Something Gained

Chapter Twenty-Three

I went back to my office and started prepping for some more media bits for after qualifying. I looked at my watch and realised qualifying was about to start. I grabbed my badge and my phones and left my office quickly and raced across to the pit lane. I walked into the garage and saw Lando and Daniel both in their cars about to go out. I gave them both a smile and sat with the rest of the team watching on the screens as their cars left to drive down the pit lane.

P7 and P9 start from the grid tomorrow. Zak was happy, Lando wasn't. He hated ever being behind his teammate, so did Daniel so it was a win lose situation no matter what. I got them both into the paddock.
"Lando you've got ESPN, Daniel you've got Sky Sports" I said pointing to the right journalists. They both got on with it and moved around before we left.
"Dan I'm gonna run ahead I need to grab something" Lando shouted before literally running down the paddock. Daniel and I walked together, as Max came up towards us.
"Alex, Daniel" he greeted. I waved while Daniel and Max had a chat
"Right we've gotta go, I'll speak to you in a bit" Daniel said to Max and we rounded the corner to our trailer. Daniel walked ahead and as I walked through the door there was loads of cheers before a massive outburst of happy birthday was sung.
The whole team was there, Lando was walking towards me with a large cake that had some candles on it.
"Make a wish" Lando said as the singing stopped. I blew out the candles and everyone cheered and got me to cut the cake. There was balloons and banners all around the trailer and I was handed a card that was signed by everyone at McLaren. Lando handed me a present. I said thank you and gave people hugs and high-fives before we all had a bit of cake. The best team in the world!

"You asked Zak if I was on a three week break?" I asked Daniel as we stepped back into my balloon filled room. It made me smile seeing it.
"I had to make sure I could take you home with me" he said shrugging
"He knows... about us" I said, pausing before finishing my sentence. Daniel had taken a sip of his drink and nearly choked on it
"What?"
"Yes. You made it obvious and he worked it out and he spoke with me. He told me that I could work until they find a replacement for you and Lando" I said sighing and sitting down on the bed. Of course I was winding him up but he didn't know that
"What? No!" He yelled, he started pacing the room
"So that could be in a couple of months or worse, a few weeks" I said, I looked down at my hands and bit my lip trying not to laugh
"No no no. I'll go talk to him, I'll convince him. I'll ring him right now" he said pulling out his phone, I jumped up and grabbed his phone
"The damage is done, it's fine. I've made me peace with it. I'll go back to England and find something else" I said
"Absolutely not!" He was dramatic, I started laughing and he stopped pacing and looked at me, "what is funny?? Do you want to leave?" He asked, he grabbed my shoulders. I couldn't not laugh. I looked up at him and he nudged me. "You're winding me up aren't you" that was it the laughter was uncontrollable. Daniel lifted me up and threw me on the bed and pinned me down.
"You're so dramatic" he looked so serious and it was actually quite scary
"That's not funny" he said
"I was only messing about, of course I would never leave you" I said to him. His eyes softened and started into mine
"You wouldn't?" He asked. I shook my head
"You got me for life Ricciardo, if you want me" I said
"Always" he kissed the tip of my nose and it made me laugh, "so does he actually know?" He said rolling off me and pulling me to his side to cuddle me
"He does, but surprisingly he's fine. As long as my job is done and you still get in that car and do your job, as long as all commitments are done and we're not late or missing things then it's fine" I said
"Well that's a weight of my chest, I don't know about you" he said, I looked up at me
"Were you worried?" I asked
"Yeah, I was considering all sorts of things just to keep you by my side. But now we don't have to worry about all that" he said, kissing me again. "Anyway, you better get dressed" he said
"Why?" I quizzed
"Because we've got dinner plans, Lando and I are taking you for dinner, open Lando's gift as well" he said. I smiled
"Aww yay. Can I lay here for a bit" I said, he laughed before pulling me towards him and we laid in silence for a little while.

I had opened Lando's gift under the pressure of Daniel, and was greeted by the most beautiful, andexpensive shoes. Wow, these must of cost him so much. I was in my dressing gown and I went marching out my door. I walked down the corridor to his room and banged on the door.
"Alex hey wha-" he started speaking but I launched myself at him and wrapped my arms round his neck
"Lando they're beautiful, you didn't need to do that"
"Oh but I did, I can't take all the credit, my sisters helped" he said chuckling squeezing me tight
"Thank you thank you thank you I love you" I yelled in his ear
"You're welcome, you're my favourite, only, PR, got to do something to keep you onside aint I" he said. "Now go and get dressed! We leave soon" I nodded and ran back to my room where Daniel was sitting on my bed
"Are you not going to get dressed?" I asked
"Yeah but I want to stay and watch you" he said with a wink. I shook my head and he left the room and I finished off my hair and took out my new shoes to pair with a dress for dinner. I put my bracelets from Daniel back on, and was pretty much ready when Daniel knocked on the door.

"Hey, I'm nearly done just give me a second" I said, as I opened the door. He looked very handsome!
"Wow" he said. I walked into the bedroom
"Wow what?" I shouted out. I heard the door close
"Wow you" I felt Daniels breath tickle my neck as his arms snaked their way round my waist, "you look absolutely stunning" he whispered
"Well thank you" I said, he gave me a kiss on the cheek, "I'm ready now" I said
"I'm not. How am I meant to sit through dinner and not touch you or kiss you, or even watch as other people see you" he said
"I won't get looked at, if I do you just know that I'm yours, no one else's" I said; spinning round and putting my hand on his cheek. Even in heels I was still looking up at him.
"I like the sound of that, you're mine" he said, he took my hand and entwined our fingers. I picked up my clutch bag and we walked out the door together. Lando was standing outside in the hallway with Michael and Jon.

"Ooh we're holding hands in public now" Lando squealed
"Oh no, that's still probably not a good idea" I said, Daniel nodded in agreement
"Zak knows by the way" Daniel said as we entered the lift with the guys.
"Oh no" Michael said
"Nah he's fine about it apparently. As long as we keep our heads" Daniel replied
"Nice shoes as well" Lando winked as we exited the lift.
"Lando can you walk with her, there's cameras everywhere" Daniel said. Lando nodded and put his arm round my waist and kept me close as we walked out through a maze of cameras and flashes.