Back Again {Lando Norris} [3]

0.1

15/2/2021

Scarlett wrapped her jumper tighter around herself as she walked into the Red Bull Racing factory. She had been incredibly nervous for this day to come around after everything that happened last month, she was finally able to sleep through the night properly but the idea of being surrounded by a lot of people made her anxious

"Hey," Christian said as they walked inside together "You don't have to do this if you don't want to," Him, Mason and Ben were the only ones who knew what happened at New Year's Eve so she was relying on him to help her get through this day

"I'll do it," She nodded. Scarlett was not going to run home because of her fear, she was going to push it away and get through work with a smile on

Scarlett moved closer into Christian's side as they entered the building, while Christian went to greet members of the team Scarlett immediately made her way into the lift and went upstairs to Christian's office

No one else was allowed in the office so she perched on his sofa and pulled out her phone to occupy herself until he arrived.

Sadly for her it wasn't Christian who walked through the door

"Hey Scar!" Max grinned as he spotted his teammate. Scarlett smiled nervously and stood up

"Hey," She replied. Max crossed the room and pulled her into a hug, Scarlett tensed up against him but quickly forced herself to hug him back, then she pulled away and took a step back to give herself a moment to breathe "How are you?"

"I'm good yeah, you?"

How the hell could she answer that question honestly? Her honest answer was no, she felt suffocated and wanted to cry every second of the day. But how could she say that without bursting into tears. 

"Fine," She answered

"I'm sorry about you and Lando," He said. There, another reason for her to want to break into tears. "If you ever need anything, let me know and I'm here,"

"Thanks," She smiled. 

The pair were soon called downstairs to get on with having their car seat fittings and suit fittings for the upcoming season. Christian stayed around Scarlett as she was being measured and worked with, to make sure that she was comfortable

At the end of their day of work Scarlett had to run up to Christian's office to grab her phone before she could leave

"Scarlett," Max's voice came from behind her and she jumped suddenly

"What?" She asked as she faced him

"What's going on?" He asked "I know you and I know you lied when you told me you were fine. You've been jumpy all day and Christian has been following you around like a dog. I'm guessing this is more than just you and Lando breaking up,"

"I'm fine," She lied

"No you're not," He said "So what's going on? Ever since New Year's Eve you've been different,"

Scarlett sighed, she knew she couldn't keep lying her way out of this. Max was one of her best friends and she would be going everywhere with him for the next 9 months so if anyone could get her through this, it would be him

"Esteban assaulted me," She whispered and those three words broke Max's heart. He had been there that night and he didn't even know what had happened to her.

"Oh my god," He was at a loss for words "I don't even know- are you okay?"

"No," She chuckled sarcastically "I've tried so hard to be okay and I'm not. I couldn't sleep for the last month because every time I closed my eyes I felt his hands grabbing me again. Even now the idea of being surrounded by people makes me want to cry. And I lied to Lando, we broke up because he thinks I slept with Mason but I just couldn't face him after what happened. So no I'm not okay,"

"Scar," He walked over to her "I would hug you right now but I know that'll only make it worse so I just want to tell you that I'm here for you every step of the way and I swear I won't let him lay a hand on you ever again,"

"That hug actually sounds really good right now," Scarlett sniffed and wrapped her arms around his torso. Max knew she was still fragile so he hugged her back gently, enough to reassure her but not too tight that she would panic