Brute

37. Max

He was happy with his win, he wanted to celebrate. And also confront a certain guy about who he chose to go out with. Despite the countless times he told him to stay away from Kalki, it seemed like he just didn't listen.

Max knew the party was going to go on forever this evening, he knew he would run into a lot of people he knew. The more the merrier after all. It was a nice escape from his life, even if it was only for a night, it felt great to be on top of the world.

He pulled on jeans and a white polo, his usual party attire, it was time to head to a club. Usually, he liked having Lando by his side, but it seemed that Lando wasn't going to make it. Mick came along instead, but with one ground rule, they'd head back to their hotels at a decent hour, Mick wanted his eight hours of sleep before they flew out to the US.

"Why isn't Lando coming?" Mick asked.

"Apparently he wants to stay in, he's tired."

"Lando? Tired?" Mick raised his eyebrows, "I don't remember him being tired when he was looking for girls by hitting up every party he could find."

"Well it seems he's found 'someone', so I guess that's that." Max scoffed.

"I know he's seeing Kalki." Mick smirked, "and I know what you did, a part of me wishes I didn't take your advice."

"I saved you from a lot of emotional damage."

"Or are you just trying to scare away everyone that might be interested in her because you know..."

"Don't finish that sentence." Max stopped him, "the car's here." He said looking at the sedan pulling into the portico.

He thanked the valet and slid into the driver's seat, leaving Mick to take the passenger seat, who insisted that he wanted to drive when they were back after partying.

Mick's friends were already waiting for him at the club, Max didn't really get along with all of them. But there was nothing a few drinks couldn't solve, once the DJ noticed that the race winner was here, there was no going back.

Max was sloshed, waddling like a penguin but giddy from joy. He was euphoric. He danced, he drank, he hooted and he hollered. He was having the time of his life, he looked around the club and saw a face that was apparently not supposed to be here.

"Wha-" he hiccuped "are you doing here?"

"Okay Max! We don't know him let's not be mean to strangers!" Mick pulled him away from the man.

"That's Lando!"

"No. That's not Lando. That's just someone who looks like him."

"Then where is Lando?" He asked.

"Back in his hotel. Relaxing."

"Relaxing my foot. He's not relaxing!" He freed himself from Mick's grip on his arm.

He marched towards the door of the club, their chauffeur noticed him and immediately got to his side to help him to the car. "Please take me back to the hotel, immediately." He said.

"Yes sir, please be comfortable." The chauffeur said helping him in. "What about the other gentleman you were with..."

"He's going to have a long night, let's go."

The chauffeur kept his word, he got Max back to the hotel as quick as he possibly could. Max thanked him and tipped him generously, continuing to hobble towards his floor. He was here at last, in front of her door, knocking it as loudly as he could.

"What do you want now?" She asked opening the door a creek.

"Where is he!?" He exclaimed. "Can I please come in?"

"Who are you running from now?" She sighed. Running her fingers through her long dark hair.

She looked tired, but she still looked so refined. Was she still working on her weekend report, he asked her.

"You're becoming awfully comfortable with showing up at my door drunk and looking for shelter." She said.

"Why are you doing this to me? I swear I wasn't this erratic before you showed up." Max groaned.

"Gosh how much did you drink? Please go sleep it off!"

"Fine I'm off." He said walking away, "before I forget," he turned back around, "have you eaten yet?"

"No-"

"IT IS WAY PAST MIDNIGHT WHY HAVE YOU NOT EATEN YET!"

"Stop yelling! People are sleeping!" She scolded him.

"Why haven't you eaten yet!?" He leaned against a door for support.

"I forgot. When I'm stressed I forget about things."

"Well you better eat something before you go to sleep."

"Sure. How about you get back to your room?"

"I'll go now." He announced.

"Good." She said shutting the door.

He stumbled back to the door, he still had something to say. It was the reason he came by in the first place "Kalki, I hope you're still hearing me. Don't see Lando anymore. Don't see any of the guys on the grid."

She immediately opened the door, facing him. She looked angry, clearly annoyed too. She probably had enough of his drunk ramblings but he just didn't seem to want to stop.

"Who are you to tell me that?"

"A guy that knows all the guys on the grid."

"You sabotage everything so it's not like I can ever see any of them." She smiled sarcastically.

"I'm trying to look out for you-"

"By telling them things like I'm an evil and manipulative person?"

He was caught. It seems that Lando had told her about his general warning to everyone. Well, she was evil and manipulative. She forced him to shoot dumb videos and go to stupid dinners, tricked him into doing PR things he didn't like. He hated that she had figured out he hid where the IT folks sat when he didn't want to be around people.

"We both know you are." He laughed. "But that's not it. There's just something about you that makes me want to-" he hiccuped, "makes me want to keep you away from all the trouble these guys are."

"Mister Verstappen. You're very drunk. You're not being very professional please just go to your room and sleep."

"Back with the stupid formalities. I'll leave. Once you tell me you won't see Lando ever again." He held his little finger out.

"What?"

"Pinky promise!" He waved his pinky finger at her.

"You don't tell me what to do." She slammed the door shut.

"Have your heart broken then! Cry over some guy who just wanted to use your body and lose your mind over the fact you'll see his face for the rest of your career. That's a very pathetic life."

"I know what I'm doing. I know what they're after and I know what I want. So stop trying to involve yourself in situations that's don't concern you at all."