paper rings

"Vic! Por favor.."

Vic's pov
4th April 2022, Melbourne

Time for the Australian Grand Prix!! I was pretty exited to be here. We already spend a few days here and I got over my jet leg which was horrible.. I definitely have to get used to this all. I was so in love with this city, everything was just so beautiful.

Something about the upcoming race weekend made me absolutely nervous.

Max will be here.

We stayed in contact and agreed to try to rebuild our friendship which made me more then happy. But I was so scared to mess this up again. Scared that he won't like who I became or that we don't get along anymore...

Overthinking? Yes that's probably my third name.

I also don't know if Lando knows about all this.. also a point that won't leave my mind.

6th April 2022, Melbourne

The past two days I explored the city with Charles, Andrea and Joris but mostly I put some effort in my classes for uni.

Tonight Charles wanted to take me to a small gathering that Daniel, one of the drivers invited him to. I didn't know daniel yet but i only head good things about him, so I was pretty exited. After a quick shower and refreshing my make up I get changed and make my way downstairs where Charles is waiting.

"You ready to meet some new people?" He asks as he greats me with a kiss on both cheeks.

"I sure am. I have to travel with them the next months so I hope everything goes well.." He assures me that everyone would be head over heals for me and that I have nothing to worry about but I still had a strange feeling about tonight even tho I was exited.

We arrive at a beautiful farm. Small lights everywhere and some music playing. A fire place with seats all around.. it looked absolutely beautiful here. Charles walks over to the guys that are gathered around the fire place and I follow him.

"Hey guys good to see you!" He greets some of them before he introduces me to them "to everyone who doesn't know this is Victoria, she'll be travelling with me this season." While he says that he pulls me close by my waist and gives me a gentle kiss on top of my head.

I smile and look around "it's very nice to meet you all!"

My smile drops as soon as I see Lando walking towards the fireplace. Perfect.

Charles introduces me properly to daniel again and I thanked him for the invite. He was very nice and I felt welcomed the first second.

Inside i met Heidi, Daniel's girlfriend. Such a sweetheart. I helped her prepare everything for the BBQ and we got along great from the first second.

Daniel takes care of the grill with charles and pierre standing by his side. Heidi and I put some salads on the table and prepare some bread too. After a lovely dinner we all put everything back inside and sit around the fire place. I excuse myself and leave to use the bathroom. As I came back every seat was taken, so I simply decided to sit down on Carlos lap. Pierre sat next to Lando so I didn't wanted to be there and from everyone I know good Carlos was the one who was the farest away from lando at the moment.

Without hesitation Carlos pulls me close and wraps his arms around my waist "you enjoying the evening?" He asks quiet so no one can hear us.

I nod. I really enjoyed it, the guys were amazing but it was also exhausting at the same time. I think Carlos noticed that I wasn't the most comfortable right now because he made me get up and follow him inside. We sit down on Daniel's couch facing each other.

"Tell me what's been on your mind beautiful?" He asks gently

I shrug "I don't know.. everyone is amazing here but.." I sigh "I know Lando doesn't want me here and I understand him but.. I can feel the hatred looks of him and I just don't.. I hate it."

"What happend between you guys..? After the night at the club in jeddah we didn't had the chance to talk"

I don't know why but somehow I end up telling Carlos the whole story about me and Lando. Carlos has always been there for me too so I trust him a lot. I just hope it won't affect his and Lando's friendship.. I didn't missed out on a single detail and as I kept taking I got more and more mad at Lando.

Carlos listens carefully, i love that about him.

"But no seriously who does he think he is?! What the hell, I'm going to talk to him now!" I said getting up from the sofa.

"I don't think he meant it the way he said everything.. he even apologised.."

"No!! He hurted me all over again. Sure i did too but the difference is that I didn't do it on purpose, I didn't had a fucking chance..!" All the emotions I pushed back the past months came back in a huge wave of rage. I walk outside to confront Lando.

"Vic!" Carlos catches me before I can step outside. "Por favor, lets not do this here.. not today. You can talk to him tomorrow, okay?" He holds my face gently with both of his hands. His touch calms me down and I just nod.

We arrive back at the fire place. Carlos sits down at his old place and I walk over to Charles who looks at me concerned. "Everything alright mon soleil?" He pulls me on his lap and I cuddle up with him immediately.

"Yeah just tired I guess"

"Should we go back to the hotel?"

I shake my head "we don't have to it's alright. We can stay with your friends I'm totally fine."

He gets up and I don't even know why. "Okay guys we'll call it a day for tonight. I'll see you on track!"

We say goodbye to everyone especially to Daniel and Heidi, then we walk back to the car. He opens my door on the passenger side before he walks over and enters the driver side. He starts the car but remains silent.

I try to collect my shit together, unsuccessfully.

"Thank you" I say quietly looking out of the window.

"You want to talk about it?" He asks carefully.

I sigh "it's just.. Lando."

His grip around the steering wheel tightens "did he do something?!"

I shake my head "no.. I'm just so fucking pissed. All I want is to scream at him and tell him my opinion so he has to listen. I don't think he will tho.."

"If it matters I think you should tell him your side of the story too. He acted like a asshole the least he can do is to fucking listen to you."

"But how can I make him listen..?"

"I might have an idea.."