FAST AND FUTURE - George Russell

19

“I am never falling asleep on anyone ever again,” Daniella tiredly said as she took the seat neat next to George. After the video of her sleeping on George’s shoulder went viral she has been hounded by questions about her and George and if they are more than just teammates.

“But you had a good nap though,” George laughed as the crew member put a laptop in front of them, almost ready to start filming.

“Yeah..,” She admitted. “But I spent the last six interviews explaining that I am single and you and I are just friends…so I don’t think the nap was worth the trouble.”

“Next time I will get you a pillow,” George replied. “You can use that instead of my shoulder.”

Daniella chuckled at the comment. She sat still as her make up was retouched, making her ready for the cameras.

“Okay, we are good to go.”

Both George and Daniella sat straight and looked at the camera in front of them.

“Hello everyon…”

“Hello guys…”

Both said at the same time.

“What are you doing?” Daniella asked George, trying not to crack a laugh.

“I am saying hello,” George replied.

“But I am the one who always does the introduction bit.”

“Well, not anymore now that I am here,” George winked at the camera. “Hello everyone, I am George Russell and this lovely lady here is Daniella Michaels,” he looked at her and gave a sarcastic smile.

Daniella shot him a playful angry glare before rolling her eyes and looking back at the camera.

“He stole my intro,” she pouted a little making the crew laugh.

George let out a laugh and his eyes lingered on her for a few seconds. “Anyway, today we will react to some fanarts…”

“Ohhh! I love fanarts,” Daniella excitedly clapped her hands, and the pout on her lips vanished. “You know, I have some amazing fanarts framed in my house.”

“Of course you do,” George chuckled. “I remember in F2 when you first received a fanart,” he looked at the camera as he explained. “She almost cried cause until then she didn’t believe that she had any fans.”

A light shade of red appeared on Daniella’s face as she remembered the day George is talking about.

“Aww! Now she is blushing,” George pointed at her, making everyone around them laugh.

“We are getting off track,” Daniella said as she touched her cheeks, feeling the warmth of her blush.

George opened the first image and immediately both the drivers are in awe. It was a sketch of both of them on the track and behind them was the Mercedes car.

“I love this,” Daniella smiled at the camera. “And we both look good, me and the car.”

George playfully pushed Daniella, making her gasp dramatically.

After commenting and admiring they came across a drawing of George which managed to capture almost every details of his face.

“That is just amazing,” George complicated.

“Yeah…how are these people so talented?” Daniella asked as she admired the drawing. “I can’t even draw a perfect circle.”

“I will give this a 10 out of 10,” George rated the drawing.

“I think this one deserves more, I mean they did manage to draw that annoyingly perfect face of yours…well perfectly,” Daniella argued. “I give it a 63/10.”

***

Daniella put down her phone as tears started pricking her eyes and George was quick to notice it.

They were supposed to have a photoshoot but the multiple missed calls in Daniella’s phone convinced her to call her sister back and as soon as she got the terrible news she regrets not answering the call when it rang the first time.

“Dani?” he looked concerned. “What happened?”

“Umm…that was my sister…my dad had a heart attack,” Daniella tried to control her tears. “He is in the hospital now but doctors are saying he is in a critical condition.”

George gave a sympathetic look and pulled her into a hug and immediately silent tears started rolling down her face.

“It going to be alright,” George whispered as he gently rubbed Daniella’s back, trying to comfort her.

“We need you guys out here in five minutes,” one of the crew members said as they were all ready for the shoot.

“Just…just give us a few minutes,” George said and the crew member left.

Daniella let go of him and wiped her tears, her mind suddenly filled with the worst case scenarios.

“I..I should call Toto,” she sniffed as she pulled out her phone. “Let him know that I am going home.”

George nodded, his hand resting in her shoulder in a comforting manner. He can’t even imagine what Daniella is going through and she has rarely acted so venerable in front of him.

“Do you want me to go with you?” he gently asked as soon as Daniella put down her phone after information Toto about her situation.

“No..” she shook her head immediately. “I will be gone for a few days so you need to be here. There are bunch of interviews and other events scheduled, it won’t look good if both the drivers cancel the plans.”

George nodded, understanding her reason.

“Call me when you get there and if you can then let me know how your dad is doing,” he gave a sad smile.

“I will.”

Within hours the news broke out about the health condition of Daniella’s father as well as photos of her rushing to the airport flooded the internet. There were also speculations going around whether or not she will be able to compete in the next race which is in less than two weeks.

George couldn’t help but feel like he should be with Daniella, supporting her in anyway he can.

**********