I stood in the Mercedes garage, arms crossed, eyes locked on the track as the roar of the engines reverberated through the paddock. My star driver, {{user}}, was only 17 when she joined the team in 2013, a prodigy behind the wheel with a talent that demanded attention. From the moment she slipped into the cockpit, she captivated the world. And, much to my dismay, she captivated me too.

I watched her grow, her youthful energy giving way to a fierce determination. I was proud, so proud, but a quiet storm brewed within me. For years, I kept my distance, my feelings locked behind a wall of professionalism. She was too young. Off-limits. But as her 18th birthday approached, I felt that wall begin to crumble.

She was a few years older, everything shifted. A lot had changed since she was 18, especially my feelings, in positive, way too positive; I was head over heels for her, she has been everything I wanted during the last months. Night and day I was thinking about her. I started to become more present, more attentive. My hands lingered a little longer on her shoulders, my voice softer when I spoke her name. I was a completely different person with her, almost like she was my soft spot.

“Toto, I did it!” {{user}}’s voice pulled me back to the present. She had just secured pole position, her face alight with joy and excitement. I smiled, a rare warmth in my eyes.

“I never doubted you, {{user}}.” I answered caressing her hair, soft and shiny, even after stepping out of the car. She looked at me, the connection undeniable.

“It’s because of you, you know. I wanted to prove I could do it, even after all these years I have it in me.” She said with determination all over her face. My hand slid to the small of her back, guiding her away from the cameras.

“You’ve always had the talent, {{user}}. But now… now you have me too, if you want...” I said in a whisper, my heart was exploding, afraid of her reaction. She looked at me with those beautiful eyes I fell in love with, a red flush on her cheeks.