I like them. If only because I find the pomp and circumstance entertaining... "

"So, do you take after your father?"

I was taken aback. He must have sense my hesitation as he quickly added,

"Your uncle Sasha pointed you out! I'm not a stalker or anything..." He instinctively rubbed the back of his neck.

"I half expected you to say I looked like him," I giggled, feeling him edge slightly closer to me. I could smell his cologne now, clean and fresh and comforting. Then, his attention was drawn by a voice from the crowd, he offered an apologetic smile.

"I better go... "

"No, no, do your thing. I'm sure I'll be around..."

"I hope so,"

He said it with such certainty, I had to believe him.

10:32pm

I sipped the little glass of champagne my mom had sneaked into my hand, feeling it's dryness itch my throat. I found myself wedged between some former principals of teams I hadn't heard of, them using their height advantage over me to speak rushed Italian over me head. I sipped again.

I felt a hand find the small of my back in the crowd. "You never got time to answer... Do you take after your father?" The warmth of Sebastian's hand guided me out the team-principal-sandwich, towards the back of the boat.

"If I took after my father, you'd know my name by now," I smirked, letting him guide me so that I was leaning against the railings of the boat, this time facing the open water.

Sebastian cocked his head. "So what do you do, Elena?"

I hesitated. He wouldn't be interested in my story, it was so far removed from his lifestyle. His patient smile encouraged me.

"Don't laugh,"

He held both hands up, palms facing me.

"I want to be an actor. A stage actor..."

"Why would I laugh?"

"Seems childish, you know?"

"More childish than 'I want to be Formula one world champion?" He nudged my arm.

"Hmm... Definitely not." I nudged back.

"Maybe you'll see it happen someday, and I'll see you on stage..."