Is this a love story?

Scuderia

Mia

Austria was intense, a good race but the media were crazy after my driver announcement. I have needed this week at home to get my head straight. I also haven't been home alone, Daniel has stayed in Monaco with me for the past 3 days after some work back in Woking for McLaren. It feels right, being together, I don't know why I ever doubted it. I stretch my arms above my head reaching for the ceiling. My back always gets stiff when I sit for too long. Perhaps Daniel might like to come for a run with me along the costal path? I stand up taking a few steps to get him, he has been relaxing on the sofa which I have in my office "Hey Mavis" He says noticing me and I can't help but lean down and press my lips to his. I adore our little moments of intimacy, just between us, just for us, I just cannot resist this man. I pull away and he has his signature grin "I can get used to this" He tells me "I actually meant to ask you if you wanted to join me on a run along the costal path?" I ask and he nods immediately "I would love that, and it will keep Michael happy" He jokes and I realise I haven't met Michael yet "I am yet to meet your trainer!" I tell him "I have wanted to keep you to myself as much as possible, he will be in Monaco tomorrow if you wanted to grab some breakfast with us?" He asks me and I agree "That sounds great!" He squeezes my shoulder "Lets get on this run!" He tells me and heads out of my office to go and get changed.

The dynamic between us has changed since our conversation about wanting everything with each other, its become more relaxed and natural to be with each other. Something that never happened with Charles, I always felt like I was stepping on eggshells around him. Waiting for the cracks to show but with Daniel I have no cracks, no fears. He has this ability to make me so comfortable without even trying, its just him, his persona. "MAVIS" he yells from the other room and I realise that I have been caught up in my thoughts for longer than I had realised. I pull my sweater off and head out in to the main living area seeing Daniel making smoothies "What you concocting?" I ask him "Well, a post work out protein smoothie!" He tells me passing across an already finished bottle "Shall we?" He gestures to the door and I nod. I can't help but be slightly distracted, he has on quite short running shorts and his thighs are on show and let me say they are muscular!

Daniel

Words cannot describe how comfortable I feel with her, like being myself will always be enough. We have no bad history, friendship turned into more and that means we are starting on a clean slate, a fresh start. I think back to when I have ever felt like this with anyone else and I can't recall a time, she fits me, she gets me and I can't help but feel lucky, that she is mine. If life didn't pan out this way I wouldn't be hers and I cannot imagine a life without her. I glance over at my running partner and I'm impressed she is keeping pace with me, another thing about her I get to learn. Running helps me clear my head and I'm sure it does the same for her. The pressure she must feel being in charge of Ferrari must be difficult to carry sometimes! I just hope that I can support her and she can do the same for me. It hasn't been a great start to the season and the thought of retiring has been on my mind.

We finally stop at the top of the cliffs and Mia collapses on her back flat out looking into the crystal blue sky. I plop myself down next to her and I can't help but let my eyes roam over her, she is absolutely stunning. Her tattoos cover most of her skin but that is the opposite of an issue for me, she talked me through them the other day and some hold a lot of sentimental value to her. We are so similar in so many ways, our drive for success and being the best, our taste in music and fashion, our love for tattoos. I genuinely don't believe there is anyone out there that would fit me as well as she does. I pull out my phone and decide to post the selfie she sent me the other day on my Instagram

@danielricciardo more than a woman to me

I know how cheesy she will find this but it feels good to show her off, she is my person now. Some one clears their throat behind us and I expect to see a fan when I turn around but it's definitely not a fan. I glance over to Mia and the look on her face confirms who I suspected it was. "Salut, apologises for disturbing you" Charlotte starts to say but Mia cuts her off "let me stop you right there, we have nothing to talk about or discuss, considering how you entered my life I feel I have been more allowing of you than I ever needed to be" Charlotte looks at her hands "I just wanted" Mia cuts her off again "I don't care what you wanted. You take what you want even when it wasn't yours to take. You will not be in the garage, if Charles has been complaining then you can tell him to come talk to me in the Garage when we are in the UK" Mia stretches her arms out before standing and glaring at charlotte "also just so we are completely clear, I no longer have any interest in your boyfriend outside of a work capacity, you don't have to worry about me, as long as you stay out of my way." She takes my hand in hers and helps pull me up. I look at Mia and I can see how seeing her here stings. "We had better go" I say to no one really in particular, perhaps more to myself "I'm sorry, about everything" charlotte manages to get out before we head back down the coastal path "a little bit too late for apologies don't you think?" Mia says over her shoulder before focusing on the way home.

Mia

What a mess! Why would she think talking to me would ever be a good idea?! I let out a small huff in frustration "you handled that better than I would've" Daniel assures me and I feel guilty that I can't rid myself of the contempt I feel for her "I want to move on from it all, leave everything in the past but her face just makes me angry" I start explaining "I'm so unbelievably happy with you that I'm almost grateful that she fucked him but I can't pretend that nothing ever happened you know?" I look up and Daniel and he is smiling? He must notice my confused expression "I'm glad you are so happy with me Mavis, it's all I ever want for you" I tell he is being completely honest with me "well without trying you've already beaten anyone else's attempts" I grin at him and all of the negativity drains away.

Silverstone

Hand in hand we walk into the paddock and the usual photographers have their fun. I look over at Daniel and see his usual relaxed expression slightly lacking his smile. Things have been tough for him at McLaren and he isn't getting the support from them that I suppose we both expected. Zac was vocal about his disappointment in a recent interview but last week he was back in the points so I'm hoping he is getting to grips with the car now. It's been a huge change for all of the drivers after the regulation change, I really had thought there would be more understanding from them as a team. Andreas has been much more supportive which I appreciate. "Wait up guys" I hear Max shout from behind me "you're here early" I comment knowing he prefers the extra time sleeping usually "well it's an important race" he jokes. The British GP is part of formula one history and is a decent track for racing but none of our home GP's so it tends to fall into the category of Brazil and Mexico for us. "What's the real reason?" I question my best friends and he rolls his eyes "Christian is sore about me leaving the team so he is making me put in as much work as possible before I'm with you" he tells me and I can honestly say I'm not surprised "he put all of his eggs in your basket mate and now you're giving that basket to Mia" Daniel jokes but I know he understands how the RBR team works. They can't function without having a set number 1&2 which Max will not be having in my team. We work on a performance based system. Definitely fairer. We laugh and joke before we arrive at McLaren "see you later" Daniel tells me kissing the side of my head gently before saying bye to Max and heading in, I just hope he has a good weekend, he needs it. "You both seem very happy" Max comments as we continue our walk to Ferrari "he is everything I never even knew I needed" I comment and he smiles "I knew he would be good for you Mimi" he gives me a squeeze before wandering into Red Bull.