Secrets with Wolff - Max Verstappen

70.

I walked with Christian to my drivers room, he slammed the door behind him. "What's this about?" He showed me the article. I shrugged my shoulders. "What do you want me to say Christian?" He crossed his arms, looking at me.
"Are you having talks with Toto?" I guess he was hoping that it wasn't true but I nodded. "Yes" he started shaking his head while he was pacing around the room. Just in that moment, my dad stormed in the room. "Max, what's this all about?" He walked up to me so I took a step back quickly. I knew he wasn't happy with my decisions lately and this was one he could add on that list.
"I'm just.." he didn't let me finish, he just turned to Christian. "We will sign your contract, don't worry" I was looking at him in disbelief. I could make my own decisions.

I walked passed them, not saying a word. I was running down the stairs, I could feel everyone look at me. They are probably wondering if I would stay with them and how could I blame them? They gave their all for me this year and now I was leaving.

I walked out of the hospitality when someone grabbed my arm. It was Rylee. I was so happy to see her, my smile quickly dropped when I saw how mad she was. "Why didn't you tell me?" I sighed, this was all blowing up in my face. "Because it's only talks, I didn't decide anything yet." She rolled her eyes and laughed a little. Obviously a very sarcastic laugh. "And when were you gonna tell me? When you were wearing a Mercedes team kit? You can't just leave your team behind" she pointed at the hospitality. We were having this fight in front of everyone.
"God are you too stupid to see that this team actually cares about you?" She continued to raise her voice, now everyone was looking at us.

I just turned around and walked away. I couldn't tell her that Red Bull didn't offer me a contract yet, not when everyone was listening.
"Yeah walk away like you always do" she yelled at me. I chuckled. She was literally blaming me for the things she did best.

I was just walking through the paddock. I actually didn't know where I was going. I had no where to go. I couldn't go back to my hospitality or garage.
I saw Olivia walking up to me, I rolled my eyes and turned around quickly. She grabbed my arm. "Max wait" I turned around and looked at her. She caused this mess and now she wanted to talk to me? "I didn't tell anyone, you have to believe me"
I rolled my eyes. "Why should I?" She was still holding my arm. "Because I care about you, I wouldn't do that" I sighed, I really wanted to believe her. I needed someone who would just listen without trying to make a decision for me. "I just don't know what to do Olivia" she wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me. It was a hug I really needed.

We started walking around the paddock again.
"Why would you go to Mercedes? I thought you were happy with Red Bull?" She was right, I really was happy with them but it would be easier for me and Rylee if I went to Mercedes. "Yes, but you were right, what if I won't be champion this year?" she looked at me and nodded.
"They will still offer you a contract Max, you're their golden boy" she brushed her fingers against my hand, for the first time in a while I didn't avoid her touches and I guess she noticed it too.

"And you'll still be a champion in my eyes" she looked up at me and smiled. She put her hand on my arm and whispered in my ear "Red Bull offered me a job for next year so please don't leave. I need you there" I looked at her quickly. They offered her a job? "What kind of job?" I said a bit too loud because she gestured me to keep quiet. "As your PR manager, so they obviously expected you to be there next year" I was happy for her but it made my decision even harder.
"Max I am sorry for everything and the way I acted, I just really care about you" I sighed and pulled her into my arms. "I care about you too"