“What the hell are you talking about?” I ask, taking a step toward him with shaking hands. “Don’t joke with me about this, Adrian,” I beg, and he shakes his head, tears falling down his cheeks.
“I’m not, Val. Lorenzo Mattia is going to offer you a contract to be the test and reserve driver for Ferrari for the rest of the season with a guaranteed spot in the Alfa Romeo team next year,” my brother says, making everything around me spin.
“I should go. Congratulations, Valentina,” Thomas interrupts, and I thank him, still trying to process what Adrian has told me not even a minute ago.
“He’s coming to your birthday party to bring the contract and tell you in person.”
I sink to my knees because they are no longer capable of allowing me to stand. My whole body trembles as I try to let that information register.
“I did it?” I ask as my brother kneels down in front of me, more tears flowing out of his eyes.
“Yes, little champion, you did it. You proved to him, Mr. Reiner, Andrea, and the whole Ferrari team that you deserve a seat, and they listened. They saw you, and they’ve given you the chance to live your dream.”
I grab his hand, needing to feel him to know this isn’t a dream. Sensing it, he pinches my palm, and I let out a gasp which turns into a sob.
“I did it.” He nods, and, for the first time in my life, I fall apart out of happiness.
All of the pain has led up to this point of pure, raw joy, and no one will ever be able to take it away from me. I fling my arms around Adrian’s neck, and his wrap around my back, hugging me tighter and with more emotion than ever before.
“Thank you for everything,” I say when I’ve managed to calm down a little.
“I did nothing. This was all you, Val, all you,” he replies, bringing me closer to his chest.
I bury my face in the crook of his neck, inhaling his comforting scent. All these years, all those people who told me I wasn’t good enough, they all got me to where I am now, proving them fucking wrong.
“I have to call James and Gabriel, oh, and Evangelin. I want to tell them,” I say, still crying because I’ve never felt a combination of relief, happiness, and victory before.
“You can call James and Evangelin tomorrow. For tonight, go to Gabriel, celebrate. I’ll see you for your birthday party tomorrow,” Adrian says, kissing my cheek and standing up to help me. “Go,” he encourages when I hesitate.
I give his hand one last squeeze before grabbing my phone and sprinting all the way toward Gabriel’s house. My heart is racing both from running and the excitement of my good news.
I knock on the door, waiting for anyone to open it for me. Domi does, a warm smile resting on her face.
“Valentina, it’s so nice to see you. How are you, belle?” she asks, giving me a kiss on each cheek.
“I’m well, how are you? How is the baby?” I reply, her face lighting up at the mention of her unborn child.
“Everything is great, but I know you’re probably here to see Gabriel. He’s upstairs. Go ahead,” she says, stepping out of the way to let me go past. I smile at her before rushing to his room and knocking on his door.
“Come in.” Gabriel’s voice is soft, and I hesitate.
I know how he’ll react. This will be a moment I’ll never forget, another core memory to add to today, but I’m nervous anyway.
I open the door to reveal a painting Gabriel, who is dancing on the spot to his favorite song. His lips pull into a smile when he sees me, and I jump into his arms, my legs wrapping around him.
“What’s going on?” he asks, his hands moving to the underside of my thighs to hold me up.
“I’m going to race for Alfa Romeo next year,” I blurt out, and he drops me onto my feet, his hands moving to each side of my neck.
“Shut up! Shut the fuck up! Oh my God!” he cheers, jumping up and down from excitement. He attacks my face with kisses before stepping back and shaking his head. “I don’t even know what to do with myself, that’s how happy I am,” he admits, and I let out a small laugh as more tears fill my eyes. I don’t care about them anymore. Today I get to cry as much as I want.
“Neither do I. It seems very surreal. Maybe I need to have the contract in my hands first,” I say, and Gabriel shakes his head in disbelief and awe once more.
“It’s not going to feel real until you have your number on the car and sit down in it for the first time,” he replies, rubbing his face with his hands. “I can’t believe this! I’ve never heard better news in my entire life. Fuck, I have to sit down,” he says, and I chuckle at his behavior. “What do you want to do? We can pop a bottle of champagne and spray it all over ourselves to help you practice what happens on the podium,” he suggests, but it’s my turn to shake my head then, laughing as I do so.
“Honestly, mon soleil, I would love nothing more than cuddling up against you while you read me a good book,” I say, and he stands up, walking toward me to kiss me.
“Get on the bed then,” he whispers, and I run toward it, dropping on it with a dramatic motion and waiting for him to grab a book from his shelf. He lies down next to me, a book in his hand and a pen in the other. “Tell me what you think, and I’ll write it down in here,” he says, and I place my head on his chest before we start annotating the book together.
This moment is my personal brand of happiness.
“Since it’s already past midnight, Happy Birthday, ma chérie,” he tells me right before he presses his lips to mine and lowers the book again. We’ve been reading for longer than I thought.
“Thank you,” I say when I lean back, and he grins at me.
“Wait here,” he commands and gets up from the bed.
A small box lies in his grasp when he walks back over to me.
“This is the first gift I have for you, but it is the most important one.”
Gabriel hands me the box, and I don’t bother telling him he shouldn’t have bought me anything because he seems too happy. Within it lies the same necklace I have seen countless times in his sketches. The number seven, his number, is carved into the charm. I have no idea what my face is doing. I try to smile, but I’m mesmerized by his gift. It’s the most magnificent necklace I have ever seen.
“Val?” he asks after a moment of silence. My eyes lift from the jewelry to him.
“This is so beautiful,” I say in a low voice and laugh at myself for being so emotional. I throw my arms around his neck.
“I haven’t explained the meaning yet, hold on.” I pull back and stare at him. “I guess in a way this is like a promise ring, but it’s also not. It’s more than just a stupid promise. The necklace is supposed to remind you that you’re on my team. My Formula One career is my life, and you are my life. You wearing it is supposed to symbolize that all of it means nothing to me without you. I love you, Valentina Esmèe Cèlia Romana.”
“I love you the same, Gabriel Matteo Biancheri.” I take the necklace and put it on. Gabriel watches me, and I smile at him once it’s securely fixed around my neck. “I will wear this with pride.”
I wrap my fingers around the charm before I look at the man in front of me again. There is nothing but love in his eyes as he watches me bring it to my lips and press a kiss against it. Gabriel lifts his hand to touch my cheek, and his thumb traces my bottom lip.
“Tired?” he asks, and I nod.
It’s been a long day, and tomorrow will be another. We both need some rest for the party he has planned and organized.
“Good night, mon tournesol,” Gabriel whispers into my ear as he spoons me on his bed.
“Bonne nuit, mon soleil.”
