Friends with Benefits - Daniel Ricciardo

13. Bahrain

SOPH'S POV

We were finally covid free and in Bahrain. I didn't see Daniel the whole week but we did have a couple conversations through the phone. It was Friday and I was getting ready earlier than normal just so I got to have some breakfast with Max. Lucky for us, both our teams were staying in the same hotel just couple minutes away from the track. Even though I had being quarantining, a lot had happened this week. Not only I had been having conversations with Daniel but Mason had been checking up on me almost every day. 

Walking out of the elevator I could see a couple of people from the teams having breakfast already. There were Daniel, Michael, and Blake sitting on a table close to were I had just seen Max waving at me from. I decided to walk up to them before sitting with my best friend. As I'm walking towards the Australians table I could feel Daniel staring at me and my anxiety growing with every step I took. As I'm getting closer his smile is growing. 

- "G'day peanut! Take a seat" He shouted before I could even make it to the table. Which earned me a couple stares in the room. I got to the table and stood behind Michael, who was in front of Daniel. I rested my hand on the PT's shoulder.

-"Good morning to my favorite Australians. How are your post- covid lives going?" I asked addressing all three guys. I could see Daniel standing up and making his way to me 

-"Oh man, I swear I am still finding it difficult to go upstairs without losing my breathe" Michael said and Blake agreed while Daniel kissed my cheek

-" Please take a seat" Daniel repeated pulling the empty chair out for me 

-"Thanks Dan. I'm actually having breakfast with Max" I said feeling a little guilty that we left Daniel out of our breakfast

"I just stopped to check on you guys" I finished. Daniel's smile disappeared from his face 

-"Oh ok. Are you riding with us at least? I would like to talk to you" He asked. His stare heavy on me. 

-"Yes, I'm riding with you guys so I'll see you outside" I said with a small smile on my face before turning back to sit with Max. His cheeky smile welcomed me. Oh god, he knew very well what was going on. He stood up and pulled my chair out. 

-"You two are totally hooking up"- he said laughing and smacking his arm was my instant reaction

"Hey! I drive today!"- Max said louder earning us some stares. It seemed that every time I was with one of the two drivers all the spotlights were on us. Which was always terrifying. 

Our conversation went well. We talked about Kelly, we talked about Daniel, and even Mason. Max was still worried about my little encounters with our Australian friend. I had explain to him that I did not want anything romantic or serious out of it but it seemed to be hard for him to believe.

-"Sophie! You are not like that" the blonde said raising his voice a little. His eyes turned big out of desperation. I looked at him and then turned to see Daniel who was staring at us. 

"You didn't even want to do it with your boyfriend" he said lower after realizing that the 3 Australians in the table behind us were being able to hear our conversation 

-" Maxie, I know you are worried but we are not 18 anymore" I stood up, kissed his cheek, and smiled at him to later send a signal to Daniel for us to head to the track

"I'll see you on the track champ. Love you" 

Bahrain International Circuit

After the couple pre practice interviews Daniel had I didn't see him again. I was currently waiting for FP2 so I decided to say hi to my uncle Christian. In front of the RedBull garage were Max and Charles Leclerc engaging on a very friendly conversation.

-"Hey Maxie, can you tell my uncle I'm out here and want to say hi?" I asked Max since I could not get into the RBR garage

-"Sure. Charles, this is Sophie. Daniel's PR and one of my best friends" my friend introduced me to the Monagesque driver. His eyes scanned me before showing me a bright smile 

-"Nice meeting Sophie. I think I kind of remember you from the paddock" he said with a beautiful French accent. I had seen Charles before around the paddock but we never had the chance to actually meet. I saw Max tapping his back and leaving to go get my uncle 

-" The pleasure is mutual Charles. Are you ready for the season? You guys seem to be candidates for the championship" I tried to maintain the distance from my new acquaintance. However, his smile and shinny green eyes make him very charming. The sound of his laugh made my heart race and I felt hypnotized when I saw how his eyes shrink and his eyebrows raised giving me the most genuine laugh. 

-"Well, I hope it stays like that" he said before being interrupted by a very familiar voice to me 

-" Away from my niece Leclerc. I know she's gorgeous but she will always root for RedBull" The British accent of my uncle was heard close to us and a very smilie team principal showed up next to me

-" Hello Christian. She seems to be more of a Mclaren girl" Charles offered a handshake to my uncle why the fourth of us laughed and Max hugged me tight 

-" Funny. How are you honey? Is going to be so nice to have you around the whole year but far enough so you don't cause trouble in our garage" my uncle directed his attention to me in a loving but funny way 

-" Chris, c'mon! I'm not 18 anymore" I said and I could feel my cheeks burning. Charles presence made me nervous and my uncle and Max were just embarrassing me

-" I got to go. Good luck in quali guys" Charles said after hearing a call from one of the engineers in the Ferrari garage 

"Sophie, I hope I get to see you around again this weekend. It's crazy all these years and I didn't get the chance to meet you" he said making me smile. I know, everyone around this guy was all smiles

-"well, now we met! good luck Charles" I said under the attentive stare of Max and my uncle

Author's Note

Well guys, look like Charles is going to have an appearance in the fic. Sorry for the wait! I have been traveling a lot and didn't have much time to spare! Super short chapter while I work in the next couple ones.