EVERMORE , Max Verstappen

Six

Ahri emerged from the changing room, her attire transformed from her tennis outfit to something more casual and comfortable. As she stepped out, she found Max leaning casually against the wall. Her routine after a match involved interviews and returning to her team for the celebratory victory dinner, but something about Max's presence felt different. There was an undeniable connection between them, and she couldn't help but hope that Max had more in mind for this moment.

"Are we ready to leave?" Max asked, his gaze locked onto Ahri as she approached.

"We?" Ahri inquired, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "You didn't think I flew all the way from Monaco just to see you for a couple of minutes, did you?"

Max returned her smile with a warm, sincere one. "What about Charles and the other guy, Phil, is it?" she teased.

"They're adults who can very well take care of themselves," Max replied, his gaze focused on her.

Ahri hesitated for a moment, considering her interviews and responsibilities. "I have interviews," she said.

Max's response was unwavering. "And I have tons of ebooks. I can wait," he said. 

Once Ahri was done with her post-match interviews, she joined Max, and together they approached her team, who were gathered in the hospitality area. Ahri introduced Max with a warm smile.

"Guys, this is Max Verstappen," she said, gesturing towards Max. "Max, this is my team. Ian, my coach, Belle, his wife and my PR, Sarang, my manager and you already met Jiah."

Max exchanged polite greetings with the team, and Jiah expressed her surprise. "Max, we didn't know you were going to be here."

"I didn't have anything to do particularly, so I thought, why not just come see her finals?" Max replied with a charming smile.

Belle, couldn't help but give Ahri a knowing look.

Max turned his attention back to the group. "You guys wouldn't mind if I stole her for a couple of hours, would you?" he asked, his eyes locked on Ahri.

Ahri raised an eyebrow at Max's choice of words, asking, "Hours?"

Max leaned in closer, his voice a whisper. "You didn't think I'd leave you before that, did you?" he teased.

Ahri chuckled softly, her gaze lingering on Max. "Of course not," she replied, her voice filled with anticipation.

 Ian,  chimed in with a drawl, "Of course not, take her." Ahri's heart skipped a beat, and she shot a playful smile to her team.

As they left the venue and got into the car, Ahri couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and anticipation. The question lingered on her lips as she turned to Max, asking, "Where are we going?"

Max grinned mischievously. "Oh, my hotel room," he replied casually.

Ahri giggled, thinking he might be joking. "Oh, you think I'm joking?" Max asked, his tone laced with desire.

Ahri's heart raced as she stammered, "I, uh..."

"Relax," Max reassured her, his eyes filled with understanding. "We're going on a drive, then we'll go to my room, order room service, and later I can drop you off. You just won Australia's biggest tennis tournament. Do you think you can casually walk around? Especially with me? We wouldn't want to end up in a gossip magazine so soon, now would we?"

Ahri couldn't help but appreciate Max's thoughtfulness. 

"So, I heard something from Charles," Ahri began.

Max chuckled. "Charles is the last person you go to if you want to know something about me," he teased.

"Well, from what I have got to know, I should call you 'baby' instead of 'tiger,'" Ahri playfully remarked.