Secrets with Wolff - Max Verstappen

2.

Charlotte was straightening her hair while I was sitting down on the bed. "So you think Lando is starting to like you?" She turned around, it looked like she really wanted to laugh at that. I just nodded. "And do you like him?" She smiled excitedly, she didn't know about Max and I. "I don't know him that well, we've only talked a couple of times" She nodded. I knew she loved Max and I together.
"So Charles looks fast, is he excited about it?" She shrugged her shoulders. She put the straightener down. "We haven't really talked about it" she smiled a little. I was confused. Did they have a fight? "He's been really distant lately, probably just some nerves." She shrugged it off but I could see that it was bothering her. Maybe I should have a talk with Charles.

———————

"You are the one I was looking for!" I was walking to the media center but a voice stopped me. It was a smiling Daniel. "Yes? What do you need?" I stopped walking and looked at him. Why would he possibly need me? "I am throwing a party to celebrate the beginning of the season and you need to be there." I could actually really use a party and some alcohol and I always enjoyed spending some time with Daniel and the other drivers. "Okay, when is it?" His PR manager gestured him to follow him. "It's tonight after the race. You can bring someone but I guess your plus one is already invited." He was obviously referring to Max. I rolled my eyes as he winked at me and walked away with his PR manager.
I was actually excited about the party and that they invited me. I never got invited to parties last year, I finally started to fit in.

———————

Olivia and I were sitting in the media center. We were watching the race. I haven't talked to Max since this morning. He was feeling confident about the car and himself. It was the first race as reigning world champion. It looked like he was going to win this race, so I started to get ready but I stopped when I heard Max on his radio. There was something wrong with his car so he had to retire. "Prepare yourself, he won't be happy with that." Olivia looked at the tv. She was right. I saw Max jumping out of his car and he just started shaking his head. I sighed and looked at Olivia. "Wish me luck!" I grabbed my things and smiled at her as she gave me a thumbs up.

I was walking to the media pen, when I saw Max walking to his hospitality. He didn't acknowledge me or anyone else. I knew I had to ask a question about his car, a question he would probably have to answer a million times.

Lando was the first one to walk up to me and fake a smile. It was obvious that Mclaren was missing some serious pace. I asked some questions about the car and the race but I wanted to end it on a fun question so I asked him what he did during the winter break. "Not much, I waited on a text from someone but yeah" he looked at me smirking and I felt my cheeks turn red. I thanked him for the interview and he pulled me to the side. "So Daniel is hosting a party and I wanted to ask if you wanted to come with me?" He whispered and I could swear his cheeks were the one who turned red this time. "Uhm.. yes he also invited me. So I'll be there" he smiled and nodded before walking away. I hoped he understood that I wasn't his plus one.

I didn't get much time to think about it because Max was already leaning against the railing between us. He looked at me confused so he probably heard the conversation.
"Hi Max, though race. Do you know what went wrong exactly?" He looked me straight in the eyes. "No we don't know yet, but I'm sure we can find the problem and fix it for the next race." I nodded. His face stayed emotionless during the entire interview so I decided to keep it short. I thanked him, he just nodded and walked away.
Was he annoyed because of his car or because I was talking to Lando?
Was he jealous?