I’m older than her, and now that I am forty-one, her being in her twenties makes me feel like an old ass man. We’ve been together for almost three years, and I think it’s time.
Also, it’s the perfect occasion. I was going to propose after one of her wins, but once I started tallying up her ranks, I knew she would become a world champion. I resigned last year because I knew it was time. The year after I decided to leave, she goes and wins everything. Ale is currently up on the podium, crying over her driver’s championship win. Xavier is at her side, looking at her in approval. I like that boy. He deserves everything he gets.
Standing here behind the curtain at the side of the podium, I breathe in before they start spraying champagne. My leg is twitching. I absolutely HATE this feeling. Jackson Owens stops them and says, “we have one more surprise for all of you and for one specific driver up here in particular. We have the honor of watching the living legend and previous Elektra team principal say a few words.” Ale looks puzzled, looking out into the crowd, not seeing me anywhere. I shove the ring in my back pocket, grab the mic, and walk out. Her head turns.
“I just wanted to say a few words as the ex-boss of two of the drivers up here. They all did a great job today, especially my girl. Formula One is a sport where drivers risk their lives every day for your enjoyment and their own. I hope you all enjoyed the race today and let the celebrations begin.” Xavier doesn’t even flinch. He grabs the bottle and starts dousing me in champagne. I laugh once the cold liquid hits my face.
“Feeling good now, boss?” He smirks, looking at my back pocket. “Yes.” He looks at me with a skeptical expression. I want to take a drink, but I don’t let myself. I look over and see Ale gazing at me, interested in why I’m up here.
“You just had to take my shine away,” she sings with a smile on her face.
“Always.” I look down at her with a massive grin.
At this moment, it’s as if everything around us has become background noise. Racing teams and fans cheer as Ren and Xavier start spraying champagne on them from the podium. The liquid flying everywhere. Ale’s bottle is in her hand.
It’s time. Grabbing the ring out of my back pocket as effortlessly as possible, I get down on one knee. Ale immediately reacts by taking a step back. I hold the black velvet box in front of me while I kneel, baring myself to her.
“From the moment I met you, I knew you were a fire no one could put out. A fire I didn’t know would spread through my body and control my every emotion. I know we didn’t get off to the best start. But that attitude, while needing some work, keeps me going. I love waking up to you every day, following you all around the world, seeing you in your element, doing what you were meant to do. Seeing you happy is my life’s purpose. I know I may be a little old, but you make me feel young again. I’m the only person in this world who can keep up with you. Because you are a spark, one that no one can capture, only follow. I will love you and follow you for the rest of my days.” My breath shutters before I say the words I’ve been nervous to say. “Ragazza, will you marry me?” The tears from earlier are streaming down her face. Her hands are still covering her mouth as she just stands there.
“Just say yes already, woman!!” Xavier screams out from the side. Snapping out of her thoughts, she nods, and I stand up. The emerald-cut ring, with diamonds all around the stone, adorns her tan skin beautifully as I slip it on her finger. I hear cheers and as I look out at the crowd, everyone is going crazy. I turn my head back around to see her with a smile on her face.
“Is that a, yes?” I ask quickly for confirmation.
“Of course, it is.” She jumps on me, and I catch her. The champagne starts flying everywhere, and this time on top of us.
I kiss her softly before setting her down. Glancing down at her ring, I notice she’s admiring it.
“I had to get you your favorite. Ever since you told me about Queen Victoria’s tiara, I knew that your crown would be this ring. The one that you deserve to wear.”
“I love you so much it hurts,” she lets out.
“Ditto,Ragazza.”
Epilogue
Maria Alejandra
One Year Later
“You look perfect,” I hear Violetta say behind me. My custom Adèle wedding dress just got in today. The day of my wedding.
Yes. My fucking WEDDING.
I had a vision, and they executed it flawlessly. I wanted to go with a classic form with a twist. Having the chiffon ruffle in black and white was the perfect decision. It’s so me, and I absolutely love it.
The bouquet is a mix of white lilies and black roses. I wanted a piece of my mother here today. Even though she wasn’t the best to me or anyone else, I know that this was the right choice. I loathe her, but she was still my mom, and this will be my last reference to her in my life. A final goodbye.
Walking out onto the balcony, I take a deep breath of fresh air, looking out onto Florence. The place my future husband calls home.
The gardens were his suggestion when we first discussed a location for our wedding. I was adamant about staying somewhere in Mexico. We compromised and our honeymoon will be in Cancun. I can’t wait to drag him around my home country yet again.
But for now, I look at the setup below me. The altar is right in front of the statue of Persephone, and the chairs line up adjacent to it.
The view is perfect. The red and the green contrast in such a way that it looks like a dream. One that I don’t know if I’m living in.
Suddenly, I hear footsteps below me and chatter in Italian. Noticing who the voices belong to, I rush back inside.
“Eso fue abrupto,”Violetta chuckles as I run back in.“Luca casi me acaba de ver.”She looks at me in shock, her mouth full of the sandwich she just took a bite out of.