RACE 2 - Max Verstappen

81

"Can you slow down?" Sophie asked Daniella, trying to catch her breath. Both the drivers are working out together at the gym and Sophie was not able to keep up with Daniella. "Do you even breathe? Are you even human?"

Daniella can't help but let out a laugh as she slowed down and then stopped. She grabbed her water bottle as Sophie sat down, feeling tired.

"I warned you," Daniella smirked before drinking her water.

"Yeah... but you didn't say I might stop breathing," Sophie argued between her heavy breaths. "How do you follow such a vigorous workout routine?"

"Practice," Daniella replied as she sat on the floor right next to Sophie. "And I love working out."

"You are not human," Sophie playfully rolled her eyes.

Daniella's phone buzzed and she gestured to Sophie to wait a minute while she checked her texts. It was a text from Max, letting her know he is busy the entire day with interviews and filming some promotional stuff so they won't be able to have dinner together like they originally planned. She sent him a quick reply, telling him not to worry about dinner and that they can reschedule it for tomorrow.

"So..." Sophie sheepishly looked at Daniella. "What are all these rumors I am hearing about you and Max dating?" She cautiously asked.

Daniella put down her phone and looked at the Haas driver, an amusing smile on her face. She knew this question was coming.

"You believe those rumors?" Daniella asked, trying not to smirk.

"Well..." Sophie tried to avoid eye contact with Daniella. "Everyone... almost everyone thinks you two are dating, and you two seem pretty close."

"Close like you and Mick?" Daniella smirked.

Sophie's eyes went wide as she slowly looked at Daniella.

"Wha... what now?" She stuttered, letting out a nervous laugh.

Daniella gave her a challenging look and raised her eyebrows.

Sophie couldn't even muster up a word.

"What about Sophie and Mick?" Charles joined Daniella and his sister.

"No... nothing," Sophie shook her head as she looked up at her brother before standing up. "And can you put on a shirt? I don't want to see my stupid brother half-naked."

A victorious look was plastered on Daniella's face which Charles definitely noticed.

"I... I am just going to walk away," Sophie said, looking at Charles and Daniella. "I have had enough human interactions for one day and would like to work out alone now."

Daniella winked and waved at her which made Sophia turn red. She ignored her brother and walked away.

"What is up with her?" Charles asked Daniella as he offered his hand to her.

"Don't know," Daniella lied as she took his hand and he pulled her up, almost making her stumble and fall on him. "Sorry.." She mumbled and stepped back.

"Clumsy," Charles chuckled, making Daniella playfully roll her eyes.

Daniella noticed Charles was staring at her, more specifically, staring at her chest and her exposed stomach.

"Hey!" She clapped her fingers in front of his eyes to get his attention. "Eyes up here Leclerc."

Charles immediately looked away and shook his head.

"Sorry.." He apologized, his cheeks turning red. "I was just... I was just thinking about something," He lied.

"Mmhm?" Daniella raised her eyebrows. "What were you thinking about?"

Charles' face was completely red, knowing well that he got caught and was cursing himself that he couldn't come up with a lie.

"Be careful next time," Daniella smirked as she patted his arm and resumed her workout.

***

"Okay but I am not in the mood to cook tonight," Daniella said to Myra on the phone as she unlocked the front door and stepped inside her house.

She absentmindedly threw her gym bag on the floor and went straight to her kitchen to get herself a bottle of cool drink from the fridge as Myra kept the conversation going on the other side of the phone.

"Then bring Nate."

"Then drop him off at the airport and then come over."

Both were planning to just hang out but were too lazy to go out so decided to just order food and have a relaxed night in Daniella's house.

The Mercedes driver almost gasped when she walked back into the living room and her eyes fell on the bouquet of pink roses on the center table. She immediately went over and admired the flowers as a bright smile appeared on her face. There is no doubt it's from Max.

"Are you even listening to what I am saying?" Myra asked from the other side of the call after not getting any response from Daniella.

"Yeah.. Sorry," Daniella replied. "I just got distracted."

"Ughh! Sometimes you are like a little kid," Myra complained. "Anyway, I will see you tonight. And don't worry, I will bring over dinner."

"See ya," Daniella happily replied before the call ended.

She felt like a teenage girl, the flowers making her feel butterflies in her stomach.

She took a photo and sent it to Max, saying that some stranger left it in her living room but she loves it.

Max was in the middle of an interview when he received the text from Daniella. He can't help but smile while having a quick look at it and the interviewer noticed it. He sent her a heart emoji as a quick reply, before getting on with the interview.

***

"Who gave you these flowers?" Myra asked as soon as her eyes fell on it as Daniella was pouring themselves a glass of wine.

"Wha... What flowers?" Daniella tried to pretend to be ignorant.

"These beautiful pink roses Dani," Myra clarified as she too admired the flowers.

"Oh.. Umm.." She handed Myra her glass. "I bought these myself," She lied. "I just saw them and thought it would brighten the room."

Myra looked at her suspiciously, not believing a single word, the only thing she agreed was that the flowers did brighten up the room.

"I have never seen you buy a bottle of water for yourself, you just take mine or steal from someone else and now you expect me to believe that you bought these flowers yourself?" Myra asked, making Daniella a bit nervous.

"Yes.." Daniella replied. "People change Myra."

"Hmm.." Myra looked at Daniella to figure out the truth.

The driver tried her best to look confident.

"I don't believe you," The PR manager accused the driver. "There is someone special in your life."

Daniella let out a nervous laugh before taking a huge sip of her wine, trying to calm herself.

"There is no one special in my life. Racing is the only special thing in my life," She lied, trying to convince Myra.

"I still don't believe you."

**********

A/N: No Max in this chapter but he did surprise Daniella with the roses. 

Thoughts on Dani and Max's relationship? 

Who is going to be the next one to find out about them? 

Thoughts on Sophie and Charles?