RACE 2 - Max Verstappen

74

As soon as Max was done with filming the commercial he checked his phone to see if there were any calls or texts but instead saw a ton of posts about Carlos and Daniella. He clenched his jaw and anger started creeping up as he watched the video of Carlos dedicating the goal to Daniella. Clearly, Daniella was taken aback by the Ferrari driver's gesture and didn't know how to react, Max can tell as much but he still can't help but feel angry and jealous. He had to keep his relationship with Daniella private while some other driver is making a grand gesture to earn her affection and the whole world is rooting for him.

There were a few texts from Daniella, letting him know she went home after the match and to pack for her one-day trip to Cannes the next day, whereas it was originally planned to go out with the other drivers to enjoy some time and have dinner together. Max is aware of why she didn't go to dinner.

He tossed aside his phone in the passenger seat and drove to Daniella's house.

***

"Are you not going to say anything?" Daniella asked her boyfriend who was just scrolling through his phone as he sat in her bed, looking at her whenever her back his turned to him and running around packing.

"What do you want me to say?" Max asked, his voice sounding a bit harsh.

"I know what you are thinking, Max," Daniella softly said as she halted for a minute.

Max let out a huff and sat up, his eye boring into hers.

"It's just...it's frustrating you know," he confessed. "We can't even smile at each other properly in the public and have to keep our relationship secret..but Carlos went and dedicated the goal to you in front of everyone."

Daniella stepped closer to Max and held his hand, making his eyes soften a bit.

"I know it's frustrating," she sighed. "And I had no idea he was going to do that, cause trust me, if I did then I would have..."

"You would have left even before the match started," Max finished the sentence.

Daniella nodded.

"I know what you are feeling," she gave his hand a slight squeeze. "I felt the same way when you got tangled up with that stupid publicity stunt. I am going to talk to Carlos and tell him I am seeing someone, I am sure he will stop all these after that."

"I don't think he would," Max mumbled.

"Why is that?" Daniella was confused.

"Because I definitely wouldn't stop chasing you if I was in his place," he replied with a soft smile.

"Then I will just ignore him, I am really good at that."

***

Daniella smiled and stepped out of the car, wearing a light blue gown and silver jewelry, her hair and makeup perfectly done. Photographers started taking her photos and asking her to look in different directions as she stepped on the red carpet of the Cannes film festival. She happily posed and waved.

She was surprised to see Pierre on the red carpet too as she didn't know that another driver was invited.

Few of the photographers requested them to stand close to take a couple of photos and the drivers politely obliged.

"What are you doing here?" Daniella asked as Pierre wrapped his arm around her waist and both smiled at the cameras.

"I was invited," He replied as he looked at her. "Same as you."

They started walking toward the stairs and when they were about to climb them Daniella struggled to manage her gown and her purse.

Pierre offered his hand and she reluctantly took it, making him smirk. He knows she hates taking help, especially from someone she doesn't like very much.

"You look beautiful today," he whispered into her ears.

"I know," Daniella sassily replied.

Pierre let out a laugh and shook his head.

"Would you have replied the same thing if it was Carlos instead of me?" he asked, taking Daniella by surprise.

"Why are you bringing up Carlos?" she frowned.

"You know why," he gave a sly look. "After yesterday everyone is talking about you two."

Daniella rolled her eyes and pulled her hand away from Pierre, in the process almost losing her balance but Pierre was quick enough to save her before anyone noticed.

"Before you ask, there is nothing going on between me and Carlos," Daniella mumbled.

"Oh I know," Pierre replied. "Your priority is always going to be racing, that's what you said to me when we decided to stop dating. But I don't think Carlos is aware of that."

Daniella pulled her hand away as soon as they reached the top and they were guided inside the hall. Pierre gave her a cheeky smile once they realized that they were going to be sitting together.

"Oh great," Daniella sighed sarcastically.

"You know after this evening everyone will start asking you why you cheated on Carlos with me," Pierre joked, earning a glare from Daniella.

"Please stop talking," she begged.

"Why?" Pierre asked as they took their seats. "You have been ignoring me since last year, today is the only day we talked for more than five minutes for the first time in months."

Daniella gave him a warning look but Pierre just shrugged it off, clearly enjoying his time with her. He missed her and regrets the decisions he made last year which made her dislike him, but his feelings and opinions about her haven't changed.

"This is going to be a long evening," Daniella said to herself.

Pierre thanked his luck as he looked at the Mercedes driver.

"We can just consider today as a date," he half-joked.

"Absolutely not," Daniella immediately said as she pointed an accusing finger at him. "And don't you have a girlfriend now?"

"Nope," Pierre replied and shook his head. "Dated for a few months and then broke up."

"Good to know you got dumped again," Daniella smirked.

"You are to blame for that."

"What do I have to do with your failed relationship?"

Pierre gave her a knowing look but Daniella thought it was best to ignore it. She doesn't need more complications in her life.

**********

A/N: I am a bit drunk and there is a good chance I will be more drunk tonight and tomorrow so the story might go haywire, apologies in advance.

Thought on how Max is feeling? What do you think he and Dani should do?

Do you think Carlos will back down if Dani talks to him?

Thoughts on Pierre?