Something Gained

Chapter Twelve

Time flew by in LA, I started to feel more myself.

The only thing that was a small issue was the fact that during our time we were out, photos had been taken of me and Daniel. Which now, had been put on social media. Lando had seen it and was the first to tell me about it, but pretty soon it was fairly public knowledge.

I made it a point to speak to Zak as soon as I was back, to assure him that there was nothing major going on and I could still do my job. But it still filled me with dread regardless.

I saw Daniel a couple of times more while we were in LA, which meant more photos came out. But when I wasn't worried about that, we hung out in either his apartment or mine and just chilled out, watched movies, played scrabble randomly.

I felt like I had grown closer to him.

He had made me laugh so many times I'd lost count. He was a very grounding person, so being around him naturally made me relax.

Soon enough, it was Sunday. It was time to fly back to England, back to the MTC, back to work and getting ready for another race week.

I shut my suitcase, packing up my life once again. Making sure I had everything I would need with me, before switching off everything in my apartment and locking it up.

By the time I had made it downstairs into the lobby of my building, Daniel and Michael were standing and waiting for me.

Daniel had put me on his private flight with him and Michael.

"Good afternoon" Michael said going to open the boot of the car with my suitcase.

"Hello hello" I replied, more cheerful knowing I was getting back to work.

"Someone's happy" Daniel come over and gave me a hug.

I slid into the back of the car, and soon enough, Daniel and Michael were messing about like they normally did, with Daniel singing constantly as usual.

"You're going to Monaco after Italy?" Daniel asked, as we stepped onto the small airplane.

"Yeah, Lando invited me" I said with a shrug

"Do you often go with Lando?"

"Usually, saves me going back and forth to LA" I spoke

"Well we'll be there to" Michael said with a smile, sitting opposite me and Daniel.

"Let me guess, you've got an apartment there to"

"Yup" he said. It wasn't a surprise to me, most drivers did have a place in Monaco for various reasons.

Daniel

The flight back was interesting. I made sure to sit next to Alex.

We'd barely taken off before Michael was asleep and me and Alex were under a blanket, watching a film. We were making our way through the pirates of the caribbean movies at the moment, which I noticed she really liked.

Not that I was concentrating on watching the movie. Her head was buried into my neck and I could smell her the whole time, whatever shampoo she used smelt so good.

I settled down when I realised she had fallen asleep as well, cuddling into me more.

We'd come a long way from when she felt awkward from me hugging her on the first day I met her, now she was attached to me constantly the last few days, and I certainly wasn't complaining.

"Dan, wake up" Michael was nudging me awake. "We're landing soon" he smirked at me and looked towards Alex.

We were completely cuddled up and she looked so comfortable I didn't want to wake her but I knew I had to.
Michael started packing his things away and brushed Alex's hair with my hand and she stirred awake.

"Wakey wakey sleepy head" I whispered into her ear. She stretched and looked up at me. She looked so adorable I couldn't help myself. I kissed her forehead and she smiled before sitting up.

We made our way off the plane and through the airport, as we got outside we waited while Michael went off to get the car.

"Are you cold?" I noticed her shivering. She was only wearing a T shirt and jeans and England was a lot colder than LA. She shook her head, and I sighed handing her my hoodie.

"I'm fine honestly" she still sounded so sleepy.

"Come on just take it. Can't having you getting sick. You'll make me sick, I've got a job to do" I said with a wink.

I knew it would get her to listen and she did. She grabbed the hoodie with a sigh and slipped it on, it was a lot bigger on her than on me, and it made her look adorable.

Michael pulled up in the car and I grabbed our bags and put them in the car. I went to get in the car and she was in the front with Michael.

"Oh I see, I've been demoted" Michael laughed

"That's how it is Danny Ric, Michael is more fun than you" at this point Michael was in stitches. I held my heart and got in the back of the car.

"Did you just call me Danny Ric?" I asked from behind her

"Yep, problem?"

"Not at all" Danny Ric is what my friends used to call me when we were kids doing karting. Not that it was important. But it made me smile, something from home.

"I've got a briefing with Zak at 9am tomorrow. I need to prep you guys for some media bits tomorrow. Do you want to have dinner?" She asked from the front of the car.

"Yeah sure" I looked at Michael in the mirror and he winked at me

"I'm sure Jon's back as well, so are you coming Michael?" She asked turning to Michael.

"I'm always down for food" he nodded along to the music. He kept looking at me in the mirror and smiling. Michael was the only one that knew everything. He's been my best friend since we were kids and I couldn't have anyone else working with me. And I couldn't not tell him about Alex, so he knew it all and how much I liked her.

Alex

It felt like ages until we got to our usual hotel.

I was so tired, and knew I needed to just go straight to bed to be able to get straight back into working.

But instead, I got showered and dressed again, before heading straight back out with notes I needed to get straight into it with Daniel and Lando.