I'm back!! I took some time off and spent some time with my friends after editing Lock Up so thank you for being patient with me 🤍 We've got a new story ahead of us so let's goooo
Enjoy!
*****
December 01, 2027 - Abu Dhabi
The race hasn't even begun yet you could already feel the celebrations in the Mercedes garage. No matter what result happens today, it was already a sure win for Charles in the championship. He's been winning races left and right, creating such a huge gap from Max and Carlos who were both left to fight for second place in the constructor's championship for their teams as number one drivers since it was impossible to beat Charles in the points. George was a close second in the driver's championship.
It was his first year in Mercedes and he was definitely making one hell of a finish as a silver arrow.
"Mrs. Leclerc." Susie smiled when she entered the garage and saw me standing there next to Charles' trainer, Andrea, who was decked in the usual black shirt with the Mercedes logo on it.
"Ms. Stoddart." I smirked back and Susie shook her head at me. It's been an ongoing joke between the two of us ever since she discovered that I haven't changed my name despite being married to Charles for a year and a half. I like being called Mrs. Leclerc from time to time whenever I attend events with him but I can't just let go of the name I made for myself. Besides, Charles understood that with everything I went through, my name already has a foundation in my line of work.
A few feet from our right, I saw Toto playfully glare at me upon hearing his wife's maiden name. If she's going to call me Mrs. Leclerc, then I'm doing the opposite. "Kaplan, stop it." He said, making Susie and I laugh as he pointed a finger at me.
"Respectfully, no." I said, grinning at him. Toto rolled his eyes at me before turning back to the screen in front of him, but you could see a small smile on his face. I turned back to Susie who was smiling at her husband. "How are preparations for Venturi?"
Susie sighed, showing the exhaustion on her face. "The new regulations are making it difficult, but we're getting there. I gave everyone the week off since we've been working non-stop."
We chatted for a bit as we waited for the drivers to get on the formation lap, Charles starting in second after Max beat him to P1 yesterday during qualifying while Carlos was behind him.
I crossed my arms over my chest, eyes seriously trained on his car as the red lights went out and all twenty cars left the grid. Both Max and Charles got off with a great start while Carlos was pushed to the side by George, moving him back to P4. Despite being three places ahead of his opponent, Max still tried hard to maintain pole to gain as much of an advantage as he can from Carlos.
But he held none when it came to Charles.
Once DRS was enabled, Charles didn't hesitate to overtake him in sector 2 after maintaining a gap of less than a second during the first two laps. The mechanics in the garage cheered as his name moved up the leaderboard but we all knew there were 56 laps to go and anything could happen.
They were going with a one-stop strategy and Charles was the first in the top five to head to the pits, leaving him behind Mick who was currently at P5 in the Ferrari car. The other two teams were no match for Mercedes this season. On top of their impeccable speed, Charles with fresh tyres was able to overtake Mick and George. Once Max and Carlos head to the pits, he'd be regaining back his position.
"How's Jack?" I asked Susie, remembering how the young boy was supposed to be in the garage but I don't see him anywhere.
"He and a few of his friends from karting are watching from the stands." Susie said, giving me an uneasy smile.
"You let him go there?" It was difficult to watch from the stands because sometimes, you're safety was at stake. For Jack, everyone knew he was the son of Toto and Susie Wolff with him being almost a carbon copy of Susie.
"Toto did." Susie said, before glancing at her husband. If she had a smile earlier when she walked in, now she was looking at him irritatingly. "He wanted them to have the full experience and Jack agreed. I know not to challenge the two of them when they're working together."
A small laugh escaped my lips as Susie shrugged her shoulders. We were both brought back to the race when we noticed both Charles and George pulling away from the Ferrari and Red Bull drivers. We all already had a feeling that Charles was on his way to win his first championship with the team.
He's come a long way with already winning five championships with Ferrari. Everyone thought he was going to stay with the team and it was a decision he thought of for a very long time. No matter how many championships he won for them, he couldn't take the decisions of the team principal anymore, needing someone who not only listened to their drivers but pushed them to become better as well.
Soon, 57 laps had passed and I watched as his car wheezed through the pits to begin his final lap of the season. Almost every mechanic in the Mercedes garage was now standing, watching as the two silver arrows went through the track.
My hand was tightly holding on to Susie's, the two of us nervously watching the screen. I could feel my heart beating so fast as the cameras focused on him, going through sector 2 like a breeze. When he was nearing the last corner, the mechanics ran towards the fence to welcome them for the finish. Him and George had to lap some cars on the way to the finish line but that was nothing to them.
At least that's what I thought.
Nico Hülkenberg in the Aston Martin was the next one to be lapped and Charles was about to pass him when Nico suddenly swerved right, hitting Charles who was just beside him. My heart stopped upon seeinng bits and pieces of debris from where I was, turning my head from the livestream that had just been cut off.
The mechanics rushed towards where Charles' car had slammed into the wall, car completely wrecked. Without saying anything, I let go of Susie's hand and ran to where he was, seeing the marshals move to his and Nico's car.
I heard someone call me but I didn't turn around, eyes set on where Charles was. Seconds later, two arms pulled me back and I turned around to see Toto looking at me.
"Toto," I croaked out, already feeling the tears fall down my cheeks. "let go of me."
He shook his head and glanced behind me, eyes filled with shock and worry. "We need to let them do their job, Nadia." He said and I saw Susie come near us, immediately holding on to my hand.
I stayed there just by the pitlane as the other drivers parked their cars because of the red flag. I saw George and Max approach us but Toto shook his head at them, already knowing I was in no state to talk.
Fuck. They were taking too long.
"Please. I need to see him." I cried to Susie who let my head rest by her shoulder, glancing at her husband. From the corner of my eye, I saw Toto walk towards where the marshals were and spoke to one of them before calling me over.
"Let's go." Susie whispered, squeezing my hand as she pulled me to their direction. My legs were weak and my hands were shaking with fear as I got a closer look of Charles' car.
A sob left my lips when I saw them carefully pull Charles out, a sheet of cloth being held around him by a marshal to cover him from the audience. He still had his helmet on and I watched as they carefully removed it, revealing his face where a few cuts and bruises had formed and blood was trickling down the side of his head.
They placed him on the stretcher before moving it towards the pits. I immediately went to his side and one of the marshals saw me, blocking my way. "Ma'am, please step aside."
"That's my husband so before you say another word, I suggest you get the fuck out of my way." I said, not waiting for a reply as I went past him and towards Charles.
I fell into step with them as they headed for the direction of the medical car that would usually bring him to the medical center but from what I heard one of the marshals say, they were flying him out.
My hand met his as I bit my lip to keep a sob from escaping my lips. He was covered in scratches from when parts of the car had scraped his skin and a marshal had placed a temporary bandage over the side of his head to keep it from bleeding. The dark red stain was an image I don't think I'll ever forget.
Every inch of my body is functioning on adrenaline but I knew that the minute I get to have some time to myself, I'll be falling apart. Charles' eyes were still closed, not having been conscious yet, and I would give anything just to see his green eyes at this moment. As we continued to move, I repeatedly prayed in my head that he'd be okay and we'd both survive this together.
But turns out my prayers were not enough.
*****
Pretty short since this is the first chapter hehe
✧Reese✧