RACE 2 - Max Verstappen

90

Daniella arrived at the paddock on Thursday. The day was mostly scheduled for a track walk, team meetings to discuss the strategies, and some media responsibilities. She pulled out her paddock pass as she neared the gate, judging by the clouds hovering above she can tell it was going to rain soon and hoped it won't ruin the race.

She saw Lando at the gate, talking to the security, requesting to let him go in.

"Dani.." Lando looked hopeful when he saw the Mercedes driver. "I forgot my pass," he explained. "And this lovely security here is not letting me go in," he gave a tight smile to the security guard.

"Wow! I am impressed," Daniella teased him. "You forgot your pass for the fourth time this year.

"I am sorry sir," The security guard politely said to Lando. "I can't let you go in without the paddock pass."

"But I am a driver," Lando explained. "Dani, tell him I am a driver."

The security guard looked at Daniella.

"I don't know who this person is," she lied, giving a taunting look to Lando as she scanned her pass and entered the paddock.

"This is not funny, Dani," Lando yelled, attracting the attention of everyone around them but no one came to help him. "Tell the truth. It's going to rain and I didn't bring an umbrella."

Daniella can't help but laugh, a couple of cameras pointed at them as Lando started pleading with the security guard again.

"Fine.." Daniella gave in. "He drives for McLaren," she said to the guard.

"See.." Lando pointed out to the guard. "Now can I go in?"

The guard nodded and allowed him to walk in. Daniella grinned as she enjoyed the little scene.

"I hate you," Lando glared at her playfully as he joined her at the paddock and both started walking.

"No you don't," Daniella chuckled. "By the way, you need to start putting the pass around your neck as soon as you get it otherwise you will keep on forgetting."

"That's exactly what Carlos said to me last time," Lando mumbled, remembering how the Ferrari driver had to convince the security last time to let him enter the paddock.

"Anyway...I heard about you and Max," Lando added cautiously but regretted it immediately when he saw the smile on Daniella's face fade.

Daniella lightly cleared her throat and looked away, avoiding Lando's eyes.

"I don't want to talk about it," she bluntly said. "And I am sure Daniel already told you everything."

Lando nodded, not wanting to upset her, and Daniel was right, Daniel already told him everything, didn't spare any details, and made him promise not to tell Daniella.

"Yeah..Daniel did tell me everything," Lando ratted out his teammate.

Daniella was not surprised. She has already made up her mind to never trust Daniel with any secrets or anything important.

Max watched Daniella as she walked with Lando. He watched her smile disappear when Lando said something, can't help but wonder if it was because of him.

***

Daniella firmly held her umbrella as she walked around the track with her team, rain pouring, making the environment a bit gloomy for everyone except for the Mercedes driver. It is no secret that she loves the rain and enjoys it as long as she doesn't get sick, which unfortunately happened the last time.

The photographers around them enjoyed taking photos of her as she was too distracted by the rain and Nate had to scold her a few times.

"Stop that," Myra scolded her as she removed her umbrella and stood in the rain for a few seconds. "You will get sick again."